Dan's New Job

So my plan was that I'd be far enough in my telling of our move to Alaska that the post about Dan's job would conveniently coincide with the first day of school. But today is the first day of school and that didn't happen. I wanted it to work "perfectly" but perfect doesn't exist so now is as good a time as any.

We decided we were moving to Alaska sometime after Christmas. People who know us really well probably weren't very surprised by this decision. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this place and how badly I wanted to be back in Alaska. It wasn't a decision we came to lightly. We spent a lot of time agonizing over the decision, talking pros and cons, jobs and daycare, friends and family, timing and transitions. A lot of tears were shed, almost all by me, and a decision was made. We would move to Alaska with or without jobs.

I should note here that things in our life have never fallen "perfectly" into place. We have moved into three of our homes after dark on the last day of the lease at the previous place. All but one of our jobs have been offered the day before the last paycheck for the previous job. Seriously it's all LAST MINUTE! For some reason I thought this time it would be different. Silly, silly me!

In May Dan got a call for a phone interview at a middle school near Fairbanks. It was for a position teaching math. It seemed like the perfect opportunity and it was May, we weren't moving until July, so having a job now would eliminate some stress and anxiety. The interview went well but Dan didn't get the job. We were crushed.

In June we came to Fairbanks for my 10 year high school reunion. While we were here Dan got a call for a math job at a different middle school in Fairbanks. This job was much closer to where we would be living. We were excited, we started counting on the job perhaps before we should have. Again the interview went well but Dan didn't get the job.

We both applied for countless more jobs and received countless rejections. At moments we started to doubt whether we were doing the right thing. But the we had passed the point of no return. Dan had resigned his job and the position was already filled, there was no turning back. And honestly I don't think it was ever a serious consideration.

So we packed, we cleaned, and we moved. We checked for jobs every night but there was nothing. Then one night in Edmonton a job came available. A middle school math position at the school where Dan had his first phone interview. So Dan applied. The school year was coming soon so the posting said the hiring process would be expedited. Less than 24 hours later Dan got an email asking him if he was interested in interviewing. He looked at the available times and they were all before we could possibly make it to Fairbanks. So he contacted the principal with other times and we hoped that he was flexible.

At this point the earliest we could possibly arrive in Fairbanks was late evening July 26. Dan got a response from the principal asking how 9am on July 27 would work. Dan readily took the time. So less than 12 hours after we arrived in town I drove Dan to his interview. (we arrived in Fairbanks so late there was NO way I was going to try and show him where to go, it was easier to drive him) And he rocked the interview and got the job. So with less than two weeks until the school year started Dan was employed. Last minute, of course, and yet so perfect!

And I'm SUPER PROUD of my husband!

Not a real post

So I was going to post about day 3 of our trip but I've got a lot on my mind right now and a post just isn't coming together. But I didn't want to not say anything because then bad habits of NEVER blogging start and I didn't want that to happen AGAIN!

Pots and Pans

The same pots and pans that were enjoyed as drums are now being used as shoes. Please excuse the diaper only. I NEVER let my kids run around in just a diaper but he had just gotten out of the shower and this was too cute to pass up!

1st Day

Today is Dan's 1st day at his new job.

It's his 1st day at a new school.

It's his 1st day meeting new co-workers.

It's his 1st day to get a real good look at his new classroom.

It's his 1st day at a job that he has dreamed about for a while. A job where he teaches math and only math.

Next Wednesday will be his 1st day with a whole new group of students.

And we are all so very PROUD that today is his 1st day.

Avoidance

I have this big, epic journey that we took this summer that I really need to start blogging about. I mean we moved from Washington to Alaska and we DROVE. That's quite the trip, trust me! But I just keep avoiding writing about it. It's not that I don't want to its that there is so much to write about I'm not really sure where the beginning of the story is. And so I avoid by posting cute pictures of stories of the boys. Tomorrow I will find a place to begin the story of our journey. For now enjoy a cute picture of our family.
Before we moved we took a trip to Seattle. Partly to pick up my mom at the airport, party to visit some friends, partly to see the Air and Space Museum and the Space Needle, and partly to see a Mariners game. (We lost Jonathan at the Mariners game but that's a story for another day, I PROMISE!) This picture was taken on the observation deck of the Space Needle. It was my third trip up and the view never gets boring. It's just so beautiful looking out over Puget Sound.

