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Beauty in the Last Frontier
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Our Biggest Adventure Yet!

7/13/2016

14 Comments

 
Twins!!

Between my previous blog post and now, we went from this . . .
36 weeks pregnant with identical twins
. . . to this!
Newborn mono-di identical twin girls
As you may have read in previous posts, we have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of our twin girls. They arrived in May, and what an adventurous summer this has been . . . in a very different sort of way. Last summer we were traveling to places like Chena Hot Springs, Kennecott Mines, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Matanuska Glacier.

This summer we're changing diapers, snuggling sweet babies "E" and "F," and growing greatly in love with our little family. Oh, and walks! Lots of walks. This is my M.O. these days:
Walks in Alaska with a double stroller
We've had family visit at various times since the girls' debut, and while my dad was here he smoked some of last year's red salmon we caught dipnetting! So delicious and pretty simple to do! Everyone seems to have a recipe for smoked salmon brine that they will take to the grave with them, but we used a simple store-bought one and it turned out pretty tasty.
Anchorage, Alaska, smoked red salmon
My outdoor adventures have consisted of drives nearby and walks in Anchorage, but even for those simple things it's been wonderful to get out of the house and get some fresh air and change of scenery. We've been having a gorgeous, warm summer for the most part! Last night we took a walk on the track at a nearby middle school and it was nearly 80 degrees at 7pm!
Mountains, Turnagain Arm, and jet ski from Beluga Point
Above was my view from Beluga Point when I went for a drive and then fed the girls in the car. Normally there are never watercraft in the Turnagain Arm because the tides are extremely powerful and the bottom is silty and shallow. But that day the fire department was practicing water rescues, probably due to the many people who daringly try to surf the Bore Tide or windsurf in the Arm.

Last week I went for a walk around Lake Hood, which many sources say is the world's busiest floatplane hub. I love seeing small aircraft flying right over my head and taking off or landing on the small gravel runway or the lake itself. I wonder who is in them and where they're going. Many companies run sightseeing tours, hunting trips, etc., but a surprisingly large percentage of Alaskans own their own small planes and have the luxury of flying to gorgeous places on a whim in rugged, beautiful Alaska.
Walking by the gravel runway at Lake Hood Seaplane Base
Airplane taxiing at Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage
These adventures are different, but last year we packed in many out-of-town trips knowing it might be our last summer as a kidless couple. While we want to explore Alaska just as much with our little ones, we're staying close to home for these early months and settling into life with twins. These girls are the most amazing gifts from God. We love getting to know them and seeing their personalities emerge! They're two months already, and we are so excited for all that lies ahead!
14 Comments
Sabra Penley link
7/13/2016 06:47:28 pm

Mary Anne, I was so excited to see this post in my email. In fact, I was wondering how you were doing. Your girls are gorgeous! Congratulations! Such an exciting time in life.

Our daughter just had a little boy two weeks ago. So remembering you were pregnant at the same time, you've been on my mind. Giving thanks that these three precious lives are here safe and sound!

Praying God's continued blessings are you, your husband, and your sweet little girls!

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
7/21/2016 06:54:41 am

Thank you so much! We are blessed indeed by these amazing girls and the love and support from all around us.

Reply
Wendy Plueard
7/13/2016 08:21:28 pm

Your Greatest Adventure ..... I Love that : ) I so enjoy your heart and enthusiasm for your Alaska, Mary Anne! We are Blessed to have you share your thoughts, observations, and stories with us. Love that you are already out and about with your 2 amazingly adorable side-kicks, Blessings to the Brady Bunch, Love you all!

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
7/21/2016 06:55:18 am

Thanks Wendy! Excited to have Charity up here for a quick visit soon! Thank you for making that possible!!

Reply
Jocelyn
7/13/2016 10:30:39 pm

I love hearing about your new adventures! Great pictures too :)

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
7/21/2016 06:55:39 am

Glad we got to have an adventure together this week! :)

Reply
Sarah West link
7/16/2016 02:57:09 am

Congratulations to you all . E and F look beautiful, I'm so glad that they arrived safely and you are settling in with your large family. It must be such a change especially have two little ones to care for. You were lucky there were born in May so you can still enjoy and also introduce your beloved Alaska to them. Take care. Sarah x

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
7/21/2016 06:57:12 am

It was certainly a blessing to have them born in May with a bright (so many hours of daylight) and really warm summer for their early months! Now I'm really looking forward to winter and introducing them to snow when they're able to take notice!

Reply
Peter Grant link
7/17/2016 01:56:10 am

I'm so excited for you Maryanne - congratulations to you (all)! You've begun an adventure that will go on for many years (if you don't believe me, imagine twin granddaughters, such as we welcomed into our lives just over a year ago). It's great that your daughters are already getting out into that wonderful Alaskan landscape. That's what they - and you, and the world - need more off. Blessings!

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
7/21/2016 06:58:32 am

My husband and I hope that the girls' "outdoor education" will be among the most important aspects of their lifelong learning. So much good comes from getting outside and enjoying the beautiful nature and creation around us!

Reply
Nadezda link
9/1/2016 10:10:19 pm

Dear Mary Anne, I'm late to congratulate you all, such pretty girls you have now. It's happiness, although with troubles, problems, nights without sleeping. You showed very nice scenes of Alaskan life,I was especially interested in smoked salmon :)

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
2/10/2017 12:56:22 pm

I'm sorry I never replied to this. Thank you! There are challenges but the joys outweigh them! And I am looking so forward to fresh smoked salmon this summer!

Reply
Peggy Durgin
2/9/2017 09:33:51 am

Dear Mary Anne, I am Linda's sister. I do so enjoy your stories and pictures of Alaska. My husband grew up in Ketchikan the first 12 years of his life and he so enjoys returning at least twice a year. It is truly a beautiful state.
I have so enjoyed this last blog about your mother. I so enjoy your dad. He has made Linda very happy. I look forward to meeting you and your sweet babies some day.

Reply
Mary Anne Brady
2/10/2017 12:57:01 pm

Thank you! I would love to see Ketchikan someday. We love Linda too, and she has been so good for my dad. Take care!

Reply



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    I'm a mom of twins, published author, editor, amateur photographer, and nature enthusiast with an unlimited supply of curiosity. Come discover the little wonders I find during my everyday life in Alaska.

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