Reindeer Farm

We've been wanting to visit the  Reindeer farm, but haven't had the right moment to break away to do so. Visiting the farm was on the H Family's bucket list. The kids, Arielle and I decided to go along.  Before the tour, we visited the chickens and rabbits. 

Arielle, Nolan, Travis, Anakin, Ally, Stacia, Alex 

 We all had food to share as we entered the Reindeer pens. They don't have upper teeth so there wasn't much danger of being bit....but they are big animals and some of them can be a bit aggressive. I chose to take photos rather than feed reindeer. Carl, a large buck, decided to slobber all over my camera lens. ugh.

Stacia

Ally and Anakin

I was glad Arielle came with us. 

Stacia got comfortable with the experience

Alex

Nolan

Travis 

 This  baby moose was abandoned in a gravel pit. They are bottle raising it. 

We also saw a herd of elk. I liked this baby the best. 

We took a new road as we left the farm and found another u pick farm we've heard about.

Unexpected Excitement

We did not expect to be back at Providence this morning. Jared was running a fever and nauseated. They had him come in and checked his blood, his chest, his incision and did a heart ultrasound. They gave him meds for nausea and Tylenol/Advil and SENT HIM HOME. I was shocked.   However, we knew he was in good care at home with Larissa. She kept in touch with the ER Doctor and the Cardiologist. His fever climbed to 103.4 and still they said not to come in....though there was concern about infection and sepsis.  Odd, odd, odd.  By Sunday morning his fever was down to 100.....and today (Monday) its still down lower than what they consider alarming. 

In other news, I picked up a grill that was on sale for Labor Day. I did this when I was sent to Lowes last night for various pieces of pipe, axe handles and such. Michael put it together and the Gherkins who were about, and the H family enjoyed a burger burn. 

The final touches of the project....

 Done 

We have to admit the seasons are changing. Fall is here....hoping it stays a bit of time. 

See the termination dust in the mountains? These are not the ones at the end of the block...but it's coming. 

Jared's Surgery - Friday

#WYFF? Ours were at the Providence Medical Center.  This is 1.5 hours from our home.  Today  is the day for Jared's heart surgery/procedure. We are all excited that he has a 95% chance of being DONE with this....I can't help remembering all the doctors who poo poohed our concerns throughout the years. We're thankful for the medical community in Anchorage. 

Comfy recliners for waiting 

 

In Jared's words: Operation was a success! I'm really looking forward to all the stuff I will be able to do with a fully healthy heart! So blessed and thankful for all the prayers and support from friends and family and the fantastic medical team at Providence!!

I also apparently had a lot to say under anesthesia lol I woke up singing America the Beautiful and when the nurse started singing with me I told her we should go on tour, she said she would like that to which i informed her I had a wife. Speaking of my loving wife, she was right there when I woke up and was holding my hand but I freaked out and told the nurses a stranger was trying to seduce me...and that Josiah wants the Iron Throne and that the doctors are fake news. And so much more lol but home and resting and no more anesthesia induced political commentary 👍🏽

It's Friday night. This means pizza at our house. I'm not sure who ate with us - but I know these kiddos did....so BreZaak and Travis and Cat must have had dinner with us.

Cat discovered Archer LIKES to sit in a laundry basket. It's great! 

Tractors and Trenching

This is a pretty exciting day around our little home...the tractor arrived in Anchorage yesterday! CoRielle and Nolan drove in to pick it up.  I had lobbied for the biggest one, we got the second to biggest. Still bigger than our original plan - but I think we need it.  We had a ton of stuff going on today, and yet, the lawn needs mowing! 

I jumped on  - I wanted it to be pink - Michael vetoed

It has snow and mower blades - I volunteer to do mowing. 

A spot for a cell phone

Are you surprised I was ruthlessly removed from my perch? 

We have our very own big "O"....and that filled the bags

He said it was my turn

He had me get off again

Time for more instruction 

Finally 

Sorta looks like these guys are shadowing me 

 Nolan and Alex finished the yard. I'm so relieved to have this done! 

Nolan 

 They went back and forth with the clippings

 Not only did we get the tractor, today was PUSH day for the RV project. They built a box and a frame, trenched some ground, inserted a macerator pump and some pvc pipe. We now have a drain for gray water and such. RVers can visit us and stay in comfort.  We so appreciate Travis and Cat staying extra days in Alaska so Travis could guide this project.

Wrapping pipe - and dreaming of epic sword fights

Jamin came out & we put him to work! 

Arielle watches from her perch....she's been busy with college classes 

We broke for dinner - today we had BreZaak, CoRielle, Travis and Jamin. A funny thing happened with dinner. It seemed like a great day for chili and cornbread. I bought what I thought was cornmeal at the store. Heated my cast iron, melted butter till it sizzled, went to pour in the dough...it was WHITE. I had purchased corn tortilla mix. Ah well - it tasted o.k. 

The work continued after dinner. Blisters happened. 

This was a major project. We needed it done before winter and we are going to make it. The guys still want to build a lid and add more insulation, but the end is in sight.

We appear to have crop circles in our yard

Stacia Entertains Visitors

I worked on school ordering again this morning. I ran a little test. I put in a purchase order request for an order at Sonlight. I put in an order I paid for with Sonlight.  I want to see how much more time it takes to use the purchase orders. 

While the guys worked on all things RV outside, we visited, prepared meals and baked cookies inside. I love Anakin's expression as he stirred the dough. He's such a fun boy to have around. 

The kids have enjoyed time on the trampoline, playing with the last dredges of Stacia's toys, and running in the yard. One is never 100% certain how their "baby" will do with younger ones; Stacia does great with young visitors. I need to buy a few toys to have on hand for little ones.

A Meet Up

Cat and I connected a couple of years ago when I joined a full time RV forum. It turns out we were at Beale at the same time, and our paths never crossed. We've stayed in contact and she's been an encouragement,  both as we adjusted to the RV lifestyle and as we went through the VA claim process. Travis had a summer job in Kenai this year. They are preparing to head back down the Alaska Highway before snow flies.  Today, they arrived at our home. 

Me, Archer and Cat

 It was fun to meet "for real." She's in our online Bible Study group, as is Bre, so it was fun for them to meet each other too.

Anakin and Stacia 

 We are enjoying their kids, a lot! 

Allie in Stacia's kimono

Archer and Cat 

While we make meals and socialize, the guys are at work on another house project. Here, they are wiring in a 50 amp line for an RV spot.  We'll use this now as BreZaak are in the RV....and when they move, we'll have a full hook-up for guests with RV.  We'll also have lots of boondocking space for those who are self-contained. LOL  

Travis and Michael 

Nolan and Alex enjoyed a game of Dominion with Travis this evening. Wow - he has a set up for his cards! And lots of expansion packs.  I'm envious.  However, I went to bed rather than playing or watching. 

Mako Came to Visit

Mako came to visit and brought Maria (Marie) along with him. 

Maria was a God-send. It was fun to host her, to have friends visit, and feel that maybe this ISN'T the end of the world and we will see friends again. She jumped into the chaos.She helped unpack boxes, fix dinners, put things away. It was great to have her here for two weeks.

Friends who are willing to visit and WORK, though we did try to play a bit, are a blessing.