Winter Solstice

Today is Winter Solstice which means it is the shortest day of the year. The sun rises at 11:32 am and Sets a few hours later at 3:18 pm. This means we have 3 hours and 46 minutes of light. Our daylight time is VERY SHORT this time of year, even shorter when it is cloudy and snowy like it is today. But having some light is always encouraging. Keith thinks taking sunrise pictures here is great since the sun at this time of year always looks like a sunrise or sunset for the whole day so he can set up the camera, get it all perfect without rushing the shot. There are some incredidible sunrise and sunsets here. Makes me want to break out in the Sunrise Sunset song from Fiddler on the Roof. "Sunrise sunset, Sunrise Sunset, Swiftly flow the days"

It may be the shortest day in our year but the positive thing now is that we will be gaining a few more minutes of light a day. Some people might think oh how can you measure a minute more of light? Trust me... EVERY MINUTE COUNTS and I love the feeling of knowing the days are getting brighter every day! LOVE IT LOVE IT!
Here are some pictures of Sunrises or Sunsets or even Noon time in Galena =) Most of these are from Keith's office which is over looking the Yukon river.

This was before the river froze up.

Look at the ring around the sun

I love this one!

I would have taken a picture of the Sun today but it was snowy and cloudy all day. But it was a wonderful day!

What is your Favorite Christmas memory?

My favorite memory started the first year we were in Zambia and it continues on at my mom and dads house even now. Our first Christmas in Zambia was spent with the Garrison and Waddill family at their farm. We had a wonderful time putting on a nativity play, swimming on Christmas (which was new to me since Zambia is HOT at Christmas) and a great Christmas meal together. But my favorite memory started a tradition in our family and it taught me the true meaning of giving! My parents told me we were going outside to give Christmas to the workers. The farm workers gathered outside of the Waddill's house and each one received a gift. A blanket, and I don't remember if they got anything else but to me as a child who just moved from America(the land of Plenty) it didn't seem like much to get a blanket for Christmas. But the first person in line that I got to give a simple blanket to and I got to see their face light up... It changed my outlook on gifts. Of course as a child I loved having toys and barbies but that first Christmas taught me that Christmas gifts can be simple and no matter what it was it was fun to give!

Well our family took that tradition and applied it to our family and the guys that worked for us. We had a gardener and a night watchman. Before Christmas mom would take us to shop for those special boxes we would put together for our guys. We bought oil, corn meal, chicken, salt, sugar, tea, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, charcoal and things like that. Then we bought something special for each man and for their wife and kids. Daka our gardener, always wanted a new pair of work gloves. Our night watchman got a flash light or something like that. Then my brother and I would wrap each item even the oil and sugar. It was so much fun and even more fun to watch them unwrap it. In a country that never celebrated Christmas or gave gifts, it was a new experience for all of them. I think I enjoyed watching them unwrap it as they enjoyed the unwrapping each item. It was awesome! Every year we did this growing up and mom and dad still give the gifts. I looked forward to giving them gifts every year because they were so happy even with basic food items and their joy was contagious! Watching that Joy on their faces is my favorite memory of every Christmas!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas full of memories and fun!

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas tree

The other day, Keith called and said we were going to go with our friends Wendy and Ross and their girls to go cut a Christmas tree. I was so excited! It would be our first Real Christmas tree that we got to go cut ourselves! We have a fake one that we have had since we first got married but I have always wanted a real tree. But since I decorate my house in October getting a real tree is not really do able. This year I decorated in October as usual ( I find that I enjoy the season more if I start early.Less Stress). Our house has been festive and I have enjoyed it but I didn't think we would get a real tree. I thought maybe i would make a wreath out of real branches. Anyways, Keith came home and said lets go! So we all of us dressed in our snow gear and headed out on our snow-machine. It was interesting going since there is about 4 feet of snow. We kept getting stuck. But I figured we better have fun even when getting stuck so I would strike up the Christmas songs. The kids had fun and I thought it was so awesome! we found 2 very pretty trees. Here are some pictures of our tree hunting!

I like this tree!

