The Letter From Last Year (Spring Letter)

News from north of North Pole! We are hoping you all had a bright, wonderful Christmas, New Year, MLK Day, and Valentine’s Day too! A few weeks before Christmas I started our letter; then as you may have noticed I prolonged the duty so... (Clint took over this year for most of it.) Then I sent it out VERY Late. Moving on... We will attempt to be brief this year. But, I am including photos (many) since it has probably been a few years since we have seen each other.

January came on like a bang and before we knew it, time flew by. We had a mild (by Fairbank's standards) winter. We only saw -40 degrees for a couple weeks. In March we all went to the ice park to see the World Championship ice sculptures and play on the ice slides. Jacob loved going down the hand built tracks with Daddy in our plastic sled.

There was also a nice maze that Wendy and Jacob tried out.

We also went to the start of the Yukon Quest sled dog race

(Quinn driving the truck.) We got to see most of the big name racers from the Iditarod. This race left from Fairbanks and ends in Whitehorse BC.

In February, we watched the finish of the Iron Dog, a 2000 mile snowmobile race from Anchorage to Nome and then to Fairbanks. For Jacob’s birthday we had a party with a few friends with kids. He got a big boy bike and rode all over the driveway with his new friends. We only had one trip over the edge and down into the timber. Wendy's friend Janet came to visit and we went to North Pole to visit with Santa. In May we all loaded up and went to see “all” of Grandma Jean’s (Clint’s grandmother) family in Maui. 35 +/- family members for a week. A great time was had by all. We got to meet our niece for the first time. Jacob thinks everyone should be his cousin. We took the kids in the ocean and to the aquarium and on the Pineapple Express train. Jacob fell in love with the ocean and wave jumping and the twins got to swim and play in the sand. They were NOT impressed with sunscreen and sand mixed. So much fun was had we had to come home to rest.

June and July are wonderful here, sunlight 24 hours a day. The sun does go “down” or out of sight for about 2 hours, but it is just barely below the horizon so you still don’t need any lights to drive or see.

Berta came up for 2-3 weeks then Wendy and the herd went to Wyoming to the ranch for a couple weeks and I came down at the end for a few days. Meghan spent 2 days in the hospital. All the kids got sick. But, on the bright side Jacob got new “cow boots” and a hat. The little ones made a complete mess of anything close and got into everything at Grandaw’s (Berta) house. Nothing is safe from them. The weather was a little much for them as picture day was 103 degrees. Jacob and Daddy got to help Pappy do some plowing. Jacob loved it because he could help steer the big tractor. Look out world, a 3 year old in a large John Deer! August and September were pretty quiet until hunting season started and I spent a few days looking for a caribou. Then we all headed to Southern California for Kathy’s wedding. It was a great trip and the first time we had seen many of the cousins and new nieces and nephews. It was very nice to “catch up” with all the goings on for the past 10 years. The wedding was very nice and the family took many pictures as we rarely get them all dressed up like that. Congratulations to cousin, Kathy and Steve.

Halloween was fun. We didn’t get out because it was 2 degrees but the kids all wore their costumes all day. “Cat in the Hat” and “Things 1 and 2” had lots of fun. Thanksgiving was pretty quiet. We had planned to go to some friends but the preceding few days weather made a huge mess so we stayed home.

