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!