Berries and Back to School

Here's a handful of our fun this weekend.
We drove over close to Seward to pick blueberries and huckleberries and sing to the bears. To chase them away of course! I could only think of humming the sesame street theme song. Steve sangs some AC/DC. He said the bears like rock music better. Nancy sang what sounded like songs from the Sound of Music. And William tip toed around trying to attract the bears--unlike us!



Steve and Nancy our berry picking buddies.
It rained the whole day. Nancy and I got soaked, but the boys had nice rain gear on. Well, worth the investment obviously!!




Off to her first day of pre K.




My girl -growing to quickly.

Here Moosey Moosey

Just in case the fact that your husband loves to hunt isn't enough they even make something called a moose call. Oh, yes, you think duck calls, deer calls and turkey calls can get annoying---you haven't heard anything yet! LOL.
Well, we are a few days into moose season and he has seen a few but none have made it back to the apartment yet.

I took my best photo of a moose last night. We went out driving late in the evening and I got a picture just as it was about to cross the road. maybe I will get better at moving animal pictures but so far it has been challenging. Anyway, I added it as the new blog opener above.

Ummm and everyone, get your "skype" downloaded so we can chat. I have just entered a whole new world with the free video phone-wow.




This is my favorite little boy in the whole world. He is such a loving little man!




After all the debate about which bunk bed William could build, he lucked out and we found one this week on craigslist. It is currently being used as our one piece of livingroom furniture, but when Julia has her own bedroom again we are going to add a slide to one side for fun.




Alaska William.






Alaska John and Julia.





They started ice skating lessons this week. Julia keeps saying she is ready to skate on one foot. It may take a few more weeks though. When I would go as a teeneager in Little Rock, I always thought it would be so nice to feel more confident skating backwards and really fun to be able to spin around. They will probably be twirling around by the end of the year.

If you get a moose call in your mail box...don't tell William I sent it far far away...

we had a really fun potluck picnic today





John eating some jello worm desert. yum!





Alaska this week




Julia amongst the daisies.

Summer Cut

The little man did not enjoy his last haircut.




"Little pink houses for you and me"...I saw this felt applique today and thought it would be so cute to make sometime when the snow is falling outside.

Well, tomorrow is already the end of summer potluck for the little playgroup I have been going to. It should be fun and it is at the children's favorite playground --the one with the pretend train and pirate ship. I will try to take some pics...but most of all I will try to remember to take the crackers that go with the almond curry dip I made. Speaking of DON'T EVER take a taste of hot mango chutney without the knowledge that it might make you gasp for air and feel like you are choking. Umm, one of the ingredients in the dip was mango chutney. Since the store here had only HOT mango chutney, I thought it might still work...OH NO. I was breathless and on fire...so I replaced with plain chutney. And for the little ones I made oreo balls. They look good, but I am not going there... my tummy is still on fire from the one gulp of hot fire I ate earlier!

In Anchorage, we managed to figure out what our shoe sizes are for winter boots and John and Julia made me a hello kitty at Build a Bear. The sweetest part was when they each picked out a heart to put inside her and they kissed them before they went in Kitty. I will always treasure that.

William and took the little ones out tonight scouting for moose. They saw quite a few and even ran into Smokey on their drive. Just 3 more days til season opens. There may be red meat in our future.


Thinking of you all and stay out of the HOT chutney!

Los Anchorage

William got home from hunting for a bear and decided we should go into the big city for a bit of fun. Of course, we were so excited. So, we pricelined a hotel. And when our low bid was accepted we decided it was meant to be.
Our hotel has been great--swimming pool, nice room, breakfast (with the waffle maker), closer to Target than our apartment. All good!
I have already decided that we will have to do this again in the middle of winter for a fun break. We ran into 3 different families from Soldotna at breakfast (so, I am guessing that's what a lot of people round our town do for a little break).
William let me go to Target all alone last night for an hour while the kids watched Ratatouille on tv. Then, we went swimming when I got back. Super fun!!

Julia is learning to spell everything. It is so sweet. Today we are working on the words 'Bobby and Gran Gran'. Right now, William is teaching her how to spell 'Santa'. She is starting to understand phonics. I think we owe a lot of it to the fridge letter thing Jodi and Steven got her when she was little. It is great for sounding out letter sounds!

