Snow Pictures

We knew that moving to Alaska would mean snow.  Lots of snow.  But I was a little unprepared for snow in SEPTEMBER!  It wasn't much and it didn't stay around long, but I must admit, it was beautiful.

Then, in the middle of October it snowed a second time.  Greg and the boys were going to help cut the grass one last time before winter.  But before they could get outside the snow had started falling.  Never have they cut grass in the snow before!

Absolutely stunning!

More snow fell during the night at the end of October...it is so much fun to wake up to this!!

It also snowed on Caroline's birthday, November 14, but those pictures will be in another post.

I know there may come a day - possibly sooner than later - where the snow showers will cease to impress and even thrill us.  But at the moment, we are LOVING the cold weather and snowy conditions.  The beauty of God's creation all around us is stunning.  I'm praying we never get used to it!

Basketball season

Our family is in the middle of basketball season.  Both of the boys play for our school, Birchwood Christian.  Jackson is on the 7th/8th grade team, and Turner is on the 6th/7th team.  They are having the BEST time!  The only complaint they've had is that they think the season is too short.  They love practice and the games have been so much fun!  Our whole family is enjoying basketball season - Caroline has good friends to hang out with during the games, and Greg and I are getting to know parents better and starting to put families together.

Here are a few pictures...

Jackson and Turner on the first day of practice in our school gym/church worship center.  (The stage in the background is covered with materials for The Passage, a three-room presentation of the Gospel that our church had for the Fall Fun Fling...but more about that in the next blog!)

Yep - Jackson is number 23!  A tribute to Michael Jordan!

Turner is number 40 - just like Harrison Barnes.  What can I say?  We are trying to raise our kids to be the best Tarheel fans possible!

GO WARRIORS!!

September Update

What a month this has been!  September has flown by! The weather has been crazy - I can't count the number of times friends have told us how unusual it has been.  It started out pleasant enough - the fall colors have been incredible and the cooler temps have been so nice!  But then the rain came - and stayed for weeks; and the wind blew - like a hurricane; and the beautiful fall leaves were knocked to the ground.  Then we started noticing the termination dust (snow to southerners!) collecting on the tops of surrounding mountains.  And this morning we woke up to snow down here! By lunch time it was gone - BUT it snowed.  On September 29th.  I still can't decide if that makes me excited or worried!

Our family continues to adjust to our new life in Alaska. Jackson, Turner and Caroline are enjoying their new school and are getting to know everyone better.  The boys are starting basketball practice this coming week - they will both be playing for our school, the Birchwood Christian School Warriors.  Greg and I joined a couples small group that meets on Wednesday nights.  We are loving this group and the study we are doing.  Also Greg is doing a bible study with the men on staff, and I'm doing a ladies bible study too.  

We now have our cars ready for winter - we both have engine block heaters and remote starters, and we were given a set of studded tires for the van. I think our family is closer to being ready for winter too - snow boots, snow pants, and huge winter coats have been purchased.  Thick sock are starting to collect in the dresser drawers. Long johns are waiting for us. Our GA sled is ready for some serious snow. Now it's just a matter of waiting until winter really gets here!

These pictures show how we went from fall...

to winter - all in one month!

The Alaska State Fair

On September 3 our family went to the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.  We'd heard stories about all the giant produce, hoped for a funnel cake, but we were NOT prepared for how cold it was!!  We've now learned that Palmer is typically more windy than it is in Chugiak - I'm just thankful we made the kids put on sweatshirts before we left!  Here are some pictures...

The clouds looked threatening all day, but the rain held off until just as we were leaving.

We watched these two backhoes competing to see who could pick up the most balls...it was actually quite impressive!

We walked through a few exhibit halls - mainly to thaw out - and ended up seeing some incredible things.  These ladies were making different kinds of lace.

We watched this lady take a block of wood and turn it into a top.  Then she gave it to us to keep.  This was one of our favorites!

Some of the giant produce - the pictures really don't do it justice.  Crazy big stuff!

The world-record-setting cabbage

We found a small shop that was selling coffee, hot chocolate and yummy cinnamon rolls. We went inside for a treat, warmed up a little, and by the time we came back out the rain was starting up and we figured it was time to head home.  We will definitely wear an extra layer of clothes next year!  But what a fun day!!