I kept getting stuck in the snow

Ross cutting their Christmas Tree

Playing in the snow waiting to get the trees cut and loaded

So excited to cut my very first tree~!

Thawing out in our garage

Kaden putting Icicles on the tree

Kaden took this picture of Keith and I

Our real FAKE tree and stockings-
notice the couch is protecting the tree from a certain 1 year old, except now he likes to climb!

Don't get Caught up in the Stress this season!

I was watching TV the other day when the JC Penny's commercial came on. Their Slogan this year is "WE MAKE CHRISTMAS CHEAP, SO YOU CAN AFFORD MORE!" I must say I agree they definitely make Christmas Cheap!! They take out the whole reason for Christmas and make people believe they just need MORE to be happy. I must say I am heartbroken to think we live in such a materialistic world! I saw a lot of Materialism this vacation and it was not pretty at all. Since when did Thanksgiving go from being a holiday where we reflected on the things we were thankful for such as a home, food, clothes, family and friends, to being a day of shopping and catching the best deals on Black Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Cyber Monday? Thanksgiving day is even becoming a day of shopping! That saddens me so much. Why have we become a society that goes into DEBT just for the newest Flat Screen TV? Or why do we stand inline for 8 hours for the Newest Smart phone when you can probably go in to the store tomorrow and still get the new phone. I don't understand why! I was blown way by the amount of money wasted on Fast food, toys, fashion and frivolous stuff. Why do you have to shop only after Thanksgiving for presents, why not buy them throughout the year?

In Puerto Rico they have Christmas and then they celebrate 3 Kings day on January 6. 3 Kings day is the day they mostly give gifts because that is the day the Kings gave the gifts to Jesus. I like the idea of celebrating Christmas as just having a day for Jesus. It is his birthday! Why do we get presents on someone's birthday? When did the Christmas season become a give me give me Holiday? I know it has been like that a LONG time but I find myself disappointed in that. I wonder how many times we go through the Christmas season and just wish it to be over. The Stress and fast pace wears you out. And then people just miss the whole reason for Christmas.

Let me tell you the reason for celebrating this wonderful season. Kaden is learning this verse in Kids Club and I think it tells exactly why we celebrate the season. 1 John 4:14 "The Father, sent the Son, to be the savior of the world" Yes HE DID! Praise the Lord he sent his son. I know I would have a hard time giving up my sons to save anybody and God gave his ONLY Son to save us! That is the Most expensive gift anyone could give and he gave it to us for FREE!!! He didn't lower the price or put it on sale for Black Friday. He gave it for FREE! You can't make CHRISTmas Cheap because if we step away from the commercialism and Materialistic world and reflect on the TRUE reason to celebrate the Season we would see a baby laying in a manger. A manger that was in a stable or a cave. God could have sent his son to a kings palace, or a famous family but God chose to send him to a teenage girl who was engaged to a carpenter. God could have sent the angels to the "Important" Teachers, priest, and Kings who would be able to tell people of his wonderful birth but God sent his angels to tell Shepard's in a field. And those shepards told everyone they knew the amazing story of Jesus. I don't know about you but that gives me goose bumps!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!! Ask Keith I could have my house decorated ALL year round. But I don't I like to take it down every year so that I can put it all back up in October and reflect on the season coming up. I do listen to Christmas music all year round, but I also think that Christ should be celebrated ALL year round. I don't really care if there is anything under the tree for me this year because I am thankful for my family and friends and the love we have.Yes it is nice to make up treats and have parties but I hope that this Christmas you and your family will step away from the stress of the season and celebrate the reason for the season! Enjoy the holidays because God gave the greatest gift anyone could give and he gave it for FREE! "The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" How much more Awesome could Christmas be?

Living in Galena, our life I would call a simple life. Yes there is hard work, like cooking everything from scratch and cutting wood but I have found that I really enjoy how simple and uncomplicated our life is. During our trip out of Galena there were a few things that I realized, I am so glad God moved our family to Galena but visiting outside of Galena can be refreshing and I forgot many things that go on down there too.

