February 2012

Well, it is only the 5th.  Hunter and Simon started ski lessons.  The lessons were canceled for 2 weeks because they don't ski if it is below 0.  When I picked them up after their first lesson, they had ice sickles on their eye lashes.  They loved it!!!  I am looking forward to getting out there with them.

IN GOD'S PROTECTION:  On the 2nd, Paul and Abby were supposed to drive to Anchorage for Abby's doctors appointment.  The Day before, we had blizzard conditions with little visibility, knowing that the weather in the Pass is always worse than it is here, I debated whether or not to reschedule the appointment.  Abby really needed to be seen for issues with her throat, so I really struggled with it.

When I got home, I told Paul I had changed the appointment.  He said he would be fine and really wanted to get up there and back, just change it back, he said.  I really didn't think it was safe.  I felt God nudging my heart.  I am so glad he did.

The next day, the day they would have left, Paul got an email that there had been an avalanche.  The avalanche happened at 7:00 Thursday morning.  At the time they were planning on leaving, Paul and Abby would have been at the spot where the avalanche took place at the same time it collapsed.  It was 100 feet wide and 10 feet tall.  I feel so blessed that I listened to the nudge.

Temperatures are now in the 20's, you almost don't need a winter coat.  Heck, after so long with it being down to -25, a 40 degree jump, if it warms up another 20, we will want to pull out our summer clothes.  In the summer, we sometimes have days in the high 40's, it is usually raining.

Moose laying at foot of trees.

Kenai/Russian River in Cooper Landing

Kenai/Russian River, everything covered in ice.

Hunter started basketball.  He is the one wearing bright blue shorts.

I finished loom knitting my first hat.

Hunter done skiing, ready to warm up.  Temperatures dropped to -5 a few minutes after  their lessons started.

Hunter with ice sickles on his eye lashes.

Simon ......

Simon ready to go thaw out.

Simon with ice sickles on his lashes.

January 2012

Sorry this is behind!  Busy month....  This top picture is from a sledding hill at a local high school.  I thought the sun set was beautiful.  It was about -15 that night, we lasted about 20-30 minutes outside.  COLD!!

Simon's birthday cupcakes.  Happy 7th Birthday Simon!

We got together with friends and went sledding for Simon's birthday.  It was -8 degrees.  So much fun, then came inside to warm up.

warming up!!

Then of course, Simon had a friend party.. We went ice skating.  The girls are getting so much better....so am I.  We had a great time.  The temperatures have been as low as  -28 with not much warming above 0.  I really don't like the feeling of breathing in and my nose hair has ice sickles.  The kids play outside at school down to -10, but not as long.  At -20, you can be outside for 10 minutes before you start developing hypothermia.  

December 2011

Sorry I am behind on my monthly post!  Of course things are usually busy.  Abby turned 5 at the beginning of the month, the weather JUMPED up 50 degrees (not as great as it sounds), we took a trip to Anchorage (overnight) for a doctors appointment, and last but not least celebrating Christ's birth!

Abby is growing up so fast.  She is a wonderful, caring person such a girly girl!  She is into Barbies, make-up and begging to get her ears pierced.  I told her so could, for your birthday, if that is what she really wanted.  Knowing that she has a low tolerance for pain, I told her exactly what will happen and what it will feel like.  She has not asked since.  HAHA!

With the temperatures jumping up, it also rained.  ICE, ICE, ICE.  We are walking on top of the snow, slipping too.  Our driveway is a sheet of ice, not to mention parking lots and everywhere else.  We would rather have the snow, I think Paul would prefer that too.  Though the drivers may not always be better.

The only allergist in the state of Alaska is in Anchorage.  He does have a clinic here every 3 months.  He was great (I think he is either German or Russian, not surprising).  We were very impressed with the whole process (it was an initial visit which took 3 hours).  Some friends of ours came with us to watch the girls while we were at the appointment.  We had a great time.  The day we came home, December 21st is our shortest day of the year, 5 1/2 hours of daylight (10:30-400).  I really don't like driving it (3 hours) in the dark.  I was concentrating so hard on the road that I missed our only turn and started heading to Seward.  Thankfully I realized it only 7 miles passed my turn, but another 30 minutes added to our drive :(
Oh, we were in 2 vehicles with our friends.

Christmas is always a wonderful time to reflect on how Christ came into this world, giving us the ultimate gift.  We celebrated with good friends.  Christmas Eve, all 4 children were sick, but revived the next day the celebrate.  We had a nice Christmas and a quiet New Year.  We look forward to what the Lord has in store for us..... I'll keep you posted.

Sledding below Zero 2011

We have had record lows this past week, this early into the season.  January is usually when we get these temperatures.  It reached -20 with strong winds.  Yesterday was -10 below, but we had to get out and get so sledding in.  Of course, we only lasted a couple runs before our noses, hands and toes were screaming for warmth.  We had a blast.  Sledding is our favorite family past time!

Quick trip to Anchorage 11-2011

My good friend, Stephanie, the girls and I drove up.  We stopped at the Wildlife Conservation in Girdwood.  She wanted to see bears.  This is the best place!!     The top picture was on our drive to Anchorage around sunrise, around 9:30.  Our Lowes closed so I had to make some returns for the bathroom things we ended up not using when Paul re-did our bathroom.  BIG pain!!  It snowed the whole way home.

Halloween 2011

Other than a few flurries the day before, the clouds just released a heavy snow fall yesterday morning.  Our good friends came over and the men took the kids treat-or-treating.  They started out walking, but it didn't take long before Paul came back for the van.  The kids would jump out and go to a few houses and get back in the van to van up and jump out again.  The cold and the snow did not stop anyone from enjoying the candy frenzy!!

Simon was an army man (I forgot to put on the face make-up). Hunter was Darth Vader.  Abby was Wonder Woman.  Olivia was a Care Bear (same as last year, she loved the costume).

On Saturday, the Boys and Girls Club in Kenai had a trunk-or-treat.  Olivia wanted to wear the horse costume.  She and I had a fun Mommy and Olivia time.  I definitely think this costume would have been warmer.  Kenai is always windy, because you are right next to Cook Inlet.

Oct. 2011 Simon playing basketball

Simon is #4.  He is ALL ENERGY, when it comes to sports.  He loves to play basketball, baseball, and football.  I don't think he wants to do ice skating this year.   Which is fine.  I am glad he tried it and liked it though.  Hunter doesn't start basketball until January.  They are both doing Cub Scouts now.