It's Good To Be An Alaskan

I can't believe it's been 5 months since I last made a post. Blogger used to start my day... right after coffee and getting the kids on the bus. I think I'll blame Facebook. I mean, there's only so many computer hours in a day, right?

Wow. So we've had Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Valentines Day without a post. There was Emily's 14th Birthday, I rolled over to 46, Sydney had her 17th, Olivia turned 9, Elijah had his milestone 18th Birthday and Nick & Cody each celebrated turning 21. All since I last posted. Wow.

Elijah played and then quit football. We are on a 3rd soccer team this winter, Lucas has basketball and the two little ones are skiing. Nick and Elijah both have new jobs. Emily got her braces off. We had adventures hauling 800-lb bales of hay. Cars have come and gone. I served on the Grand Jury. Cub Scouts is crazy for me with nine 7-year old's. Olivia's Girl Scouts is disappointing. Emily "dropped out" and is home schooling. So is Elijah. I got a tattoo. My Super Bowl party was awesome. The Broncos were not. We've had rain in the middle of winter cancelling more school than this state has ever seen. I should be ready to plant and I haven't ordered seeds. We have guinea pigs. And guppies. And lots of snow. It's been one hell of a winter.

And I wonder how each of you have been (you know...because I'm the kind of person who has actually thought about YOU and wondered what is going on in your lives which is why I'm back). I'm going reading now. I hope all of you have been well. I do not want to stumble upon bad news.

It's parent teacher conferences which means a four day weekend with marathon movies. No photos from today, but this is yesterday. It was zero out and we had gotten a few inches of snow the day before. I plowed as the sun set. It's good to be an Alaskan.

First Day of School

Third post of the day (9/9) so be sure to scroll down to see flowers and moose. :)

August 21....

This was the first day of school. Lucas is in 2nd grade and Olivia in 3rd. 

Emily is in 8th grade, but only attended school about a week. She is now homeschooling (something she has wanted to do since she was in 1st grade and can now finally get her wish).

Coming home after the first day!

I grew corn for the first time this summer. It is the sweetest and best I've had! Going to try it again next summer.

Look at the size of my bunching onions. We let them go way to long. If I don't pick stuff and put it on the table it never gets eaten.

 August 22....
This was Elijah's first day of his Senior year. They do a delayed start for upper classmen with only freshman attending the first day.

 The second day of school....

 ....had to share because of that sad, crying face. She was so upset that I pulled her hair up rather than let it hang in her eyes. She got on the bus with that face. The next day she asked me to pull it up. :)

This was my project for the day. Picking out big rocks, used the loader to get as much as we could and then picked the last few up by hand. That pile sat there all winter and all summer driving me nuts!

 This day was also Homer's 51st birthday. We went out to Food Factory for dinner at the last minute. Elijah was at football and Nick was already busy. I didn't plan so well this time.

My 42nd Birthday

The day began at 6:00am. Got Elijah and Nick on the bus, read the paper and drank some coffee. Pretty normal stuff. Picked Nick up at school where the Troopers had just arrived. Too common of a scene. I don't remember Troopers ever coming to the school when I was a kid.

Nick and I filled up the truck with groceries at Sam's Club. Does that look like $420 worth? Grocery prices have gotten so high!

Then Elijah and I went to Fred Meyer's for the rest of the things we needed. Rusty doesn't miss a trip to town now that we are giving the pups more freedom.

The sun was very bright on the drive home.

For my birthday dinner I wanted to make homemade pizzas with my kids. Sounded like a lot more fun than going out to eat (cheaper, too). Nick tried a cheesy crust. It worked, but needed more cheese.

Olivia had the most fun. She loves to help in the kitchen.

Dad chopped up our stuff and Olivia finished up her pizza.

Lucas was more than happy to help Dad.

Dad and I had garlic, onion, spinach and artichoke heart pizza. Very tasty. Emily didn't come back from her dad's until after dinner so she missed making pizzas, but was home for cake.

Elijah and his mini-me. No kidding. There is a ten year difference between them and Lucas is just like raising Elijah all over again. *sigh* Let me just say Elijah has kept me on my toes and now his little brother is. Couldn't he have mirrored Nick? :)

This guy has been a joy to raise. Easy, fun and a friend. He could live at home until he was 40 if he wanted. Really.

This man made sure I had a relaxing and fun birthday. He is such a good husband and father. We are all so lucky to have him.

Look...it's that really good pizza again!

Lucas was too funny. He was blowing out my candles while everyone was singing!

I got some moose lights for my Excursion. I am so excited. I swear I'd go redneck with a dozen on my roof if dad would put them there. I like to light up the world when I'm on the road at night. I hope to never hit a moose.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

I think I'm feeling human enough to start blogging again. Physically and mentally this has been a rough couple of weeks. Something had to give, and it was this blog (but I sure did miss everyone).

My dear little Emily turned double digits last week. We celebrated with a craft party at Michael's. The girls made totes to take home.


Painting, cake and ice cream, presents...she had a very special day. I love you my Emily.

My Birthday

I'm quite possibly the only person who was not paying attention to the fact that there was a time change last night. Basically, it means that "feel good feeling" I had because I got to sleep in on my birthday went away rather quickly when I realized what the actual time was.

Today, Cody baked a carrot cake ~from scratch!~ for me with his little brother and sister all on his own! It was amazing! I'm such a lucky Mom!


I also got a visit from my nephew Steven and his fiancee Brittney. I haven't seen my nephew for something like nine years. He's here from California showing his Love Alaska. It was great to see them!

Look at the awesome computer chair my husband surprised me with. It is so comfortable (and so desperately needed!).

Look who else thinks the chair is awesome because they can sit in my lap!