TOP 'O THE WORLD

And we're in!

2011-11-02T15:21:00.001-08:00

Well, we are finally moved into the apartments!! Still a bit of work going on around here, and the garage is full of things, but its nice to finally be in our own place! Here are a few pictures of whats been going on around here!

Our first guests for our first dinner on the new table- James and his son, Mary, Brad, Sam

I have been trying to teach Mary how to make bread, and practicing baking in the new convection oven!

The boys laying the concrete for the driveway on the side of the house- Dallas, Don, Brad, Garry, Danny and Sam

the concrete team

Yummm!!

the girls making treats for Halloween- Emma, Audrey, Mary and Brooklyn

our halloween pumpkin sweet potato stew!

Complete with breadstick bones

The living room in our apartment. Still nothing on the walls yet, but we have furniture at least!

Olivia the bear resting in her spot.

the dining room set

our comfy kitchen

The front door and concrete sidewalk the guys put in. Nice work!

Sidewalk on the side of the house

If there were no snow, you could see the finished concrete driveway- but this is the side of the garage.

Almost There...

2011-08-26T21:00:00.001-08:00

Here are the last pictures I have of the progress with the shop/apartment. It's nice that it's all inside work now, we have had tons of rain the last part of our summer?! We hope to be in sometime next month.

Danny and Sam gearing up to spray the foam insulation into the ceiling and walls.
The insulation is a two part mix, and is very
sticky and smelly.

Love the head gear Sam! This looks like a really good time. Actually Sam has
become the expert with the ins and outs of the foam machine..Any problems----
Call Sam!

I think their favorite was doing the ceiling/roof.

One of the finished walls. You can see the ceiling is sheet rocked, thats because they had to sheetrock the ceiling first, then spray foam on top of the sheetrock, leaving an air space between that and the metal roof to create a "cold roof".

Dallas, with the help? of Dave Rue setting up the sheet rock jack to finish sheet-rocking the ceiling so they could finish the insulation.

Alas, the insulation, sheet rock, mud and taping, and most of the texture up the down staircase is done, and all the tile is set in the main floor kitchen and in both full baths upstairs including granite master countertop, they are operational now in apartado A.

At the top of the stairs in the landing/sitting room. Note the right upper part of the pic. above the stairs. When finished this will be a small loft, one that the grandkiddies will love to flee to. Im really excited about this, Just trying to decide how to finish the enclosure. I have thought about using dowels to the ceiling, (like a jail house!!) Any suggestions?
At the back is the laundry room, which is tiled. All the "A" apartment is now textured, ready to paint. The sealer coat has already been applied in the masterbath/closet and bedroom.
Apartment "B" is not far behind, with the upstairs mostly textured. The downstairs needs one more coat of mud and it will be ready to texture and paint as well.

Looking down the stairs toward the front door.

Looking from the front door at the living room. On the left is the dining room, and around the corner is the kitchen.The door opening on the left will be a small bathroom.
As you can see, the walls are textured ready for paint, and the hardie-backer board is down, ready to tile. The tile is set out waiting for Keith, the tile master!!!

The tile work in the 2nd bedroom upstairs. Turned out very nice. There is tile around the shower as well.

The bathroom counter top in Bedroom #2. The tile turned out very nice. Quite unique. Thanks Keith.

Bathroom countertop in the master bedroom. Keith said he has never worked with granite before, but he and Kelly did an amazing job with this. I love the high backsplash and front edge.
Note the tile along the wall behind the toilet and in the shower.
The shower tile goes all the way to the ceiling. LOVE it.

Rod finishing the bits and pieces of the hardie backer board, ready for the rest of the living room to be tiled. It has been a LOT of work for everyone, but is all coming together now.
Since I took these pictures, a lot more progress has been made. I am currently in So. Jordan, Ut with my youngest daughter, Cassie, who just had a baby last Thursday. When I get back I will take pictures of the latest progress and post an update. It won't be long now until we will be moving in!!

Fathers Day 2011

2011-08-23T21:10:00.001-08:00

We had a great Fathers Day this year. We used the "shop kitchen" with all the family. We're a pretty big group when we all get together! The kitchen table consists of a piece of plywood placed over 2 saw horses!

The group consisted of Rod and I, Audrey, Don and 6 1/2 kids,
Dallas, Melany, Jamie, Kevin and 3 kids, Danny, Sam,
and the twins, Keith and Kelly

Lots of room at our table!

The "Stove " was our wonderful infrared BBQ. We have had many tasty meals from here. It does help that we have several great cooks as well.

And this would be our cabinets.

No One goes away from our table hungry, Unless they are on
"the diet" (hehe) and they are being good!
Even then there was plenty of steak and salad to go around.

The seating was made up of a 2X10 placed between the rungs of
2 ladders. Worked well,
as long as it was only "smaller" people sitting right in the middle!!

Of course all the work area was up for grabs at dinnertime.

Our Happy Fathers!
Don, Keith, Kelly
Danny, Kevin
and
Rod and Dallas (with the Flat Caps)

Don't they just Look like a bunch of happy bros, full of .......

"Brotherly Love"?!!

We had a fun day of being together, and I'm sure no other Fathers Day will ever be like this one again.

We Love our Dads!!!

We've come a long way, baby.

2011-08-22T22:02:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know it's been a couple of months since posted an update on the shop/apartments. What can I say?? Life (ie Playing with friends and family) just gets in the way!! I did have a great time though.

Anyway, I will post several updates on the project. We have actually come a long way.

Rod and Dallas checking out the work.

Danny and Sam working on the sheeting. It was rather tricky. And a whole lot of work.

At last! The walls are up, the roof is on. It's starting to take shape.
And it seems really BIG!

Spring in Alaska was quite delightful this year. Calm days, lots of sunshine, warm temps. Perfect weather for working on the "project". Kevin definitely thought summer had arrived, while Kelly was still "layering up"!

