Fall in Alaska

 This is out in Talketna Alaska, on a beautiful farm.  The view out their window is Denali, the white peak on the horizon.  We spent a day up there helping to harvest potatoes and plant some flowers.  It was WONDERFUL!

 The kids LOVED the farm. E has already decided that when she gets older she will be a veteranarian. Spending time with lambs, wild kittens, cows, dogs and pigs was heaven for her.  Oh and driving the tractor.  (Way better than picking up potatoes with Mom and Dad)  H and E had to take turns every row, and they were driving like Pros.  You would be proud of them Grandpa. :)

 These two were less than excited about sitting around, they took long naps wrapped in blankets, but did enjoy watching the cows and playing with the BIG dogs.  At one point P was left to himself with three BIG dogs trying to get at his graham cracker.  Not to worry, he wasn't scared, just excited to be sharing it with dogs.  It was a wonderful day with the family and friends, and we have been enjoying the fruits (or vegetables) of our labors. 

 This is our walk to and from the bus each morning.  The older two are really loving school, and have adjusted to a new school wonderfully.  E is one of the top readers in her class now, she loves her teacher and has tons of new friends.  Her teacher calls her "Crazy E," in a "good way" she says.  Something about being all over the place and a whirlwind that follows her... I nod my head and say "you should see her room!" 

 

H is reviewing things he learned in PreK but is never bored; loves every minute of it.  We are reading books at home and starting math flash cards together to keep him moving along.  His teacher has a payment system for the children.  If they are attentive and behaving at school they earn money at the end of the day.  Depending on how "awesome" you did, it's 1cent, 5 cents or 10.  If you are misbehaving you owe the teacher money.  On fridays they have "class store."  The money you earn can be spent there on fun toys etc.  Needless to say H is pretty rich every Friday. Now to teach him about saving...

 I will have to post some more pics soon, this is one of the longest fall seasons we have had in AK.

Generally the leaves turn yellow, it rains and then the wind blows and four days later fall is over, leaves are all gone.  This year we are still enjoying beautiful fall colors on our trees and bushes. It's wonderful!!

Our newest adventure, CHICKENS!!! YEAH!!!

Before picture

 In the process of moving... Don't worry Dad, P is watching the corner of the house for you

 Our Neighbor got his big ol loader and moved our play house/chicken coop from our old house to the new one.  It's a play house/chicken coop because the people we bought it from built it as a play house.  J always intended for it to be a chicken coop, but while we were waiting for the right time to get chickens... it was a play house. :) 

 Um, Mom, can I DRIVE the big green thing? Please?!

 

 Our helpers/spectators

"Cheese" & "Enough pictures Mom!!"

 

And the "After"

Soon to be home of 25ish chickens

Don't worry, if you're wondering whether they will fit in there, I am

Ya we like eggs!!

If you're wondering whether they will all fit, I am wondering the same thing, but we will have a large out door chicken run. They may have to draw straws, as to who sleeps inside, but J promises it will work out. So it will work.

 

 

 These goof balls saw us put in the chicken coop and assumed it was for them, they tried to move in

This is Emma the turkey and her three babies, who remain nameless

They aren't our turkeys.  They belong to the neighbor, but for some reason (mom keeps feeding them bird seed.. she can't help it they come knocking at the door every other day) they wont head home for the winter.  She roosts in the trees by our house and then returns home at winter time... we'll see if she goes home. (Better hide the bird seed) Oh and stop tossing food scraps into the compost..

And this is what Mom does....

Constantly juggling

We are trying to work out together every day, some days are easier than others (the easy days are when the kids are still asleep or down for naps)

Yoga, interpreted into baby language must mean, "Mom is the play ground today" or "Lets see if we can make her fall"