Good bye Narnia....

She was bound and determined to get it to the road......

This is hard mom!

I had to help and of course the dang thing had a flat!But the girls had fun in the wagon anyway- more exercise for me. :)

If you don't read then you won't get the Narnia reference, but finally our world is melting! Yes!

So after a month of major sickness in our house I am proud to say that we are all healthy. Kalin turned one and decided to be sick, sick and sick some more. It first started with her puking up hot dogs.... that Jon tried to feed her again the next day (no not the regurgitated ones, gross! Those were fed to the dogs....) So Kalin doesn't like hot dogs anymore- FYI.

Next my poor baby had an ear infection in her right ear (first one ever) fluid in her left ear that developed into a double ear infection over a few days.... with a 102 fever too. On top of this she had to have three X-rays to see how bad the fluid in her lungs was getting- so after our FOURTH visit enough was enough and she had been sick for as many days as we could take it. Finally Kalin was put on a series of three shots and that did the trick; her nose cleared up, she was finally eating again, sleeping, and allowing us to put her down for more than two minutes at a time.

Phew. Feel sorry for me, it has been a rough month. We are finally getting some warmer weather- and I hear that the sun might show up today or tomorrow. Even though we are getting a ton of light- from about 7 am until 11 ish, it has been doing a lot of raining and snowing so we aren't out to enjoy it. But I broke out the wagon and Kiley's bike and we took a short walk in between snow and rain showers.

Spring Alaska Style......

I think Mother Nature has forgotten that "April Showers Bring May Flowers..." because yesterday when I woke up it was TWO degrees at my house. Today it was snowing, as in a BLIZZARD snowing. Not just light flakes here and there- snow like I had to brush off a foot of snow from my car kind of snow. We have the reverse of Global Warming- we have Global Freezing, or something like that. Seriously- even in Alaska we deserve some rain and mud, don't we? Well enough griping, I'm going to Colorado in May and I will hopefully soak up enough sunshine to last another cold winter!
So the Clouses took advantage of a beautiful spring day (even with all the snow) and we semi bundled up and went for a gorgeous walk. We have so much snow it is crazy! We have snow almost half way up our windows- I am starting to feel like a little clausterphobic..... Kiley had fun climbing up "mountains" and jumping off of them (and just getting outside!). She even got her Dad to pull her in the wagon instead of a sled, with Kalin on his back. What a man!

BFF's in our House!

Kiley and Jon traveled to Washington and visited Papa and Gram for a few days. Kiley lived it up going to "Old McDonalds", riding her bike and scooter, and swimming with her dad. She really enjoyed spending time with her grandparents and taking a special trip with her Dad. BUT.......

She was excited to come home - especially when she found out that Rikki and Oliva were going to be at our house! Karen and the girls flew to Dillingham for about a week and stayed with us- we had so much fun while they were here. Through pukey flus, Fifths Disease, runny noses, coughs, and fevers we still managed to enjoy a great week. We miss them now more than ever though.... :(

Happy First Birthday Kalin!

It was just about the BEST DAY EVER for Miss Kalin Dawn! Wow- waffles for breakfast followed by Sgetti for lunch with a cupcake for desert (head to toe mind you, immediately into the tub afterward) then a wonderful family dinner with cousins and uncles and aunties. Gotta love it! It was a fun day for Kiley too- she got to go to two parties! By the time it was Kalin's turn Kiley was sugared up and pooped out. She was a trooper though and didn't crash until about 8:00 pm and then there was an explosion of mass proportions. We survived though and can't believe our baby is one!

What is she doing these days? Let's see......

• Walking, turning and trying to climb on things.
• Screaming and grunting when Kiley is teasing her or trying to take things away from her (or sometimes even if she thinks Kiley is about to do these things)
• Dancing whenever she hears even a chord of music.
• Eating everything and anything that is put in front of her (she is an excellent eater!)
• Waving bye bye to say good bye and also to end something
• Saying "hot" "Da-Da" "Ma-Ma" and trying to get "dog" out but not quite getting it
• Showing me "cheese" for the camera
• Eating lippa.....
  

Another day at the hill....

