This morning, Scott knocked on Mom and Dad's bedroom door. "Mom, Mikey ate one of the cinnamon Christmas ornaments." Since they are technically edible, Mom answered, "Okay." Scott then said, "I'm gonna smell his poop later, and see if it smells like cinnamon."
Brian and Abby were talking about shepherds. They were discussing that a shepherd would break a lamb's leg and carry it, until it learned to stay near him. They used the word, trust. Scott asked, "Why would he break its leg, then expect it to trust him?"
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
More Merry Christmas!!
Mom couldn't get the smilebox to work, so there are at least three posts today. Enjoy!
This post is of Dad's present. He was pretty sure it was a picture of something. Mom was happy that she surprised him. Merry Christmas!!
We had a quiet Christmas this year - after the big Christmas Eve party, which we have no photos of - thanks, Mom and Dad! Here are some photos of us getting our presents. The first is we're waiting for the go word. 

And this second one is of us getting our slingshots - yes, Abby got one, too. She has been delaring it unfair the last couple weeks that the boys have their own weapons and she doesn't. So they all got one. The only disappointed person about this was Dad - there wasn't one for him.
And this second one is of us getting our slingshots - yes, Abby got one, too. She has been delaring it unfair the last couple weeks that the boys have their own weapons and she doesn't. So they all got one. The only disappointed person about this was Dad - there wasn't one for him.
Mikey getting in on the action.
A Harley Tradition
Buckeyes - a tradition according to Daddy. This year, Mom made the peanut butter part and let us kids do the dipping. Chad spent so much time sharpening a stick, he never did get around to helping much. So, Abby and Scott enjoyed the work.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Narnia and Moose
After watching Prince Caspian last weekend, the kids decided to go to Narnia. Here is a photo of Chad and Scott in battle with - I think Orks (they're Lord of the Rings, right?) By the time they got done telling me the story of their adventure, it sounded like a movie called "Indiana Poppins: Lord of the Narnia Wars."
And here is Abigail riding her Snow Griffin. He has a snow saddle and bead reins. He is truly a majestice being. In case you're wondering, a Griffin is half lion half eagle.
And back in the real world, Mom got the bejeebers scared out of her this week, as she sat at Dad's desk. A moose walked by the window. Mom screamed, and the moose didn't even flinch. By the time Mom had the presence of mind to grab the camera, this was all she got - a rear end. Figured we post it anyway, just so you can all see how scared of us they are NOT. I looks little because our house is pretty high - she weighs probably about 800 pounds.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Weekend
The twins came over for a few hours this weekend. We gave them a birthday present - four vehicles that stack inside each other or on top of each other. Here is a photo of Abby showing the cars to Mark as they open it.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Basketball Tournament
We had another great tournament this year. There were eleven boys' teams. Two of those teams had girls on them and a few of the teams, including Wings - Chad's team - had only five players. All the teams played well, and for the most part had good attitudes. Once again, there were some excellent and close games. Here are just a couple photos from the weekend.
Chad practicing his shots.
Scott took this photo. Mom thought it was cool how the only thing you can really see clearly is Chad's face. Scott has a knack for getting lucky with shots like this.
Scott took this photo. Mom thought it was cool how the only thing you can really see clearly is Chad's face. Scott has a knack for getting lucky with shots like this.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Sunday, December 07, 2008
So, Mom tried to keep up with Aunt Denise this morning, but she failed. In case you're wondering, Aunt Denise broke her ankle last month. This morning, Mom fell down our front steps - the ones in the photo of Scott below. Her left foot slid all the way to the bottom, while the right foot stayed at the top. Yes, Mom can still do a split. She threw the puppy over the rail. He is fine, and she is bruised, but nothing is broken. 
So
So
Scott's Christmas Tree
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Life in the 'Hood
So, the kids have been watching an FBI show with Dad and they are all gonna be agents when they grow up. They took some photos of themselves getting ready for a raid or something. As you can see by the hand behind Abby's head, they weren't being all business.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
More Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving

year. Our former neighbors, Amy and Tristan, and their twin sons, Tristan and Mark, came for brunch on their way out of town to visit family in Wisconsin. In this photo, Mark was grabbing at Dad's nose and Dad was "honk"ing. Mark had almost as much fun doing that as Dad did.
Here, Tristan introduces Mark to Mikey, our puppy. Mark was not impressed. He really didn't like it when Mikey licked him. He didn't seem scared, he just didn't like it.

The twins' favorite thing about the puppy and kitten was their toy. Abby bought this string with a bunch of different colored feathers on it. At one point, both twins and both pets were all playing with the feathers at the same time. By the time we grabbed the camera, Molly had run off, and Tristan had moved on to Mark's ear. So cute.