Wahoo!!! The sides now have the metal on, and it has real windows and doors.
Its a real building.

The front of the apartments. The one on the right is Rods, the one on the left is Dallas's.
No special reason, just worked out that way.

Stewie hard at work? (play) doing the dirt pile thing. It actually took a bit of work to move all the dirt where it needed to be, but the results were great. We now have a nice big driveway around the building from one side to the other.
Thanks Stewie

Keith starting what he is famous for,, tile work!! This is for the shop bathroom, I know , nice eh! Its on the second floor in the shop right next to the "Man Cave" where Keith, Kelly and Sam were hanging out!

This has been a big project and a lot of hard work. A big thanks to our crew....
Rod, Sam, Dallas, Keith, Kelly, Kevin and Stewie.
Danny also joined us, after this pic was taken.
Thanks to all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROD

2011-08-21T16:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Rod.
Another great year together has come and gone. Your life is a good one, filled with family, and the light of your testimony and service to others.

You've made an adorable little "cowboy"!

Graduation from Heyward High School, Califorina

Missionary in England, 1969

You married the "girl of your dreams" in 1975

You are the Father of six beautiful children

Maaret, Thomas Glen, Audrey Ann, Jennifer, Lydia Catherine and Mary Grace

Double that with spouses, and we have a Great Family!!

Mary & Brad, Audrey & Don, Jenny & Garry, Toots & Rod,

Cassie & Dan, Maaret & Jerry, Tom & Michelle

GrandChildren as of 2010

Terence, Estrella, Andrew, David, Alivia, Brennen, Emma

Max, Maggie, Donnie, Gus, Brooklyn, Mackinzie, Abby, Xela,

Parker, Sophia, Olivia

Ellie Mae 2010, and Isabella Kate 2011

Fishing on Kachemak Bay

Living the Dream In Alaska

You and your Bear from PWS

Happy Birthday! You deserve a GREAT DAY!

Water, Electricity and Gas!!

2011-06-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Farewell to the Lake House!! One last morning on the lake.

I will miss you.

Thomas's cabin we were able to stay in while we finish the shop/apartments. It's a cute, very cozy one room cabin with a sm bathroom and loft for sleeping in.

Our Temporary home, the cabin. Bill Thomas, the owner and an excellent local artist, carved the front door. It's right across the street from the shop, so it's very handy. The boys ( twins, Sam) are staying in a "man cave" (storage room on the 2nd floor of the shop).

We have running water, electricity, gas, plumbing, refrigerator, pantry, laundry facilities... nearly all the comforts of home.

The view from the porch is beautiful! We are overlooking
Hall Lake with the Kenai Range/ caribou hills in the background.

Melany and Dallas are staying in the 5th wheel while we finish the apartments. It is parked across the street from the shop as well, between our cabin and the cabin Kevin and Jamie are staying in (formally Stewies cabin). Now Dallas can really keep an eye on the "hired help"!

Another view out the window overlooking the lake/mts.

The front of the apartments. The other 3 sides already have the siding on, this is the last to do, and then the foam insulation will get underway. You can see, we each have a stairway to the second floor now. That's a great addition and help in construction!!

One of the storage areas above the high bay drive thru. It is going to be great to have so much room for stuff!

Danny joined us a few weeks ago. He's been great help and a lot of fun to have around. We haven't been around these kids for many years so it's rather nice to get to know them a bit.

The "kitchen" with our new infa red grill. We love this thing. Cooks a great steak.

We have stairs...very exciting.

The "FAMILY" BUILDING PROJECT Continues.......

2011-06-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been a while since I posted. Below are a few pics of the progress along the way. It's looking good!!

We have a roof!!

Kevin and Sam seem happy about that...

This is for you Tom, yes he is wearing safety goggles. "Safety Punkin safety."

Stewie playing in the dirt, or maybe spreading dirt to make driveways.

Danny and Sam working on the scaffolding.

Kevin thinks summer has arrived!

This is the driveway that goes around the end of the shop. Nice eh?? Wide and smooth.

Thanks Stewie.

Stairs are nice, a great addition actually. These go up to the storage areas above the garage bays.

Danny joined us since last post. We're getting quite a crew up here! "Party at the Hall House"

Kelly definitely is deep in thought, no doubt planning out something very important.

Studs holding up studs???

Wonder whats up.....there!

Dallas is always busy working on something. Stewie left us in May. We miss you Stewie.

Keith has been working his wonders with tile in the "shop" bathroom. This will be one of the nicest bathrooms any shop has ever seen.

We have siding, windows and doors, (minus the garage doors). Its looking good.

The guys have been working hard and many times long hours trying to get as much done as possible before we moved out of the Lake House. It's been a lot of fun having them around, they're great company and very helpful around the house as well! Its been a long time since they have been together, and even longer since Rod or our family have had a chance to be around so much family. We appreciate your good work and willingness to keep going, even giving up a fishing trip! That's loyalty.

New Update!!

2011-05-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

So We only have about 10 days until we must leave the "Lake House" and move to the forest. While I will really miss the lake view, the sound of the loons in the morning and kayaking! it will be great to have our own place, pay no rent and have a final home for my "Stuff". From the following pictures you can see that there is NO WAY we will be finished with the apartments, but no worries, we have a fifth wheel, maybe a sm. cabin, and the shop will be enclosed, insulated and rooms framed (complete with bathroom, laundry and cooking facilities).

Water!!! At last. The well diggers finally came back to finish their job.

We hit water at about 85 feet, 30-45 gal. a min. I'm told that is really good.

The initial framing is nearly finished. This is the front view, with 2 reg. garage stalls with storage/work rooms behind them, and the "drive thru high bay" which will have a storage room above it. The apartments are on the left end of the shop.

Keith and Kelly doing first stage pluming work. We also planed a washer/dryer for the shop, and a full bathroom w/ shower!! Nice for oily work clothes, stinky fish clothes, towels etc.