Here are some things that I guess I have forgotten living in our simple life here in Alaska:
~Nobody waves at you when you drive by. In Galena if you don't wave people will think you are grumpy and are having a bad day. I drove all the way to San Antonio waving and Not one person waved back!
~HUMIDITY!! I totally forgot how frizzy my hair gets with humidity and I forgot what it felt like for my lungs to feel like they were drowning in the humidity!
~ Cheap Gas! $3.29 a gallon!!! WOW what a deal! I was very happy not to be paying $7 for a gallon here.
~Mosquito Spraying trucks! Why don't they have those here in Galena? I guarantee it would make summer more enjoyable.=)=) hahehahaha
~School Bus Stops. These make me VERY nervous no matter what side of the road is on. I just hope someone is always driving in front of me so I would follow their lead.
~Sleep. My kids sleep great in Alaska. They get up around 8:30 but on vacation they woke up when the sun comes up. 6:00 AM I forgot there was actually a 6:00 in the morning but this vacation I became well acquainted with it!
~Winter. You could tell it was winter in the northern states because all the RV's were driving south and I had to pass them all.
~Long Showers, It was nice to enjoy a nice long shower and not feel guilty about taking it. Here in Galena we have a tank that that has to make it through the week so we take quick showers and don't waste water at all.
~All you can drink Milk, Juice and Pina Colada. Ok maybe not the Pina Colada but my sweet Mother in Law made me quite a few!! Delicious!
~Sounds. I really enjoy the sound of Palm trees and the sound of rain storms. It was nice to enjoy them for a little time.
~Ice Cream at my finger tips. My brother and I enjoyed all the Bluebell Ice cream I could while there and in Puerto Rico I really enjoyed fresh Coconut, Pineapple, Almond, and Peanut Ice creams. WOW! Delicious!!
~ Fashion. It costs A LOT to buy it and then I wonder what people see when they look in the mirror. Do you really think that looks good on you? Are you really wearing that OUT in public? REALLY?? I guarantee that just because Hollywood thinks it it pretty It doesn't always look good on everybody!
~ Hustle and Bustle. I forgot how life seems to be so fast but people forget to enjoy it. I am so glad i live in a life where if it doesn't get done today it can probably wait till tomorrow.(unless it starts to snow) I have discovered don't like the hustle and bustle!
~ Eating out! I love to eat out but I am so glad I live in a place with no fast food or restaurants. When you cook it is healthy and cheaper. I know Keith and I saved tons of money by not buying food at restaurants. plus when you cook at home and have friends over it is more enjoyable to relax and eat instead of worrying about keeping kids occupied and ordering and paying. I love to eat out but man I love being able to cook at home.

Home SWEET HOME!

After 6 flights, 17 hours of flight time, 43 hours of delays and layovers, the boys and I arrived home from our trip to Texas and Puerto Rico yesterday. Just a little later then expected but we made it, our luggage made it and the only thing busted was a bell pepper and a can of canned biscuits.... Not to bad for the amount of punishment it went through. Keith and I bought new luggage while in Puerto Rico and I must say it is no longer looking new. Oh well at least it didn't fall appart...yet!=) hahaha Hope not.

The trip was a great one. The boys and I went to Texas and spent 2 weeks visiting my brother, Grandparents, other family and many friends. It was a great time to see everyone. I think I have the best grandparents and I love to be able to see all of them as much as I can. I thought I was spoiled as a grand child but I must say the GREAT-Grandchildren are even MORE spoiled. Isaiah could always be found very close to or being held by granddad. I don't know if it was because granddad was always giving him snacks or letting him ride on the scooter. But He cried when we had to get in the car and leave. Kaden enjoyed wearing shorts and sandals and playing with Grandma and Granddad. I even let the kids stay with them while I ran some errands and of course they did not miss me at all!!! I think I know how my mom and dad felt now when we would go to Grandparents house and never miss them. sigh sigh tear.... hahahaha just kidding I am just so glad to have such a fun time.