I have a bit of a love affair with the Space Needle. There was a time when every flight out of the state of Alaska passed through Seattle. So every time we traveled I flew by the Space Needle and looked upon it with awe. I always wanted to go to to the top but we NEVER left the airport. Now that I've been to the top three times I can say that it was well worth the wait. And it's still my favorite feature of the Seattle skyline.

Sleeping

Jason is a sleeper. That kid likes his sleep. And he will sleep ANYWHERE!
Including on the living room floor on top of the toys he was just playing with. Upon careful inspection of the picture I can identify several things he is sleeping on top of:

• Green army men
• half of the Millennium Falcon
• a video game controller
• a blue blanket
• a magazine

But he looks so comfortable!

Seven 8/9/10

7 years ago Dan and I got married. This year we celebrate our 7th anniversary on 8/9/10, get it 7,8,9,10. Yeah we're dorks we've been looking forward to this anniversary for a while. We had big plans to go to Hawaii but then we moved and those plans are on hold. So instead our BIG plans involve a trip to the fair (and a morning at the DMV). But we'll be together and that's what really matters, and I know we'll still have a great time because we always have a great time together. So happy 7 years Dan. I love you and I love having fun with you!Ummm honestly I have NO idea why we are looking at our wedding cake that way. Apparently it was confusing us in some way... I dunno!

Exciting Friday

So I didn't get around to getting a post ready last night for today because I was exhausted. We spent all day yesterday at our storage unit because OUR STUFF GOT HERE!!!

I wish I had a picture of the storage unit that we filled yesterday but I didn't think of that until just now and I'm not driving down now to take one! Maybe later. I'm just super excited that OUR STUFF GOT HERE!!!

We have our clothes, we have our sheets, we have our kids clothes, we have our kids bunk beds, we have our kids toys. It was like Christmas in July only in early August. Dan has his teacher clothes before he starts his job so we don't have to go out and buy new clothes. I have my clothes too before I start my new job! (I'll fill y'all in on the jobs soon!) It's wonderful having our stuff here. Most of it will be in storage for the next year until we get our own place but at least
I wish I had a picture of the storage unit that we filled yesterday but I didn't think of that until just now and I'm not driving down now to take one! Maybe later. I'm just super excited that OUR STUFF GOT HERE!!!

Mattress Sliding

Let me preface what you are about to watch by saying that I know this wasn't really safe but all the toys were packed up so I let him have some fun. His big bro was at a friends house but if he had been home this never would have happened!

That said Jason was having a blast!

Hide Out

One day as we were packing boxes, and Jonathan was at a friends house, we realized that Jason was being awfully quiet. Too quiet...
The suspicious kind of quiet that makes you wonder what disaster is being wrecked in the house. And so we went in search of Jason only we couldn't find him so we called his name and then followed the sound of him yelling "I right here"
And found him hiding out on the second shelf of one of our lower kitchen cabinets. He had found the perfect little kid hiding place and without his brother around to bug him he had the place all to himself.
He quite enjoyed hiding out while the rest of us packed boxes and cleaned the house. I just love his creativity!

Go Fly a Kite

One of our last days in the Palouse was very windy. It was the kind of wind that could knock you right over. Jonathan came up with the great idea that we should go fly a kite, and so when all the packing was done that's exactly what we did.Daddy helped Jonathan fly the kite on his own for the very first time. Jonathan had never been deemed responsible enough to hold the reigns of the kite but this time we agree that he would get the opportunity. He had a blast and did a really great job.

I don't think there is anything that quite compares to the joy and laughter of kids trying to chase a kite. The boys had so much fun running around trying to catch up to the kite.
Jonathan kept trying to jump up high enough to catch the tail. It never worked but it was fun to watch him trying
All of us had a great time playing in the field and flying the kite. Jonathan got credit for having a great idea and brought everyone a lot of joy and happiness. What great memories were made that evening!

Drummin'

When the movers are coming and all the toys are packed away and all that's left are the pots and pans that didn't make the cut to move to Alaska what is a little boy to do?

Drum!

And when there in nothing else to use as a drumstick the crevice tool to the vacuum will work just fine!
Creativity at its best!