Well, we're off to the sporting goods stores and maybe to REI and the Army Navy store to look for some winter gear. People tell me that good winter boots with removeable liners are important and snow pants that are good quality are also pretty important for the little ones.

Missing you all! Come see us, we'll lend you some winter gear.

Julie and Julia

Well, I feel as though this week has flown by. We were blessed to find a deal on our all favorite craigslist on a second vehicle for the family. So, I am no longer bounding out of bed and racing William to work and back which has been REALLY nice. I have been able to get a lot more laundry and housework done. We also got some salmon sent home Fedex. The way a lot of tourists get their fish home cheaper though is to check a fish box as one of their checked baggage. So, pack light and leave with some fresh frozen fish.
A real treat this week was a girl night I organized with my new friends Kristen and Angela to go to dinner and a movie. The three of us were really excited. Kristen is about to have a scheduled C section on Tuesday and has a 2 yr old at home. Angela has a little 2 yr old as well. So, we three were ecstatic about a night out of the ordinary. We ate mexican where Kristen spoke Spanish to our waitress since she's spent some in Ecuador. It felt a bit odd being in Kenai Alaska listening to a spanish conversation. Our dinner was Yummy. Then, off to see Julie and Julia which was a perfect GNO(girls night out) movie.
And of course, I had to look online today for a copy of Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking'. It is amazing what a movie buzz has done for an original copy of her book. One original 1960's copy was going on ebay for $885 the last time I checked. I think I will keep looking for it at garage sales or get the new version on Amazon for $20. The way she described the use of butter in cooking made me really hungry for cooking. So, today I made some homeade potato soup. It took all day and it was a labor of love. The chicken noodle soup I made earlier this week didn't feel as loved as these potatoes--it was more of a way to use up the chicken. Okay, enough already!
We miss you all and feel the fall approaching. It is rainy and chilly this week. Moose season starts the 20th--so I will need moose widow support emails...the man is obsessed. He watches the game and fish videos like a 2yr old watches Barney.




This is a birthday party we were invited to last weekend. Standing to the right of William is Dr Lines a fellow dentist in his clinic.



The children all got kiddy binoculars and went on a nature hike down to a lake.
They had to identify trees and berries along the way.
At one point the moms began to get afraid a bear may be around so everyone raised the pitches of their voice and told all the children to be as loud as they can. Of course they loved that command!



Spotting something.




Julia has from the first day we arrived begged to go on this ride. Well, a couple of weeks ago she swindled her Bobby into sending her $5 so she had the money to ride it. And of course we took the camera along. She was so brave a enjoyed it even though her little knees were literally shaking when she came down.
She is a determined little joy and we wouldn't want her any other way.

Happy Birthday Steven

Oh, yes... you knew you were next! I really debated it but thought how much you would enjoy being a whole blog post. LOL.
We're thinking of you and wish you all the best for the years ahead!

Julia and John wish they could be there to eat some cake with you.

Happy Birthday Margaret Louise !!

Margaret we're thinking of you and hope you have a great day!!!




Just when I think craigslist can't get any better...




I need a live turkey.

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Date: 2009-08-07, 9:39PM AKDT
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Unfortunately my dog just killed my neighbors pet turkey and I would like to replace it. Any leads on a tame turkey that would get along with four chickens would be greatly appreciated. Email to above or call 344-9679. Wasilla/Palmer area or closer to Anchorage would be as far as I'd have time to go. Thanks


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Late Night Drive

Mt redoubt in the distance.



Wild fireweed in full bloom everywhere.





Here moosey moosey...




Caribou ...Julia said rudolf just doesn't have his red nose on yet since it's not snowy and foggy outside yet.

Bunny anyone?

Bunnies - $5 (soldotna / kasilof)

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Date: 2009-08-06, 3:49PM AKDT


Black or Gray Bunnies available now. These bunnies are handled daily and make great pets. Price is negotiable and bunnies prefer nice vegetarian (non bunny eating) homes.