Only in Northern Alaska does a warm trend with rain close schools and shut down all public utilities, roads, and services. It warmed from -15 degrees to 34 degrees and rained. Not usually is this a bad thing, but if your ground temperature is still less than 0 degrees every drop hits and freezes. In about 30 minutes the entire region cars, houses, roads, utilities had about 1” of pure ice on them. We still have about a 2” layer of glaze ice on all of the roads. I guess it will go away in April. Our well failed a couple weeks back. We have been learning why we didn’t choose a beautiful “dry cabin” and purchased a house with a well after trying to stuff $1 bills into a big water vending system at -35 degrees. We get to haul water to the house 250 gallons at a time. Clint learned that you cannot get water and then go get groceries…BIG ICE CUBE… need I say more. We were too busy to go cut our own tree this year. We got a 50% off tree because it froze (imagine that at -40 degree temps.) With this in mind, I picked the fluffiest one I could see. So far, the needles haven’t been falling off too bad considering that the two boys think that they should plow into it using the Tonka dozer. Meghan and Quinn like to run into it face first and give it a good squeeze (future tree huggers? Hum.) Quinn was a riot while I was putting up the lights. He was like my little shadow. I would string a row around the tree then arrange the lights the way I wanted. Quinn would walk in circles around the tree with me and primp/fluff the tree then we would walk around to the next area stringing light and he would repeat his ceremony. At this point we had as many air miles as we could stand so we have stayed close to home for the rest of the year and will have a nice quiet Christmas here! We may even be taking a full year off from traveling. You all are welcome to our home. We are truly blessed to have friends and family like you. Hope everyone is well and having as much fun as we are! May your New Year be prosperous and happy. “Belated Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to All” (and all of the other holidays that have already passed so far) With Love, The Clan: Clint, Wendy, Jacob, Meghan, Quinn, and Josie. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle in their journey. Thank God and them for the opportunity to walk this leg of their journey with them.

Wendy's Ceramics Class

My 3rd task was to make a historical piece and then an interpretation of it... my interpretation is...

This is the woman of the sea- She is life size- she had to have some of the artist's features (You won't find mine) These pictures are before it was bisqued.

My 1st project

Peanutbutter LUNCH

So, at the rip 'ol age of 18 to 19 monthes, Quinn decides that he has observed the menial tasks of making a gourmet Mama's Penutbutter & Jelly sandwich. With his grand observational skills... he decides to make one of his own. Note that he had asked for one and was told by one said mother that as soon as she finished picking up the 3-Ringed-Circus's mess that she would get right on that! Taking longer that Quinn was willing to wait for he proceeds to make one on his own. Sad to say, he did a decent job for his age! I would have eaten it!

Get out the bread.

Remove the lid and use the bear claws to dig out the desired amount of penutbutter prefered.

Lick said paw to clean it off!  This is one of the most crutial steps because ma bear (irs) is teaching up to clean up our messes... Just doin' my part to help out a little!

Look at spoon and wish for some jelly to add to our sandwich!

But the face covered in penutbutter is adorable.

thanks for all your help little man!

Jacob-isms Continued

-From the mouths of babes! I will be keeping all of the things that spill from my eldest's mouth on the right side but I think I am going to need more room on the side posts for more... It is time to make way for the next two's -isms... I believe that words are on their way (once they start-- you never can go back!) Here is the past comments.

Mama it says S-a-n-t-a that is Santa and there is J-a-c-o-b that says Jacob and I know that is my e-mail... let's read it! ------- So, we were watching a Hallmark movie and he hears how Sant won't bring gifts to bad girls and boys so he solommly asks, "So, did you tell on me(was I going to tell about him being naught)? or is it like the North Pole Train (Polar Express) movie and he has a tv to watch me like you do?" ------ Daddy, da know there is a big problem? You know what a problem is? There is that little snowing issue. My bike doesn't work in it? Maybe we can fill up the big bike like the big 4-we-er. Once that is done we should move the bike by da lawnmower. 'Cause da know we should do that! ----- Daddy, can you change Mommie's doot-doots (music). I want jammin', get down, and boogie doot-doots like yours(rock)! ------ Check me out--- I got some rockin'-rad moves ------ I just make the best Cat in the hat... Can you get me a thing-a-majigger? Maggie and Hoss are good Things too... Next year can Josie be Fish? ------ Pappy is a cowboy and Bompa is a mailman ------ Up for me, you help! Translation: pick me up and I want to help you up there what ever you are doing! ___ (Sobbing before naptime): I-I-I-I jus want my nice mama back here! Pu-leeeeazzzzzuuu! Mama come back.Jacob: Mama I got Josie's bone out of the "CAN-trEE" and I feed it to her! ------ Mama: Jacob that is called a pantry. Jacob: No it's not! The pans are in the door by the stove. Don't you 'nember? The cans go in there you silly Ma-mmma! ---- April 2010_Daddy and Mama were having a discussion "Peoples... Peoples... PEOPLES, I need your ears to listen to uh Jacobs. Do you hear me?" ------ Jacob:Mama? Is our Janet coming here? Me: Yes, she is. She is flying here as we speak. Jacob: Mama... she is flying here with her AMAZING wings... She's gonna be here soon! ------ Jacobs are TOO heavy! But, Quinn-man makes good horse! (Quinn was pinned flat to the floor with brother 10 lbs. more sitting on top bouncing up and down hollering with giggled filled glee, "Come-on Quinn-man!") ------ But I for don't fink I need to sleep, you do! (There is more truth to that than he knows) ------- But this for what I yam thinkin' you should just give it to a Jacob! ------- Row-row-row the motor boat Up the stream Mary, Mary life is dream! And if you see crocodile ScreaM! AAAHHHH!