So, we had a big brunch and later a big dinner. We have settled in for the night - playing on the Wii and watching DVDs. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving as well.
Monday, November 24, 2008
About the Smilebox
We were unable to post the video - Mom isn't that internet able. So, the smilebox we just posted is an attempt to give you an idea of how our house is laid out. Hope it helps. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support as we houseshopped.
We had a housewarming party today - it was very fun. Everyone from church came, and a couple we met when we lived in Kenai. We all had a good time. So good in fact, we forgot to take photos. Stink!!
We had a housewarming party today - it was very fun. Everyone from church came, and a couple we met when we lived in Kenai. We all had a good time. So good in fact, we forgot to take photos. Stink!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
So, the cat and dog have acclimated a bit. She is tolerating him. She has tested a couple times to see just how rough she can play with him before she gets in trouble. Poor kitty. she has no idea that in a couple months, he'll be big enough to terrorize her to no end.
The other day, Scott said, "Mom, having a puppy is a little bit like having a baby to take care of." Yeah, something like that Scott. Mikey - as he's coming to be called - has been waking up at around 2-3 every morning. Sometimes, he wants to play. Well, it has taken it's toll on Scott. Last night, Mikey didn't even wake him up. Mom woke up to barking and whining. She put Mikey back in his basket on Scott's bed. But even at five weeks, Mikey can escape a laundry basket. A few minutes later, Mikey was curled up in by Scott's neck, sleeping.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
So, a week ago, we went to some friends' house and Scott picked out a puppy. They had found a pregnant Springer Spaniel and were giving the seven puppies away. Last week, we were told that the puppies were four weeks old and they wouldn't be able to leave until their mom until the week after Thanksgiving. So, Scott chose a tiny black one and we were scheduled to visit it today.
This morning, Mom got a call from the lady. The puppy had died. They suspect the mom was laying on them because two have died in the last week. That was the bad news. The good news - for Scott - was that he could pick out another puppy and it could go home today. Since mom wasn't taking proper care of them, they had taken the puppies away from her, and he might as well go home. So, Scott brought Michael home this afternoon.
Scott and Michael on the ride home.
The bad news for Mom is that Michael is not housebroken AT ALL. So far, there have been no accidents, but we are not holding our breath. We'll have to get a good photo of him before he grows into his head - it's huge. If he doesn't stand just right, his hind feet lift off the ground because he is so front heavy.
This morning, Mom got a call from the lady. The puppy had died. They suspect the mom was laying on them because two have died in the last week. That was the bad news. The good news - for Scott - was that he could pick out another puppy and it could go home today. Since mom wasn't taking proper care of them, they had taken the puppies away from her, and he might as well go home. So, Scott brought Michael home this afternoon.
The bad news for Mom is that Michael is not housebroken AT ALL. So far, there have been no accidents, but we are not holding our breath. We'll have to get a good photo of him before he grows into his head - it's huge. If he doesn't stand just right, his hind feet lift off the ground because he is so front heavy.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Other Rooms

"shelves" along the wall, so we can use it for storage.


This is the boys' room. The boys wanted the room to be camo and army. Mom thinks it looks more like a war zone - that's been hit. They like it, though. That window treatment is on purpose, by the way. It's camo and rusty barbed wire fence.

And here is Dad in the crawl space. While you folks on the East Coast may not be impressed by this
"basement," it is actually huge by Alaska standards. Most crawl spaces are a maximum of four feet tall. This one is five and a half to six feet tall. The kids actually play down there sometimes. We will never finish it off, but we are pleased with it just the same.
Kitchen and Living Room
Well, for some reason, when Mom loads the photos nowadays, they don't come up in the same order she posts them. But here are some pics anyway.

This was supposed to be the last photo. This arrangement is one of Mom's favorite arrangements in our new house. The windows and the glass insulator are from the remodel job that Dad did in St. George. The sayings were gifts, the books are actually boxes and the candle is a courting candle. A few years ago, Abby told one of her friends, "It's for when a boy corks me."

Scott relaxing in the living room. This is our biggest window, and it really is nice. Mom is seriously thinking of just not putting curtains on it. There are no neighbors, and she likes the view during the day. That little heater does a pretty good job keeping the house warm - when Scott leaves his bedroom window closed at night. The picture hanging on the wall is a puzzle from Ollie's we bought in 2007.

Dad and Abby enjoying the living room.


This was supposed to be the last photo. This arrangement is one of Mom's favorite arrangements in our new house. The windows and the glass insulator are from the remodel job that Dad did in St. George. The sayings were gifts, the books are actually boxes and the candle is a courting candle. A few years ago, Abby told one of her friends, "It's for when a boy corks me."

Scott relaxing in the living room. This is our biggest window, and it really is nice. Mom is seriously thinking of just not putting curtains on it. There are no neighbors, and she likes the view during the day. That little heater does a pretty good job keeping the house warm - when Scott leaves his bedroom window closed at night. The picture hanging on the wall is a puzzle from Ollie's we bought in 2007.

Dad and Abby enjoying the living room.

Breakfast at the Harleys' new house. The living room and kitchen really aren't that big. Brian of course, has plane to add on eventually. But for now, they work and we have figured out how to fit. And Mom really does like the yellow. It's so cheery in the cold, dark winter.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Happy Birthday, Scott!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008


Dad said Abby could only keep a cat if it liked him. At first, she wouldn't have anything to do with him. She just wanted to explore. But later in the evening, someone laid Molly on Dad, and she curled up and went to sleep. (No, Brian hasn't become a cat person. He still thinks ALF would make the perfect pet, but he definitely wouldn't put up with an ornery cat.)

And the office was finally in order enough that Mom was willing to take a photo of it. This is Dad's room. Scott helped Mom hang the wilderness border. Fifteen feet at a time. On the first one, they got the last foot put up, and the whole thing came down. It stayed up the second time. We have some things to put on the walls still, but for the most part it is done.
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