Spring Snow

 Yes, we did get snow.  A lot of it.  Krista and Luke made a good call to cancel the ski trip/cabin adventure.  I went out to take Alex to work at 0430 and had to dig the wheels out of the snow.  I made first tracks all the way into town.  I think I officially earned my winter driving cred with this one. Maybe all will quit worrying. I've not gone off the road since Misawa. 

We always get one good last spring snow storm in March - maybe this is it? Maybe this is the last of winter? Maybe spring will really begin in a week?  We got 10 - 12 inches all told out here. There were places in Eagle River that got 20 inches and in Anchorage I hear between 3 - 18 inches. Lots of micro climates in the area. OL 

Today proves the advantages to this design for the wheelchair ramp - the landings are the only spots with snow....

Millie barks to go out, but changes her mind when she sees the deck and feels the cold. LOL 

Unfortunately, if we want to be able to GET OUT of our driveway with a measure of safety others had to go out in the mess. I found slip sliding up the incline exhilarating but Michael thinks it best to clear the driveway. 

And then the tractor/plow got stuck! 

Fun times! 

* Today is the 10th anniversary of the Tohoku Quake and Tsunami...an event we lived through, an event which changed us. I really should write more, but I don't have it in me just now.  We have found ourselves drawing inward as the day approached. 

Spring Break Continues

Arielle and the boys dropped by for a visit! Benny and GG had a rip-roaring indoor snowball fight. I think I need to make more snowballs before next year. This has been a great winter activity. 

Stacia and Allie entertained Benny by playing Hide and Seek. 

 The fun continues with a visit to the local trampoline park.  

Not a youth event - but more of a family event - Krista and Luke planned to take the girls and another gent from youth group skiing 8 miles into a forest cabin for an over nighter to end spring break. 

Heavy snow and weather is advised for tonight so they've opted to go with Plan B....its disappointing to miss the ski-in - but as a parent - I'm thrilled the plan changed in the face of the predictions. 

Canning and Cakes etc.

 Meet my new All American canner. We wanted to buy a second canner last year, but Prestos (the brand I had) were sold out. We waited all spring, summer and fall. Somewhere in the mix we put our name on a waiting list for an All American. We continued to check local stores, Amazon and Presto's website. Nothing. I got a call - the All Americans were in and I could pick up this beaut....I wasn't convinced, but Michael was....and it is AMAZING.  I could tell right away it was MUCH heavier....and it will do 14 quarts at a time....this means I can now do 21 quarts and 32 - 36 pints at a time if I have both going. That will be nice during salmon and harvest seasons. 

I filled this up and left Michael watching the regulator.....GG and I were off  to a dental appointment. He had 3 teeth filled.  His joke and mine, is he complained more about the dentist than he did about open heart surgery.  I enjoyed the time to relax in a chair...knowing for that 1 1/2 hours Dad wasn't going to get up and "practice walking."  I took him through the Dairy Queen drive through when he was finished. 

I read while Dad was occupied with the dentist. I'm enjoying this series - which I've put off reading as civilians usually don't understand the military lifestyle they try to write about. This book centers on a Navy fighter pilot and an Air Force Para rescue jumper.... I think these words summarize my Air Force experience well. 

Not taking relationships for granted is part of what life teaches everyone. When you're in the military, you just learn that lesson sooner...only when you're gone for months at a time do you learn how strong the relationships you have really are...The military teaches you not to get attached to the place or the thing BUT THE PEOPLE.

 We have March Birthday Celebration coming up Saturday night. Stacia began making cakes.  Cory requested an Oreo Ice Cream cake so I put that together and got it in the freezer. 

Somewhere in here Krista and Nolan looked at a house they were considering renting. Shortly after looking (and they were unimpressed) Krista received word she needs to live within a 30 minute response time of the base.  Yes, I KNOW many military live in the valley. Chaplains are first responders and she will be serving as duty chaplain - I suppose she COULD live out here and stay in a hotel during duty time...but it wouldn't be considered "professional."  This shifted her plans. 

All the Turkey Broth got processed....40+ pints and a few quarts. 

The girls finished the night with dinner and a movie for the Youth Spring Break extravaganza. I went to Bible study.  I have no clue what the men at home did. The boys and GG were in bed when I got home. 

Spring Break Alaska Style

 Spring Break - when it warms up enough to enjoy the snow! ::snort:: 

This is Spring Break. Our youth group is opting for daily activities again this year...and I love all the fun they have together.  We decided to cancel school all could enjoy the week without the added stress of "being behind." 