First family photo of Melany and Dallas in the "front door" of their apartment.

End view of the shop. The storage room above the high bay will be over 6 ft high in the center, tall enough to walk around in.

Kevin and Sam way up in the rafters

Keith doing dirt work on the well, getting it ready for the well diggers to place the pump and hook everything up. Keith especially loved this piece of equipment!! As did Stewie.

Inside the small garage bays,, we have walls!

2 Views of the apt. on the 2nd floor. Most of the framing is done, working on details now.

Back or south side of the shop. There will be a drive thru bay, from the main entrance to the other side of the property. No having to back a boat or trailer out here!

The door in the middle is the "Meat Processing Room" one of my favorite rooms in the entire shop! I've been waiting for this one for several years now.

Building progress-- May 12, 2011

2011-05-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

The weather has been amazingly good this spring for the construction of the shop. It has been mostly in the 50s- to lower 60s, not too much wind and lots of glorious sunshine! Doesn't get much better than that at breakup in Alaska!!

The tresses have all been built, and are up over the apt. area of the shop. The floorboard is down on the 2nd floor.

It's coming together.

The floor creates a nice workspace for building tresses. We have a lot of space there!

The "view from the top" is great according to Dallas and Kevin. I think we should put a deck up there, personally. A hot tub would be grand, too.

Kevin, Sam, Keith and Rod..They look like this is way too much fun to call work!?

Kelly really hard at work.

The "Minds" at work......

These guys always "smile pretty" for me ..

Kevin loves me to take pictures of him...

You Did It Stewie!!!

2011-05-06T22:59:00.002-08:00

Stewie walking up to accept his diploma. He graduated from Kenai Peninsula College,
a satellite college of UAA (University of Alaska)

He got it!! There were only 3 students who received both Process Technology and

Instrumentation degrees. Way to Go Stewie.

Me and my "Baby" Brother

We've had a great time having him in Alaska with us the last couple of years. We hope he'll be around up here for years to come.

Dallas and Rod with their "twiner" flat-caps.

Even the "boys" got to quit early and go to Stewies Grad, and out to dinner.

It was a nice change. Don , Aud and kids came to grad, but opted to go home instead of dinner, since it was a school nite.

We went out to Dinner after Graduation. Out of everything on the menu, he only wanted Hawaiian pizza

Another Step....

2011-04-20T23:05:00.000-08:00

One giant garage door up, two small ones to go. Dallas , Kevin and Sam figuring it out.

The days here have been unbelievably beautiful the past 2 weeks during the framing process.
Lots of sunshine, temps 40-60's. Makes working
outside much more enjoyable.

View of all the walls framed from the hill the main house will set on.

All the walls are up now. Way to go building crew!!
Two small garage doors and one giant drive thru.

Look!! The first bit of green on the Peninsula! Found in the forrest on the building property.
I do believe we have "Break Up".

Framing the Shop

2011-04-17T17:22:00.000-08:00

The "Project" is moving along nicely. The framing will hopefully be done by next weekend. Its great to watch it growing. Of course we do have quite a crew on hand to help out, and it's always a "good time" with Rods brothers around!

"Doc" surveying the days work after his day of work.

He was very pleased, by the way.

The building crew....

Rod, Sam, Dallas, Keith, Kelly, Kevin, and Stewie.

Stewie playing in the bobcat working on the dirt work around the building.

This guy's good. My daddy taught him well!!

Today one of our good friends and neighbors brought a grill over and grilled moose burgers for the crew. Thanks Don Adams.

And the other day another friend/neighbor Jeff Anderson brought yummy fudge for a treat.

Several other friends have shown up to help with cement, and whatever along the way. We have good friends up here.

'Cowboy Sam" all geared up

The "Doc " took time away from the office to pop in and help out with some of the construction!!

How many men does it take to hold up a very tall framed wall????

The main floor of the apts are framed, as is the "meat processing" room.

The days in Alaska have been beautiful.

Kevin Chadburn (Jamie's husband) has been a great help with the building. He knows his stuff.

The "Bosses" checking out the work

Keith working his stuff!

The last wall put up today.

It is 16 ft high, 20 ft. wide. It will be a drive thru bay for the shop. Nice, eh

This was all kinds of fun to lift into place. Addi six "muscle men" and a viola!...you have a wall.

Kelly hard at work

THE "FAMILY" BUILDING PROJECT

2011-04-12T13:10:00.016-08:00

Looking toward the street from on the property.

Keith and Kelly reunited!!

As many of you may have heard, we have started a "building project". We have purchased a lovely lot with a nice view of the mountains around Homer and the Caribou Hills, some 40-80 miles away, and have started building the first phase, a shop/ with 2 apartments in one end. Dallas & Melany and Rod & I will live in the apts while we build homes later.

The building is 50'X70', two stories tall, and will contain two apartments, a fish/meat processing room, a walk in freezer and cooler (Those of you who have been up here fishing/processing with us in years past will appreciate this little addition. I know I will!!!. There will be work rooms, tool rooms, food storage rooms and a high ceiling drive thru bay with garage doors on both sides for working on big equipment like boats, RV's and such. It will be a Great Shop. I will have a car garage now that won't include snowmachines, 4-wheelers, trailers and various vehicles that need to be worked on!

Road Stewie built going into the property

The "Bosses" consulting. Dallas & Rod

Happy to be here!

Smooth moves from Dallas

Looking toward the "shop/apartments during the construction . Forming the foundations/stem walls, and getting the floor work ready for the cement.

Stewie playing on the bobcat. He's actually working, but he makes it look like play!

Stewie and Sam

Rod supervising the construction crew!

Looking back toward where the house will set (where the truck & trailer is).

The Happy crew, taking a small break

Looking toward the back of the property from the street view

Keith and Jared Thomas working the cement

The backhoe Stewie used to clear the land, dig footings etc. Notice our first visitor, a young moose beneath the bucket helping himself to some tender branches left over from the excavation.

