We finally saw one!

(Okay, so this isn't the one we saw, because it was still dark and I didn't figure my camera would do her any justice - but this one's very similar to the one we saw.)

Well, we finally saw our first moose since coming to Alaska. I was beginning to think people were just telling us stories about them coming into yards, but it's true! BJ was getting ready to start his truck this morning at 6:15 am, when he ran back up the stairs to wake me up and tell me there was a moose out front. It was a cow, and by the time we got down there, she had moved next door into our neighbor's yard to nibble on their tree. It was snowing a little and so quiet and dark still, that we just watched her a bit. She didn't have a baby with her so she seemed pretty unconcerned with us. She was so big and it was truly amazing to see one so close. I was afraid for BJ to start his truck thinking it might frighten her, but as he did, she didn't even look and eventually just went to the next house to snack on some bushes. We were the fortunate ones, though, because she left us a pretty large present beside our tree - either it was her, or we have some giant rabbits running around too!

Thar' She Blows????????

Okay, so we studied Pompeii and that devastating volcanic eruption in homeschool, but I never realized we would have our own little hands on experience with it. Here we are still in the midst of chaos and boxes and now the priority has to be preparing ourselves for the eruption of a volcano about 100 miles away. Evidently we live just a little too close to one of the more active volcanoes here in Alaska, Mt. Redoubt. It is now listed at an "orange level" which is the highest you go before the actual eruption. BJ's Elder's quorum lesson was on getting prepared for "Doomsday" and he is having continual briefings and info from the base on it. Needless to say, we got rid of a lot of our supplies during this huge move because of the possibility of things freezing, bursting, etc. during the transit/storage time. We are going to have to get out and make sure we have the things we need tomorrow - that is, if anything is left. The problem for us will be the ash fall and not being able to really get out and things. So anyway, say a prayer for us and hopefully we will be able to get everything in before she blows! I've heard of going out with a bang, but coming in with one? Our new adventures in Alaska continue.....