December 27, 2015: Ocarina

Barry bought this today while we were out shopping. He had one when he was a kid. He can actually play the song from the Shire in the LOTR.  The first few times we confused it for the theme songs from Titanic, Pocahontas, and Lion King.  But we eventually got it. And he's actually really good. Jesse is really looking forward to him practicing the entire drive back to Grand Rapids. 

December 26, 2015: Fishing Fun

Spent the morning on the river.  These goons fished while I sat back, relaxed, made them sandwiches, and untangled Jesse's hook when necessary. Even though nobody even had a bite, the scenery we saw while floating down the river in the boat was worth it. So was the time spent with family. I sure love these guys. 

And I promise that dad was having fun, even though he looks a little grumpy here.

December 25, 2015: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, from my favorite place on earth- the Ludington State Park! It's so warm this year that we spent the afternoon out hiking. Love being with these weirdos. 

December 24, 2015: Sassy Sister

I was inside the kitchen, and I looked outside to see a beautiful sky.  Jesse was on her way outside so I asked her if she would take my camera and get a picture for me. Of course I heckled her from the open window and told her she wasn't trying hard enough and that her picture taking skills sucked. So this is what I got. 

She so cute. 

December 23, 2015: My Dad is a Weirdo

He has a ton of faith in my cooking abilities. 

December 22, 2015: too many awesome things at once

Chipotle, cute kids, Griz, and two amazing friends all in one day?!  I love being home!!!! 

December 21, 2015: thief in the family.

I love this!!!!!   Apparently Sam stopped by the gas station, got a few dollars of gas and some other items in the store, and paid for it at the counter. Or so he thought. The clerk didn't realize he bought gas and didn't charge him. Sam didn't catch it either, and left without paying for the gas. Next thing he knows, this picture is printed and hung in the gas station, until someone identified him as the thief!  My cousin is a criminal!!!! 

December 20, 2015: How's my hat?

Hat check. Needs work. 

That's better, Syd. 

December 19, 2015: Hey, Chicago

This makes me happy. 

December 18, 2015: Merry Christmas, Let's Party!

Merry Christmas from Peterson Elementary! I sure love this girl. She has been such an encouragement this year, not to mention a source of entertainment!  I will miss her over Christmas break!  

December 17, 2015: Emoji Crisis

This is why I love Jesse!  I can't believe they don't have an emoji for that. 

December 16, 2015: Banana Snakes and Friends

Our friend Titus moved into a new apartment and it's lacking in the furniture department at the moment. As well as art. So when we came over for dinner tonight, the challenge was to come up with some type of art he can hang on his kitchen wall.  Alanna closed her eyes and scribbled in the middle of the canvas, and then we all tried to transform the scribble into a picture.  As you can see, the result was a masterpiece. It now hangs above Titus' kitchen table. We will see how long it stays there! 

December 15, 2015: Hoppy Holidaze

This parent gets me. "Merry Christmas, your next two beers are on us!"

December 14, 2015: Lights Show

We took Arthur to the lights show tonight. He LOVED it! This kid rocked out to the Christmas songs, tried to sing along, and danced like a maniac in the front seat of the car.  Thankfully the show included a lot of Transiberean Orchestra songs.  Meg and I rocked out with him, teaching him to air guitar. He got the guitar, I took the drums, and Meg rocked the piano. 

December 13, 2015: rainbow

Yesterday, on our walk at the Buskin, my friend and I were wondering how long it takes before the beauty of Kodiak wears off. We saw an eagle fly overhead and noticed that neither of us find a bald eagle soaring so close to us as majestic as we may have when we first moved here.  I already catch myself paying less and less attention to the mountains as I drive home from work, and I know that's bound to happen, but I want to make sure I keep noticing and searching for the little beautiful things. Then today I saw this rainbow.  Hard not to notice :)   

December 12, 2015: Buskin

Went for a stunning walk in the woods today. A friend took me on a trail that I had never been on. There was a layer of snow covering everything, and when the sun poked through the branches, it sparkled. The sunlight looked golden.  It was so gorgeous!!  I couldn't pick just one picture today, so once again I am braking the rules of my own blog. 

December 11, 2015: Do You Wanna Build...

A snowman?! The snowmen here are a little difficult to make without getting a thousand rocks stuck all over them. We had so much fun making this one at recess that I almost missed my lunch period! 

December 10, 2015: gingerbread man

One of these ornaments is a little different... It's the homemade gingerbread man my student made me. Doesn't really fit the bird motif I have going on, but I absolutely love it! 

December 9, 2015: Amazing Sunset

This place amazes me. All the time. 

December 8, 2015: N64

You can't really tell, but that's a wall sized projection of Mario Cart. We played at my friend's house tonight. It was amazing. I also learned how to change the oil in my own car today, in the middle of a rainstorm. It was a pretty awesome evening. 

December 7, 2015: Happy Birthday, Jesse!

It's Jesse's 25th birthday today!! Woopwoop!! As you can see, nothing notable happened in my own life today :) I sure love my sister though! 

December 6, 2015: Happy Hanukkah!

Kayla had us over to her house tonight to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.  We had latkes, challah, and vegetable soup. It was delicious. 