Moving

"When I moved to Moscow 10 years ago all I came with was a suitcase full of clothes and a duffel bag of bedding, so where on earth did all this stuff in my house come from?"

That thought crossed my mind on a daily basis as we packed up our home to move to Alaska. But 10 years, a husband, two kids, and a house later the stuff I had to bring back to Alaska had multiplied exponentially.

It's a strange thing packing up everything for this type of move. Dan and I have moved 5 times in our almost 7 years of marriage. All of our other moves have been within a 15 mile radius, the longest being our move from Moscow to Pullman. This move was not only more than 15 miles but also crosses international borders. It's different moving a long distance. The things that we usually just tossed in the back of the car had be boxed. Everything had to be boxed. I'm so sick of packing boxes!

Our original plan involved us renting a U-Haul truck, driving one car and towing the other. My dad nixed that idea and so we hired a moving company. We packed all our own boxes except for the fragile stuff, which they packed, and then they loaded everything into their truck, created it and shipped it. I have to say I'm pretty relieved that we ended up hiring someone else to move the stuff. The trip through Canada was interesting enough without adding a U-Haul to the mix.

So on July 13 the movers came and moved all of our stuff out of our house. I can't begin to describe the feeling seeing all our stuff taken away. The house was so empty!

And so the truck drove away with all our things and we were left with only the memories of three wonderful years in our home.

Hello???

Where has the time gone? I knew I was neglecting my blog but I had no idea how long it had gone unloved. Is anyone still out there? Lots has happened in the months since my last post and I intend to post on most of the events over the next few weeks. I do believe the most significant event has to do with my new blog header. Go ahead and take a look, I'll wait. Yes what you are seeing is correct. We drove the Alaska Highway and moved to Fairbanks, like permanently. It has been a long few months with big changes that I'm truly excited to share with y'all. I'm back!

And I promise I'll post tomorrow!

Fashion Statement

Remember our little Super Model? Well Jason has returned to let us all know what the hot trend is for this spring.Jason is wearing a blue camouflage shirt. This shirt is "vintage" purchased for his big brother back in 2007. With his "vintage shirt" he is wearing pair of striped shorts. These shorts are long enough that they can substitute for pants in a pinch, especially when paired with the always fashionable Sorel Boots. So there you have it, Spring Fashion 2010.

Silly Boy

Jason, honey, that's not how you usually use a Magna Doodle. The pen that's in your mouth is for coloring. What's that, oh you know that. Well then by all means carry on being silly!

Freedom!

Over Spring Break my mom came to visit us. We were lucky enough to have her here for almost 2 full weeks, her spring break and ours. While she was here we took the opportunity to rent a UHaul truck, and move the stuff we had in storage, from my grandparents house, from Boise to Pullman. It wasn't as hard as we had imagined. However having the truck, and a little boy who hit every bathroom in every little town from Boise to Pullman, the return trip took us about 8 hours. By the time we arrived home the boys were really twitchy. What you are about to witness is what happens when my boys have been stuck in the car for 8 hours and a suddenly released to freedom! Enjoy, I know i did!

Sick Day

A couple of weeks ago both the boys were home sick from school. Since they were sick and not very energetic we spend our day in our pajamas watching movies and reading books. During one of the movies Jonathan asked me to pause so he could go get something. He went into his room and came back out with is pillow and blanket. Jason saw what his big brother had done and thought it seemed like a great idea and went toddling into their room and also came out with his pillow and blanket. And there they lay, cuddled up, watching a move. I absolutely love their relationship and watching the interact. They are great kids!

Wordless Wednesday - Sleeping Brothers

Um Hi

Is anyone still out there? My blog has been suffering from some serious neglect recently. I blame it entirely on the fact that my computer and the internet don't always get along. I can use Dan's computer but all the pictures of the kids are on my so rather than try to force my computer to get along with the internet I just give up... I really need to work on this. I miss blogging. So here I am and I'm really going to get back to this! I promise!

Three Wheelin'

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day. We chose to take advantage of the great weather and head out for a family walk. Jonathan has a great tricycle. The seat is adjustable for a growing kiddo. It also has adjustable steering so it can be controlled by either the kid or an adult. It has a handle that allows an adult to push and steer. Jonathan has gotten very skilled at peddling so he doesn't need much pushing. But tonight another member of our family took notice of the tricycle.