My brother Stewie Dave has been doing the dirt work, Septic, Water lines and digging the foundations as well as driveways into and out of the lot.
Rods brother Dallas has moved up and is the construction Supervisor. He is an Electrician and General Contractor. Keith and Sam (Dallas' youngest son) joined us next, then Keith's twin brother Kelly came up last week, who is helping with concrete and will do our plumbing, (He's a plumbing contractor) and they love digging trenches, building forms, shoveling dirt and pouring concrete!!! Kelly and Keith are having quite a time visiting, they were very close as children, being identical twins, but they live several hundred miles apart. With families and work they just don't get a lot of opportunity to work together.
Tomorrow they'll start standing up the walls! Pretty exciting, should go fast now, at least it will seem like a lot of visible progress for a while. We'll continue to take more photographic evidence of the coming progress.

Oh, Canada, how Long you are

2011-02-25T19:48:00.003-09:00

So, this week I went to North Pole to help Jenny and Garry move to Spokane, Wa. They are being transferred there with the military. After finally finding enough banks to exchange some American money for Canadian, and after a two foot snow fall in North Pole, we finally got underway. Skies were blue, roads good,and we sailed along. At the border we ask the " friendly" clerk if she knew what the weather was like up ahead...She replied, " I don't know, you'll find out when you get there!!"
The kids have been great, baby Ellie even better. Beautiful landscapes. The first nite we stayed in a cute little cabins at "Buckshot Bettys"!.
Great service with home cooking. The second nite we hit some snow and finally found one very small room, which we were very grateful for, at a place called Johnsons Crossing. I've traveled the Alaska Highway many times in the last 16 years, and all I can say is the road goes on and on....forever!
No pics now, maybe later..

2011-02-14T22:18:00.004-09:00

Thanks Rod, I Love you.

Tonight my Sweetheart of 35 years surprised me with my favorite

Flowers.. Yellow Roses. He gave them to me 35 years ago after only

1 date, after I had eye surgery. The roses were the first thing I saw when

I opened my eyes. Yes, he did win my heart forever.

Nestled among the yellow roses are a half a dozen roses of varied colors.

My baby brother, Stewie (I know he's not a baby anymore) brought

me this afternoon. Thanks Dave, your a great brother.

I have a Great Family!

2010-12-21T12:19:00.012-09:00

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE

DEC 21, 2010

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE EVERYONE.

So today is the darkest day of the year..and it's pretty dark nowdays. Starting tomorrow we will be gaining little bits of time each day .. Hooray!!! So, what will you be doing today???

Ten things to do on SOLSTICE DAY.....

1. Have a sing-a-long and Roast marshmellows over a driftwood fire on Kenai beach. Dress warm!

2. Drive down Sterling Hwy. honking your horn and cheering (with windows rolled down optional)

3. Watch the Lunar Eclipse while "hot tubbing" at Audreys

4. Sleep in till "whenever" because it's sooo dark no one knows it's morning until noon.

5. Have a Festival of Lights Party...Flashlights, sparklers, fireworks, cake with candles etc.

6.Curl up with a good book and stay warm and cozy till daylight?!

7. Snowmachine in the moonlight, but watch out for moose and bring a thermos of cocopure! or wheat chili.

8.Go sledding down Aud & Dons hill and build a big bonfire at the bottom in the swamp.

9.If one is in Fairbanks, go to Chena Hot Springs and relax in the "outdoor" lake -temps 110 degrees with outside temps at minus - 40 below.

10. Get out the seed catalogs, 2011 tide books and fishing/bear hunting regs to start planning next years amazing activities in ALASKA!!!

Make the most of YOUR days!

Bucket List: BEAR -check!

2010-09-05T21:58:00.006-08:00

Stewie, Dallas and Tom . Leaving Seward, AK for an adventure in fishing and Bear hunting around the end of Resurrection bay and up into Prince William Sound.
Tom & Rod. One of the most gorgeous days ever had in the bay.
Dallas and Rod in front of a glacier on the bottom end of Prince William
Nice Ling Cod, Rod
going to the bear hunt
Rod & Toots
We anchored up the boat, then kayaked into the coves where the streams came in, looking for black bear.
Great days, spending time together.
Aud, Cass and I as we sailed passed the Glacier.
Doing a little whale watching while fishing!
Taking in some amazing scenery

Baby Ling Cod

Black Bass (Rock Fish)

Uncle Dallas watchin his line!

This is a 7 yr old Black Bear about 6 ft tall.Rod's first bear!!

One of the bays that we kayaked in looking for bears. It was an amazingly beautiful day!

Anchoring the boat while we looked for bear, having a weenie roast on the boat.

We canoed into Day Bay out of Seward Ak, looking for bear!

Fish Hook Interview with News Channel KTUU

2009-07-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

ROD OPENED UP HIS OWN CLINIC MARCH 2009 AND A BIG PART OF HIS BUSINESS IN THE SUMMER IS FISH HOOK REMOVAL. HE HAS A COOL WAY OF TAKING THE HOOKS OUT WITH OUT CUTTING THE BARB SO THEY CAN REUSE THEM AND BE BACK ON THE WATER IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. HE LOVES THE FISH HOOK REMOVAL PROCEDURES!

The news channel KTUU came to interview Dr Hall about his fish hook removal system. The segment is called Fly by fridays. It was fun. This is the "funny" news guy who finds unique stories about alaska to share.

http://www.ktuu.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3987120&at1=News&h1=Fly%20by%20Fridays%20(July%2024)&flvUri=

JUST COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK AND IT WILL PLAY, THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW IS NO LONGER WORKING, SORRY.

A VISIT OUTSIDE

2009-04-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

Abigail Catherine Jacobson was born March 12th, weighing 7lb, 14 oz.