December 5, 2015: Cutest Date Ever

I picked Arthur up today for a fun morning with just the two of us, so Meg could have a little time to herself. I took him to school for a few hours where we worked on a Christmas gift for Meg and Kyle, chased one another on our bikes in the hallways, and rode scooters around the gym.  I haven't been feeling myself the last few days, and having a couple hours with this kiddo really made my day.

December 4, 2015: Raylin

Skipped the brewery tonight and went for a walk with this handsome guy instead! Watching him run around like a maniac was pretty therapeutic! 

December 3, 2015: Henry's first winter walk

He survived. He screamed like a little mad man when we strapped him into the carrier, but as soon as we got outside, he relaxed.  I am hoping we can make this a regular thing this winter! Sorry the picture is so dark. It's 4:30 in Alaska. 

December 2, 2015: Momma Mia

Pizza night! She started off a little timid, but we convinced her to actually throw the pizza dough in the air.  My house, my rules. The pizza dough will be tossed.  I had so much fun tonight. I am thankful for friends who can make me laugh and put me at ease after a long day at work.  And it helps when they make me pizza and feed me ice cream and red wine :) 

December 1, 2015: Lil Rappers

This is the song two of my kiddos wrote during their writing time. They came up and sang it to me, and it is legit. I will sing it for you upon request. 

November 30, 2015: Feeling like Christmas!

Christmas in a tiny space means you are ridiculously thankful for a friend who gives you her tiny tree. Laura, you are the best! 

November 29, 2015: Alanna-isms

Yep. She is eating a frozen rain drop from a tree.  That's why we are friends. 

November 28, 2015: Hillbilly Bunco

 

1. No, I am not naked under my overalls. You just can't see my wife beater. 

2. Hillbilly Bunco night was awesome. 

3. My coworkers are hysterical when you give them fake teeth and make them talk in an accent.  

4. I hope Lola is still my friend after I put this super hot picture of her on the Internet. 

November 27, 2015: #optoutside

We hiked Termination Point today.Today we hiked the interior portion of the loop,  which I had never done. It was beautiful! We came across a really cool lake and had to cross over a massive beaver dam to complete the hike. The trail was pretty flooded in a lot of places, but it made it more of an adventure to find our way without completely soaking ourselves (or face planting from a log into a stream).  I'd say we had a good time. 

November 26, 2015: Thanksgiving

She asked for pie with extra cool whip. Her husband is a wise guy. 

I have so much to be thankful for. A family who allowed me to join them on this Alaskan adventure. An emerging group of friends who will challenge and encourage me. Friends and family back home who haven't forgotten me :). And above all, a God who is faithful and promises me more than I could ever ask or imagine.  He is patient with me and loves me despite all my flaws. He doesn't give up on me. He rejoices over me with singing and quiets me with His love.  

November 25, 2015: Little Thinker

It'd be nice to be able to lay around and ponder life all day. Live it up, little man. 

November 24, 2015: Banya Dance

We got to see the Alutiiq dancers at school today. In this picture, they are performing a dance that tells a story of washing in a banya (which is kind of like a sauna). It was my favorite dance. And now I want to find someone who has a banya here :) 

November 23, 2015: Rain. All the time.

Well, this week might suck. 

November 22, 2015: Kayak

This is my neighbor's dog, Kayak. He greets me when I come home and then just hangs out on my porch all night. Is it theft if I start letting him come in for the evening? He's so cute! 

November 21, 2015: Spider-Man

We took Arthur outside for a snowball fight today.  As every good set of parents should, Meg and Kyle have 2 different Spider-Man hats.  So, naturally, this happened. 

November 20, 2015: Henry Huggle-monster

He was hugging me.  That's cute. 

November 19, 2015: Dino-sized improvements

I got this super awesome velociraptor sticker from my student today. This kid is usually pretty defiant and never shows that he cares at all about me as his teacher, so I was SHOCKED when he gave me a sticker from his brand new sticker book, along with a hug. 

I wore this thing like a badge of honor today. We are making progress! 

November 18, 2015: What just happened?

This is how my mom found me after I dropped my kids off outside.  If you can't tell from the picture, I just needed a rest.  I had a hard day. Actually, the last 3 days in a row have been really, really hard. Last week my students had the best week, and this week I have no idea who these crazed, tiny, irrational children are.  I do know that I am going to have to find a way to survive the next few days. T-4 more school days until Thanksgiving break. We. Can. Do. This. 

November 17, 2015: New Roomie

Yep, that's my mom. I kinda love that she is staying in my tiny house on my miniature size pull out couch.  :) 

November 16, 2015: Mary's heart

I needed this today. "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." 

I am praying that I can be like Mary and choose to just sit at Christ's feet and soak Him in, rather than run around Martha style all panicky and anxious and irritated.  

November 15, 2015: Pillar Mountain

My first sunset hike. Magnificent. 

November 14, 2015: Baby Smiles

Henry gave us an impromptu photo shoot today. These are some of my favorites: 

This was one happy kid today! I know I have always stuck to only posting one picture each day, but how can you choose today? Most people who know me know that I don't think new babies are especially cute. Today, Henry crossed over from "newborn, slightly alien-looking" baby into "I look like a real person and I am actually cute."  Congrats, Henry! 

November 13, 2015: Weird Light Pic #2

Told you this was bound to happen.