September 2021

It wouldn't be a new month without a new project. I decided to paint the garage floor to help keep the life before we tracked in all the winter weather and water from the winter to help maintain the life of the garage floor. It was so pretty, but really only lasted about a year.

Not my best work, but it was needed and did help.

Derek had filled some cracking cement and while he did he had the kids put their hand prints down for good measure. We had never owned a home we could do something like that, and it just seemed like it was time for some handprints in cement.

Derek took Eden on a halibut fishing charter. Like with Kael's it was SO windy and the boat probably should have been canceled, but they endured, and had a really fun time.

I love documenting the weather each month and then comparing for the future years. It's a game I am now playing in my head when the first snow will hit Alaska this year compared to last. Along those same lines, when will the leaves turn yellow and start falling? I love having four seasons again. I love change. I love the anticipation, and then having fun during, and then waiting for the change again.

The kids are good sports helping me plant all the new things. We took out some flower bushes and moved to the tiers so that I could plant some raspberries by the stairs.

And I did indeed plant more raspberries, because I LOVE raspberries and that they can grow in my yard!

Derek processing his halibut.

We went out to mirror lake and caught some trout. Shore fishing is always good fun. It is definitely a little disappointing catching something so small after catching something like a halibut, BUT it is always amazing having a fish at the end of your line no matter the size.

These were actually some pretty good decent sized rainbow trout the kids caught.

Trout for dinner all cooking on the grill.

Alaskan mushrooms just blow my mind. They are SO amazing. Just don't eat the bright ones they are super poisonous.

All the silly dog photos possible.

We have discovered we love playing four square on your driveway.

Carmeled apples, yum.

The fishing trip that tried to take Derek's life!

Derek, Kael, and Eden had such a fun time catching silver salmon on the 20 mile river. So, we decided to try on our own. It was a windy day, and a little late in the season. Imagine things just not going right, and that was this trip.

This is the trip why fishing is called fishing. We were not catching, and it was a good learning experience. One that took a very long time to recover from and be able to laugh at how miserable it was.

The boat gave us problems and stalled out pretty quickly on the river, and the wind was blowing and it was of course raining, and it was really cold because it was September in Alaska. Derek got it working, but then we hit a sandbar. Derek had to try to pull us to shore and we thought it was pretty close and when he hopped out it was deeper than he thought and he almost was sucked under the boat by the river current. I don't remember if that was the sand bar or the boat stalling, but it was scary. He grabbed on and held for life while icy cold water was pouring into his waders. He somehow made it out of the water and back into the boat. I'm certain Derek would tell the story better or even one of the kids. We had just watched a video about hypothermia from cold water at our Valdez trip before we rented the ocean boat. Sure enough Derek was pretty stinking cold and probably experiencing a little hypothermia. We were able to get the boat to shore and Derek began the process trying to fix the boat so we could either get back to the dock or onward with the trip. While he was working on that I took the kids to try and fish from the shore line even though it wasn't the best spot, but to give him some space to work. About 20 minutes later he had the engine running again, and instead of heading back Derek wanted to press forward hypothermia and all. We got lost as the water level was a lot higher than when they went the previous time making it hard to tell landmarks. We finally had to just pick a spot to fish from, but the water was so high and it was late so the silvers weren't really running anyway. We made it back all in one piece and quite frozen from the wind blowing on our rained on bodies and made the hour and half drive back home. It took Derek the rest of the day to warm back up, and we called it a day. Like I said anyone else could tell the story better, but it was quite the ordeal. Literally we fished, and got skunked in more ways than one. It was pretty though!

The saddest day of Titan's life.

I really wanted to hike Mount Baldy, but none of the other kids wanted to EXCEPT my sweet Eden.

She is such a fun hiking buddy.

There is just something so rewarding about making it to the top of a mountain.

I don't know why, but I love running outside in the winter more than the summer. I think it has to do with something along the lines I think a bear will attack me in the summer, and I'm not as nervous around moose in the winter. But Derek wanted to keep me safe and bought me some awful reflectors and lights for the dark winter months for which I am very grateful. He is so thoughtful and takes such great care of us. He is always looking for ways to make our lives better and safer. He is such a great husband and father.