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Okay, Craigslist has some of the funniest ads don't they...I especially like the fact that they are looking to sell to people that don't eat their bunnies for dinner :)
Well, Julia and John want a bunny and they want one so that the bunny can eat their carrots instead of them...
We went driving around scouting for moose last night and it was a beautiful drive in daylight of the middle of the night. Mt Redoubt was clearly visible with a bit of smoke poofing out the top and the wildlife were plentiful (must have been that full moon). We saw tons of caribou and moose.
Yard saling this morning we got a few big yellow dump trucks for John, some vintage childrens books, another food saver($3). They say there's about a month left of yard sales and then poof the snow comes and the town shuts down. Unless you have good snow suits and some snow mobiles. It is very odd for me to envision this place without the hussle of the summer since it is all we have known so far. Atleast in the dead of winter, I will be able to remind myself that summer will come again!
Thinking of you all
and
Happy Anniversary Jodi and Steven!! Miss ya!

mt mckinley

This week we made a little trip up to mt Mckinley to see Cindi and fam that are on a cruise tour in Alaska. We stayed at the Princess lodge and it was really beautiful. Both John and Julia were little hams the entire time, entertaining everyone within their range.




We kept thinking we were seeing McKinley in the distance, but it really just remained hidden behind the clouds.




Julia was really excited to meet the princesses
at the princess lodge.




We had a really nice visit and even got to stop at Target on the way home --yee haw!
I know it sounds strange, but that is exciting when the closest Target is 3.5 hrs away. Oh, and ... we passed Winnie during the trip...I guess Red had taken her for a visit to Denali park...so cool.

William just found out that Moose hunting season is 20 days away and so tonight he is out with his new friend , Smokey, scouting for moose. Ummm, yes, I think these names are pretty Alaskan (Red, Smokey) wonder what William's handle will be in a few years??

Keep in touch,
the Arnetts

getting clearer

Soon, we will be making muffins from our own berries. I can't wait. Time to pick is towards the end of August here.



Rainy days...



He likes to pedal like the Flintstones because it is faster for now.



Such a sweetie. Wearing a dress from g.Debbie to dad's board meeting Monday night. We were introduced as a family at the recent hospital board meeting at CPGH. Luckily the children took good naps and were well behaved at the meeting. Julia introduced herself as a ballerina :) and did a little dance for everyone. Never a dull moment.




Trying to catch the end of the rainbow...wearing her red slippers and him carrying his "Bob D Builder Hat".

They're feeling a bit rosier. So, we're off to the library--storytime.
ps.storytime was great again. I will start posting the books Miss Mary is reading because her choices are terrific for little ones.

Sickies

We've got a houseful of snotty noses. WAh wah. They are in pretty good spirits which helps. Will update when we're all clear :)
Take care

Come see us

Well, unfortunately William has declined the votes to make the princess bed! So, I tried to find some twin over full bunk beds that are a bit less complicated. The one above is for sale at Costco in Anchorage and I love the color the wood is stained. He says this is more appropriate for him to build. So, we'll see. As those winter months creep upon us and there are less fish to catch Julia might have a bunk bed like this one in the works.




Update on our date... We did go fishing and it was tons of fun. I didn't catch my own salmon, but when William snagged one he let me reel her in.
One of the most beautiful parts was watching the seagulls chase a bald eagle on and off for about 30 minutes. It was a beautiful evening and the setting standing hip deep in the Kenai river amongst all that nature was very refreshing!



Since I haven't been very good about remembering my camera lately, I pulled some stock photos off google of things you can easily see in our neck of the woods.
It is really a pretty place to be and we feel blessed to be able to experience it.



This is something we see daily and what we look out for on the roads instead of deer. It is one of those places where you can't feel guilty if you have a huge SUV, you feel more like you are trying to protect your family in case you have a run in with a big moose.

Well, we'd love to have visitors...so start planning a trip and we'll grill you up some salmon (and hopefully soon halibut and moose burgers)

Bunk Bed

Julia wants a bunk bed and if you know William there's no way he's going to buy one, so I found a few ideas for ones he can make for her. I think they are sooooooo cute. He said "there's NO WAY he's making one that elaborate". I thought it was worth the try. But aren't they cool??

Atleast maybe I can pick the color of the wood stain and I think I have figured out fabric for the bedding. I thought I could mix up different Michael Miller themes like his Dick and jane collection and dots. The reason for something not too girly is because at this juncture Julia likes sharing a room with her brother -- so I've been trying to think of unisex ideas?? Or maybe a moose/bear campy theme?

We are getting our first babysitter tonight. William wants me to try my hand at this fishing thing with no distraction. I said "can't we just go see the new Harry Potter?"
I know what a bad sport...I will do my best to focus on the catch instead!
Well the children and I are off to playgroup. Have a beautiful day--it is cold here today--brrrrrrrrrr!
the chilly bumps