We took advantage of some sunshine and temperatures about 0 and took off to Nerka Hill. I even bundled Sis up and got her outside to enjoy some sunshine and "warmer" weather. She didn't get to take any trips down though, but she was content to just watch.
How we love that hill (as did quite a few other people). Camryn was staying with us while Max was on a trip and Jon and I realized how much more fun sledding is when Kiley has a companion. There are only so many times I can "take jumps" and lug my old behind up and down that hill!

Spring Break/ Beaver Round Up

It was another great spring (if you over look the rain and snow of course) for Beaver Round Up, and we were so thankful that we had spring break right after. We needed the week to rest and get better! Our week was full of volunteering; breakfasts, carnivals, concessions and dog shows oh my! Spring break was all about getting wood, 4 truck loads (Matthew and Jon), sleeping, sledding, snow machining, organizing and playing Wii.......... it was sooooo hard to get back to work!

Kalin's Got Moves People!

Kiley is quite the DJ these days and loves to pick her "favorite" songs to dance to. Lately the numero uno song on our four year old's list is "All the Single Ladies" by Beyonce. So we listen to this song on average of about 6 times a day! Yikes. But anyway Kalin also loves music and especially this song, and I captured some of her moves in this video. She is quite the little dancer as you will see.

Sorry for the funky format, I thought I could switch the video around but couldn't. :(

I'll have to get a few of Kiley- she can actually "do" some of Beyonce's moves from her music video.

Kalin's "Sgetti" Face

So it looks like we have another Clouse girl that loves her "sgetti". I took this video for you GB~ I know how you love to see your grandkids with the spaghetti mess all over their faces.

Kalin enjoyed every bite, slurp and gobble. I stripped her down to her diaper for this meal, and as soon as she was done into the tub she went! She had sgetti (as Kiley likes to call it) from her head to her toes. I think she must have eaten more than Jon, Kiley and I put together.

What do you mean I'm done?

AAAAH, that hit the spot!

The Clouse Girls Update

I haven't written about all the amazing things the girls are doing these days. ;) It has been a busy month for all of us for sure!

Kalin Dawn is just about to take off walking. She has taken about 7 steps so far; if we get her steady on her feet she takes off. Kalin is also very expressive and can tell us what she wants, and doesn't want quite loudly. Smacking her lips means, "I'm hungry", and a loud "AAAAHHNGH" means STOP THAT KILEY! amongst other dislikes. Kalin can sign "more" now, can tell us "no no" by shaking her head and also can wave "bye-bye" like a pro. We think "bye-bye" can also mean "hi" but we aren't quite sure.

Kiley Jeanette now knows her phone number and Papa and Gram's phone number. I think one of her greatest thrills these days is being able to call someone, "on my own!" She can easily count to 12 and sometimes 20.... although that high gets a little tricky. Kiley is recognizing words and can spell "boo", "mom", "stop", and "papa".

Jon and I are off to "the big city" and the girls are going to stay with Papa and Gram for the weekend. It will be Jon and I's first trip away from both of them together.... and speaking for myself I am very excited. I thought maybe Kiley would be a little sad but she's actually excited. She said something the other day like, "remember Gram I can have everything I want?"

Hmmm, whatever it takes huh?

Building a library in 2009!

It seems like people ask me what I do quite a bit, and when I tell them I don't think they really get it. I am a librarian (media specialist is my official title) and I am working towards a library science endorsement (one class away). This was a big step for me; a year off from teaching and then on to a new career/job. After a few months in this position I kept asking myself why I had never thought about becoming a librarian when I was getting my BA. Quite shocking since I have always loved books and libraries.

Recently I did something new as a media specialist that I have never done before, and it was quite rewarding. I got to go back to New Stuyahok (where I taught for seven years) and spend four days putting their gorgeous (that's right I said gorgeous) new library together. They had a new school built in the last year and it is finally almost ready for teachers and students to move into.

I spent about $90,000 on a new collection that included fiction and nonfiction books for students in grades Kindergarten to twelfth grade. We also integrated about 50+ boxes of books from the collection that was in the old school.

Ever wonder how many boxes this would be? Try about 200! But I didn't do this alone, I would still be there if I had tried! I had the help of our tech guys moving boxes and furniture, our curriculum specialist and also the state library coordinator came out from Anchorage to help coordinate the effort. Wow, what a job! A big, big thank you to all who helped. This was such a rewarding experience!

Before.......