She is adorable, isn't she. I have amazingly beautiful grandchildren!

So I've been outside for a couple of weeks. My "baby" Cassie had her own little baby, her second, a girl, Abigail Catherine, born Mar 12th. A Fun trip for me because I get to spend time with all the grandkids in the SLC area.

(Tom and Michell's daughters) Brooklyn is 2 years,7 months old now, very cute and sweet.

MacKenzie had her birthday while I was here, just turning 2. She looks sweet, but dont let her fool you. She can hold her own with Anyone!!

Tom has this amazing Bubble machine. I loved it, as did the kids. It was in the 70's a couple of days I was there... SWEET. Sat I went 4 wheeling with Tom and his little family. Good times.

Dan, Cass Andrew, Abby and myself went to the Point of the mountain and watched the

para- sailing. Deffinately something on the "To Do" list for the future.

Andrew thought I was his new best friend. WE had a great time gong on walks..ok

maybe me walking and him riding!

Andy took my hand and led me around the playground, down the slides ect. I haven't done that for a very long time!

This tent is a big hit with all the kids. Andy,Brooklyn and Kenzie were just giggling when they were playing in it. What a great time we had.

NEW OFFICE!

2009-03-25T13:50:00.001-08:00

The end of Feb. dawned a new start for Dr. Rod. He left the Medi Center and struck out on his own. The first office he set up was a quaint little log cabin just thru the block from our home. It belonged to Bishop Thomas, who graciously offered it for our services. Rod loved it, and so did the patients he saw there. But alas, it was only one room, no waiting room and could not accommodate the volume of patients he needed to see.

Rod and our Business Manager, Wade Thomas, in front of the Cabin.

Rod was abel to ride his snow machine to work, and pop back home in between patients.

Maybe this type of an office will have a place in our future when we don't need so many patients. It was a great place and had an awesome view of the Kenai Range. Thanks to Wade and his dad, Bishop Thomas for their help and generosity. It was a Good Time!!!

ONE IN A MILLION!!

2009-02-28T14:45:00.000-09:00

Back then he was just your above average cute, adorable, loving baby boy.

Audrey & Tommy Hall 1976

Look at him now, he's one in a million!

CONGRATULATIONS TOM, you have a wonderful wife and two great kids.

We know you don't need any more to be happy (except a fishing pole and a boat!) but.....

you just achieved the highly coveted

OSHA VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) STAR STATUS!!

This award is the highest honor of it's kind bestowed by OSHA, and is achieved by only 2 in 1,000,000 companies! Way to go, Tom!!!

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

2009-02-19T23:42:00.000-09:00

The Hot Tub continues to be a big hit at our house. What a great way to WARM UP on a cold Alaskan winter day!! Emma, Estrella (Don's daughter), and Rachel Thomas enjoy the day.

On Sat. Feb. 11th, Jerry and Maaret drove down to visit. Maaret is going to stay for a couple of weeks to let us play with the twins, and give her a break! Jerry had to return to North Pole on Mon. to get back to work! He was missing his little family even before he left. We will take good care of them and have lots of fun trying to keep up with August, and seeing all of Maggies artwork first hand. Maggie lost her 1st tooth today.

Little Max in one of his "quiet" moments.

Maggie and Gus are Big Fans of the hot tub. As was Maaret.

Little Audrey is a very sociable gal. She loves to "chat" and smile.

Sunday "see what we can find" dinner!

Emma, Jerry, Maaret & Mikie Jaketta.

Stewie with his tomato soup he put together. It was the Guys

turn to cook! I like that idea.

Jerrys first go at riding a

Snow Go. He and Dave went for a tour of the area.

Rod gave him a few pointers before he left. Jerry loved it,

says it's lots more fun than riding a motorcycle.

August enjoyed the quieter side of snow-going.

Maggie is very proud of the Snow-Woman that she and Maaret

made. She especially likes the hair and nose.

LET FREEDOM RING...

2009-02-07T10:49:00.000-09:00

"AWLI" BOARD MEETING HELD IN SOLDOTNA

ON JANUARY 26TH 2009 ROD OFFICIALLY GAVE NOTICE TO THE MEDI CENTER OF HIS DECISION TO START HIS OWN BUSINESS. IT WILL BE CALLED THE....

"ALASKA WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE" .

HE WILL FOCUS MAINLY ON THE HCG DIET, AND FOLLOW UP ON LAP BAND SURGERIES.

HIS LAST DAY AT THE MEDI CENTER WILL BE FEB. 25TH. LOCATION OF THE NEW OFFICE IS STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE..AUDREY, DON, SUSAN THOMAS, WADE THOMAS (OUR BUSINESS MANAGER),

TOOTS AND ROD. MANY GREAT IDEAS WERE BROUGHT FORTH AND MUCH WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

TWINS!!!

2009-02-05T11:08:00.000-09:00

YEA, I know its been months since I posted. I'm a busy person. So to get us up to date. on Dec 31st, my daughter Maaret had twins, a boy, Max William and a girl, Audrey Xela. Rod was able to go up and observe the c-section. Maaret was very glad to have someone in her corner there. The surgeon was less than great. But Rod was able to spend a few days visiting Mar and Jen and families up there.

Rod with Max and Audrey

Gramdpa promised to read to Maggie and Olivia when he came to visit.

Helping to make Grandpas famous "Popcorn"

Audrey, with Little Audrey, her namesake

Most of the time I was in North Pole it was -45 to -50 below...core temp!!!

Look, She likes me!

Aren't they Sweet?!

All the North Pole Grandkids,

Olivia,Me, Maggie, Parker

Audrey, Max, August, and Sophia

CUTEST GRANDCHILDREN IN NORTH POLE!!!

Jerry and Maarets kids, August, Audrey, Max and Maggie

Garry and Jennys kids Olivia, Sophia, and Parker

And Life goes on....

