Boat rides, moose hunting, first month of school.

Wowza! It's already been a month since school started... No wonder I haven't had time to blog... I've been spending many early mornings and late nights at school getting things organized, technology running, etc. It seems like every time I cross one thing off my list, completed, three more are added. But that's okay. It keeps me busy and out of trouble.

School started with a bang. The new building was mostly put together. There are still boxes in a few places that need unpacked and put away, but we were kid ready. There were quite a few district office staff here to help us prepare and I'm so grateful for that.

I have my safe group of kids that I had last year. It has been really nice to not have to teach routines and expectations and do those getting to know you activities that traditionally fill the days of the first week of school.

I spent every spare minute, not already consumed with work/school, out boating or hanging out with friends. Many fun memories, lots of luck hunting.

I caught my moose on 8/30. We went out to Black River and spotted and chased a mukluk for about 5 hours. It was so incredibly fun, and FINALLY we caught it about 9. On our way home, we went through some slough with the idea that maybe there would be a moose, maybe not... We saw two bulls right on the bank. I shot and killed one, but since it was dark and getting late, we cut it open and left it for the next morning. On Sunday we went back for it. We took a few totes and brought back just meat. Then I spent the rest of Labor Day weekend cleaning and putting away the moose meat.

The rest of this month has included cleaning and organizing my house to make room for a roommate. More boating with my favorites. Still more laughter and good memories made. Here is a whole bunch of pictures since my last post...

xoxo,
SJ

Bush Alaska school bus... ;)

Flying between Hooper and home

Thanks Tom and Mike for getting us to
and from Hooper safely!

Brother's 21st birthday picnic.

My boy Jay.

My mean moose hunting face.

After we FINALLY caught the seal. Good job, Don.

Moose #3 in my life.

Little bigger than last year's bull.

Pius caught a redhead mukluk that night too.

Taking a break from tag... :)

Mmmm....

Ready for winter!

Senator Murkowski came to Alakanuk for the grand opening and ribbon cutting.

Our RSB and some district office staff cutting the ribbon for
the new school.

A little eskimo dancing. :)

Another fun boat ride.

Looking for moose.

I love this place.

First catch.

Swan hunting.

Checking net.

Such a beautiful place.

Back at it!

I've been home for almost 2 weeks and it's been busy. I think I've spent equal amounts of time out boating and working at school... Officially, I've worked 2 contract days, but many many more before contracts started...

The new school is gorgeous. I am so happy that we've finally been given keys and the green light to get to work there. I'll post pictures of it once I've got my room finished.... So maybe Christmas, ha! It's a nice 10-15 minute walk from my house, depending on how much I want my legs to burn. :) Theresa and I walk together in the mornings, and sometimes in the evenings too--depending on schedules.

Here are some pictures from boating... So far we've chased whales and seals, saw a few moose, and had lots of laughter and good memories. So excited for another few months of boating with some of my favorite people in the world. :)

Oh yeah, I got a new puppy!! :) He is adorable. Looks just like a Mini Dre... He's ornery most of the time, but the snuggles are worth it. Haha.

I love my brother. Ha!

Berry picking. Lots of salmon berries!

The berry picking crew.... So much mischief at the front of the boat!

Supper time!

Meet Kuzi!

Waiting for tide to go down so we could check for clams...

Couldn't let the kids have ALL the fun... :) The boys took me
for a boat ride too. 

Pretty sunset.

Black river.

Chasing maqlaq.

xoxo,
SJ

Summer 2014

What a whirlwind it has been! School got out on May 16th and the teachers worked on the 17th...

Holy. Cow. Once again, I was working down to the last second getting my room packed and stuff.... I was lucky to have many helpers in and out of my room all day offering assistance. :) I left the building feeling confident I hadn't forgotten to pack something, but I guess I won't really know until it's time to unpack next month! ha!

That smile always makes me smile! :)

The infamous picture... It was all on a bet... We won 5 gallons gas, and at
$8 a gallon, that's worth a kiss on the cheek!

I LOVE this sassy boy! :) 

And this sweet one too.

Maybe they heard swans or something?? I can't remember.
Pius, Greg Sr., Donovan, Greg Jr., Shane

What a beautiful evening for a boat ride and picnic.

A great last night in the village with some of the people
who I have missed the most...

That following week after most of the other teachers had left, I stayed behind and moved houses... A BIG thanks to Theresa and my Ayunerak gang for their help, I couldn't have done it without them... Obviously I took time that week to go boating (yes, the river was melted before I left this year) and had plenty of lazy time...

Summer began Memorial Day weekend when I flew into Redmond and was picked up by Ashley and Cody... We had Ashley's bridal shower and everything went well... Then,  it seemed as if there was something every weekend until the end of June... Noelle's graduation, Joe's college graduation, moving mom home from the coast, Ashley's wedding...

Dinner with old friends and drinking buddies.

With Emma and Jason... Scott and Ashley were there too!

The roommates.

Sure makes you proud, doesn't it?

There's the little turd, in the pink flowers. Yay Joe Joe!

It's official!

Broke a wine bottle in dad's boot (because we didn't have a corkscrew)...
Dad had to borrow one of Joe's boots until his dried and we got the glass out... 

It's what we do best.

Waiting for Mema to get out of class.

Coos Bay

It was a nice day, maybe a little chilly for Oregon coast water, though.

Chillin with my auntie!

Pre-wedding photo op.

Love those babies in those bellies.

Again, so proud...

#photobomb!

Dancing with 2 of my favorites.

Playing in the FREEZING cold water at 8 in the morning... 

Stopped at Sea Lion Caves on the way back to Paisley... 

After the wedding, I returned to Paisley for a few days then took a camping trip with the Porath crew to Mountain Rushmore. :) It was so fun! The kids (and adults) loved the monument. There were hours of giggling, farting, and riding bikes. It was a ton of travelling, but oh so worth it! :)

Then we had Hannah's baby shower... Now I'm getting ready to head to Portland for a few days at the PBIS conference, then back to Paisley for Laura's reveal party and Mosquito Festival... Then off to Alaska in the Orange toaster! YAY!!!

Counting down the sleeps (17 until I'm in AUK), 10 until I'm heading out on a roadtrip.

It's been a great summer and I've had lots of fun! It has been great to catch up with people and I'm sad I didn't get to spend more time with others. I'm looking forward to getting home and hugging all my friends and family, to snuggling my new nephew Davon, and to doing some hunting.