Merry Christmas!!!!

Saying our goodbyes...

I think one of the hardest things is saying goodbye to friends that I have made over the years here! When other people leave you are sad but also glad that they are getting out and excited for their new adventures. When you leave there is excitement but also the great unknown!! One of those is will I find new friends... and will they be as awesome as those who I am leaving here!

Over the few weeks we have started to say goodbye to friends as they have left for vacations or just knowing that with the holidays coming we may not see them again. They have been the hardest!!!

We said goodbye to the McClure's a few weeks back at my surprise going away party. I have only known her since February but it seems like alot longer! She also has a 2 year old son and actually moved here from Sheppard- which is where we are going too. It has been so much fun hanging out with them and watching Jackson and Ashur become VERY good friends!! They left for vacation so we took pics then!

I also had my last event with the Enlisted Spouses Club without whom I would probably still be lost within the military and on the base! They have been my "family" for the last four years!!! Some of them have been with me since my first meeting and I will miss them greatly. We had our Christmas Party last weekend and it was hard saying goodbye to some of the ladies!

The last group I will say goodbye to over the next few days is my playgroup which has helped these last few months go by quickly. We also had our Christmas party last week and Santa came and gave out gifts. Jackson wasn't to sure at first but was talking Santa's ear off by the end.

Mimi visits Alaska ...one last time!

My mom came up last weekend for a short visit to help me deep clean the house. We visited Santa

while she was here and also the Christmas in Ice Park in North Pole. Jack and Ryan also went down a few ice slides. Although we had put on snow clothes it was still VERY chilly! So we may go back in the next week so Jack can sled again- although it has been even colder this week!

We went out to dinner at a restaurant that had been featured on Diners Drive In's and Dives. We all had calzones that were HUGE!!! We ate on them for days. We did manage to do some cleaning and Jack loved spending time with her! It is so nice to know that we will see them again very soon and then be alot closer!!!!

One month to go!!!

I can't believe that this is our last month here in Alaska! As much as I say that we can't wait to leave and be closer to family, we will also GREATLY miss our friends here! The movers come next Monday and Tuesday to pack and move our things. We will then get some temporary furniture for a few weeks and then move into a hotel for the last couple days.
I love this time of the year and although we are not decorating, I have bought presents for Jackson with space in mind. We went and visited Santa this past weekend and he LOVED it. He wouldn't talk to him but he kept calling out Santa!
My mom comes next week as well so we can deep clean the house and then I will only have to touch it up before we leave!
We leave the base January 2nd 2010 and drive to Haines Junction, Yukon Territory for night one and the drive back into the USA into Haines, Alaska for night two- then the ferry will leave from Haines on the afternoon of the 4th. We will be on the ferry until Friday the 8th we we get into Bellingham, WA.
We are excited to go on our new adventure!

Sesame Street Live came to Eielson!

Jackson and his friend Ashur playing with their free toys- from the USO Sesame Street Live performance today here on base!













Jackson dancing with other children to the songs during the show.

Jackson loved the show and we sat right up front. He was able to touch and talk to several of the characters during the show. He has been talking about Elmo all afternoon!

Happy Halloween!

Jackson had so much fun with Halloween this year!!! He wasn't to sure about his costume at first but after wearing it a couple time to other parties, by Halloween he had it down. Of course the fact that he got candy with it was a plus! Mimi made his costume and it was so nice and warm- which was a plus seeing as it was around 5 degrees at Trick or Treat time! Jackson and Ryan were out for almost 40 minutes. He came home to show me all his candy!!! He was so excited, then we went to a friends Halloween party. All in all a great last Halloween in Alaska!

The SNow is finally here!

We got back from Anchorage yesterday and there was SNOW everywhere!!!! And it hasnt stopped! We'll have to go out and shovel again tonight. Here are some pics from last night's shoveling.

Jackson's Playgroup Halloween Party

We had a halloween party with the kids- they wore their costumes and decorated cookies and then we had a potluck lunch! The kids had a blast and it was goo to see everyone at once. We took a TON of pics but this is the best group picture.

Ice Dogs Hockey is back !!!! Oct 11 09

Here are some pics from our first hockey game of the season, Jackson lOVES hockey!! The next home game is against Wichita Falls - which is where we are moving too!! So we will be able to continue to enjoy the hockey games!!!! Our friends the McClures went too, Jackson and Ashur are sucg good friends it will be hard to leave them here!!

Jackson's Halloween Costume

Jack got his Halloween costume a week or so ago and although was initially VERY excited about being a dino, was scared of the costume. So yesterday with a little candy motivation he tried it on for a little while and I took pics in case it doesn't happen again!!
Mimi made it for him and it is soo cute! Thanks Mimi!!!

Our first snow- but It's already gone!

On the 22nd- it had been raining and it turned to snow! Jackson put his boots on and we went out to catch it on our clothes mostly. The next morning all the ground was covered but not the streets. I snowed most all morning but then the sun came out and by the end of the day we had nothing. It is in the forecast again for this weekend so we will see! We are excited as we had our last "first snow" here in Alaska!!!!

Pictures of My ride on the KC-135 (refueling plane)

Sorry these pics are in reverse! I got to sit in the cockpit for landing and this first pic is the view of the base as we came in!

Me sitting in the cocpit listening in the tower.

He is laying and using the boom to refule the AWAC plane.

Here is the AWAC plane we were refueling

We aslo refueled 2 F-16's

This is how they refueled the planes by laying down and using the boom.

The cockpit

Front part of the plane

View out of one of the windows. there were only 4 in the main cabi area

Seats- along the side of the plane

The fuel is stored under/beneath where we sit.

Top of the plane

Personal Oxogen helmets- if we neede them.

Back of the plane= at the very end is where you step down and into where they refuel the planes

Front half of the planes

Me in the seats







This was an awesome experience!!!! I loved my trip.