Jason was so excited to try out the tricycle. Jonathan graciously shared and gave his brother opportunity to ride. Jason loved riding. The time has come to pass the tricycle down and get Jonathan something new. I think Jonathan may be getting his birthday present early. You won't tell him he's getting a bike, will you?

Going North

Dan and I are heading north today for a few days. (North as in Alaska) One of my very close friends is getting married and we decided to go. Dan's parents are coming to stay with the boys so we will also have a few days with just adults. I'm really excited to have some time with my husband and my mom without the kids but I KNOW I'm going to MISS them terribly. I'll take lots of pictures while we're in AK and post some when we get back.

Wordless Wednesday - Frost

Ok, nearly wordless. This was taken in Alaska over Christmas. I absolutely love the way this picture tu

Super Model

Jason is growing. All of his pants give the appearance that he may be preparing for a flood sometime soon. So this weekend when we finally put our Christmas decorations away, the next box of clothing was pulled from the shed. Now it sits in our living room waiting to be sorted through. Last night I looked through the container and found an adorable cream, corduroy blazer. Of course I just had to try it on Jason right then just to see how cute it looks.
Never mind he's wearing pajamas, models are trendsetters after all. I bet you'll be wearing jackets with your pajamas soon. No? Yeah me either. Jason however looks adorable and from the pose he's striking and the look on his face I'm fairly certain he knows exactly how cute he is!

Sleeping

Sweetly Slumbering Second Son

Blissfully Bedded Big Bro

So precious.

So comfortable.

So peaceful.

Movie Night

Several weeks ago we rented Alvin and the Chipmunks. I blame McDonalds. You see Jonathan had never even heard of the Chipmunks until he received Theodore in his Happy Meal. That was the beginning of Chipmunk fever in our house. We just had to rent the movie, at least that was Jonathan's opinion. One Friday night we all got in our pajamas, popped some popcorn, and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. Jonathan LOVED it. He goes around the house talking the the Chipmunks, singing like the Chipmunks, and telling us all about what happened in the movie that we watched with him. He absolutely can not wait until the second movie comes out on DVD. We may be living with Chipmunk fever for a while.

I think my favorite part of the whole evening involved Jason and the chairs the boys are sitting on in the picture. After we had made the popcorn both boys settled down on the floor. Suddenly Jason got up and I knew he had a purpose. He went over to the boys table and grabbed on chair brought it into the living room and then went back for the other and placed it right next to the first chair. Then after sitting down in his chair he patted the other chair and said, "JD here." Melt my heart!

Friday Flashback

This precious little boy was almost 2 when this picture was taken on June 24, 2007. We were at our church's annual Church in the Park event on what was, if I remember correctly, a not quite so warm summer day. Just look at Jonathan. The cute baby chub, the wild, curly baby hair, he's still more of a baby in this picture than a little boy. Now he's 4 and 1/2, that baby chub is long gone, now he's lean as can be (he takes after his dad), and he's definitely all little boy. Where on earth did the last 2 and 1/2 years go?

Airplane Trip

When we pulled our our luggage for our trip too Alaska (6 weeks ago, I'm just a little late here) Jason saw Jonathan's backpack and asked "Mine?" Now of course we weren't going to give Jason Jonathan's backpack, that would have gone over like a lead balloon, so Jason and I headed out to find a backpack more his size. What we found was a super cute, appropriately sized Lightening McQueen backpack just big enough for diapers, wipes and a book. Ok, it actually would have held more but when we put more in it the weight pulled Jason over backward.
Jason was very happy to parade around the Spokane Airport with his backpack on his back. I love his puffed out chest and mischievous expression. I'm sure this was just before he bolted away from me! I envisioned him walking along with the rest of us through the Seattle Airport carrying his backpack and having a great time. Never mind that someone would have to carry his gigantic carseat since he had his own ticket, it was going to be a picture perfect trip. Of course we decided he was old enough that we didn't need a stroller. And he wouldn't have needed a stroller if all had gone to plan. I could end my story now. But things didn't go according to plan and I if I stop now y'all would miss out on a rather epic trip.

