Moose on the Loose!

Home-Sweet-Home in Eagle River

I suppose I've waited long enough. My 6 months have gone by and it's time for a new post. For those that still check on us using blogger, thank you for your patience. I usually get around to updating sooner or later, usually later.

To begin, I'll just say we made it to Anchorage safe-and-sound in August and have settled into living up north quite nicely. We've found a church that we enjoy and have made some good connections there with the people. It's always hard breaking away from what we know and love, but the Lord is teaching us as we allow Him too. I've also found a play-group for the kids that meets every Tuesday morning, just like our group in Ketchikan. It's held in the gym of our new church. Not as warm and cozy as Caren's house, but still fun.

Adam was hired on with the city of Anchorage as an apprentice lineman. We are so thankful he is working for a utility right now, which means he's home every night, and the job will probably last for a year, which is wonderful. This type of work is difficult when you start out because you just don't know where you'll be placed.

I've been enjoying the chamber singers which I started soon after we got here. Our first concert is actually this weekend. I'm very excited. The website is "alaskachambersingers.org" if anyone wants to read my profile. Or, if you're in the area this weekend, come to our concert!

In the midst of our busyness, we've tried to have a little fun here and there. The kids love to go the bounce house here in town and also the pool. We've also been on a hike and have loved being outdoors when we can. It's nice not having all the rain for a change. Hasn't gotten very cold yet, but I know that's coming soon. I suppose the highlight of being here has been the alaskan wilderness right in our backyard!! Yes, we had our very own moose for an entire morning, munching away at our bushes. It was very exciting.

Well, I've included some recent photos of our adventures so far. Hope everyone is doing well. And I'll try to be better about posting. :)

King Adam and Queen Rachael
This dress was made by my Aunt Annebeth from Norway for her daughter. It was handed down to me as a little girl, and now Rachael is wearing it. Joel is wearing a norwegian sweater onesie.
Out first hike with Mom leading the way. Kind of risky, but we made it to the river and back all in one piece.

Joel was so tired after our exhausting hike. (Actually, it was more like a liesurely walk).
Fun in the pool with Dad and...Hello Mrs. Moose!!!I have to include this because it just happened this morning. This is Rachael's prayer before breakfast, paraphrased: "Thank you God for music...and singing and dancing...and all the ballerinas...and for making my owie feel better...and thank you God for the food we eat. Amen

Finally, a new post!!!

Well, it's been long time since we last updated, but a lot has been going on in the Day household. Adam is now in Anchorage going to school to be an apprentice lineman. For those of you who don't know, Adam was 1 of 8 chosen for this program and they interviewed 130. It was an amazing accomplishment and we're so proud of him. His school will last until the end of May. In the meantime, the kids and I are staying with my Mom until things settle down up north. (The school is very full-time and it's better for us to be here so Adam can focus.) We're on week 3 of being apart and we all miss each other terribly. It will be a great reunion when we're all together again.

Although we can't be together, being with Mom and Grandma is the next best thing. It's been a great help to me and the kids love all the attention. We've been keeping busy with the normal things here in Ketchikan - play groups, church activities, family get-togethers and visiting all the new babies! It's so exciting, kinda makes me want another one...well, maybe not yet. :) Adam would say, "well, maybe never". Anyway, things are keeping busy. Here are a few pictures of the kids. Hope you enjoy. And God Bless!!

Joel's new girlfriend, Willow Moore. Doesn't he look excited???

It's a new "Day"!!!!

I should also say a "big" Day. Yes, he really was over 10 lbs and is growing steadily. He is now 6 weeks old and just shy of 16 lbs. But as you can see, he's also growing in personality and sweetness. He's quite the cuddler and loves being held. Even Rachael has been enjoying holding him, but only for a few seconds. We're trying to get her to say "all done" instead of just pushing him off her lap. Needless to say, things have gotten really exciting in our house since December 15th. For a while I didn't know if I'd be able to keep up, but as any mother can attest, you just do what you can and let everything else go, which mainly means the housework. But I'm getting more energy everyday and able to prioritize better too. Hope you enjoy these highlights of the past few weeks.

Early Morning Blog

Well, it's 4:45 AM here in Ketchikan, wind howling and rain pounding against the house. Haven't been able to sleep since 2:30, so thought I'd update our blog. Has it really been 5 months since we've updated? I wish someone would've told me!!! (Actually, many people have given slight hints regarding our time between blogs). Well, here we are again. Be thankful I couldn't sleep, (due to pregnancy, of course), otherwise this prime opportunity in the middle of the night probably wouldn't have happened.

Just a few highlights over the past few months. Adam's been working hard on all kinds of construction jobs, as well as different projects at home. He built me a wonderful office detached from the house which gives a little extra room, and also enables us to have a small nursery for the baby when he comes. He's also been on lots of "Daddy duty" while I've worked at Alaska Airlines. It's actually worked out very well, as I have mainly worked nights. And when Adam was busy, Uncle Ashley would usually step in, like a good uncle should. He's been staying with us for a few months helping Adam before heading back to school. It's been great having him and Rachael sure has fun playing with and teasing him. My last day was Friday and I am officially on maternity leave. Now all I do is clean, clean, clean while I wait patiently, (and at times not so patiently), for this baby to be born.

As for me, I have all the wonderful symptoms of being 9 months pregnant. Rather uncomfortable, I look forward to meeting this new little person. I just realized our due date is tomorrow. Maybe he's just very punctual and is waiting for that anticipated date. We'll see. I do hope he's not a procrastinator as he is getting larger every day!!!

Rachael adds excitement to our lives daily. She's 18 months old and learning new things every day. It's so much fun to watch! She's become very interested in anything "baby", (which I'm thankful for), and loves helping Mommy get everything ready for her new little brother. I can't wait to see them together. She also loves spending time with her friend Hannah. Just last night they had a play date so Adam and I could go on a date...to the grocery store. Isn't that romantic?? We actually did get a bite to eat first, but it's amazing how those precious times alone together are just that, precious. Even if it's only to the store, we have to take advantage of them when the opportunity arises.

Well, enough blabbing, here are a few pictures from the last few months. Hope you enjoy!

Fishing this summer:

Eating rocks can be yummy!

Fun at the Anchorage Zoo:

Story time with Auntie Kristi and roasting smores on the beach:

Fun at the John's house:

Quality Uncle time:

Big Momma's!!!!

Work, Work, and of course, Play!!!!

As many of you know, I recently began a new job at Alaska Airlines. After 5 full weeks of training, (3 of which were in Seattle), I proudly accepted the title, CSA - Customer Service Agent. Granted, it was a lot of work, and still is, but thankfully, we had the help of family and friends who graciously cared for our precious little one. I think she handled the change better than the rest of us!

But a lot sure has happened since the beginning of summer. Rachael turned 1 early in June, we took a trip south where she spent some time with Adam's side of the family, my wonderful mother-in-law decided to stay 3 weeks here in Ketchikan while I finished my training, and about two weeks ago Rachael started walking!!! Now, she's REALLY into everything! We still are adjusting to having both of us work, but so far, it's going great. And hopefully things will slow down a bit this fall. But until then, it's work, work, work, (and as you can see from the following pictures), Rachael is doing all the playing.

Happy Birthday, Rachael!!!!

These are my new friends I made at Nana and Papa's house in Spokane. This is Bud.

And this is Tina.This is what happens when Mommy's at work. I get to take a bath in the kitchen sink...with Gracie, too!!! Just out for a stroll.This is also what happens when Mommy is too busy rolling out pie crust and isn't watching me very closely. :)