Watching Grands

 Michael and I didn't get to take advantage of respite time last week.  This week I had agreed to help Bre out during our normal time. I thought this would be o.k. - but it wasn't. It turns out taking respite care for a caregiver to go watch grands isn't really respite - or some such thing. SO....Arielle agreed to come early and Michael and I went out to breakfast. Then we drove around an area of town we haven't explored before and found a great place for cross country skiing next winter....a long, long time from now. 

Michael swung by and picked up a chai tea for me and then dropped me at BreZaak's. Bre took Jojo and Bella for well child check ups....and vaccines. Bella is old enough to anticipate what is happening. This was a game changer. Poor thing. I can guarantee Annie, Gideon and I had more fun at home. 

I think we must have played with all the "special play" toys. We played with kinetic sand. 

And SLIME! What's with SLIME? Gideon was NOT impressed and it took us about 8 wipes to get it all off his hands....

meanwhile, iM the other part of the house Annie explored with makeup...such an artistic use of eyeshadow. 

We had a blast. We played until we dropped - and then Bre was pulling into the driveway with the brave kiddos. We'll switch kids and repeat in August....

I threw a frozen pot roast into the instant pot. Just as it was time to start prepping veggies, Michael came in and said he thought we were having Dutch Babies for dinner. Ooops. He had suggested that last week for dinner...and we didn't make it happen.  He had mentioned it again last night and I forgot....we were happy to switch gears. Breakfast for dinner it was....and I'll put the roast in the slow cooker when we leave at 0900 to shop for wedding things. This worked out well. 

I stole a few moments to sit in the garden. The seeds Stacia and I planted last week are just starting to germinate. OK - only THREE have sprouted but there are sure to be more. LOL 

We had a rousing conversation around the table...sharing our memories of "The Tohoku Quake and Tsunami." We are all aching to go back for a visit. Stacia would like to do a gap year in Japan. Anyway - we had fun remembering....and then it was nearly 10 p.m. 

I did a bit of bookwork it's hard to find for during the day and then Nolan was pulling into the driveway and it was after 11 p.m.  

G'Nite all - but really I should say moring as I'm 30 minutes into the new day...and need to take Alex to work in 4 hours. LOL 

"Michael's" Project

In 2019 we visited the Pyran Farm (which I still haven't blogged). Michael noted their high wind tunnels and the corn growing under them. 

He spent considerable time researching, thinking, and doodling this winter. I knew he was thinking of how to grow corn up here. We priced kits new and used.  His doodling grew into plans and a shopping list. 

I didn't fully grasp what he was talking about...but he made a jig which looked rather interesting.  He bought PVC pipe, sand and clamps.  He made a plug.  On May 18th this was my view from the table. 

I finally understood the vision. He cut the pipe into various links. Grandpa spent May 19th cutting and sanding pipes. 

Michael used the propane turkey fryer to heat up sand, they poured the sand into the pipes and then bent them around the jig and left them to cool off. 

Alex's help was enlisted

 

May 24th proved Michael could find a job for anyone who wanted to help out.  Benny's assistance was enlisted.

 GG and Benny working on "Papa's job" 

Things began to take shape. This man is determined to grow corn in Alaska. 

Our timing was off. Michael worked to get this done as soon as the weather was nice enough to be outside, but I needed to be able to plant by June 1st.  All his time was going to here and THIS is why we didn't get much of the garden tilled and planted this summer. I planted the beds. If I had a realistic idea of this project, I would have hired someone to till the potato and corn patches...or to burn the weeds in the spring or something. 

It began to take recognizable shape on May 27th. 

Allie and Stacia spent a lot of time helping in this phase of the build. 

On June 21st Michael and Allie began covering the frame with plastic. 

Looking good

The kids came over for Father's Day on June 27th. They all got together and moved the "greenhouse" to the spot where we grow corn. Unfortunately, it was too late to start corn. I already had my seedlings planted into beds...but we are set up nicely for the garden of 2022. 

Michael left the ends open so the wind would blow through it this year and not tear it apart. In the spring, he'll put the ends back on it. I may put some heat in it and use it to start seeds. It may well cover our corn rows this year...it's worth a try.  It currently houses much of our yard furniture and garden tools etc.  It's Dec 30th and it's withstanding the winter wind and snow fairly well. 

This was a great unifying project. Everyone had a part in its creation. Michael has the plans and jig to make more. It IS sturdier than the kits we saw, and it cost less to build too.... free labor is always a bonus in these situations.😏

I envision lush green growing in the garden, arches with beans and roses growing over the top, a gazebo for summer visitors...and all this white plastic was not in my vision. BUT if we want to GROW many things we NEED the hoop houses and tunnels. There you have it. I'm still trying to figure out how to make the garden a lovely spot of refreshment as well as a functioning garden. 