~We can laugh about this now but believe me, when this all went down NO ONE was laughing!~

The trip started out normally enough. We headed up to Spokane early enough to have a nice sit-down lunch with one of my best friends. The boys had HUGE helping of Macaroni and Cheese. After killing some time at the airport, because I'm my mother's daughter and arrived way to early, we got on our plane. We were traveling on a small jet that had a two seat on either side of the aisle configuration. So we were sitting two and two. Dan had made Jonathan mad going though security, and Jonathan is one to hold a grudge, so he asked to sit next to me. We sat down and Dan and Jason took their seats in the row behind us. I've never been so glad that Jonathan was mad at Dad! You see just as they began pushing the plane back, you know when its too late to get out of your seat for ANYTHING, I hear Jason throw-up. Remember that HUGE lunch he ate. Yeah it was all over him, his car seat, his backpack, Dan's backpack, and Dan's shoes. Of course I couldn't get up to help him, and I don't do puke anyway, and Dan couldn't take Jason out to clean him up because we were taxiing to take off. All we could do was clean up the best we could with wipes and try to ignore the smell. Jason preceded to throw-up three more times before we landed in Seattle. And of course this was the first time EVER since Jonathan was born that I haven't traveled with at least one set of extra clothes. Thank you Murphy and your laws!

Once we deplaned in Seattle Dan started cleaning Jason, the carseat, and himself as best he could while Jonathan and I searched the airport for some sort of change for Jason. There were plenty of shirts in the airport; Seattle shirts, Boeing shirts, Mariners shirts, generic Washington shirts, but absolutely NO pants to be found. We needed pants. The only pair of pants we found, in Jason's size, was part of a $40 pajama+socks set. I practically cried as I spent $40 on something we already had in our luggage. By the time we got all cleaned up we had just enough time to scarf some dinner and race to our gate. But remember now we have a sick kid who isn't strong enough to walk, a 4-year-old who doesn't want to run to our gate and isn't getting the concept that the plane actually WILL leave without us, a huge carseat, and NO stroller. So Dan carried Jason and ran ahead so they would know we were coming while I carried the carseat and dragged Jonathan along. We were quite the sight racing through the D concourse of the Seattle Airport. The whole time we were walking Jonathan was talking about how excited he was to watch Bolt on the airplane. Some sweet passerby, must have been a mom, told Jonathan "Ya know Bolt runs really fast. Can you run fast like Bolt?" I wish I could find her and thank her because that got him moving and we FINALLY made it to our gate.

Needless to say we were very tired and worn out by the time we got to Fairbanks, but we will NEVER forget this trip!

Wordless Wednesday - Piano Buddies

Budding Artist

Ever since we got a new camera Jason has been very interested in playing with the camera. He knows how to turn it on, take pictures, and view the pictures he has taken. I didn't teach him any of this, he's just figured it out through trial and error. He gets very excited when he sees the camera and wants to hold it and be the one behind the camera, which has made getting pictures of him even more difficult that it already was!

I thought I would feature some pictures that he has taken recently.
Here we have a lovely picture of the light fixture in our office as well as the Halloween candy pumpkins and my forehead.
In this picture we see the tubs, my forehead, and the light fixture again. However we have also added part of my computer screen, Jonathan's forehead and eye and just a bit of Dan's forehead. And don't forget Jason's finger on the left side of the picture.
And here we have two of Jason's little fingers, Dan's head (or at least most of it), and our bookshelf. You can also tell that my husband did a great job cutting in the ceiling of our office when he painted it yellow.

When I was a kid I loved to take pictures of feet. I wonder what Jason will take pictures of as he gets older!

It's a Monday

How is it February 1st already? Wasn't it just Christmas? Time sure does fly by!

We've been doing a whole lot of nothing around here. Going to school, eating and sleeping pretty much sums up our lives recently. The boys are doing well. Jason is talking more and more and has picked up singing as well. He can even sing the Idaho Fight Song. I'm still working on getting that on camera to share with y'all. Jonathan is his normal energetic self, although he's got a bit of a cold right now. I woke him up this morning and he asked to go back to sleep so him and I are home today. I think it will do him some good to have an easy day at home and hopefully he'll fell better tomorrow.

At the request of one of my friends I will leave you with the picture of our family, the Humanitarian Bowl trophy, Joe Vandal, and a less than thrilled Jason.