We spent a weekend with my brother and his family. Josiah my nephew who is a week older then Isaiah had his FIRST birthday! He is such a cutie and it was great to celebrate his 1st birthday with him. Kaden and Eliana played and played. Isaiah and Josiah got into all kinds of fun trouble just like normal 1 year olds do! hehehe They both like to climb and were constantly keeping us all on our toes. It was fun having all the cousins together. Jesse bought some new Bluebell Ice cream Cookies and Creme Bars and we really enjoyed eating them every night after the kids went to bed. It was fun to hang out with Jesse and Renee and catch up on my much needed Mexican food!

When the boys and I went to Meema's house we got to see most of all my cousins and Aunts and Uncles in the area. We had a lot of fun together and it was nice to meet 2 new cousins that were born this year. Krystle and I took Kaden, Chloe, Laurel and Isaiah to the Texas State Aquarium and had a blast. Kaden and Chloe ran through it and reran through it. Kaden got to help with the Dolphin show and thought that was awesome. The water part was closed so instead of playing on cool slides and stuff I put the sprinkler out in the front yard at Meema's and let Kaden cool off playing in the water. He had no problem enjoying the water even out of a water hose. That is one thing we would never do here in Galena because we would use all our water and since we have a limited amount for the week wasting water is not something we do. But we enjoyed playing in the sprinkler and watering the grass tool Meema made me a whole bowl full of my favorite Jello Salad and even took us out for my favorite Millers BBQ ribs! Delicious!!!

We then returned to my Granddad and Grandmas house and celebrated my grandads 80th Birthday!!!!! It was a fun party with family and friends! And of course Cake and Bluebell Ice Cream! The cake was AMAZING! Grandma made it from a recipe from my great grandma. It was called a no name cake and might have to post the recipe later.... but it was so delicious I might just keep it as a secret family recipe.=) hahaha we will see. But is was delicious, it was like a chocolate spice cake. Wow! YUMMY!

My uncle Mark came down early to see us and celebrate Granddads birthday with us and that was fun. I haven't seen him in a few years. Mark is the one in charge of the history of the family. I know there is a word for that but right now I can't think of it. Anyways, we spent a few hours going through all the information he has collected about our family, all the way back to the 1300's i think!! IT WAS AWESOME! I figured out a lot about my family and saw many pictures of family. Even my Great-great-great grandmother who was full blooded Cherokee. I think if I remember correctly that her family were all named after the states that the Trail of Tears went through. How AWESOME is that to know about? And I found out that Kaden Michael Ramos who we named after my dad Michael Howard, also has a Great great great (not sure how many greats down) but he was actually the first Michael Howard of the family. It was pretty cool. Can't wait to download all the Cd's that Mark made for me to have all the pictures on record too! Thanks Mark for the Family History lesson!

We also got to be in Lake Jackson for the Festival of Lights and Parade. The Ketchands took us to enjoy some of the cool things like Jumping castles, rides, all kinds of fun things that Kaden enjoyed. Dave took Kaden on many trips through the lines like a nice grandpa would. Kaden had a blast! We then went and enjoyed some AMAZING Mexican food at La Casona with some dear friends the Leverons and Ketchands. We then returned to Dave's truck which was parked on the parade route and we watched the parade! We got to catch up with a lot of church friends at the parade so that was AWESOME! The boys had a blast!..... so did I!

Then Keith joined us to head to Puerto Rico to visit with his family. It was a great time! We saw most of his family and many friends. Isaiah celebrated his 1st birthday and his Abuela went all out with cool decorations and food! It was fun! We had fun in the warm weather and all the rain. having a rain storm in Galena is not a common thing so it was nice to listen to the storm blow over. We spent a day at the beach and the boys had a blast. Kaden loved playing in the sand.... Isaiah not so much but he loved the water. Isaiah wanted NOTHING to do with the sand. Thanksgiving was a fun family time. There was turkey, rice, potatoe salad, and delicious Flan and Carrot cake! How can you ever go wrong with Flan and Carrot cake?!? Kaden and Isaiah had fun playing nonstop with their cousins. By the end of the 2 weeks Kaden was speaking some Spanish to his cousins. We had a wonderful time enjoying family and Coconut Ice cream!