Jacob's Tale

This story started when Jacob and I were in the kitchen fixing lunch. By Jacob's request we had ham sandwiches with cheese (Not to BE confused with a ham/cheese sandwich!!!) So we were spreading the 'sauce' on the bread he had taken a bite out of and add a slight pull from where the recently made gap is-- Jacob started yammering and I just laughed and he got sillier and sillier until he finly looked at me seriously and said, "Da know that, Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess, in a beautiful sparkely dress(duh-cause that's how they are s'pose to start da know?)She was a pretty Tooth Fairy Princes. See, I lost my tooth and she was supposed to come to the house and take it out from under my bed and my pillow. She has to pick it up like the mail lady does and then she had to give me a present. She will fly away with her amazing, magic wings. Then in 3 seconds I would feel my little tooth growing. Then in 12 seconds I will have a new little tooth... see, cause that is just how it goes! Don't ya know? Yep, That is it!" Holding his hand up in the 'I don't know shrug' and furrowing his little brows with a tilted head he adds, "That it the way it really is Mama! You 'nember?"

Then he gives me his 'Popeye (a wink) and runs off to get his siblings a juice out of the fridge because according to him they were squacking (crying) and signing "more" so he just knew it was the orange juice that they were wanting. What a precious treasure I have been given.

All Hallow-Eve

So Halloween is supposed to be dressing up and going to collect candy... This year I get mother of the year award. We made our costumes and dressed up in them and then just ran around the house (no candy required.) Jacob got marshmellows and was totally content. The twins enjoyed their juice-er snacks. All was happy, especially mama and including the HR department where Clint works... since that is where all the candy goes to the following day (evil laugh hahahaha.) Jacob was great! It was a bit frustrating when he took the material scissors and decided to help cut the design for the white belly... looking back I find humor in it. Most would be appalled the he had sharp scissors and was cutting (true) however, Jacob has had enough experiences with he and I cutting things that the only thing he did wrong was not being skilled enough to follow the lines.

We added a red bow and it hid all the "boo-boo's". He LOVED his costume and enjoyed chasing his tail (litterally)! The twins posed as Thing 1 and Thing 2... they were wonderfull! Meghan's hair was PERFECT! (Her scalp was blue for 3 tub times following!)

The Dog Is Broke

Okay, so who has ever heard of a dog that will NOT eat peanut butter and jelly sandwichs, bacon, ham, gravy, hot dogs, steak fat/grissel, pork chop, or cheese. I mean, I can understand if I was attempting to feed her salad, tomatoes, possibly potatoes --no wait, she will eat the potato. She will devourer the elbow macaroni, chicken, pears, Fruit loops, and "Cheddar/Jack" Cheez-Its. But, don't you dare try to feed her the "original" Cheez-Its... she literally sneezes! Yes, she is 15 years old and I get that her teeth are going along with her taste buds but really!!! I swear SHE IS BROKE! What a mess!