As most of you know Maaret had twins on Dec 31st. I was up there for about ten days then, and returned on the 19th for another couple of weeks. Rod was able to go up and observe the

C-section and visit for a week-end. Don and Audrey surprised all of us and came up new years eve. We had a great time, visiting, snuggling babies, doing fireworks and such even though the temps in North Pole were bitter. It was great to see the grandkids again, they are all so cute and interesting! Thanks to Mar and Jen and families for their hospitality while I was there.

the fishing grandpa

2008-12-22T15:34:00.001-09:00

Create your own visitor map!

2008-12-21T23:02:00.000-09:00

The "White Man" hunting his prey!

Go to the left....NO to the right.....wait they're behind you now!
The locals love the hides, they love to see us coming.
Meat processing GARAGE
Caribou anyone?

"ROUGHING IT" in Adak
Trusty Rusty

Alaska Peninsula Range

Please sir....... take your seat!

Don is "Don for anything!" This time it's hunting at Adak Island

THIS MONTH IS SUCH A SPECIAL MONTH...

2008-11-04T09:38:00.000-09:00

It's BIRTHDAY time for you, and you, and you, and...........

It seems I've not been good at doing Birthdays lately, so I thought I'd dedicate this blog to all those who have had or will have Birthdays around this time. So here it is....

This Month is such a special month, it's Birthday time for you. I'd really like to Celebrate this special day with You....

Zipidy hey and Heidi ho there's something I can do.

I'll sing a song that we all know....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to....

Dallas................Oct. 3rd

Tommy..............Oct. 4th

Joyce Ardans....Nov. 1st

Michelle............Nov. 2nd

Don Slats...........Nov. 9th

Cassie................Nov. 13

Olivia.................Nov. 22th

Maaret..............Nov. 28th

Dan....................Dec. 1st

Sheri W............ Dec. 12th

A FINAL FAREWELL...

2008-11-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

SOME BEACH, SOMEWHERE...

There's a big umbrella casting shade over a empty chair
Palm trees are growing and a warm breezes a blowing
I picture myself right there

On Some beach, somewhere

ONE LAST DIP

2008-11-01T16:12:00.000-08:00

Remember the loader that was stuck? Look closely down the beach in front of Rod. The loader is still there, still stuck, two wheels completely buried, the other two half way in. You can see the high tide mark up the beach, near the umbrella, close to the wall. The loader is toast!

So, the last day of Rods conference they let everyone out early, the only day they had any "playtime". As luck would have it, just at the end of classes Rod began to not feel so well, and spent the rest of the day in the bathroom, or bed. Poor guy, the only beach time he had. Any way, early the next morning we got up early so that Rod could have a least one dip in the ocean. It was great!!

LAST DAY IN PARADISE

2008-10-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

It's almost over. Been a wonderful week of warm water, sandy beaches, , relaxing, nice temps, good food (all inclusive you know), swimming, long walks on the beach, some trinket shopping (for Gram Rubys memory) and, oh yea, the Hcg conference!! Which by they way has been very successful for Rod, tons of info on hcg, patient care and management. Lots of good contacts, networking etc. It may prove to be extremely useful.

We've had a great time with Di here, we play well together and only got kicked off the beach once..something about being too late or dark, or rip tides? or rocks, or drop-offs? We're not exactly sure since we couldn't understand any thing they were saying. We did finally get the message when they kept flashing the flashlight at us and swam out to get us. Who knew the beach closes at dusk???

They have been cleaning the sand away from the umbrellas today, seems it washes up and nearly covers them if left alone. Anyway, they had a very large loader with a bucket scooping up sand and such and dumping it back into the ocean. It picked up a chunk of concrete, so the driver went down the beach to dispose of it. Unfortunately, the loader got stuck in the sand (or clay). Yea, Rod told me loaders don't get stuck but I guess no one told the mexican working on it because he is stuck. When we came in, after our "late" swim, he was still stuck, with the tide coming in and two wheels buried. They had a track hoe and a big amphibian truck trying to pull the loader out, but to no avail. It will be interesting to see its position in the morning.

But the day is over now, and tomorrow we leave with sorrow in our hearts. We will return to the land of the frozen for me, for Rod and Di the land of "work till you drop". We'll catch up on the mail and bills, and try to return all the missed messages we've received. A great time had, grateful that we could be here even for just a week.

AHH, MAZATLAN!!!

2008-10-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday in Mazatlan

2008-10-27T09:21:00.001-08:00

Sunday Sunset in Mazatlan, for you Cass.

"After Church Nap" on the beach.
Relaxing after Church.

Our open air taxi/golf cart ride to church.

AHH, MAZATLAN!!!http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OWT84QaqTNk/SQNiEYWISUI/AAAAAAAAA20/WHpcOwW7qs4/s1600-h/DSC02520.JPG

2008-10-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

Gotta love those immigration check in lines!

We had a pick up guy with a sign for us! Mexico here we come...

file:///Users/colleenhall/Desktop/DSC02521.JPG

The view from our room!

At Last, Some Beach, Somewhere! Life is good. We arrived in Mazatlan, a bit tired and weary but what the heck, there's a beach and pool and WARM temps. No complaints here.

Here is the new deck dad has been building

2008-10-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

catch up time

2008-07-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

I know, it's been a while! So here's a quick update. Life at the Halls, Spring/ Summer 2008

Mary, bound for a Guatemalan Mission.
Jenny, Garry and fam on the beach at Anchor Point.

So Here's a few pics of the families. All the grandkids, except Maarets. Tom and Michelle, Brooklyn and MacKenzie

1. We moved from the lake house across the highway to another house we are buying. It isn't on the lake, but it is close to 2 lakes. We have over an acre, red walls and white carpet.

Summer came quickly, but we did manage to get the boat working, snow machines covered, and 4 wheelers out.