Wordless Wednesday - Jason-in-a-Box

Humanitarian Bowl

It has been a long time since University of Idaho football fans have had much to cheer about. Since 1998, the last time we appeared in and won the Humanitarian Bowl, there have been a lot of forgettable years. There were the Tom Cable years, the Nick Holt years, and the Dennis Erickson year, which left Vandal fans very very bitter.

Then Coach Robb Akey came along. The first couple of years were rough but there were glimmers of hope. And we had a coach who was excited about Idaho Vandal Football and committed to the team. And then the 2009 season began and we were winning games. Excitement for Vandal football was contagious. We got games on ESPNU and even highlights on Sports Center. And we were one of the first teams to be bowl eligible. It was exciting to be a Vandal fan again. Even during the darkest days I still cheered loud and clear for my Vandals!

Since Boise State was going to a BCS bowl game Idaho was invited to the Humanitarian Bowl. Let me tell you, if we had not been in Alaska we would have been in Boise for that game! Instead we watched with baited breath. Our hearts stopped when they went down 42-35 with 35 seconds left. And then we got a touchdown. Then we went for two. AND THE VANDALS WON! It was AMAZING!

This weekend there was a parade to honor the Vandals for their win. After the parade there was a celebration at the Kibbie Dome where fans could get the teams autographs as well as have their picture taken with the trophy. We were stoked! And so we bundled up on a very cold Saturday morning and headed out to the parade that Vandal fans have waited years for!

There was snow on the ground and believe me standing around waiting for the parade to start it was cold! Underneath all our gear we are wearing our Humanitarian Bowl Champions shirts. And I am darn proud to get to wear that shirt!

I-D-A-H-O IDAHO IDAHO GO GO GO!

Part of the team, including Coach Akey, with the trophy. It was totally awesome to see the trophy rolling down Main St. in Moscow!Up at the dome with Joe Vandal! Jason was terrified of him. We tried to get a picture with our family, Joe and the trophy but Jason would have no part of it!

We bought a poster and stood in line to get our autographs. And the very last autograph we got was Coach Akey. We shook his hand, my hand was shaking at the thought of shaking his, and we got a picture of Jonathan with Coach Akey. Jason gave him a high five but would get no closer.

That's my son sitting on Coach Akey's knee! WOW!
Me and my best girl Meghan with the trophy. She came down from Coeur d'Alene for the weekend to go to the parade and hang out with me. I LOVE HER.

And there is our family with the Humanitarian Bowl trophy. Totally awesome!

Kristen, the whole time we were there I was thinking about how excited Mike would be to get his picture with the Rose Bowl Trophy for Ohio State!

Wordless Wednesday - Tired Boy

Gangsta'

Ya know because they stick their tongues out for pictures...

Christmas Day

We have never been the family that spends Christmas Day in our pajamas. My mom is not the person who enjoys spending hours in her pajamas. She's more the get up and get dressed type. As a result we have always gotten dressed on Christmas Day before getting into presents. And so our Christmas Day starts with showers, blow dryers, hair gel, make-up, and dress shoes. Then once we are all ready we head up to the living room to begin the days festivities.

Brough Family Christmas Day 2009

At the top of the stairs before the boys saw their stockings and Santa presents.
Then we open our stockings and see what Santa has brought. This year he brought the boys their own Camelbak waterbottles, some cute finger puppets, moose and bear napkins, and a variety of other small fun items. Santa even brought Jonathan his desired army men. He was thrilled!Then we move on to the presents that Santa has left unwrapped under the tree. Jason got his very own learning laptop from Santa, while Jonathan's big gift was TinkerToys. Dan and Jonathan built some pretty cool stuff with the TinkerToys but that's another post for another day.

Then we moved on to opening gifts that were under the tree. Jason wasn't quite sure what to do with all the present opening. He tore at the paper but was more interested in playing with what was already open and sitting in laps.

He did pull some ribbon to help me out.
Jason's favorite toy under the tree were the big pop beads. He had lots of fun playing with them while the rest of us opened presents.

Jonathan got a pretty cool tool kit for Christmas. He has spent his days since Christmas tinkering around the house. He'll be helping Dan make repairs before we know it!
Then we got a little silly. Jonathan decided to wear his new pants as a super cool new hat. He wore the pants to church this past Sunday but as pants not as a hat!
And then we got a little sleepy. Opening presents and spending the morning really excited is tiring.