The girls got an art desk for their bedroom. It is so fun!
Derek took us on a little truck adventure. We love just hopping in the back of his truck for a ride.

Derek had a trip to San Diego and was gone for a couple of days. We sure missed him. This month was one of the hardest in my life for a multitude of reasons. Because of this planned trip we ended up having to cancel co op homeschool classes and homeschool from home on our own. Covid numbers rose quite a bit the end of August through October of this year and September was a steady stream up. Derek couldn't afford to get sick and miss the trip so we were pretty isolated at home. Then, things were just really rough. I have to admit I was a bit depressed and just in a funk in life. I was having some problems with friends and dealing with covid and my calling as primary president at church. Things just seemed to not be going well. There is no real picture to go with this story, other than to just remember that this was a really difficult time. Derek's health wasn't great. And it was very lonely.

While Derek was gone we visited the Quimby's for an afternoon walk in the woods. It was beautiful and much needed for our family. We found these big chunks of moss in the woods. It was so fun.

When Dad is gone everyone likes to sleep in Mom's room and it becomes quite the party.

On September 21, 2021 

It decided it needed to snow a little bit early in Alaska. The leaves were still on all of the trees. And snow it did. We were not ready for it and the trees just did not like it. We lost a couple trees from the heavy weight of snow on their branches and they were falling almost on the house at times. We ended up having to chain saw a few down and our friends the Rogers came over and helped us out.

Here are a few pictures of the morning after it snowed with all the trees hanging low.

Cleaning up the mess.

Derek will end up creating a whole new area for all the wood we had to chop down just from our yard alone.

Derek got some pretty amazing mountain photos on the plane ride back to Alaska.

Of course he was gone for the big early snow storm.

Snow means fun times and cute photos though.

It actually snowed again once Derek was home. Which just meant more snow fun!

Then came Elara's birthday! It isn't often a girl turns 9!

Letters from the Grandma's.

Eden was amazing and made Elara a unicorn out of balloons! It was epic!

Her siblings spoiled her rotten.

We got to go to the zoo again this year for her birthday. Her Dad came with us this time though.

We kept it pretty simple this year, but we sure had a lot of fun together as a family.

So many fun animals at the zoo.

Happy 9th Birthday Elara!

Fruit pizza for her cake this year!

Elara's friend Carmindie made her a skink lizard shirt she sewed all by herself. It was so cute!

Dearest Elara,

Time flies. Each year you grow a little taller, a little wiser, a little cuter, and more wonderful each day. It is amazing seeing your little personality shine forth each and every year. It's hard to believe you are only 9 here. You get along with your siblings and can handle just about any interaction you are faced with. You are such a good friend to your friends and are a light in this world. Mom and Dad are proud of the little lady you are becoming. You love playing the piano, singing, and love attending activity days. You have thrived homeschooling, but that is just your personality. You thrive in whatever you choose to love. You work hard, and find joy in the journey. You are loved. Always and forever. Your siblings, your parents, grandparents, friends. We all love you. Happy 9th Birthday little princess.

Love, 

Mom and Dad

We were able to go fishing at Finger Lake on the boat.

Derek and I went out together and snapped a few photos. Sure love this boy of mine. He is such a hard working man. His every thought is of us and he works so hard to make our lives better each day. Not only that, but he tries to improve himself so that each day he is a better man. He is such a good example for me and the kids and we are so lucky he is ours.

Goodness I love fall in Alaska!

Connor did a science experiment for homeschool to see how water transfers through celery. He dyed the water red and it changed the color of the celery and you could see it's veins inside once it was cut open. He had a lot of fun. I love being able to homeschool the kids and be around for all of their discoveries in life.

Costumes for the puppies!

So many good things came in September, and a few hardships. One thing is for certain, I learned who will always be there when we need them and it's this little family of mine. I love them all so much each and every day. Family is what is important and growing those bonds. I love you little Bradley Bunch. Forever.