Finding Our Alaska Rhythm

Little by little, Alaska is beginning to feel less like our new assignment and more like our home.

This week marked our final stretch before the kids arrive, and while we miss them every day, we’ve tried to make the most of this short season together. Between unpacking another wave of boxes, organizing closets, and finding homes for the last few odds and ends, we’ve also made a point to enjoy a few date nights before life becomes wonderfully busy again as a family of six.

The house still isn’t completely finished, but every week it feels a little more like ours. The stack of empty boxes keeps shrinking, familiar routines are taking shape, and we’re finally reaching the point where we spend more time living in the house than unpacking it.

Mother Nature also decided to give Anchorage a little break.

July had been the rainiest on record, with the longest stretch of consecutive rainy days in Anchorage history. Just when we started wondering if we’d ever see blue skies again, the clouds finally parted.

And there it was.

Even from nearly 130 miles away, North America’s tallest peak dominates the horizon. Photos don’t quite prepare you for it. One minute you’re driving through Anchorage, and the next there’s an enormous snow-covered mountain rising above everything else. We quickly learned why longtime Alaskans stop what they’re doing when “the mountain is out.” It’s one of those sights that never seems to lose its magic.

Work was busy in all the best ways.

This week, Eleventh Air Force hosted its annual Commanders Conference, bringing together commanders, command chiefs, command spouses, and executive officers from across Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. Beyond the briefings and planning sessions, the week was centered on building relationships across the command. In an organization spread across thousands of miles and multiple time zones, those personal connections matter just as much as the meetings.

One of the highlights for the executive officers was an evening at Escape! Alaska. Our team worked through every puzzle, escaped successfully, and laughed our way through the process. The staff made the experience even better, creating an atmosphere that was challenging without ever taking itself too seriously. It turned out to be a great way to build teamwork outside the office.

The evening ended with dinner at Glacier Brewhouse, a restaurant that quickly earned a spot on our “special occasion” list. Incredible food, a welcoming atmosphere, and one of those meals that reminds you why it’s worth asking the locals for recommendations.

While we were finding our rhythm in Alaska, the kids were making even more memories with family.

Their ranch adventures continued before the whole crew headed to Utah to celebrate Pioneer Day and attend Stacy’s high school reunion. Between time with cousins, family traditions, and one more stop on their summer adventure, they packed even more memories into an already unforgettable trip.

As much as we’ve appreciated these quiet weeks together, the countdown is officially on.

Soon, the bedrooms we’ve spent weeks unpacking won’t be quiet anymore. The dinner table will have six chairs filled instead of two. The house that has slowly become our home will finally feel complete.

And honestly…

We can’t wait.