March 2021 Eden's 11th Birthday

March 18th Eden turns 11.

 We had quite a bit of prep for Eden's birthday. She wanted a strawberry lime curd cake and it didn't disappoint. Then, she got to take her sister and two friends to go get manicures and pedicures. Mom was not included,  just there to take pictures. Her friends Claire and Elizabeth didn't disappoint and they had a great time. Her special surprise for her was that she got to go meet Titan before any of the other kids and play with all the puppies. Eden is our animal lover, so it was perfect for her.

Gifts from her friends.

For her birthday meal Eden really wanted Derek to teach her how to make Czech food. Goulash and knedliky bread. I love that these two have so much fun in the kitchen together. It was such a sweet moment. 

That night for her birthday dinner we sure enjoyed yummy food.

A moose stopped by to wish Eden happy birthday even.

And then she got to go visit the puppies and have free play time with her new puppy and his siblings.

She was spoiled rotten with presents from her siblings and Mom and Dad. 

Dear Eden,

Another tween year. Your passion for the things you love is infectious. You are unique, beautiful, happy and full of life. Every day is a new adventure for you, and you bring so much happiness to our family. You are growing up into a beautiful young lady and Mom and Dad are so proud of you. You are a good friend, a good sister, the absolute best animal lover in the world, and you are kind always. I can't wait for all the adventures we will go on throughout life. Always be you, and always try to do better each and every day. You are going to do amazing things.

Love you forever,

Mom and Dad

March 2021Beginning of the month

 We did a thing... We decided to get a new puppy and finally found one in Alaska. We got to go pick between two little boy puppies little green and little blue. Little blue was so sleepy and not as playful, but little green had a lot of personality for a newborn puppy. So little green was the choice. We kept it a secret from the kids for a little while and it was really fun to surprise them. We had been looking at puppies for a few months, so it was exciting to actually go and pick one.

Always startling to run into these guys.

March 6th Otter Lake, JBER Ice Fishing

I spy with my little eye something patriotic.

It was amazing having these bald eagles just hanging out with us. At the end they would swoop down and come for fish. It was just amazing and even though they are technically gross scavenger birds, they are majestic and beautiful creatures. It never gets old spying bald eagles here in Alaska.

We had great success our first time ice fishing all on our own as a family.

The first time Connor only fell in the ice hole once and got his leg wet and we had to go to the truck to change him. And I mean I half carried him ok full carried him the huge hike back. After that we just brought a spare change of snow clothes with us. It really happened twice and then he learned really quick to watch his step. Once dry and warm the real fishing began for the kid.

 We got home that night and Derek cooked up all the yummy fish for us to eat and we had a feast.

The kids got to experience their first ever down hill ski lesson! Homeschool covered private lessons, so all 4 kids got taught how to ski. Eden had been once before with me and it was very difficult for me to try to teach her as I had never had a lesson myself. I'm so grateful this was covered and the kids were all taking the lift by the end of their first lesson.

When you pull up directions for home and don't pay attention to the road and realize there is a drop off that is conveniently covered with snow... Took my eyes off for just a second. The people at the ski resort said it happens several times a year as people come to this stop sign. They had a tractor come and pull the van out. Nothing was damaged, but my pride. The kids got a kick out of playing in the super deep snow.

Speaking of deep snow we had a huge snow storm with SO much snow dumped.
I made sure to take lots of reference pictures so we could compare how deep the snow gets each year. Then, we will know how much is actually a lot of snow or if we just "think" it's a lot of snow.

Moose foot prints by our front window.

Cute little Freya is always looking for a spot to sunbathe in the house.

Another ski lesson. This time I skied all over with the kids afterward and we had a blast.

Grandma Sapp is sure to send love and a letter in the mail.

One more covid shot down. I, Sharice was able to be vaccinated in March 2021.

Spoils from Uncle Rob and Aunt Julie! We sure love our family and we feel the love from them.

Connor has been doing kinetic sand during school a lot, so Eden and Elara had a turnn.