June's Celebration

We cut it close, but today we gathered for June's celebrations.  Everyone, but Nolan and Larissa made it.  It is always fun when so many can make it. We had a Mexican potluck....and several had the same idea, "Let's cook at Mom and Dad's."  It was great fun. There were a LOT of Gherkins in the kitchen...

Maria made Puerto Rican Rice, Krista was working on a Southwest hot salad, Josiah is about to start tacos and Jared is making Fajitas....I made Enchiladas before church and they were in the oven. 

We remembered Dad and Mom G's anniversary. We celebrated the six fathers in our midst: G Dog, Michael, Luke, Izaak, Cory, and Cy.  We also celebrated Bre, Maria and Krista's birthdays.

 It was Maria's birthday today....she won the privilege of wearing the pig hat. Stacia had made an ice cream cake and had continued her practicing on the Spring Fling Cake....it was sugar free and tasted good. It's growing on me. LOL 

If Luke hadn't already won my heart, he surely would have when he walked in and immediately went to sit with Grandpa. Grandpa enjoyed sharing the paper. 

Oh yea, before there was cake we DID eat dinner. It turned into a beautiful day and so we ate outside. 

Lot's of cousin fun going on this afternoon. 

Gideon and Benny

Annie's Pony

Maria and Danny

They got Uncle Jared on the trampoline again! 

Enjoying the shade.

Arielle, Cory, Grandpa, Carrie, Cyu, Danny and Maria

Bella asked me to show her the things she'd planted. THIS is the reason it is good to do something even if I can't do EVERYTHING I want to do. It's been making me CRAZY to see the state of the garden but with my physical ailments and Michael's projects....it's all I've been able to do....

THIS is an excellent reason to feel good about doing something - even if I can't do it all.  She was extremely excited to see the radishes growing. She was pretty impressed with the carrots too. 

Michael asked everyone to help him move his project to the garden.  He's been writing stories for Story Worth.  He decided to write about an incident he'd told me - and no one else in 38 years. I KNEW the kids would get a kick out of the story. Michael is pretty private. This story was out of character for the Michael the kids have known. He read the story to us today...and it was a hoot. 

Shortly after this folks began to go home. Everyone needs to get ready for the new week. It will be a BIG week in our family....Nate and Heather will get her on the 1st, we'll have a wedding on the 3rd and we have much to do BEFORE we reach Saturday. 

Ready...Set... Go!!!!!

When a Moose Comes to Play

 We have a new bull in the yard. This one is quite a bit smaller and younger. Those velvet antlers are bothering him. He was on a wild search to find  either something to scratch on, or to play on. 

WHUT???? Nothing to see here! 

This is NOT the way to play Volleyball. 

Hmmm....now what could I do on the swing set?

He couldn't figure out how to scratch his antlers on the swings, so he was off to the trampoline, a favorite among moose. 

Saturday

This is Maria.

Maria was one of the first to greet us our first week at the chapel of our last assignment. She became one of my gals, and over time she became "our" bonus daughter. She came up and helped us unpack when we moved into our home in Alaska.   Eventually she met Krista and they both ended up at Liberty in VA and shared a house.  Maria graduated with her Masters of Divinity in May. She will be a Professor's Assistant in the upcoming school year as she begins work on her Doctorate. 

We have been blessed to watch Maria overcome obstacles and chase her dreams. If she'd only move up....but ANYWAY, TODAY, Maria drove into our driveway with Krista! She's up for the wedding and we couldn't have been happier to see her again. 

We had a good time catching up and I didn't remember to take a single picture. 

This afternoon the girls went with KrUke and Maria up to Hatcher's Pass to scout out wedding photo locations. A wedding in a week. Shew.  Here's a photo from the trip....

Summer in Alaska @ Summit Mtn. 

Jared had a meeting in Anchorage and came home in time for a simple dinner with Mike, Alex, Grandpa and I.  

Michael has been working on his project. He is hoping to be ready to move it when there are guys here tomorrow to help with the move. 

Jared jumped on the mower and did a few rounds. We always appreciate anyone who wants to do such. 

Grandpa has been calling folks and saying, "I guess Nate and Heather are coming by. Are they in OR yet?" I have put the date on his calendar. We have told him how many more days, but he can barely wait for them to arrive. Here he talks to Nadia to see if they are there yet. LOL