When the day is done

All is quiet, and the day is done. I see my precious, sleeping, little ones all snugg in their beds. Isn't it funny how when the house is quiet enough one can hear the creaks of the house? It is at this time that I miss the cries, the sighs, the giggles, and the squeals of laughter... How lonely it will be when they are old enough to leave. I know that there should be a lot of time between now and then but, time either plays a trick on the mind or it moves so swiftly... it was a little over a year ago and my then "little guy" seemed so little, and the twins were so tiny. I just look at them now. Wow! Look at all that they are. They independent, they feed themselves, walk, run, climb, steal my things, and yowl (baby sing)! Even today the twins are both starting to say mama with understanding that it gets my attention. How lonely night is.

Janet & her aMaZiNg wings...

I was granted one wish... I should have made more on that day; just what was I thinking?!!! I asked that my near and dear friend from Juneau come to visit so that she wouldn't forget us. Well, low and behold I got a call saying that she was going to get to come up and stay with us for a short while. YEAH! I had to add Jacob's comment to the Jacob-isms section on the right column because it just cracked me up! Janet called and asked if she could come sooner than expected! Duh- yeah, I am a SAHM-- I never refuse company! EVER- regardless of the household condition! So, Jacob asks, "Is Janet coming?" with a little banter back and forth followed by, "is she flying here with her most amaZing wings?" Well I guess since she has been an angel to me and my family I guess she did! I am still laughing. We had a great time! I got some time to catch up on a few things that needed to get done that I hadn't been able to because people frown when you leave your kids in the truck and run in to the Post Office or little things like that! Meghan is wearing a beautiful Yupik kuspuk that Janet made and gave her! What a treat! She looks so good in orange!

Meghan loved petting the tiled wall with the pretty Christmas scenes of the 'North Pole and Santa Lane'. We had to go to North Pole since Janet had never been. Jacob told stories as we drove and talked about how he wanted to see the reindeer.

So, of course we went to see the reindeer. We were informed of many interesting facts from a 3 year old and reindeer 'habits'!

You know you have a true friend when they willingly try so many new things with you...

Like... touring the neighborhood!

Home Sweet Plane!?

Kinda has a ring to 'er! Ya think? Janet did have to take pictures of a few other "originals" but I didn't get them from her... But her continual comment was that junk yards seem to breed junk yards; and there seems to be a lot of breeding going on up here! Personally, I think we could have our own JY Wars! Or it has something to do with the top secret government conspiracy! But the best was the washers/dryers and big 50 gal. trash bags. I mean it fills at least one acre maybe more! (I am actually speechless and DoN't know what to say!)

I'll have Clint get a pic to or from work-- you wouldn't even believe it!

We had a cool convoy. We went out to the Ft. Knox mine to give Janet her first open-pit tour. I am concerned that she may turn geologist (rock-rabbit) on us.

She was willing to eat my cooking and I was trying out new recipes! She NEVER even complained! Even if I only know how to cook on high and don't know how to follow written recipes... Oh, you saintly woman with amazing wings! I kept her up late-- She was up early! Crazy woman! We had a great fun filled three days. Then she took her aMaZiNg wings home! We already miss her!

40 going on 12?

The day after Jacob's birthday party was almost as fun! I have added 3 clips to show some of the little moments. The whole family sure enjoys the time that we have been able to spend outside.

Then Jacob asked his daddy to go get his big bike from down stairs to ride on the patio. Then things transpire. I recall many years ago when Clint got personalized plates for his truck "STILL12" ! It seems to fit still today!

Big boys on the toys! Though, I do sense that he has gotten out of shape.

Are we 3, YET?

I couldn't have asked for a better day! I finally got the cakes baked by 3:00 am! I sat them outside; wanting them to cool and freeze(hoping that it would not snow, rain or any mixture of the two.) My luck held and at 8 am I started to decorate the cake. Now, let me tell you that I am NO Duff (The TV cake guru,) Sara Henderson (professional cake decorator and daughter of dear friend,) or Mindy Barry (the classy cake decorating- just did and awesome Percy Jackson cake for her son- teacher/mom.) But hey, Jacob loved HIS dump truck. We started out carving the cake. We staked, arranged, an re-arranged, hacked, whacked, doodled, scratched our canoodle(brain), and then hoped that the patron saint of the lost would look upon us just a little! At least until photos and kids got to see it.

