The Red Garage: Alaska move

Goodness- where to start.

Well, we moved back up to Alaska in July. Fran came down to help with the drive up and we were able to make a very special stop in Montana for a couple of days for a family reunion, and the baptism of Rose.

On to a flurry of activity and chaos in Alaska.

Within the first couple of weeks back, Rose got very sick and ended up in the hospital after a

rather exciting life-flight into Anchorage.

Meningitis- although from what they weren't quite sure. None of the tests came up positive and

within three days Rose was doing wonderful and back to her old sweet self. Thank goodness.

Our family moved back into the "Red Garage"- tight quarters for our family, but cozy and comfortable.

Alex proceeded to work very long hours through the summer trying to get our property down the road livable by winter with me coming down when I could sneak away during naps.

Lots of gutting, new plumbing, creating an extra bathroom, moving another, walls, ceilings, flooring, electricity, trying to improve the foundation, lots of long day trips into Anchorage, ect, ect...

We were able to clear quite a few trees that had grown up, the boys really enjoyed mowing the yard, and the little kids spent a good deal of time in the sandbox behind the house, dragging each other around in the wagon, watching too much T.V., and going on a few special trips to the river to play on the beach. Of course there was lots of time spent at Grandma's house and with cousins, and a special visit from my Mother.

Becca blessed us with planting the most beautiful garden behind our house before we arrived. We ended up with lots of good fresh things to eat throughout the summer, and lots of carrots and potatoes for the winter.

We were able to move in right in time for Maria's birthday, and since then Alex has continued to knock out projects each week when he gets a free moment. It still needs trim here and there and little annoying things, but we're very comfortable and grateful to be living in our home.

In the midst of the craziness of trying to move into our home, getting homeschool started, moose season/processing (we ended up with lots of yummy moose meat thanks to Leif!) and getting the garden harvested and put up for the winter; a produce truck crashed down the road from us!

It was full of things that had to be off-loaded immediately or else would freeze and spoil, so, we ended up with TONS of free berries, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, and more! It was wonderful but overwhelming. My house was completely full to the brim with produce and the kids thought they were heaven to be handed an entire package or raspberries for a snack. Needless to say, I haven't had to buy berries this winter!

At any rate, we were blessed with a nice long warm Fall and didn't even

get snow until right before Halloween.