Winter Hike

Another thing that was on my Must Do Before We Leave AK was to go on a hike while there was still snow on the ground. This would count as my Winter Hike :) While Kyle's friend was up here we took the opportunity to get a babysitter and go with Leisa and Kyle on a hike. Our plan was to go to Angle Rocks, however, remembering how steep it was when we did it in the summer and how many times I fell on the decent, I thought that it wouldn't be such a great idea to do this particular hike in the snow! We opted on the Granit Tors 3 mile loop. Which provided great scenery along the river bank and in the woods. :) Again, AK provided us with many great photo ops! Enjoy!

3 mile loop

Pumpkins

So during nap time I went out to the store to purchase some pumpkins. Not the greatest selection; however, I thought it would be fun to surprise the boys when they woke up. I had this vision of us as a family carving pumpkins at the table. Hmmm didn't turn out that way. Kinda turned out that Jeff and I did all the carving and boys telling us to hurry up because they wanted their pumpkin done! They wanted nothing to do with the pumpkins at all... oh well...it was fun to see them squirm when they tried to touch the 'guts' of the pumpkin!!

Jeff and Ian cutting the pumpkin

Going in for the guts

Ian doesnt like it one bit!

Blake going in....

Yucky!

Kyle and his Yankee Pumpkin

Mine and Kyle's Pumpkin

All three.

Doing lots!

With Jeff being home we are staying busy with fun activities and enjoying what is left of our time here in Alaska! The most recent is that we went "hiking" on some trails at the local Creamers Field. The boys had a fun time looking for feathers of cranes and listening for birds that were still in the woods we wondered through. We looked at all the different leaves, and trees and explored the unknown. It was maybe a mile that we walked - good exercise and wore the boys out!! Please enjoy a few of our favorite pictures.

Boys on a Bridge

Exploring

Walking with Mom

The three boys

Checking out a bird house

Good Eatin'

Just had to share that Jeff made this awesome kick ass burger. The breakfast burger : Beef Burger with a fried egg and bacon & cheese!! We'll have a heart attack after eating it, but it sure was yummy!!

Update on us!

Holy cow it has been a crazy fest ever since Jeff has returned home from his Deployment.

It all started with Blake getting a fever for 48 hours that wouldn't' come down. It was as high as 104, and with his runny nose and cough, and the increase of H1N1 at the Pediatric floor I was nervous it was flu....HOWEVER, Jeff was due in that night! So Kyle stayed home with the kids while they were sleeping because Jeff couldn't come home at a reasonable time - it was 3am Sunday when the buses pulled it. It was great to see him! We come home, Blake sleeps thru the night - we wake up Jeff surprises the boys with breakfast! Ian was so excited. Blake on the other hand felt like crap and couldn't care less who Jeff was -so after breakfast off to the ER we go. 5 hours later we return home . Blake has an ear infection and upper respiratory infection.

Ok whew, glad thats over with - we all take a nap. So much for family time on Sunday.

Jeff reports to work on Monday. He comes home we eat lunch - I leave for work to work 3-7. He watches the boys. Just remember we are still reintegrating. Boys weren't so nice for Jeff.

I come home from work - boys in bed, Jeff in bed. Blake has been fever free for 24 hrs! Hes better! Thank goodness.

Jeff goes to work on Tuesday, as do I. Im totally loving the family time!! NONE!

Wednesday comes. I have off, Jeff has part day home by 1030! Finally we can have time as a family!

Thursday, Friday are great.

Now to Saturday the day of my big race. Im on a team for the Equinox Marathon Relay. Im running the last leg 9.2 miles - all of which is pretty much downhill starting on top of a mountain with an elevation of about 2200 feet! Im getting ready, Jeff and the kids are playing in the room. Then I hear this big boom and then crying !! Ian slipped on his socks while dancing and then landed right on his arm. After much debating, Ian seems to be fine and I make it to my hand off station just in time to complete the race. 2 hours and 7 min later I finish my 9.2 miles with Jeff, Ian, Blake and Kyle cheering me on at the finish line. It was such a great experience! I loved every step I took running thru the trails in the birch trees.

Last week was great - bought the boys bunk beds, which are being delivered this week, and got a big screen TV! Now all I need are mattresses!

Biggest news... We found a house to rent and possibly buy in Alabama! Its a 5 bedroom 3.5 bath 2 car garage - this house is huge (over 3000 sq ft)- it has a dining room, living room, formal living room & an eat in kitchen- and a loft! Not to mention the HUGE fenced in backyard! My friend lives in the neighborhood and she loves her house and there was one for rent on her street, a smaller house (4 bedroom, 1900 sq ft) - so I inquired about that... well she then said there was a house for sale (5 bedroom) and maybe that I should contact the realtor about renting since its been on the market for a while. So I did - and within three hours I got the house for rent cheaper than the 4 bedroom on the same block!!!! We have plenty of room come visit!

Now, since Jeff has a job....all I need is one and daycare....start praying people!! :)

school time

I don't know how you home school mommies do things. It took forever for Ian to listen to what I wanted him to do, and all the patience I had to sit there and try to teach him a few things without blowing up and yelling . We are working on his name. Today he wrote Ian by himself and needed help with Harmon. I wrote it on another piece of paper and he copied it onto his line. We are so proud!!

Nothing really going on...

Just waiting on Jeff to come home!

He should be home sometime in the middle of Sept. Time is going so slow for me. As the FRG (Family Readiness Group) Leader I am in charge of making phone calls (read: I delegate) to my group of wives to let them know that their loved one is one his way home. We have had three flights come in and which I have made calls - and one more flight before my loved one comes home. Just a little bit different this time. Oh well, my excitement will come. Whats a few more weeks when its been close to a year anyways...right?!

The house is still on the market. 8 people have looked at it, but it hasn't been the "one" for them. It has to sell and I know it will (it better) Im just ready to move on...we have orders so we are just waiting our time out here in AK. As I will miss this place dearly, I am ready to move on with our lives....

Ok, well. ....nothing to exciting going on - Ian has an ear infection, Kyle has landed a great job, Blake and I have colds and its been rainy and cold this past week. Don't I sound happy... haha

Here are me and the boys tonight, goofing off