Beluga Point

 We also spent some time Saturday at Beluga Point... were we saw no beluga whales but we are led to believe they can be seen there from time to time.

It was windy but a lot of fun to climb around the rocks and have our kids get up close to the ocean, some for the first time.

Saturday Exploring

 Yesterday we had our first day of family exploring since we've been in Alaska.  Hubby and I had a chance to plan the day on our Friday night date, and so we had our plan, and then we were able to be a little spontaneous as the day progressed as well.

We visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where we saw a lot of native Alaskan animals that for one reason or another are not fit or able to survive in the wild, and so the conservation center has provided medical care and then created a healthy environment for each animal, similar to the wild, but where they are protected.  We packed a picnic lunch, walked the trail to see all the animals, and had fun.  I'm glad we went and know what's there, but it was more expensive then I expected so we will not need to go back.  Now we can recognize Alaskan animals when we see them in the wild because we've seen them at this center.

We saw wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, moose, elk, reindeer, musk ox, porcupine, a bald eagle, wood bison, and black-tailed deer.  Seeing musk ox for the first time (and pretty close) and watching the grizzly bear swim were two of the highlights.

There was more to the day but I will save that for another update:

First Date - AK Version

 Last night, Hubby and I had our first date night in Alaska.

The four big kids attended a "kid's night out" art event at a local art studio, and I was able to find a new baby-sitter for the two little guys.

Hubby and I found a lovely steak and seafood restaurant with several stuffed grizzlies, moose, caribou, and salmon decorating the lobby.

We enjoyed a dinner on the porch overlooking the Alaskan mountains (I'm not sure what range), and had plenty of time to pick up the big kids and then get home to the little boys.

Lee Lee told us this was her favorite night so far in Alaska.  It might have been mine too.  Hubby and I needed the time to connect for a minute amidst all the change, commotion, and little ones who need us.

Repeat

 I apologize for the lack of attention my blog has been getting lately... I'm not sure if it will continue into the future or not, to be honest.

It just comes down to hours in the day, and the time I do NOT want to spend on my computer.

But, I'm here tonight... I thought I'd clue you in on a song I have been playing on repeat that has been encouraging me and giving me joy every time I hear it.

John Denver's Alaska and Me

I listened to it a few nights ago and shared it with my husband and the song speaks to both of us in an incredible way regarding this move.  The only part of the song we find not really fitting with our story is the second verse about the women who became a bush pilot's wife -- not so much the case here.

The first verse talks about how the man came to Alaska (it echos very closely with my husband), and the bridge at the end has a line about what the couple hopes their children will gain from Alaska.

It is such a wonderful song, and like I said, I've been listening to it on repeat.

Lyrics:

When I was a child and I lived in the city

I dreamed of Alaska so far away

And I dreamed I was flying over mountains and glaciers

Somehow I knew I'd live there one day

Well it took me some growing, and a fair bit of schooling

And a little bit of trouble to get on the move

And I felt like a loser but I turned out the winner

When I came to Alaska the land that I love

Here's to Alaska, here's to the people

Here's to the wild and here's to the free

Here's to my life in a chosen country

Here's to Alaska and me

I was born in a cabin on Little Mulchatna

Raised in hard times but I had a good life

From the first time I flew with my father a singing

I knew that I'd wind up a bush pilot's wife

We sleep near the sound of a slow running river

And wake up most mornings to a drizzling rain

And we face every day like the first or the last one

With nothing to lose and heaven to gain

Here's to Alaska, here's to the people

Here's to the wild and here's to the free

Here's to my life in a chosen country

Here's to Alaska and me

Oh, for the fire on a cold winter's night

And once more to gaze at the great northern lights

For all of the beauty my children will see

Here's to Alaska and me

Here's to Alaska, here's to the people

Here's to the wild and here's to the free

Here's to my life in a chosen country

Here's to Alaska and me

What a Trip!

 What a trip we had from Rangely, Co to Palmer Alaska!

We're Off

 We're off!

I have been working incredibly hard getting ready to move and thus have not taken the time to update the blog -- but we are officially off and we have begun our Adventure headed North to Alaska.

We hope to make the trip in 8 days with Hubby's parents driving our truck, which is pulling one trailer, and Hubby and I driving our suburban.  The kids and our cat will ride with us, and our black lab will ride with Memaw and Pepaw.

I am not sure how often I will blog while on the trip, but I am trying to chronicle the trip through videos on Instagram Stories, so if you follow instagram, you can find me @mountainmillers

Thank you for your prayers as we are off on this very big journey.

Grand Hotel Day 2

 Here are some pictures from the morning of our second day on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel.  So, our first breakfast...

Happy Anniversary!

 Happy 12th Anniversary to my Hubby.  Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all," and life with you has been every bit of a daring adventure.

Twelve years ago I vowed to you that "Where you go, I will go... Where you stay, I will stay."

After a dozen years of marriage and six healthy, happy, wonderful children, I'm excited to share that our next family adventure will be starting in about two weeks when the eight Mountain Millers will be moving to Palmer, Alaska.

Happy Father's Day!

 I am getting behind on sharing our summer travels (partially because we have had an action-packed week, and partially because another grad school class has just begun).  That said, today is Father's Day, so the summer stories will have to wait another day.

Happy Father's Day to the amazing Father's in my life.

I cannot express my immense joy and humility that I not only was raised by an honest, hardworking, loving, honorable man who loved being my Daddy, and loves being a grandfather, but I also married an honest, hardworking, loving, honorable man who loves being a Daddy.

The icing on the cake is that my Father-in-law is an honest, hardworking, loving, honorable man who loves being a father and grandfather, and I have a brother, and two brothers-in-law who are honest, hardworking, loving, honorable men who love being Dads.

Yesterday, I also got to visit with my grandfather, the only living great-grandparent of my children, and... you guessed it, he is also an honest, hardwork, loving, honorable man who has loved his years as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great, great grandfather (one of my older cousins is a grandma).

I thank the Lord for the wonderful Fathers in my life.