Our Life in Alaska

December 2012

We had a long day, but short travel time. 20 minute flight Kenai to Anchorage, then 1 hour flight to Bethel. Olivia was sick, poor baby! We all (except Paul and Simon) got sick days later.

HERE WE GO!!! HERE WE ARE!!!

Just a few pictures for Trooper Housing. 1100 SQ FT.

First trip to the store had severe culture shock!!!

We had 3 weeks to wait for our things to get here. So we did a lot of artwork. Played in the alder (bush), watched movies on the small TV we brought. We had checked 24 bags of clothes, food, toys, air beds, toiletries, supplies, towels, and plastic dishes. That didn't last us 3 weeks. The cat's could only hide under the sinks. Max and Sophie got really good at opening the doors.

This was at the AC grocery store. This guy was trying to get the washer on his sled. Lots of people get around by snow machines. We might too considering gas is $7.05 a gallon, but we don't have one yet.

Sunset over the tundra. BEAUTIFUL!!

Debby, Paul's came for a visit and to help us prepare for our move. She returned to Kentucky 5 days before Christmas. It was wonderful having her here. It was about -20 when we took these pictures.

A friend of ours took Abby ice fishing, she had a blast and was the only one who caught something. A few nights later Steve took Hunter. It was -15 degrees both times. But they had fun regardless.

Abby celebrated her 6th Birthday by having a GLAM Party with her friends from school. Lots of nail polish and make-up!!!

October 2012

Hunter played his first season of football and LOVED it. He played for the Saints.

Driving through Cooper Landing, we spotted about 4 or 5 Mountain Goats on the hillside. Always fun the spot them, sometimes you see something black (bear) chasing them.

As we knew the time was coming for Paul to bid, we knew it was the time to go. We received word, that we were moving to Bethel. He had 90 days until we move, December 28th was the day we fly out.

Bethel is a village of about 6,000 people, 7 miles of paved road, 56 outlying villages, 340 air miles from Anchorage. It is land locked, as you can only get there by boat or plane. It is 40 miles east of the Bering Sea.

The village can be a rough place for kids. Natives aren't always very welcoming. We wanted the kids to transition from elementary to middle with native kids. Besides, we were also told to pull your kids from school by 7th grade. The high school is grades 7-12. Not only are 7th graders being "hit on" by 12th graders, but some 7th and 8th graders are already alcoholics. There is a large alcohol or drinking problem in the villages. We had a lot of apprehension about moving to Bethel, but knew we would be living in trooper housing and that it wouldn't be for long, 2-4 years. We also looked at this as a chance to experience life, only a few get or want to experience. WHAT AN ADVENTURE!