Not on my laurels

Well I haven't been sitting on my laurels that's for sure.

I looked at the last entry and was amazed that it has been that long since I wrote last.

What have I been doing?  Pretty much everything.

I have been subbing every other week which keeps me plenty busy cause when we get home there is plenty catch up work to do.

We have been enjoying the outdoors as well.  Until recently it hadn't been too cold so even with all the snow the kids have been out a lot in it.

I think the most recent happiest day of their lives was when our Jet Sled got here. 

I ordered it to help with mail and groceries, but of course their first thought was of sledding.

We also have had quite a few opportunities to see moose, foxes and caribou coming through.  The foxes amazed me.  I wasn't expecting them so when I quite almost literally ran into one in my own yard I was startled but amazed.

I also learned that the caribou can move like no buddies business.  When they are on the go, they are ON the GO!

I am not sure what to call the above pictured phenomenon.  I saw something similar once in Utah and they camp guide I was with called them moon dogies.  I just know they are quite pretty.  Reminds you of the Northern Lights but not as big or as many shades of color with them.

Well traveled

Well we went on our first Orthodontist trip to Anchorage.  That was a very interesting thing for Raiden and I.  I also managed to get my Alaska Driver License.  So YAY me!

Without mountains to my east and west I found myself getting lost quite a bit.  They have mountains but they are way to the east.  But thank goodness the main roads and maps of Anchorage are good ones so we still got back to where we needed to be.

From there I got Raiden back to Buckland and then I made my way down to Payson, Utah.  We needed to fix our storage unit problem we had and now when the weather was workable would be a time to do it.

I probably am not a seasoned traveler, but as far as Kotzebue, Anchorage, Seattle and Salt Lake go I think I have learned some valuable lessons and info about each airport. 

Most entertaining is that I left Utah with 70 degree weather and returned home to a brief snow flurry.

Can we say brrrrrrr!.....

Let's all go to Primary

Sunday is chaotic to say the least.  I used to think keeping a child reverent while in sacrament was the hardest thing on Sundays,  but I now know better.  It's even harder when they aren't seen and triple that when they are watching each other over a live video stream.

Home Sweet Home

My mom has asked over and over what our new home looks like.  So I "threw" together this clip.

 

 

 

The first little bit in the house you see is the arctic entry.

No brainer right?  The freezer is located in here and this is were we will also be removing and putting on heavy winter gear...

We are in a 3 bedroom 1 bath home that the school has provided.  We actually have the principals old home as it is the largest.

So enjoy our little bit of Alaska, I know we do.

Fall is here

I love living places ( and that is anywhere that gets this) that has fall.  That is one of the things both Kale and I missed most while we lived in Nevada.  You went so quickly from winter to spring with a long drawn out summer and then a brief dash through fall and into winter again.

 So yes we are loving the fall weather and temperatures.  While a lot of you are still soaring into 80's if not hire we are lucky to top out at 50 some days.  Others 40 is where we spend the day.  Amazing enough you still have to practically tie the kids up to put a jacket on.  I laugh when I see them all out in their shorts, even though it is most definitely NOT short temperatures.

So here is to hoping you had an enjoyable first Saturday as we approach Fall and the first of September.

Buckland, Alaska

Many have asked about where we live, and my mom among others has googled more than a time or two.  So here is a picture from Google Earth of Buckland, Alaska, the town we currently call home.  As you see we live right near the school.  It is a very nice home, much bigger than the last one we enjoyed in Port Alexander.  It is a 3 bedroom, 1 bath but it is as larger if not larger than our apartment we lived in in Richfield, Utah.

Everything is within walking distance, and because the town runs on a mix of generators and wind power they actually have LED street lights throughout most of town.  So when it gets its darkest our new little home will be well lit.

Two wonderful conveniences are the store and the airport.  The store is a little native store that is open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 6.  They have a little bit of everything.  And I do mean everything.  Ammo to toilet paper to Dr. Pepper to Ice Cream and diapers.  The airport is such that they actually get planes every day.  Twice actually Monday through Saturday and once on Sunday.  And at that there are two airlines that come out, Bering and Raven so it is more like four opportunities Monday through Saturday and two on Sunday.

So that's it for now, hopefully you enjoy our little or big insights to our town.

Inupiaq Day

On Friday for Inupiaq Day during school (this is the name of the local tribe) the kids went out and picked blueberries.  With five kids going out and participating we ended up with quite a collection of berries.  Nia asked if we could try blueberry pancakes for breakfast, so that is what we did this morning.

So, imagine my dismay at having to get up and make pancakes with fresh, delicious blueberries.  Makes you shudder huh? No!  It was a lot of fun and they turned out quite well.  All of the kids (Kale included) ate them.  Ender of course was the objector since he doesn't like any type of fruit in his food unless it is Banana Bread.

All of my photos of the day are on my phone and kales phone so I will have to try to get them posted on here when I am at home and have access to the internet.  (The school blocks wifi access to all devices that aren't a laptop)

But hopefully your Saturday was as good as mine, even if it didn't start out with Blueberry Pancakes!

We're back

Well we have made our way back up to Alaska.  We were in Utah for two years, which was a treat since that is the closest we have ever lived to either of our families, but here we are back in Alaska.

We went through Seattle again but this time landed in Anchorage.

After spending the night in the airport (which we will not do in Anchorage again especially with all the kids in tow) we left early in the morning to Kotzebue.

We were able to spend the day in Kotzebue so we could visit the town and go to the grocery store.
We finally made it onto our flight in Kotzebue and landed in Buckland.  After the long day we had put in we loved finally being on the ground knowing we weren't going to have to go anywhere soon.

So I look forward to keeping you up to date with pictures and stories of our life here in Buckland, Alaska.  Hopefully you will see something cool, or funny as we wander on our way.