The Bradford's Blog

We took a long weekend trip to Anchorage a few weeks ago for some dr appts for Greg and Tucker. Tucker had her two year check up and Greg has been fighting this sinus/cold/flu/phlegm/gross Alaskan disease and he needed to get some meds to clear that up. We left on a Thursday and were very excited to get to civilization for a little while. Greg needed a break, I needed a cup of hot Starbucks, and Tucker needed to run around on some grass. We had a really good flight there....JUST KIDDING...Tucker ended up getting sick and puked everywhere in one of the little planes we were in. She puked all over her clothes and my clothes and the planes we ride in are like the size of a small compact car, a kids car, not an actual real car. It smelled up the whole plane and her and I just sat there in her puke until we got to St. Mary's and could change clothes. It wasn't the greatest start for the weekend, but nonetheless, we were glad to be going.

Being loyal Arkansans, our first stop when we got to Anchorage was Wal-Mart...We were stopping partly to get a few groceries for the weekend, but mainly just to go to a real store!!

Tucker was so excited to sit in the buggy

And now she is even big enough to ride on the end of the buggy!

She was very mesmerized over all the pumpkins and scarecrows

Now, I never thought I would buy my child a doll...but she loves "feeding" her friend Emma's doll so we broke down and bought her one. I just hope she plays with basketballs more than dolls.

Tucker at the dr's office. She checked out perfect! Weighing 26lbs and is 2'11" She's growing fast!

After the dr we went straight to eat

Tucker ate most of the chips, salsa, and cheese dip. One of her favorite meals.

Dad and Tucker standing in front of the ocean.

We decided to go on a little road trip up north to the towns of Wasilla and Palmer. We had an extra day to do what we wanted so we took off in search of a reindeer farm, a gold mining camp, and the Iditarod headquarters.

Some of the scenery along the way

Mountains are everywhere here

Our first stop was in Wasilla, AK. This is the actual official start of the Iditarod Sled dog race. Its also home to one of my favorite politicians, Sarah Palin.

Tucker guiding the sled.

This was on our way to the gold mining camp. Most of you know that there was a huge gold rush up here. It's peak at this particular camp was in the 40's. There were 22 families living there and a school for 8 children....I wish I could have gotten better pictures but it was almost all covered in snow...so I will just show you our hike up there.

There is also a ski slope here...mostly for cross country skiers, because they have the ski up the mountain, then back down. It was COLD!!!

Tucker was enjoying the "crunching" of the snow under her feet.

Of course, after the long haul up the mountain we were all hungry(or just excited to go to a restaurant)

Greg was making fun of me because I never eat hamburgers, but I told him it was a special occasion.

This was at the reindeer farm in Palmer, AK. Tucker had already had quite a day and was pretty tired by the time we got there. She slept on her dad for the first 30 minutes or so at the farm.

GO HARDING BISONS, GO BISONS FIGHT!!! FIGHT ONTO VICTORY!!!!

Still sleeping...

Until we got to the reindeer, she perked up when she saw these awesome creatures.

The farmhands give you a bowl of reindeer chow so you can walk around and they come up to you and will eat out of your hand! Its really neat, and Tucker had no fear!

She would just march right up to the reindeer and pet it like it was her pet.

This one had to be the mack daddy of them all. Look at that rack!!

There was also a moose there at the farm that had just shed its antlers. Tucker tried them on, but they were a little big...

Tucker playing in the chopped corn with all the other kids.

Those are caribou.

There was a huge hay field that kids could climb all over and play with. Tucker liked to sit up on top then "slide" down.

Beautiful mountains everywhere!!

Here we are back in Anchorage...there was a park across the street from our hotel so we went outside and let Tucker run around the grass. She LOVED it.

Then of course...we had to EAT again!!!

I put this picture on here because I think she looks so old!! and it makes me sad!

Us in our flannel. Flannel should be owned by everyone. It's the best.

Tucker with her baby. Ready to go home and sleep.

We had a great trip!! Our next trip back to Anchorage will be at Christmas. Love you all! Thanks for reading!

Not too much has gone on around here lately besides the normal daily grind! I was gone for a week earlier this month to be with my dad after his surgery. Greg and Tucker both survived just fine without me! Luckily, Tucker was excited to see me when I got off the plane...I was afraid she would have forgotten me!

Jessica and her family came to see us and visit with dad for awhile.

Me, dad, and bub. First time it's been just us 3 in quite awhile. We had a good

Time visiting.

Greg also killed a huge moose while I was gone! He called me around midnight when I was in Portland to tell me "I killed a monster!" And it sure was!

I sure was happy he got one...considering hunting season closed the next day! And it has filled out freezer so full, we will surely have full bellies all winter long!

Tucker sitting in daddy's moose horns!

Tucker and her friend, Emma.

On another note, Tucker has really taken to everyone here...I think it's because she has finally gotten used to everyone and she is getting older and really starting to talk!

Tucker's friends, Holly and Nathan...they were all eating berries out of the same bowl...mainly Tucker eating the majority!

Holly reading to Tucker

Tucker has started to string together short sentences! It has really made it so much fun getting to hear her talk and expressing how she feels. Here are some pics of her lately...