We hung two swallow houses last fall.  A pair nested in this one.  We will move the other house to a different spot.  I looked it up online and it says they like to be facing a clear field, which this house is. The other one is a little further back in the woods.  It says they eat up to 1000 mosquitoes a day.  I hope that is true.  I have already bought another one that we will hang up soon.  Hopefully next year, all the houses will be full!

 

 The larger bushes are raspberry bushes that we planted when we first moved in. We constantly plow up the sprouts.  These are hearty bushes and we get tons of berries.  This spring I dug up enough sprouts to make a new row.  They all transplanted really well.  Can't wait to make jelly.

 Our bird feeder, squirrel area.

 Mr. Woodpecker was visiting.

 I think it is time for a riding lawn mower.  I have never wanted one.  I enjoy the exercise and love mowing the lawn.  However, this summer I'm starting to feel it.  It is just too hard for me to do it all in one day now.  This is the side yard.

 Front yard.

 Behind the house yard. And the last picture is behind the garden yard.  We also have two big front ditches that I didn't get a picture of.  We threw long grass seed with daisy seeds in that part when we first moved it.  Looked beautiful for quite a few years.  Actually it still does if we let the flowers grow, but with not mowing it to let the flowers bloom, trees and weeds etc have taken it over.  So now it has to be mowed.

Carson at the high school on the track.  We decided to go walking one day and this was where we ended up.

Apparently they print these pictures into life size photo's and hang them around the rink.  I think they auction them off at the end of the season.

I have not blogged in a long time!  Sorry about that.

Lot's of changes to our household this last month.

Jared is spending this year's hockey season in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He has been gone just about a month.

He is playing for the USHL Cedar Rapids Roughriders. (well as of right now he is, final cuts are made this weekend).

He loves his billet family-2 girls-so a whole new experience for him!

He loves his team and said he is learning stuff every day, and that the league is incredible and that he can feel himself improving every day.

When Jared was around 14, I was on a road trip with him and a scout came to talk to us.  He was very impressed with Jared, and really wanted me to consider letting him move to Detroit or Chicago to play on one of the comp teams there, where he would be seen more often.  It was such a bittersweet meeting-I mean for some important scout to notice your child was pretty sweet, more than sweet!  But to honestly be telling me that my boy needed to move thousands of miles from home at such an important age to some huge strange city....I'm talking missing his high school years, first dates, dances, games, advice from Mom and Dad, moments with his brother, his birthdays....We just couldn't do it.

He is 18 now...

Even though we miss him so so much, It was time and he is where he needs to be.

Annual summer photo of the boys.  They weren't too thrilled...haha

Carson is now in High school!

My old high school in fact!  It seemed weird when Jared went there, but now, my baby too?  He loves it and is doing great.  All A's and 1 B so far.

He has also decided after a 3 year break from comp hockey, that he is going to join the High School hockey team.  He is very excited about it, and we are happy for him.

Cannot wait to see him and the Patriots in action!

Carson's 8th grade graduation

So proud of him!!!
Carson with Maggie who will be entering NPM next year.

Such a handsome fellow!

Both boys graduated 8th grade from NPM. Same school that I went to 8th grade in.

He had at least a 3.0+ GPA every quarter.
3.5 GPA for fourth quarter.

So so so proud of you Carson!!

Jared and the hockey team made it to nationals. To get to Nationals, they had to beat Kenai, which they did in 3 games. (Best 3 out of 5 game series). Then they had to beat Wenatchee...which they did in 4 games. In that fourth game, the game went into overtime, and Jared scored the game winning goal, helping to clinch them their berth to the Robertson Cup finals.

They went undefeated during that final tourney, but the games were anything but boring. The first game, they took the lead 3-0, then let the other team catch up and send the game into OT. They hung on for the win. Game two, down 2-0 but they fought back and won 4-2 during the 3rd period. The 3rd game they won it as well. They went into the 3rd period down 1-0 and once again fought back and won 3-1. For winning all 3 round robin games, they got a bye and a 1 day break. Then came the championship game. Down by 2 goals in the third period with only 6 minutes left of the game, once again the boys had a huge 3rd period attack and ended up winning the game by a score of 4-2. I'm so proud of my boy, the other boys, the community. We almost had more support for our team coming all the way from Alaska, then the hometown team.

