4th of July

Krystal will add the commentary, but I thought I should add some photo's and video. The video is fireworks that started at 12am. Yes I typed that correctly, it is midnight and this "dark." Ian is obviously next to the camera (screaming), Isaac and Isabella are in that tent on the truck.



This video has Isabella's wild hair.

Fun night! I just thought I'd put my two cents in. It's hard to be away from family over the 4th, or for any holiday really, but we live in a great little community. No traffic or congestion...we just hopped in the car and five minutes later we were on the lawn of the church with a great view of the fireworks. We had a great time with people from our ward. The kids played football on the lawn, we roasted smores, ate popcorn, and enjoyed the beautiful clear skies. It was a little chilly, but it was beautiful. It will definitely be a night to remember.

Theater Camp Links

The videos where too large to post so their are links below:

Ronald Dahl's - Snow White and Seven Dwarves

How to Torture your Teacher

Theatre camp was a blast! I was talked in to running it this year even with a broken ankle. I had my reservations, but if you watch a few of these clips you'll completely understand why I do this. I love kids and I love to watch kids perform. They are naturals. They are honest and funny and they don't have the trappings of being self-centered yet. I had two marvelous and talented women help me wrangle the kids. I so appreciate the collaborative art of the theatre and I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to do this with my life. Did I mention that I love my kids! I love my husband!

Theater

There's always an upside...

After months of keeping up with the lives of my friends via their amazing blogs with the accompanying gnawing feeling of guilt in the back of my mind because I've been less than dedicated, I have finally recommitted myself. I broke my ankle Sunday May 17th. It was traumatic and completely unexpected, although in retrospect I am certainly not surprised that it happened. I had called a friend of mine and while I was on the phone, my dog started whining to go out. I was in my bathrobe and I was barefoot. I clipped the leash on and, with the phone still attached to my ear, I went down the steps and into the back yard so McKinley could do his "buisness". For the next few minutes I was talking on the phone and then my dog, a mutt - half lab/half pit-bull, must've seen something in the greenbelt behind our house. There have been Moose and babies back there and so I'm hoping it was something cool like that, but he can come unglued at runners on the trail. At any rate, he bolted and I tried to pull him back. I slipped on the grass and broke my ankle. The phone flew to the ground and my friend Erin had to listen to me scream bloody murder. The neighbor heard me and he happened to be graduating from medical school the following week. Angel called our dear friends, the Lehman's and they rushed over. I kept whining to Angel that I was pretty sure it was broken, but the moment he looked at it, there wasn't any doubt. Surgery, 9 screws, and a plate later and I am wondering where my Alaskan summer went. We were scheduled to go to Utah and visit my family, my grandpa died and I couldn't go to the funeral - I've been feeling very picked on. But on the UPSIDE... I knew you were waiting for it - I'm blessed! I have been shown such love, compassion, and service. I just finished running a youth theatre camp at the local community theatre and was blessed with tremendous help. My ward and neighbors have been phenomenal. My husband has totally just rolled with the punches. The kids have been able to have a relaxing summer with friends and play sports. There are definitely moments when I still feel very picked on, but this accident has helped me to realize that along with road blocks comes alternate routes and maybe one of the biggest blessings is that now I have the time to blog : )

Playing Catch Up

Well what can I say? We've almost been in Alaska for a year and I am finally getting around to updating our blog. I have to say that it has been frustrating for me to check in with my Utah homies via their darling blogs and not have one of my own. For the record, I am a little rusty on my technical skills, but I'll do my best. My husband suggested that I start from the beginning and post pictures in chronological order. It might take awhile for the current ones to show up, but be patient. I think that if I do a little everyday, I should move along nicely.

At Home in Alaska

It's the beginning of November already! We've been here for over 4 months, but it seems like we are just settling in. We still have boxes to go through, but they are going to have to wait until it gets warmer. We've moved most of them into in the garage and in the 30 degree weather it's not likely I am going to spend much time in there. The kids just finished up their first quarter at Ravenwood Elementary. Isabella is a buddy bear at the Preschool there. Ian is in Mrs. Hunter's first grade class and Isaac is having a great year with Mrs. Broderick in the third grade. Isabella is dancing on Saturdays at the Children's Dance Theatre in Anchorage, Ian is participating in scouts and basketball, and Isaac is doing all things musical by being involved in choir, Alaska Pipes and Drums, and piano lessons. He is also a Bear Cub in scouts. We adopted a Lab/Pit Bull mix puppy from Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue. His name is McKinley and he is very cute, but he is a handful. He is starting puppy training classes at the Better Companion in Wasilla tomorrow. It is 45 minutes away from where we are, but hopefully well worth the drive. I have just started becoming involved with the Alaska Fine Arts Academy and I am directing Alice in Wonderland in the Spring. I am very excited to become involved in Theatre again. I have really missed it. Angel's work is very challenging and he is overtaxed and underappreciated... We are hoping that things start to settle down a little and he can get some support. Until then we just do the best we can.

We will be moving to Anchorage Alaska in June 07. Until then please wait for updates.