2.We've had a lot of family here this year, starting in June, Mary came home for a month before returning to Prove to enter the MTC. She left for a Mission to Guatemala City North on July 2nd. Everyone is happy when Mary comes, its always a good time. Next,Dan and Cassie and Andrew came. Neither Rod nor Audrey and kids had seen Andrew so that was a big treat. Jenny, Garry and fam came and most of Garry's brothers. IT was cold and rainy , but the fishing went on anyway. It was rather slow to start the summer with...even China Poot and Halibut fishing were unsuccessful. Next came a couple of friends, who soon turned into family!! and the fishing began to get a little better. Tom and Michelle & kids came, again Rod, Aud & kids had never met MacKenzie, so again it was a treat. We had 8 out of the 10 grandkids here.. thats a housefull! It was pretty fun getting to know them all and watching them. On the 20th Mike and Melissa, Tom's (and our) friends from Toms work came.Maaret was the only one who didn't make it here. But she will be here next month!

Aud & Babes David and Emma Cassie, Dan and Andrew, at Whitter Glacier
Stay tuned for the next up date!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

2008-05-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Mary.
I hear you get to have real food tonight! Hope you have a great day, and enjoy being a year older.***!

MARY.....The Early Years.

Poor little lamb.....

Is there an extra "cabbage patch doll" in there?

The Fam

Break-up Cleaning

2008-04-12T08:02:00.000-08:00

So, Spring was in the air, for a few days anyway!
The roadways cleared off, mud appeared, and heavy coats are discarded.

Time for a little clean up around the place. Rod was busy all day, cleaning up branches and such.
It made for a dandy bonfire.

The wood is all stacked, waiting to keep us warm.. at least it tries. For you wood cutters , it was a lot of work. But it does look really nice doesn't it!

HOME COOKING!

2008-04-06T17:42:00.001-08:00

So, Stewie came over for dinner the other day. Since he's a chef, he always gets in the action.
We had sweet potato fries, a new broccoli dish that Audrey found, fresh fruit and swiss steak with carrots and onions.

Rod and Stewie hard at work in the kitchen, like all good boys should be.

A little more garlic, Audrey??

The finished product..... Hurry Quick , so we can EAT!!!

UP, UP and AWAY

2008-03-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

Ahh, those long ago days flying with Trotter in Minot! We've really missed those good times. Recently a friend in the ward here offered to take the grandkids, Dave and Emma up for a little flight around the area, you know show them where we live from the air.
Rod got to fly too, and had a great time. It was a little Cessna 150. Great Fun!!!

Ok, I think I'm in! Seat belt on, head set on, Let's FLY
.

AN ALASKAN WINTERY DAY

2008-02-04T19:42:00.001-09:00

LOOKING DOWN TURNAGAIN ARM
THE VIEW AS WE DROVE TO ALYESKA FOR RODS CME CONFRENCE

LOOKING DOWN OUR ROAD AS WE CAME HOME
GOOD OLE MOOSE RANGE DR.

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!

SNOWMACHINE FUN!!

2008-01-30T12:09:00.000-09:00

ROD, READY TO GO FOR A NIGHT OF FUN!

READY..SET.. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....

A NIGHT FILLED WITH SNOWMACHINE FUN AND FRIENDS

STEWIE WAS A BIG HIT WITH THE KIDS

A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE TO LITTLE DAVE

GO EMMA.........

A CHILLY NIGHT PLAYING ON THE LAKE BEHIND OUR HOUSE.

DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SNOWMACHINES FOR ALL THE KIDS?
NOT TO WORRY, THAT'S WHAT SLEDS ARE FOR.

YOU KNOW YOUR IN ALASKA WHEN....

2008-01-21T17:54:00.001-09:00

You know you're in Alaska when....... there are more snowmachines

lined up at the gas station than trucks David and Emma are on the blue snowmachine in the front.

We were on an outing with the Jones Family, a family in our ward.

Good times...

A Toast to the NEW YEAR

2008-01-06T12:58:00.000-09:00

New Years Day we helped Garry unload their moving van.
It was -7, but lucky for us it didn't take all that long!! We treated ourselves to a dip in "Chena HOT Springs" after unloading the van.
Now That was a TREAT. Chena Hot Springs is about 50 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

Parker and grandpa relaxing in the "indoor" pool. Outside was the "Rock Lake Pool". It was awesome outside, the steam from the hot water made all the trees, bushes and rocks around the lake frosted with snow and ice. Everything was frosty and steamy with just enough light from the spotlights around the lake to make it into a fantasy land. Back at the hotel,( Parker thinks we should really think about moving into a house) we toasted the New Year in with Root Beer Floats with all the gang, and banged on pots and pans.

Burrrr.....Fairbanks

2008-01-04T21:20:00.000-09:00

Aud& kids and Rod and I met Garry and Jenny and kids in Fairbanks. A great time to get re-acquainted with the Parker, Olivia and Sophia. Olivia and Grandpa hit it off right away. She has tons of personality and doesn't back away from anything!

Parker, Drampa, Dave, Sophia and Olivia. Hey Emma, where'd you go?

Breakfast with the gang.

Shopping? with the gang!!!

Rod in the Flat Cap that Mary sent him from Jolly ole England.
Looks very good!

Olivia didn't get far from her Grandpa

Grandpa and Grandpa (acording to Livi) with Jens three kids.
What a great time we had visiting with Gar and Jen and playing with the babes!

Gramps and his "girls"

Funny Grandpa, Funny Livi, Funny, funny, funny!

Halls Hollidays

2007-12-29T13:03:00.000-09:00

We had a quiet Christmas. Rod and Aud got off work early on the 24th, and Christmas Eve we had our traditional "Wassill"and watched the Polar Express then the Mormon Tab. Choir with Sissil. Everyone opened one present. Christmas we all slept in!! Yahoo. We got going about 10:30 or so, letting Dave and Emma dive in. We all got more that we needed. Rod got some tools to play in his garage with and clothes. Mary sent him an awesome hat from England. I'll post a pic sometime soon. We made a lovely breakfast, and then even got a nap in the afternoon. Later that Eve we went to some friends, the Hansens, for Christmas dinner . It was very relaxing and a lot of fun.
It's been chilly (not Cold) and is the darkest part of the year now...but the good news, we're gaining light every day! We did get snow so the kids had fun sledding in the back yard. Over all it was very nice, we missed the rest of the gang not being with us, but hey, maybe next year??.

