Thursday, March 27, 2008

Chores and Fun

While we were out being responsible, as Brent likes to call it. Working hard is more like it! We got a few good pictures of being and working together as a family. The kids are getting to the point where they now want to help get wood. It has started to warm up so they are more apt to get out of the car and help.
Ari loved riding in the truck and helping me pull out logs from the piles. Talk about a fun time. There is nothing like pulling out trees with a 4 wheel drive truck that is older than your husband! Although I have to admit I would take the truck over him any day!:) Even though it has a hole in the floor, doesn't have a working radio, and goes through gas like no tomorrow! It sure didn't look like much when we got it, but I am so glad the Lord was in control on this one. I wouldn't touch the thing when we first got it because of all the buttons, but life and circumstances have caused me to change my mind. We have tried and tried to get it stuck, that thing even pulls Todd's grain truck out when it is stuck with a full load of wood in the back. Good 'ol American made!

This is our beautiful Keeska. She enjoyed the farm so much. I think she enjoyed the truck so much more. There is nothing like driving down the open road with your truck and your dog. She has truly become a part of the family.

Baby Goats



The new friends and farm that we visited was an experience. We got to see newborn baby goats. The kids got to touch and feed them. What an adventure! Every time we now drive by they ask if we can stop.
Ari just kind of looked at it and reached out. The goat then started nibbling on her fingers!

Ice Park 2008






So we went to the Ice Park while our guests were here. As you walk into the park there is a enter at your own risk sign which I find ironic. It says you are entering an Ice Park and that it is slippery and you need to be careful. Go figure! I am truly glad that we went early this year even though we didn't get to see the multi block sculptures. The weather warmed up so significantly (40s) that they were having to extend the contest and go to ultimate measures to save the sculptures from thawing.


This walrus greeted us as we walked into the park. He had already lost one of his tusks, but he was still beautiful!







We had to stop at the hardware store and get sleds for the slides before we went into the park. While the kids were in the octopus tunnel we put Ari in the sled and dragged her around. She loved it for awhile, then she started to realize that she wasn't being held. I am so proud of my little Alaskan, she didn't complain about being in the cold and handled it very well.




This was the biggest slide that was sculpted. You are sure taking your life in your hands as you climb these ice covered stairs! We had a blast going down it. The slide end is pretty long compared to the others so it feels like you go on forever.




Brent got such a kick out of this phone booth!


Ari and I watched and played as the kids (Ben and Brent too) went down the slides in the kids park.
On the drive home Ben spotted a fox on the Tanana River. At first we thought it was a wolf, but upon closer inspection and seeing him catch a mouse we came to the conclusion that it was a fox. Good eyes Ben!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Vacation

So we have been busy. We had some friends from Barrow (who have since moved elsewhere)come stay for a few days. We had a blast and some very memorable moments. We got to go to the ice park, tried LARS (they were closed), enjoyed coffee, Alaska Bowl Co (which I want a huge Caesar salad bowl someday), North Pole, good laughs, and great times. I have been trying to post pictures but the server is not wanting to let me so they will have to wait.

We got a dog while they were here who is beautiful. Her name is Keeska and she is German short hair/pointer mix. She got out two days after we got her and then surprise two days later she showed up on our doorstep. She is doing very well as she is a sled dog rescue (she didn't run fast enough for the musher at 18mph). We took her with us to get wood this last week. She loved the truck.

Ari has her first tooth! Thank God! Brent found it while she was chewing on him.

We went to dinner at a friend of a friends house last week and the kids got to feed two baby goats. We are seriously talking about buying a milking goat, some laying hens, a cow, and rabbits for meat (since they taste like chicken), and having a big garden (which will happen anyway). With the cost of groceries going up drastically we are both feeling like living off the land as they say is going to be the best way to go for us. Along with all the meat recalls and other things that have been going on with our food supply. So for those of you who want to visit or will be visiting just a warning that you will never know what will be around when you are here...............

Life Happens

Ya know, I know that life happens and all but come on! We went out for a drive today and the car broke down about 10 miles from home. ERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! After about an hour friends showed up to help because the wreckers don't tow or won't answer the phone on Sunday.

We did get to see some really pretty things though. We went to Delta Junction and got some really cool pics. Which I will post later after they have been downloaded.