Bowling!

I always forget how fun bowling is.  Why did we go bowling today you ask?  How nice of you to wonder.

Well, Isaak had invited a couple of friends to go to a golf and shooting range then come over to the house for pizza and "hangin' out".  Hanging out is what 12 year old boys do for birthday parties now.  Did you know that?  I didn't until last week. 

Anyway,  Ellis and Brad have both been pretty sick the past couple of days (temps, chest cold, and body aches) so we had to come up with a Plan B.  I wasn't about to invite kids over to our germ invested house.  Our plan was bowling.  We can bowl a couple of games, eat pizza there,the boys could play video games, and then take the boys home.  It was a great plan.  We shot for 11:00 in the morning.  But, as my good plans are usually foiled by some crazy unforeseen circumstance, we found that bowling league was not going to be over until 11:45. 

Well, Arby's called our name and after a quick lunch we headed to bowling.  When we arrived, the place was almost empty.  It was great!  The kids bowled, gamed, and had a blast. 

I so enjoy my kids getting older.  Isaak and Avery are old enough to be so helpful with the little kids.  They taught Ocelia to bowl.  Too cute!

Avery had requested prior to our Plan B to go bowling with his friends for his birthday.  Looks like we'll be hitting the lanes again next weekend.  Works for me!  Hopefully we will all be able to go this time.

Snow

Guess what?!  We got more snow last night.  And we are expected to get more tonight and tomorrow. 

Now, those who know me best have a clear understanding that cold weather and I do not get along.  We agree to live together, but we don't have to like it.  Why do I live here you ask?  I don't know.  If anyone has information on this, please share. 

I know it is only January 6th.  I know we are gaining light again.  I know that I will be much happier come the end of April when most of the snow is gone and the high temps are in the 40's or better (if we are lucky).  I also know that this pretty snow we have right now will be slick and blown around in February when the winds pick up and the temps drop drastically below zero for weeks on end. 

So I guess I will take a moment to breath in the peace and silence that comes with new snow as I look out my kitchen window. 

 Peace to you as well.

I've Got a Ticket to Ride

This summer my mom and dad introduced us to the board game, Ticket to Ride.  If you have never played it, you should.  It is FUN!  It is competitive, stressful, strategic, but fun. 


I bought my family the game for Christmas and we have played it nearly every day.  Of course there is a smart phone game you can download as well.  Did we download it?  You bet!  Now three of us can sit around with one of the devices in the house and play each other.  I won't play with Brad anymore because he just plays to sabotage.  I like to play for strategy and for points.  Regardless, we are honing our skills for this coming summer and the games that will ensue. 

In conclusion, I highly recommend you give this game a try.  It is great fun!

Till tomorrow....

Already behind

Of course I am already behind on my goal.  But, I am ok with this and I will continue to persevere. 
Yesterday's post was derailed by Ocelia getting sick, Brad staying home, and me coming home from work to a disaster in my house.  Today I am home because Ellis is sick.  The disaster is being cleaned up, laundry is washing, and I have a moment to catch up here.

Because it has been negative 15 degrees the past week and today it is actually above zero, I feel like I am obligated to post a warm and summery picture.

There will be a day again soon when we are able to enjoy the beauty and mystery of nature in hot, sunny weather.

And a day to play and have fun with family and friends! 

I can't wait!

Fly into the new year

Well, with 2011 behind us and 2012 before us I feel compelled to set solid goals for myself.  I recently heard a report on Talk of the Nation Science Friday (yes, I love NPR) about willpower and how to increase one's reserves and ability to utilize our own willpower best.  Here is a link to the story:  http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201112304 So, upon obtaining this new information I have set two simple goals.  One, to do some type of exercise daily.  Today I did just that.  Check.  Two, I vow to post a pic and small comment each day on my blog.  I have no intentions as to what the comments or pictures should include, just my thoughts of the day. 

Today, being that I am already 2 days late on posting each day, I am going to post 3 pics to make up. 
Enjoy! 

For today:  Have I every shown you where I work?  Here it is!  Or at least part of it.  I took this pic after school today around 3:45.  We are gaining light now, but the sun was almost set when I took this.  And, yes that is the moon in the sky.  Anyway, the view out all the windows are of all the surrounding mountains.  Pretty breath taking.  I'm pretty thankful. 

Yesterday's pic:  My baby turned 12 yesterday!  12!  Can you believe that?  I can't.  Here he is the day after Christmas sledding, or actuallly jumping his sled.  Crazy.

  Day One:  Happy New Year!

later....

The Praying Plank

I have visited my doctor lately to see why I am going CRAZY!  Who knew, that is what happens when you get older.  Her suggestion, start taking my vitamins again and get back to exercising.  Ok.  I already knew that I should do that but it made a difference when a professional told me that I had to. 

So I have.  Tonight I was about a minute into my second plank and Ellis joined me.  His comment was, "We should pray during our plank instead of count."  Before I could even comment, he started praying.  It was the most peaceful and fulfilling plank I have ever done and will ever do. 

My cup runneth over.

I now pray within all my planks. 
You are all in my praying planks. 
much love.....

My Monster Garden

I really can't believe that the last time I have blogged was in September.  Time really does fly. 
Quick recap of October:
1.  I am almost adjusted to working full time. 
2.  The family is almost adjusted to me working full time. 
3.  The "extra help" that Brad promised has almost fizzled out.
4.  We have been focusing on some home improvements lately to try to beat the snow fall.
                     We almost made it.
5.  Kids are BUSY!  Drama club,cornet lessons, guitar lessons, jazz band, wrestling, cross country, wrestling, family time.

Ok, feel caught up?
Now that I feel that I have justified my lack of blogging...
Here is what we are up to now.

I want to address my sibling's incredible gardening abilities.  They have both blogged recently about their
awesome and monsterous produce.  Well, I live in Alaska and have no desire to grow a monster cabbage or broccoli.  Also, we spend our 2 months of our very short growing season, in the lower 48.  So the hopes of a garden here is slim to none.  I'm ok with this.  I have a monster garden of my own.  Enjoy my monster garden.

Ballerina Ghost

Geek

Cowboy Avery

Add a ninja and I have a whole garden of my very favorite monsters!

Celie did not want to touch the pumpkin guts.  Can a lip get more pouty than that?

Thanks for visiting my garden!  Happy harvest.