still here

We are still here, we've just been adjusting to spring in Alaska. Daylight from 5am sunset at 11pm and high of 40F. We got a boat a few weeks ago and took it out of Seward last weekend for its maiden voyage. Julia and puppy Wilson both got seasick. The boat went well and the seas were relatively calm, so it made for a fun trip out. We had some porpoises swim along side us and we also saw quite a few sea otters.
The snow is starting to thaw and it is pretty muddy now. John got stuck in the front yard and I got stuck trying to get him out the other morning. We both just had to pull our feet out of our boots and go back inside for more boots. I have learned that you need multiple boots and coats!
Julia is nearly out of Pre K and we have no set activites planned for summer. I have a feeling the summer will be much like last--full of fishing and playing at the many different playgrounds around town. Little farmers markets get started soon and all the RV's start meandering their way in from other parts of Alaska and the lower 48.
The community is huge in the summer compared to the rest of the year due to tourism.
I could easily adjust to life in Alaska if it was just for the summers.

the wooly musk ox

Well, the permit results are in for Alaska and William is getting a musk ox tag for this fall. This, people, is one of those things that is once in a lifetime oppourtunity. Alaskan hunters put in for a musk ox all their lives and some never get a permit. You can imagine...we are hearing of nothing but...and I am convinced that it needs to be full body mounted and put in the livingroom for the kids to ride on.LOL.
To me they look like some prehistoric wooly mammoth. He has to go to the end of the earth to hunt this thing as well (as if we're not already there!!) Some island west of Bethel. Craziness, sheer madness, what have I gotten myself into?
I am dreaming of a warm Caribean cruise! Snow in the forecast for tomorrow--BRRRRRR.

Come Play

Just a shout out to all our friends and family.

The Arnettranch Alaska is now taking resevations for summer visitors. We'd love to have you. So, give us a call or comment and we can set up your spot for a warm bed, clean shower and a bunch of fishing!

The first week of June is already booked up--yipee...We love visitors!
Current weather: yesterday- snow storm
today -beautiful and sunny

Happy Easter

These red boots go everywhere now that we have Wilson Arnett in our house. John does not like the thought of having little nips to his ankles so he puts on his boots first thing in the morning.



Even when we lose our pants we still have our boots on...




5 yrs old came so quickly!




A girl and her dog= LOVE





Our first egg hunt in the snow




She left all the blue eggs for him because blue is his favorite color this month and everything must be blue!

Weekend Post

We are so in love with our wee ones. The challenge of children is the most rewarding of all!




John is lovin' his new red boots!



Wilson has become part of the family. We are in love with the little guy--all of us! It has been a great week with our new addition to the Arnett home.




A real treat is having the kids take him out to potty...that's quite a delight and they love it!
This week was a joy. John and Julia played well together, we stayed super busy, Julia started a 9wk gymnastics class - she had a blast, we cooked and cleaned, did quite a lot on the house and smothered our new little doggie with so much love!

We have a new member of the family...a ball of fluff we're calling Wilson.
He is a nine month old maltese we are fostering and may keep , that needs a loving home and we are going to give him a try. So far , so cute!





Julia and John are having such a good time with him. They had to get him a couple of dog toys tonight and some little treats. We gave him a bath and a new blankie for his bed.

little foot

I have always wanted to take those gorgeous little baby feet pictures with the kids, but am now just getting around to capturing 3 and 5 yr old feet. I think these 3 yr old feet are still pretty cute though.




One thing we hardly ever do is pick up the camera for bath pictures anymore. And it is some of the childrens sweetest time of the day. They play and relax in the bubbles after a hard day of playing and getting into mischief.




This was a week ago when I looked out and had trouble finding my car in the snow.
Now we have had a few warmer days just above freezing and everyone is wearing flip flops and short sleeves in anticipation of the "thaw" for any of you that remember that Northern Exposure episode (it's kinda like a full moon around these parts!!)
Folks are excited and they are everywhere all the sudden--coming out of their hiddy holes.



We have been trying to get some curtains up...ah yes, we have light again...it is amazing. Like a switch, it now gets light at 7am and dark at 9pm. I definitely like Alaska more when there is LIGHT!



My love has been hard at work doing trim work and tonight we are getting carpet on our stairs. I almost forgot what carpet feels like. It is so soft, ahhhhhh, I always disliked carpet because it gets so dirty and holds so much yucky stuff in it, but wow, it sure is soft when you are used to hard floors.

This last week was Julia's spring break week one (she's off for 2 weeks).
We stayed really busy, playdates, Bday parties, a little stomach bug, St Patty's day party and went to a great lesson on moose at the Kenai Wildlife refuge.

I am attempting to recover a sofa and loveseat, more on that if it happens. I get overwhelmed sewing the cushion covers (putting in zippers /piping) It's not instant gratification. So right now i have just cut the pieces for the cushions and enjoy staring at them thinking of how I would rather do the dishes than go there.