What a great feeling seeing your child accomplish something so great.

Being a National Champion of anything is probably a once in a lifetime chance.

We all (parents and fans) got to go on the ice and celebrate with players. By the time we all got down there, they were all posing with the cup and taking team pictures with it. I ran over with my camera and snapped a few off, then started to walk back over to where most of the parents were. As I was walking away I heard Jared sceaming, 'Mom, Mom' I turn and he gave me the HUGEST hug I have ever received from my son. (well since he was a little guy anyways). It was long and emotional. Even after the goals he scored, hearing one announcer say that 'that Jared single handily beat our team in the 3rd period,' even after winning the cup...that HUG will be one of the greatest highlights of my life.

Jared and Tayler signed their National Letters of Intent to play with the UAF (Division I) hockey team. It was a very exciting day. Not only was it Jared's 18th birthday, but most of the family came out to watch this happen. I have the most supportive family anyone could ever ask for!!

These two boys were on their very first team together at age 5. Totem Chevron. I even have some video of them playing in a game. They also played two years of Bantams together and 1 yr of Midgets. Currently playing JR A Icedogs together. Many years in between there, when they were playing against each other. I'm so very proud of these two boys.

So proud of Jared!! He finished up the regular season with the Icedogs with the most points. http://nahl.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=13174&seasonid=5863

He also did really well in standings for the whole league. Finished in 8th. http://nahl.stats.pointstreak.com/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=5863

Hoping he and the team do just as well during playoffs for during the quest for Nationals! Good Luck Jared!

We have had so many hockey adventures. Here are some of the thing that I have gotten to do because hockey is in my life.....

While Derek played: 1992-1996

Got to visit my Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle in Philadelphia, PA. This trip was really special, because only a few months after it, we lost my Grandfather. And eventually my Uncle and Grandmother. This was the last time I saw those 3. I will never forget it.

Got to see Mt. Rushmore and the St. Loius Arch.

Soaked in Liard Hot Springs in the Yukon, Canada

Stopped at probably every McDonalds that had a playland from Raleigh, NC to Alberta, Canada so Jared could have a play break from the car.

Celebrated Jared's 2nd birthday at Disneyworld in Florida! I will never forget the look on his face.

With Jared playing: 2006-current

Visited Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada and hiked Johnston Canyon and saw the waterfalls. Amazing! (the whole family did this, including Derek's parents).

Got to drive across the bridge from Duluth, MN to Superior, WI....wow that is one big bridge!

Shopped in the Mall of America! (a couple of times).

Went to Chicago with both boys, and my Dad. We went to Navy Pier and the top of the Sears Tower. Also saw a Chicago Blackhawks NHL game!

Visited Rochester, NY and took the short drive up to see Niagara Falls (Canadian and American Side). Absolutely one of the best places I have ever visited! (My Dad was with us again!).

Got to drive the streets of Detroit, MI. Saw hockey town and the Joe! Not to mention the Detroit Lions pro baseball game!

Went to Universal Studios in California with a whole gang of people from Jared's team!

Drove from Minneapolis to St. Cloud by myself...(well with Jared).

Got to walk the Las Vegas strip with my son!

The whole family went to San Jose, CA-when the team lost out early, we took a drive to San Fransisco. Got to drive over the San Fransisco Bridge (another moment, I wont soon forget) and see Alcatraz. Also walked around Pier 39.

Got to drive from Chicago to Cedar Rapids. Just Jared and I. Boy was I terrified driving through the traffic in Chicago.

Got to see the sites in Washington DC with the whole family! Spend the 4th of July underneath the Washington Monument watching fireworks! Rode the DC Metro.

Saw Niagara Falls with the entrie Family (including Derek's parents).

Drove the nasty Toronto traffic to get to the Hockey Hall of Fame. So woth the trip!!! (whole family).


All four of us went to the top of the Statue of Liberty! RIght to the crown. One of the best family experiences of my life. Saw the Empire State building. Watched a NY Yankee game, walked around Time Square, rode the NY Subway, got scared to death when we took a wrong turn and went into a ghetto area and saw a drug deal going down, and went to Ellis Island.