As I said before it was a LONG trip home but we made it and Keith returns on Friday from a meeting in Homer Alaska. I guess living in Alaska I need to get used to the idea or reason that a winter storm can delay your trip by a few days! Guess that teaches me to NEVER plan a trip close to Christmas or a holiday which i wouldn't want to spend in the airport. When Keith returns I will post pictures to my stories because he has the camera with all the pictures. It was a great trip but vacations can only last so long then it is great to get home. I am looking forward to baking Christmas goodies and drinking Cranberry wassail and enjoying the true meaning of Christmas!

Traveling

The boys and I have been traveling the last two weeks, so if there are any grammer mistakes please forgive me but I am typing the next few posts out on myvery small buttoned kindle. i love that it has 3G which i just discovered what tht means. thanks to keith who explained that i could check email, facebook and do my blog from anywhere on my kindle with out having to find wifi at mcdonalds or starbuck. anywhere is awesome...anywhere except in galena which has no 3G whatever. so now i am attempting to blog from a my kindle.hopefully when i get to puerto rico i can use my mamis computer and it will be back to easy typing. but the show must go on...speaking of shows have any of you ever watched the shows people put on in public? i am not very fond of flying or having long layovers but i do enjoy people watching. and airports are a perfect place to do that.people from all over in one place can entertain me for hours....and it did this trip. one of my favorite things to see is how people dress for travel. it never fails to amaze me what people actually wear on planes. i mean how comfy can it be o wear a short tight mini skirt with 5 inch heels on a plane. the poor lady had to stop every two steps set down her suitcase and fix the skirt. the white man in the monks robe with 4 gold chains dread locks and a skateboard really made me laugh. but it was his rainbow socks that really completed the outfit.or the lady in shorts and a tank top and flipflops that was headed to fairbanks where the temps were in the below freezing mark really threw me for a loop. i had just left there and it was cold!! or the one that got the most weird looks were the passengers that arrived in houstonwith 88 degrees with parkas hats gloves and snowboots on. but dont worry the minute they got to the car they changed into shorts and tanktops. i forgot how hot this state can be. holy cow. the humidity makes my lungs feel like they are drowning. anyways i will finish this post up since my fingers are becoming cramped and tired. i will write more of our adventures laters . cheers out.

Hoar, Horror, or Lady of the night Frost??

How do you spell it anyways? Hoar, Horror? I thought it was spelled like Horror, which to me makes sense because it is kind of spooky to watch and see. Plus it happens around October and November, what else would you call it? There was quite a discussion at our house the night before when this conversation took place.
Keith:"How do you spell this frost?"
Me: "H.o.r.r.o.r"
Keith: "You don't spell it with a W?"
Me:"No you spell it H. o.r.r.o.r. Why would you spell it with a W?"
Keith "uuuummmmm?"
then it hit me how he what he thought it was spelled like. Lets just call it Lady of the Night Frost! hehehe! We went to the office to take Keith to work and Karin said it was called Hoar, meaning white. AAAhhhhaaa now I get it. Of course there would be a real good reason to call Hoar Frost! As Keith tells me quite often due to it NOT being his first language. "English is such a complicated language!" Anyways back to the Frost.....

It is that time of year when the weather turns really cold and snow has come but the river is still not frozen. This means that fog raises off the river and then floats into the land and creates one of the most amazing sites I have ever seen! (and I have seen quite a few!) The fog floats in to the land and then freezes to everything! It is almost like the breeze freezes in slow motion. Ice crystals freeze to everything it blows by. If I were a poet I might be able to describe the beauty of it. Pictures just don't do justice to the sparkly, shimmering, pure beauty, but I will try to show you some of the WOWness with these pictures below. It is at times like these that I wish I were a photographer that took pictures of tinnie tiny things like snowflakes and ice crystals! They don't last long because the winds destroys them but oh how I love the time it is around! The ground just glimmers and shines and the trees do too. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Check out these pictures to get an idea. Just imagine it really sparkly!

The road to Keith's office

In front of the office, there is this really pretty tree with Hoar Frost all over it.
Beautiful!

The tree in the sunlight

The chain link fence

The river with the rising fog... Looks spooky to me!

