Monday, April 26, 2010

Spring-y Time in AK

Hello faithful blog follower(s).. I know, I've been away awhile. No excuses from me, no judgement from you! Deal?!

OK. Good. Now for the fun stuff... what we've been up to? Well, first and foremost, the skis are officially retired for the season. Most of our snow is gone! FINALLY! There's still a patch here and there, but it's pretty much gone. What we're left with is a lot of dust (an improvement on the mud) and a million little rocks (leftover from sanding the roads during the winter). It is truly the ugliest season of the year.. BUT, we know that the grass will start growing and shortly thereafter, the flowers. Another hallmark of spring in Alaska is the ever-increasing daylight. Yes, kids, we're gaining about 6 minutes per day. That's 42 minutes per week. Sounds minor to you, does it? Well, it adds up. It's dark about 10:00pm and getting light by 5:30am. By the time June 21 rolls around, we'll have no significant darkness, just duskiness for a few hours. I digress... this post isn't about random Alaska irritations.. it's about the Johnsons (who are possibly considered random Alaska irritations by some!). So here we go..

Clayton: Working. Sitting alert. Building shelves in the garage (yay!). Buying April a new mountain bike (YAY!). Looking for a road bike for himself (huh?). Working. Sitting alert. Traveling. Working. Being a good dad and husband in between the above :)

Kara: Finishing up first grade. Completing AWANA book #2 in Sparkies. Winning art and "good example" awards in school. Riding 15+ miles out of 24 when we ride to Target as a family. Sadly saying good-bye to 3 fun friends from school this summer. Missing her family in Phoenix, Arizona. Reading, drawing, writing and playing lots. Making her mom and dad PROUD!

Clay-Clay: Random weirdness as usual :) Bike riding FOOL! Traded the painted-black-Kara's-old-Princess-bike for his new mountain bike. Possibly finishing his AWANA's Cubbie's book. Thoroughly enjoying neighbor Ryan at every possible moment. Wrapping up pre-school (learning LOTS!). Driving mommy nuts. Negotiating a Star Wars birthday party that will NOT take place until TJ is in Alaska (how sweet is that?!).

April: Making lame attempts at humor on the blog. Riding 20 miles to Target with girlfriends three days/wk (trying to fit as much in as possible before school gets out). Bible study. Breakfasting/lunching with friends. Loving her life these days for sure (SERIOUSLY!).

Cats: Hating the new kitty Jojo (Snackie and Abby, that is). Being cranky and old (Abby). Trying to act young by chasing new Jojo but really just wanting to eat, sleep and be fat (Snackie). Plotting his escape daily.. figuring that bears and moose are more desirable than two old fart cats (Jojo).

So as you can see, we're alive and thriving in the 49th state. Life is good. All that's missing is you.. Wish you were here :)

6 comments:

Amy Filleman said...

Hahahahaha!!. I laughed really hard at the cat post. Oh Snackie. He's a boy after my own heart, i would really love JoJo if he didn't make my lungs want to die. I remember how beautiful Alaska was over July 4th last year O miss your kids a ton, have convinced myself that they have probably forgotten about me and everything. Sure wish you guys were going to be her for my graduation. Oh well.

Sher said...

I still cannot get over that Kara rides 15 miles on a bike. I can't even ride one mile. But I'm scared of bikes after that accident I had as a teen. So...props to your kids!

Okay, so I already have a vacay planned for this year with a friend of mine...but next year...I think I have to come to Alaska!!! In the summer though. So we can go hiking. I won't ride any bikes...

Filleman Family said...

Miss you guys - I'm super jealous of the Johnson family trip :( I'm sure it will be crazy fun and so exciting for the kids (K & C) to show AK to their cousins. I LOVE how much Clay loves TJ! Seriously WHEN you guys finally move back to AZ they really should be in the same grade in school - peas in a pod:)

Anonymous said...

Glad everything is going so well. I, too, am SUPER impressed with Kara - she would put me to shame. That is awesome. Also, very impressed with you...remind me to never go on a bike ride with you! Miss you guys!

Cynthia said...

I'm seriously jealous of all your bike riding! I love riding bikes and look forward to getting a new bike one of these days. We will have to get out there as soon as we can! Big kisses and hugs from the Billottes!! We love you! So proud of the kiddos!

Melissa said...

SO SWEET!! We love ourselves some Clay Clay around here too!! We are SO EXCITED to see you guys soon!! I'm not sure if I will be riding 50+ miles :)
Glad to read everyone is doing well! Kisses and Hugs from the AZ Johnsons