More finds and projects completed

As I mentioned prior, I took full advantage of my mother-in-law's visit to get a few things done.  One being this dresser.  I snuck out one Friday morning while Amelia, Grammy and Dad played, to scout out a few garage sales and shops.  I found a dresser for $5 and figured it was worth it to see if I could repair it.  It was a dark espresso brown, the top was coming off (was not assembled correctly...top is perfect now) and someone spilled what looked to be milk on the top that made it a bubbly mess.  Drawers worked great and sturdy, so figured it could solve my problem in Amelia's room where her current dresser was too large to be next to the bookcase and I just bought a desk that had to go in the place where her dresser now stood. 

I tightened and screwed in all the loose nuts and bolts then tackled the top with a sander.  Primed and then about 4 coats (one a day) of a quart of white paint I bought at Lowe's for $2.50.  Sprayed the knobs gold (Amelia thought that was just spectacular) and Voila!  a dresser fit for a princess that fits perfectly next to her bookcase!  I took hers for a much needed night stand next to my side of the bed.  Eventually, I would like to move it upstairs in the playroom or move it back to her room if we move her bed around when she doesn't need the wall and bed rail.  Then I would work on getting an appropriate night stand for myself.   Didn't take any before shots as I was apparently too excited to get the project rolling. :)

I'll take a few pics of her room eventually.  On to chairs...

A few posts back I mentioned we sold our shaker style chairs on Craigslist...bought 4 Interim chairs to be ready for company...then found these babies on Craigslist and sold the 4 Interim.  WOW chairs dominated my life for a bit.  

These are keepers.  Borkholder Amish chairs that Amelia can sit in without fear of tipping and go perfect with our table!  Enough with chairs ... actually I still have 4 that we originally bought wayyy back that I am going to get rid of once all the company leaves along with a table :)

The bad news is that I never found a china cabinet and thus did not take down the upper cabinets that I was planning to do.  Still looking though...will keep you posted.

Finally....a bit of art outdoors. 

Complete with lunch.  Notice we finally got her to put the cottage outside for what looks to be at least a couple months.

Next week Liz, Andrea and Ryan come to Alaska...can you say EXCITING?!

  

Fairbanks 2014

Our yearly trip to Fairbanks...and we are getting closer to sitting on Santa's lap!   You can read about previous Fairbanks travels here, here and here.  

Stop one...Museum of the North on the UAF Campus. 

Like I have said previously, small, but certainly entertaining with a rotating exhibit that is usually the highlight.

Next ... Santa.  HOWEVER, Santa doesn't work on Mondays...who knew.  We would have to come back sans Dad. 

Got a peek of Prancer though. 

Off to Pioneer Park the next day.

Little eateries and shopping line the streets.

Took a train ride around the park and of course, couldn't miss the Merry Go Round.  

We were kind of obsessed with the Merry Go Round Horse she rode. 

A huge playground lies in the middle of the park, where she spent a good hour on this apparatus.  

 One reason I love Pioneer Park is there are not tons of people, which is probably not good for Pioneer Park.  Lots of historic buildings offer much to learn on the history of Fairbanks and with  train rides, the playground and amusement rides to offer the kids, it's a full adventure for the whole family that I would definitely recommend. 

Tuckered out we headed from our Hampton Inn hotel room to the Pikes Waterfront Lodge.  The story about hotel hopping was that we loved Pikes in previous years and they only had one day available during the week, so we opted to load the car an extra time to play Bocce Ball and Golf :)   HOWEVER, we have decided to stay at the Hampton next time due to the pool, free breakfast and nearby shopping :)  We will be back to Pikes in later years.

Still a great day of Golf and Bocce!

Took a few pics on the swan during our walk too.

A funny story about the Hampton Inn:  Our first night we were exhausted from driving 6 1/2 hours, so opted for a stay in dinner.  Since, unlike Pikes (really both have pros and cons) they do not have a restaurant, so I said I would run to McDonalds next door.  WELL...little did I know there was a seagull nesting right on the side of the road...and was almost attacked by her and the dad!  I swear this sign was not up and must have been put up the next day as I probably was not the only one who felt that new mom's wrath for walking near her babies!  I walked on the other side coming back :)

Next day: Let's try the North Pole again for Santa.  

Yeah for Santa!  Each year we move a bit closer :)  

Saw the whole team this time too!

And chatted with Prancer :)

Next day...let's take Dad to the Fairbanks Auto Museum.  

 This museum really impressed Rob...especially, this car :) Supposedly one of the best car museums and a Fairbanks jewel.   

Another fun filled trip to Fairbanks with pretty much great weather.  Rained up and down, so no pictures of Denali...but you have seen plenty of them.  

Will post on our projects next week. 

The following week...the Wierbinski Visit that will surely be loaded with photo opportunities :)

Our Second Week

Our second week of Grammy's visit included bowling, The Eagle River Nature Center and Alyeska for dinner at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant (named for the seven glaciers that are visible from the restaurant).

Amelia had to show Grammy how well she bowled.  Although, no amount of encouragement was enough to have her let go of her ball rolling apparatus.  Maybe next time. 

I have mentioned the Nature Center many times here, as we did their Knee-Hi Nature Program last summer and LOVED it.  This year they are not holding the class due to the construction on the road (which was actually worse last year).  We were certainly looking forward to it ... oh well. 

A stroll will have to do. 

We met Rob's friend, Kevin, for a delicious 4 star dinner at Seven Glaciers atop the mountain at Alyeska Resort.  You take the tram up and along with dinner, receive some spectacular views!  

It seems my Salmon dinner was so good, I was too distracted to take a picture...but got Amelia eating her Pasta ?! 

Luckily,  I did remember to snap a shot of dessert. 

Baked Alyeska

It wasn't good or anything. :P  

We all received the most delicious chocolates at the end of the meal.  Seriously, one (if not at the top of my list) of my very favorite restaurants.  Very pricey ... hey it's on top of a mountain...but extraordinary.

Let's go work off the Baked Alyeska...

Now let's dance and goof off.  Note:  Amelia slept the entire ride to Alyeska which explains her bursts of energy.

After the tram ride back down...we hammed it up a bit. 

And after a quiet last couple of days where Amelia got her full days of play, Grammy headed home for some much needed rest. 

Next time: showing a project I got done when Amelia was being entertained, a garden update, deck update AND new chairs...that I am keeping this time.  Oh, and a full report on our trip to Fairbanks.  Eh .. might need 2 blog posts :P :)