Finally!

Kitchen - duh

TV room on main level.

Back porch.

Backyard from back porch

Backyard picture from our Master bedroom upstairs.

We're finally in Alaska and I'm finally posting some info and pictures. In April me and the girls flew to Cedar City for a month while our stuff was being shipped to AK. (I'll post some cute pictures of our time in Cedar next) Jeff was away to various cities for trainings and other job stuff for that month. On Mother's Day Jeff and I flew to Hawaii for an award trip while my mom and sister watched the girls. (I'll also post some pictures of our time in Hawaii). It was awesome! We hiked to Diamond Head, flew in a helicopter around the island, took surfing lessons, and got in a shark cage all expenses paid:) It was none other than luxury for us. Right after that trip we flew from St. George to Anchorage. We were so excited to finally be in AK. The idea of AK had been around every since the beginning of December so I was just happy that we didn't have to talk in the future tense anymore....it was the present now and it was such a great feeling. Jeff had come to AK before and bought a house. When we got off the plane I laughed to myself as I saw a moose's head on the wall and saw a map with a city named UNALASKA. (they couldn't pick a better name for a city?) The ride to our house was spent observing my surrounding and flooded in my one thought that I couldn't get rid of, "I can't believe AK is my home." The home is very nice. Jeff did a great job. Our home is in a city called Eagle River. It's about 15 minutes from Anchorage. Our address is 17001 Yellowstone Dr, Eagle River, AK 99577 (for family members who have been asking). Our house is very spacious. 3 stories, 4200 sq. feet, 6 bedrooms, 4 toilets, and one forest in our backyard. Some adjustments we've had to make: black out blinds. The other day Sydney came in our room with a fever. It was light out and me and Jeff just suspected it was morning. Well when Jeff looked at the clock it said 3:30. I haven't seen the moon or stars since we've been here and don't expect we will for several months. Another adjustment: Animals. Like I mentioned our backyard is a forest. There are a ton of trees. Our backyard looks out into a forest with a river, Eagle River, that lies on the bottom of this valley. It makes for a beautiful view. Anyhow there are bears, moose, and wolves that have been spotted in our area. But then again it seems that there is no area in AK that doesn't have this problem. Last week we went on a hike with bear spray. I didn't know there was such a thing called bear spray, but there is and that's what people use. So we took our bear spray and whistle and never felt quite calm walking in the middle of nowhere. It's not like they have much in the way of search and rescue because the forest is so dense. When people go "missing", they are gone for good. After jeff told me about wolves I was all about buying a gun. Guns kinda scare me, but I know I won't feel safe without it. I really don't want to be a meal for any animal. The girls love it here. We have a play group on Thurs. we go to. In the summer it's at a park. We have a different play group we go to on Tues. This one is a hiking group. The kids love to go out and play and get as dirty as humanly possible. I love interacting with other women and learning the ins and outs of AK. I want to spend as much time outside since I know our outside time will be limited when winter hits. Things I love about our house: laundry room upstairs, central vac, the scenery, and having the windows open. Most of the trees have a thin trunk and exceed the height of our home. While sitting on my bed, I can see outside. When it is windy, the trees sway and the leaves hitting each other in the wind make for some wonderful music. Just think... at 11pm I'm laying in bed, the window is open listening and watching the trees, and it is totally bright outside. It's beautiful and weird at the same time. I hope some of these pictures and words can paint somewhat of a picture about our new life here in Eagle River.

Living/Dining/Family room. I always get mixed up with these 3. Either way it's a room where we all hang in to eat, play, visit, and and do everything but watch TV in.

View from out our front door.

Funny-looking milk carton. And might I add milk is only 2.50 a gallon at Costco. Several people informed me milk was super expensive.

Here is what bear spray looks like. I thought it was a joke at first. Who knows if it even serves its purpose. I don't really want to test it.