Thurs night we went to Anchorage and stayed with Aud and the kids. Dave has a hockey tournament this week-end. We watched the game on Fri. and then Emma, Rod and I headed north to Fairbanks. Jenny and Garry and fam are moving to the air base up there. Yea, over Christmas (what Christmas? they might say). So we wanted to go north and see them, maybe even help them unload their moving van. Funny thing on the way though, the lights on the ole "Burb" kept flickering. They got progressively worse until about 15 miles out of Fairbanks , and about midnight, they gave up the ghost and left us stranded. Stranded on the Parks Hyw in northern AK in the end of Dec in the middle of the night, in the COLD . Good times.
Of course we were being watched over and one of the local natives soon rescued us and gave us a ride in to Fairbanks to our hotel where it was safe and WARM.
At present, Rod and Garry are out and about getting parts so we can get going again. Thanks to Garry for giving us his daylight hours,( which aren't many). With trying to get into a house and all it is very nice of him to come to our rescue. So this posting is really from the TOP of the World!

FATHER CHRISTMAS

2007-12-19T20:25:00.001-09:00

SANTA BABY...just slip a sable under the tree for me, Been and awfully good girl, SANTA BABY, so hurry down the chimney to me.

Umm, Ok I want......

SANTA arriving at the Ward Christmas Party!

The Tree, complete with little elves.

Oh, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE WINTERTIME??

2007-12-11T11:02:00.000-09:00

A little "after work" work! Rod in our back yard on his 4-wheeler loading wood up the hill from the tree that blew down in the last wind storm!

A bit dark for working isn't it?.. Oh yea, we're in Alaska, it's always dark!!!

The tree on the right is the top of the tree that blew down. Rod hauled it up and it is now in our living room...voila., a beautiful Christmas tree

Another project for Rod. This time its a trailer for his "toys". It needed a little work, so he took it over to Max Finchs and got er done. Thats Max and Rod on the top, and Rod and Matthew on the bottom. I was especially happy he had some helpers (other than ME).

TIS' BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

2007-12-09T19:44:00.000-09:00

It's that time of year again!! One of Rods favorite..putting up the lights.
The trick was getting the ladder up to the deck.

Thank you "little giant".

Ta Daa...looking good, even if it is only to us and the moose.

Let the Festivus begin.

THE DRIVE HOME

2007-12-07T22:47:00.001-09:00

We were driving home from Anchorage last week end just as the sun was just setting. (yea, an early day) It was so beautiful I tried to capture it . Of course nothing is as good as the real thing, but since your not here, here's your peek.

These were taken along the Turnagain Arm before you get to Girdwood.

No matter how many times we drive this, it never gets old. It's unbelievable how beautiful it is.

This is the view we have everyday driving home.... doesn't get better than this.
Eat your heart out.

2007-12-05T10:50:00.001-09:00

OUR ALASKAN HOME

It's like we are living out in the forest all by
ourselves. So quiet and peaceful. Dave and
Emma helped plant the hanging baskets of

flowers.

This is our back yard. Yea, we live on a lake..great for kayaking, swimming or just looking at.
(Oh yea, great for flying insects as well!)

What did you do for Thanksgiving?

2007-11-23T10:30:00.000-09:00

We woke up to a Grey, drizzling rainy day. Chinook winds have warmed us right up..melting precious snow for "machining" and " boarding". So warm, in fact, that Alyeska had to close for Thanksgiving, after an above avg. opening for snow and people! Our snow is gone, replaced with icy roads and mudd. But hey, 40 degree temps....life's not all bad.
We did the usual shopping thing, then made a killer fresh fruit salad and cream cheese pie. We joined a couple of other families for the Thanksgiving festivities and food, then came home toooooo..........yep, CARIBOU MEAT!! Good times. Should have been here Mar and Jen!! You have "experience"! We have like 180 lbs. of boned meat to take care of. Thought it would keep in our Alaskan Refrigerator, but this warm-up thing has messed that up! So we were in the middle of makin burger when the power goes out. Ahh, you say, what now? Well, being the resourceful Alaskans that we are, Rod went to the storage shed, pulled out his newly acquired generator, and walla, not only did we have power for a light and the kitchen aide meat grinder, but we got CSI as well!! Doesn't get better than that.
Hope you all had a Thankful Thanksgiving!

THE BIG HUNT!!

2007-11-21T20:26:00.000-09:00

Here is the link for the photo bucket slide show of the hunt, courtesy
of Max Finch, Chief Guide, Cook and Baker

http://photobucket.com/albums/g256/alaskacanoe/Adak2007/?action=view&current=73f8549f.pbw

WHAT BEGAN AS A DREAM HUNT FOR ALL THE "MEN" IN THE FAMILY FINALLY CAME TRUE. .....FOR ONE OF THEM!!...

THE ADAK CARIBOU HUNT
A small island at the end of the Aleutian Islands, and a former Military Base, Adak is left with lots of modern military housing, and an expanding herd of about 3000 + Caribou. Add a pick-up for running the roads(yes, they have them), an argo for getting off the roads and retrieving game, a thousand Eagles for viewing and cleaning up the carnage, ptarmigan flying everywhere to add a touch of color, and a zodiac for fishing and exploring the coastline and inlets, and best of all...no limits on the caribou..... Add to this a Super Guide/ Gourmet Cook/ Pastry Chef/Entertainer/Storyteller, lots of good company and you have a recipe for a near perfect week of fun and adventure.!