Got to see the Apple Capital of the world! (Wenatchee, WA).

Countless trips to Anchorage, Wasilla, Kenai and even 1 trip to Homer because of Carson's team.

I wonder what is next?

So this Manger is very special to me.

My Dad built this himself. He used a blow torch to burn the wood, and then stained it and varnished it. He built it back in North Dakota in 1966. He and my Mom bought the pieces at Woolworths. The got the hay from a horse corral on Grand Forks Air Force base, where they lived in ND. I guess there is a funny story about my older brother Mike being chased by a Goose that day, with him just a screaming! Anyways, this Manger was set up in my house every Christmas. I loved playing with the people and setting it up. I would re-arrange them all the time. We even had a cat or two that would push them all aside to sleep on the hay.

My parents don't really set up all of their decorations during Christmas anymore, so I asked this Christmas if I could have it. They were happy to say yes! So here it sits in my house now....full of memories for me.

With the Holidays upon us, it is time to help out. Last year was my first try at this. My church always has an adopt a family. We have a tree decorated with items that this family needs. You can pick any (or none) items you wish. Bring them back and then the teen youth group wraps and delievers them. Last year, I got last picks. Pretty much there was a $100 GVEA GC you could buy or buy them their Christmas dinner. I was hoping to get off cheaper than that, but I really wanted to help, so I picked the Christmas dinner. I went to Safeway's Deli. It cost $49.99 to get a pre-cooked Christmas dinner. So I bought a $50 Safeway GC for this. Way more money than I wanted to give, but I did it. Let me tell you it felt so good. I didn't get to meet the family, or even know who they were. I didnt get to see their faces when they opened it, but it was beyond that for me. It just felt good to know I was helping someone else less fortunate feel better, for at least one day.
This year, we have the adopt a family again. I picked a tag that was for a 6 yr old boy who wants books. Can't wait to go to B&N and pick some out, with the boys help. Derek's work is also doing an adopt a family. He forwarded me the note. One family has no Christmas tree or decorations. We picked up an extra artificial tree one year at Home Depot at the after Christmas day sale. I think it cost a whole wopping $10.00 after all the markdowns. I was going to use it as an extra decoration outside with lights on it. Since fuel started costing so much, which caused electricity to cost so much more, we haven't set it except for one year. It's just sitting in the crawl space. Gathering dust. Derek made his way to town today, and bought some decorations and lights for it, and will drop it off to the HR dept of his work tonight. It feels really good to know that this family will be able to decorate a tree, which is such an important tradition in my family.
If you don't already help out....try it...I guarentee you will love it!!

Family Get Together

Uncle Mike sneaks in on Macy's moment...
Blowing out the candles.
(Yes, my pictures are all out of order...oh well!)

Carson got this gift during Macy's party, since his bday was just last week.

Jarret and Jenna

These boys just arrived from flying all day to get home from their roadtrip to Fresno. Not sure if a bday party was on the agenda, but I think they enjoyed the food.

Grandma gets piled up with Macy's toys.

Macy still handing out the toys...pieces of her wooden bday cake.

Grandpa

Playing with the wooden bday cake .

Grandma opening up some of her gifts as well.

Maggie shows us her sense of style!

Macy loved playing with the face off the bday cake. haha

We haven't had new family pictures taken in about 10 years. Portraits Studio did a great job. They took us up to the B. Gardens up at UAF. I have never ever been there. It is beautiful.

PS is you see this family picture, don't tell my parents about till after Christmas, it is one of their gifts.

And yes, it was sprinkling that day, so I hate my hair!

Love love love this picture.

All the cousins.
Jared wasn't born in Alaska (the rest were), but he has been raised here, so we think he qualified for the shirt!

http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=1890

Very exciting post about Jared and Tayler. My Dad is beside himself, as Walpole, MA is right where he grew up. He is already planning his trip to watch the games.

Life is a journey and everything happens for a reason.

Home opener!

This picture of my boys makes my heart sing! Gosh, they look so much alike.

Uncle Mike and Grandpa Z show their support for Jared!

The 3 local kids! Proud of these boys.

Tayler, Alex and Jared


Jared, Cousin Jenna and Preston (who lives with Jenna's family).

Family shot!

Cousins Macy and Jenna with their matching coats!