Allie and Stacia

The week began with a trip to Hatcher's Pass for sledding. None of the youth team could join Stacia so Grandpa and I joined the kids to be 2nd and 3rd needed adult. It was the perfect day for sledding - and there weren't too many folks up there. It was bright, sunny and in the 30's. 

Grandpa and Krista - youth pastor

This was our first stop. The kids were able to work out the kinks on a "small hill" - MERCY. It had the added bonus of an outhouse. Dad and I stayed in the car and watched, read, snacked.  Here are some shots of them at Gold Mint Trail. 

The girls on the trip 

Evan 

Josiah, Evan, Jessie, Krista, Allie, Stacia 

I love this shot of Jessie

They called it quits at Gold Mint and asked me to drive them further up the pass. There are several trails  people sled and snow board down in the winter. I can't even imagine......MERCY.  They were all excited to give it a shot.  Krista took some pics of the group along the way. 

📷 Krista 

📷 Krista 

📷 Krista 

 Grandpa and I drove to the bottom to wait for them to appear. Evan was first on his snowboard, followed by Jessie on his...and then others came sliding in.  This is the spot we waited. I believe they did Paradise Trail and not 16 Mile. 

Jessie

Josiah

Allie and Stacia

Krista

Stacia

Allie

Allie

A sweet family came by....this is a great cross country skiing essential with kids. 

Tuesday their activity was rather tame. They met at the Annex for dinner and a movie. 

Sensational Saturday

 Our Saturday began with the mundane. I have 2 big stock pots of broth to can. This seemed a good day to can...I knew we had company in the afternoon, but a canner can work with company in the house....I got the first pot settled. I asked Nolan to bring in the next pot....Um...Frozen solid. He began to work with boiling water and levers....

Meanwhile Allie and Stacia continued our goal of trimming up Millie. She looks presentable again - a bit odd, but lovable. 

The struggle with the stock pot continued. 

Not even team work helped

Bad photo - but Nolan pulled the  strong, sturdy handle of the stock pot off. The pot was still stuck. 

Michael got involved with a crowbar and mallet and freed the broth.  Unfortunately, the solid block of broth in the pot was still thawing at bedtime. I'll finish this project tomorrow. 

Cy, Carrie and Olivia arrived. This was our first time to hear Hawaii stories since the boy trip to Hawaii. I'm thankful for the military friendships of our boys and the Harding boys - 16 years and going strong. Below you see Steven, Mikal, Jared, Jamin and Josiah...

📷 One of the guys via facebook 

CoRielle arrived. Benny yelled, "I got you, Uncle!" I had to check it out....not sure who has whom in this situation. 

Cy, Carrie and I ran out to check out local thrift stores. Carrie and Olivia have found a new apartment and she is outfitting it.  The rest of the afternoon was spent with games. Alex came and left. It was loud and chaotic. Jamin came a bit after Arielle and boys left...Krista was out all day with Luke...busy house....

Cy and Carrie

Arielle and Benny

I love this photo. Benny is a determined spoons player. 

I was the first out and so filled my time taking pictures. Carrie won the spoons extravaganza.  I finished two canners of broth. We cleared out the fridge with a YOYO night (Your On Your Own).  Grandpa, Michael, Nolan, Allie, Stacia and I watched the last episode of WandaVision....

We LOVE Fridays!

 We love Fridays and Saturdays!!!! The "work week" is over and we breathe a big sigh of relief. We had just settled into Friday after-school when Arielle and the boys surprised us. 

Baachan - look! I'm floating.

Benny jumped in and helped Stacia make brownies. I made some sugar free brownies.....

Papa helped with the mixer...it was a multi-generational project! LOL 

It occurs to me I have several Benny in the Kitchen photos where he is sampling the goods. 

We did not simply have a sugar attack. We knew we were having Aaron and Elise for dinner and Cy and crew are coming out tomorrow.  Brownies - and a sugar free option - were called for.  I was glad we had opted for pizza for dinner. There was no fussing or worrying about dinner. We were able to drop and while the afternoon away with CoRielle and still be ready for Aaron and Elise. They are expecting their first in one short week. We added a salad and fruit plates and were ready.  The laughter and conversation was perfect to send us into a relaxing weekend. Grandpa loves having folks drop by. It was a win win.  The only "sad" element is Nolan and Krista weren't able to join us. 

Nope, I didn't take one single picture.