Dr A is super busy at work 56 hrs a week at the moment. I miss him, but am glad he is home on the weekends. He seems to really love this state and is very excited about his hunting and fishing prospects for the upcoming season.

I am greatful for so many things and just uttertly blessed.

Photos Finally

My BFF(and ever) and her precious baby. We were so blessed to see her during our visit back to the South.
Now every baby is "babyli" to Julia and John. They fell in love with his sweetness.





Cake on her birthday.



Her cake for her bday party.



Party time at McDonalds--totally hassle free party--Wow , why hadn't we done that before!




John playing photographer.

Well, no birthdays this week. Just lots of snow snow snow. Isn't is spring break somewhere! I am ready for a tan. No luck in this neck of the woods. I just here snow plow trucks and find my self shovelling the walkway to the front door. brrr...but really it is absolutely beautiful, especially the fresh snow.

Pictures to come

There really are pictures coming...I just left my laptop at the ski resort where we had our church women's retreat and .......(keep reading if you're bored)....
and on the way back to pick it up last Sunday the car broke down and then the toliet backed up and when we got that fixed we realized the ancient shower in the basement was leaking water out under the new flooring and the rest is history....so as soon as my laptop returns and the "flood" of crazy life ceases I will post pics!

Amidst it all I have been insanely happy. Maybe I prefer my life like this, to dull and buried with boredom. Or maybe our recent vacation helped me to put things in perspective. Oh, how I do enjoy a good holiday!!!

We did get the most beautiful snow this morning and a gorgeous sunshine all day. We played outside in it all afternoon long!

John was happy about going to church for my Bible study this morning and that always makes for a happy momma. So, often I feel as though he is just carted around (to take Julia here and there and to go with me to things at church). I know the time will come when soon I will be a taxi for him as well, but for now he spends a lot of time patiently and sometimes not so patiently climbing in and out of the car for our activities. He tells everyone now that he is 3 and he is big.

Julia is having her party this weekend. She is so excited and has been counting down the days. She wants an ariel cake this year. I have had no planning and there just aren't any good cake decorating supply stores here (like the section at Michaels or Hobby Lobby). So, it is a mystery on how this cake will turn out.

Well, if you're still with me on this ramble, say a prayer for our re-remodel downstairs and for all the precious small joys to grow up surrounded by the love of our Father.

5 is FUN

Our little girl turns five today!
We are so proud of her and she is so excited about her big day!
5 is fun!

Pictures to come...

post vacay cold

I will be back in the swing of blogging soon I am sure, for now, just battling a cold and getting ready for church women's retreat. Yeehaw! It is at a ski resort a couple of hours away--should be fun and good bonding, getting to know everyone better time.
Our little miss is soon to be 5--wow. I say that every year, but wow, it flys by!

vacay

Jodi and Steven at the Alamo.




JW Marriot San Antonio (The Ritz of the South). The adventures of potty training continue, with John dropping his drawers on the nice green grass to have a pee. Oh, that's right, in front of everyone eating at the fancy outdoor patio restaurant. I got his pants up and wisked him to the bathroom before he took care of business.





YO Ranch TX--Julia feeding a giraffe. Visiting the cousins, having a ball.


The wee ones at the alamo.





In Arkansas, we are snowed in, blah, I can do that in Kenai anyday of the winter--bummer. Vilonia at "the barn"(our little home here) cuddled up with the kids.
It is really pretty though! Huge flakes all day long!!!
We miss our Dr Arnett who had to fly back home to return to work.

Whirlwind

Well, We've been on a vacation whirlwind and just got settled in for the night. We have had so much fun and haven't got to bed before midnight yet. I think I am ready--maybe tomorrow night! Looks like snow in the forecast for us tomorrow--just what we were trying to get away from-LOL! Sweet dreams - stay warm! Pictures to come when I get them organized.Night night.

Nearing Vacation

We are super duper excited to be able to fly South for the winter.
Leaving this weekend for William to attend a conference and a bit of family time. Yipeee.
Not much blogging lately.
Update: John's doing great with potty training. He has accidents when
he is too busy playing trains, but for the most part just has been a real
star about it all!
You have officially lost your marbles in Alaska when you try to root the head of a pineapple and an avocado seed in your kitchen in hopes that one day you will have the plant and tree that bear the fruit! Oh, and it won't be long before we get started on our annual tomato race...each year we try to see which family can bear the first tomato of the season. In Memphis it was a bit easier to be a contender in the race, we will have to change up or strategy a bit this year.
I am busy downloading 100 Bible kids songs to my ipod...I would rather the kids sing "the B-I-B-L-E" at the top of their lungs than be crying, if I can help it on the flights.
Prayer request: safe travel, content children.
Hope to see you soon!

nEW yEAR

Dr Arnett makes his first batch of Mr Beer. Cheers.



She's back - our ballerina girl.



Beautiful new ballet moves she invented.





If you're a mom of little ones. Don't you love those moments when they get a new toy and it occupies them for an hour! Ahhhhhh-yes! (thank you Jodi and Steven)



Those sweet little lovies before bed one night--just collapsed on top of me.