Jacob underfoot, on my head, then bouncing off the ceiling onto the wall, through the twins and back underfoot (seriously it was like wrestling with a giant squid and a couple squid lings.) With a beautiful smiling face looking up and an over joyous squeal, 'Just wanted to help a little!' was finally put to work smashing Oreo cookies in a Ziploc bag and a rolling pin (I know... what was I thinking-- for the record Clint and my mom hid the big stone rolling pin so it was just a little one) for dirt. This was AFTER forced eating-s of his oatmeal (which he agrees with Pappy and comments, "I don't wanna eat THAT oatmeal!") two bathroom breaks (I think it was just to get the jellybeans) but hey he's going to the pot willingly! Now, here is where you have to picture the average roller coaster ride with 4 consecutive loops... are you picturing it? Okay, forget the picture and listen to the volume. Go up about 30 more decibels and you are now in my house baking Jacob's birthday cake with Jacob!

For those of you that love me and are able to accept me as I am -- cleaning my house is not my priority; nor has it ever been, and at my age... I am not sure it will ever be! I do attribute this to my wonderful mother who trained or is it ingrained my house keeping ability, however, it is clean just not 'tidy'. Needless to say, Clint and I start cracking to get the toys in their spots, the paper work picked up, the counters cleaned off, and everything else. We would get toys picked-up and the trio would have them dumped and strung out in less than 5 minutes time! UGH! Meanwhile, the cakes edges start to slum. So, Clint bails to go plug in the other freezer that we have and hauls the cake down to the freezer hoping to stop the majority of the issues that have started. Slightly exhausted Clint decided that it was time to build his little bike. I love the fact that Clint thought it would be great to have Jacob "help" build his bike (neither one can read instructions) and they would be able to do it together. Not wanting the little ones to feel left out I had him bring up the box and build it in the living room. This was a riot to watch! Jacob was in heaven getting to, "...wrench, wrench!" with dad and everyone else and Meghan was quite the go-getter! She would grab wrenches, parts, spin the tires, taste the seat and handle-bars and check-out anything that was set down. Quinn checked out the box and just watched what was going on (a Tom Sawyer in the making?) in the end he was willing to kick the tires.

At 5:30 friends start showing up and by 6:00 the crew of kids takes over the house and the volume is back to the roller-coaster ride. Jacob had a ball riding his bike outside on the paved court/driveway... we had tears when it was time to come in he was having so much fun with the big boys. Thank heavens that he is so willing to follow the big boys because a couple of them told him that dinner time was a good thing and that we would get cake, ice cream and presents soon. We had our bbq hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, Dutch-oven potatoes, and mac-n-cheese. All which were pretty much devoured in the first pass! There was more bike riding, running, and wild banshees followed by cake and gifts.

The kid is spoiled rotten! He was given: Large mat Cars coloring book, an t-shirt for Elko old cars, loads of shirts, a crane set with a couple trucks, a set of Chuck cars and carrying case that has a ramp and elevator, a box of crayons, a set of alphabet letters for the tub, and a few other gifts that I didn't even get to see because the other 8 kids were passing presents and flinging paper faster than I could keep up. We wrapped up the party at about 9:30 with Meghan quiting the party early. Everyone left and it looked like the tsunami had hit us! Clint and I clean up ONLY what was necessary and the rest would be there in the morning! AND IT SURE WAS!!!!

So, Quinn is finally ready to crash now that the house is quiet and Clint is on the phone planning hunting "things" with one of our friends and Jacob decides that he wants to sit with me on the couch. Me wanting to have my snuggle-time follows him to the couch, change the channel to 'his' show and he ambles over to my lap, flops down into the middle of me (good thing there is a lot of me) and drags the quilt over us, blows me a kiss and tells me to put it in my pocket to save it for later that I will need it and he pauses for a short time. Finally, he roots in a little closer, as IF I could get away, looks up a me and says,

"Are we three, yet?"

sighs drinks a shot of water and closes his eyes.

It's the moments like these that just melt my heart and turn me into puddy--

because they are so special! This is why being MOM is a blessing.

I am the luckiest in the world!