The Gater Pit

Our new property has a natural pit area to one side of our house. Brad and the boys decided that Brad could even it out with some equipment and during the winter it would make a great snowboarding pit. I did. They called it the Snake Pit. Now that the snow is melting it has turned into a nice pond. I told Brad that would happen. His slope was way off. He didn't believe me. With the 45 degree temperatures, the boys decided to us our jet sled to boat around the pond last night. Here is what transpired. And sorry for the dark photos. It was very cloudy and nearly 8:00 at night. Isaak braved it alone, and found the crack that leaked, and soaked his pants, and got into his mud boots.

He convinced Avery to get into the boat too.

He just had to row to shore.

And get some help from Avery to stay at shore.

Come on Av, get in.

We'll use this stick like a paddle. I'll push us around.

And Ellis just watched.

And Celie fell down alot in her suit. But she said it was ok. Her suit was puffy and kept her safe.

Oh yeah, they renamed the pit. It is now the Gater Pit. I don't know why.

Let's get ready to WRESTLE!!!!!

The boys had their first wrestling tournament for the season. I forget how long they take. Now that Isaak is older, he doesn't start wrestling until the afternoon. So we are now officially there from 9:00 until 6, 7, 8 o'clock. Long day. Ellis wrestled for the first time. He placed 3 out of 4 wrestlers in his weight class. He stayed right in there and wrestled tough. Avery took 2nd! He lost his first match then pinned his next 3! He was amazing out there. He was also awarded the wrestler of the week at practice for his positive attitude no matter what the outcome during the tournament. Way to go! Isaak didn't place this weekend. He lost both matches. But that is typical Isaak. He bombs at the beginning and comes out on top at the end of the season. I'll post pics when I can..

Perspective

As you know, our youngest is the only girl. With three older brothers, she doesn't have much of a chance for complete girliness. However, she is certainly much more tidy and organized than her brothers. For that I am EXTREMELY thankful.

Today she gathered several Easter buckets, bunnies and chicks, and plastic eggs. She then evenly distributed them between the buckets, talking to them and explaining herself the whole time. She is hilarious and totally different than the boys in her independent play.



I am including this picture just to prove and document that spring really is on its way.



Ellis and Ocelia comendere my camera this afternoon and this is what I found the card.


Wow, the ceiling really is far away when you are only 5 years old.

Favorite book taking a break in the sunlight.

I think this is Ellis' way of saying goodbye to the snowmachines. As you can see from the ground, there really isn't much snow left to be ridden on.

Hello blue sky (and corner of our house).

"Oh sorry Ocelia, I didn't mean to get so close. Hope you don't go blind." Ellis

Enjoy your weekends everyone! Eye will see you later.

Sorry, eye couldn't resist. Eye know eye am a dork. But, I have made peace with that and I sleep just fine at night. Later.

Spring Break, where have you gone?

Well, tomorrow is the last day of Spring Break.

It has gone too fast as always.

I did not accomplish all the things on my list.

I do not want to go back to work.

I did get a few things done.

I did get all the boys' hair cut.

I did see Rango with the boys.

I will make it through the next 9 weeks of school. I can do anything for 9 weeks.

I will loose some weight to fit into the spring clothes I bought over the break.

I will continue to will all the snow to melt and the temperatures to rise.

Until then...I'll just have to keep plugging away waiting for summer. Maybe these will help me get through the next 9 weeks.... pics from vacation 2 summers ago...

See ya soon summer!

Let's Do This!

In between windy days, Isaak and Avery took to some target practice with the air soft pistols and the b.b gun. They know they have to have eye protection when they shoot. This is what Isaak came down in to go out to shoot.

Let's see...

Hat to keep ears warm...check

Hoodie to stay warm...check-yes it is a saloon hoodie- it is the new Eskimo Joes now.

Air soft pistol in holster and on safety... check

Eye protection....double check...and oh, so, coooool

Last but not least, something to shoot at...check....What else would Alaskan kids shoot at? Coke cans? I think not.

He got to the garage door like this and yelled to Avery, "Let's Do This!"

Well, get on with your bad self then....

MUSH!!!

The Iditarod is well under way. In fact, it is probably nearing the first finisher within a day or so. This past Sunday the wind stopped blowing, the sun shone brightly, and we were all experiencing quite the case of spring fever.

We geared up and went out for an exciting tribute to the Iditarod, Bell kid style.


The two little ones ordered Dad to "MUSH" all around the yard.

Av took some laps around the yard on the snow scoot.

Big man worked on snowboard tricks.

Little guys waited and waited for each of us to pull them around. Being little is too easy.

After all the fun at home we loaded up two sleds and hooked them to the snowmachines and took a nice ride down the creek. We saw some moose and lots of critter tracks. I think they have Spring Fever too. Let's just hope Spring really is on its way....

Really, we are going to do this again?

Dear Mother Nature,

I thought we had straightened this out between the two of us? The wind really is a bit much. Let's think about this logically.

1. We do not live on a wind swept plain. Have you seen all the trees around here?
2. It is March. March is calm, warming days, preparing us for Spring. Getting our hopes up. Making us will Spring to come. The wind is doing nothing for this collective willing of Spring to arrive.
3. Recess. The schools have given up and are now sending my children outside in this wind for recess. Really, I want them out too, so give them a break and calm down.
4. Finally, my hair was not made for wind. Remember Oklahoma and Southern Alberta? I left Oklahoma with a big grin on my face knowing I was moving where there was not such strong winds. Help a girl out.

Thank you for taking this logical look into our situation. Please seriously consider my point of view and the points I have outlined.

Respectfully hanging in there,
Me

The sounds of Silence

Dear Mother Nature,

Thank you for ever so kindly considering my request to cease the wind. This afternoon was quite pleasant.

Children played outside.

Children took long, well needed naps in peace.

Husband fixed the grill that has been thrashed about the yard by the afore mentioned wind.

The house breathed a sigh of relief and peacefulness.

Thank you.

Now, let's talk Spring....

Happily Calm,
Me

Auntie Em, Auntie Em!

Dear Mother Nature,

I do not know to what extent I have offended you, or have made you so terribly put off, but I am so sorry for what ever it was. Please make the wind go away.

My household would like to sleep again. Except for Brad, he is using ear plugs at night.

My children, the two little ones, want to go outside without being afraid of being blown away. Ellis truly is developing a fear of this and I don't know why.

My hair is tired of looking like I used a blender to fix it each day.

We had such little snow this year and now most of it has blown away. I'm not entirely sure where. It may be in Russia. I'll ask Sarah P. to look out her window and check.

Please make the wind go away.

Pretty please with sugar on top.

You're pretty and your hair smells good.

Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top.

I don't think this is Kansas anymore, or Oklahoma, or southern Alberta, Canada (it is crazy windy there, and that is normal).

Please make the wind go away.

Sincerely,
me