During.....
AFTER!

If we look tired it is because we were exhausted!

My Girls- Do they look alike?

Here is a picture of Kalin Dawn at 10 months old. I think this is one of my favorite pictures of her so far....










Going back about 3 1/2 years here is a picture of Kiley Jeanette at about 10 months. Also one of my favorite pictures of her. I can't wait until Kalin gets to wear this outfit!




Yeah I think they look alike. Both simply adorable as can be, no hair, a few teeth- shucks! Of course I am a tad biased but I think Jon and I make some cute keepers!

Cruising Kalin!

Kalin is just a cruiser- you blink and she has moved into the next room. Right now she is pulling up onto everything she can reach, knocking things down and trying to move from place to place while standing up. My Dad says it won't be long and we will have a little toddler on our hands. Ack! Kalin has been so-so waving bye-bye but last night when Uncle Max was leaving she full on gave him the big Wave! Yeah Kalin! I was so proud- shucks who wouldn't be? Her favorite word is still,"Mama", actually, "Mamamamamamammama!" I told her the other day she needed to learn some new words!
We can't forget about Miss Kiley, our big 4 year old who doesn't want to go to school anymore or be a big sister (yes she has said that, Kalin gets into her "stuff" and she doesn't like it!). We think Kiley would rather just stay with Gram and play instead of going to school, some days are a little tougher than others. We will work on it. Jon told Kiley the other day that she couldn't turn five unless she memorized her phone number- so now Kiley can belt out the ol' 842-**** like a pro!

Here is a cute clip of Kalin cruising around the house.

"Tree Falls on House January 2009"

Gusts up to 70 mph in Dillingham and surrounding areas. Local family feels brunt of wind force when, very unexpectedly, a tree falls on their house. Luckily there was little damages and no one was hurt.

Kalin~ Laughing, Singing and Dancing!

Our baby is getting so big! This clip was taken over Christmas break, as you can tell by our Christmas tree in the background. We just marvel at the changes Kalin makes weekly- crawling, now cruising, pulling up onto everything and now walking with assistance. She babbles and we are all convinced she says "Mama" and "Papa" and knows who she is talking about (well I do anyway, of course she knows Mama!) Next Kalin will be walking, talking and then we will be off to potty training, pull ups, big girl panties..... and she will be four before I can blink.

Before we know it she is going to be a year old like her cousin Bella who turned the big O-N-E today! Happy Birthday again Miss Bella- we wish we were in Colorado to help you celebrate.

I look at Kiley and remember when she our baby, time really does fly by. I have to remember that sometimes when I am exhausted from our beautiful 9 month old who wakes up two or more times a night. I told Kiley this morning I feel old and she got mad at me! "MOM you are NOT old! You are YOUNG!" Ahhhh- she got a big hug and a kiss for that one. I might just let her watch a movie today..... :)

Sledding at Nerka Hill

It warmed up to a whopping 8 degrees (eight, above zero) in Dillingham, and it felt down right tropical! So we had to get outside and celebrate. After what seems like MONTHS of below zero temperatures we were happy to go outside and not freeze to death.

We luckily got to have Mr. Graelin David visit us for the day and him and Kiley decided that going sledding on Nerka Hill would be the best way to celebrate our "warm" day. So we bundled up and headed to the Hill. What fun! Jon and I got a taste of what it would be like to have a little boy.... and we liked it!

We sent Kiley and Graelin down on the fast "bue" sled by themselves and they unfortunately crashed. Graelin was not impressed- he cried and kept saying, "Big crash, no more, SNOW....." but when we asked him if he wanted again he said, "Yup" with no hesitation. But not on the "bue" sled.....

Dreaming of Warmer Days......

I'm curled up with a blanket and a roaring fire. It is currently -15 (yes 15 below zero) with a wind chill temperature of -30 (yes that is BELOW zero!!!). So I am thinking of warmer days when there was green grass, flowers and sunshine and a breeze that would turn our faces red with sun burn and not frostbite. Bare feet, dirty feet, flowers, tire swings, four wheeler rides and lots of warm sunshine...... *sigh* I can't wait!

Every day we are getting more and more sunlight (finally), with our sun rising at 10:30 a.m. and setting at 4:50 p.m. We are getting there! Spring and summer here we come!