Pretty trees

It seriously looks like the wind just froze while passing by the trees.

Love this picture!

Sunrise the next morningWHAT A VIEW!!!

WOW!!!

Even at night it is amazing!!!! this is our house

Our street! Observe the Northern lights in the sky to!
Have I mentioned I LOVE my life!!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Trick or Treat! Warm my Feet. Give me something hot to drink!

Every year, the Galena City school hosts a Carnival for all the kids in the community. We can all dress up and go play some fun games. This year Kaden had a blast playing games and getting prizes. He had a hard time picking what he wanted to dress as. Being in Galena our costumes have to be ordered or made from stuff we already have. Kaden first wanted to be a robot, then a ghost(which I said NO) then he wanted to be Peter Pan. So all week we were back and forth of what he was going to dress up as. You know for a 4 year old it is serious business of what you are dressing up as! Finally about an Hour before the carnival he picked Robin Hood.

Kaden and I have a movie night, usually on Fridays where he gets to pick a BIG peoples movie. One of his favorite is Robin Hood with Errol Flynn. He loves all the action and I love that it is clean with no language, no blood and that it is a great classic! I love that movie too. How can you not like the whole scene where Robin Hood swings to the tree and tells Lady Marion "welcome to Sherwood!" Love it!! Anyways. That is who Kaden wanted to be for Halloween. Here is my little Robin. I personally think he is way cuter then Errol Flynn !=)

For Isaiah we borrowed a costume from the Kopps. Isaiah dressed as Chewbacca from Star Wars. They had the whole set. Thankfully Cara's Chewbacca fit Isaiah. Here he is with Princess Leia(Kaylnn) and Luke Skywalker (Chris)

"May the Force be with you ALWAYS!"
He was a cute little Wookie! though I think he looks more like a little Ewok=)

Keith really over did himself on his costume this year. He said he dressed up as Kenton, his boss! In other words he wore his uniform just like all the rest of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife people did because they just got off work.

My original plan was to dress as Maria Von Trap from Sound of Music. I have my Great Aunt Claudia's dress that she bought in Germany in WWII. It is so pretty and I thought Maria Von Trap was a great Outfit since I LOVE to sing "THE HILLS ARE ALIVE" at the top of my lungs. Seriously I love to.... ask Keith! =) But after thinking about carrying a Guitar all evening I decided NOT to carry it. Which was good since I ended up carrying Kaden's bow and arrows all evening. So instead of bursting out in song all evening I decided to be Heidi and yodel all night long. "Yodelatyhoooo" Yes my yodeling skills are AMAZING!!! hehehe

Here is my little crew! Aren't we cute?

We had a great time! My favorite part of the night was getting to eat a WONDERFUL, SCRUMPTIOUS, DELICIOUS caramel apple! They are one of my favorite things to eat! Kaden had fun bobbing for apples. He was a little hesitant to do it at first.

Bowling was another of his favorite things to do!Bobbing for Marshmellows
His favorite game to play was Fish Race. He went back to this one OVER and OVER again. Keith was right there along side him racing fish. Yes this is a REAL fish racing game. You pour the fish into these little canals and then wiggle your fingers behind them so they race towards the finish line. It was awesome! I must say between Keith and Kaden, those fish got their exercise!=)

His fishy won!

Here are some other pictures of my sweet pumpkin playing with a pumpkin! He is so cute!
We did go Trick or Treating on Halloween Night but I must say doing it when the temperature is -5 degrees is NOT as Fun as it could be. Kaden and I both dressed up like Alaskans! Yes we had the BEST costumes. Parkas, snow boots, gloves, hats, scarfs. It was the perfect costume this year. I actually saw lots of kids dressed in the same costume! AMAZING Great minds think alike! But after an hour of door to warm car to door, The boys( Kaden and our pastors 2 boys who hitched a ride when their snow-go died) and I decided we were cold and hungry! So we dropped the Kopp boys off at their house and we went home to a nice warm house with Chili (made by Keith) on the stove, and hot chocolate too. It was a great evening! But the whole trip I was singing "Trick or Treat, Warm my feet, just give me something HOT to drink!"