Heeeerrre Moosey, Moosey, Moosey!

I had the wonderful opportunity to go hunting with my honey this past fall. We have been married 10 years and many moose hunts have come and gone but this was my very first. It was unbelievable! Zach's brother Matt flew me out in his super cub and dropped me off on a sandbar next to where Zach had already set up camp. He had been out in the wilderness for several days and needed some company...so he sent for me. We spent the night next to the river, surrounded by giant mountains that looked even more intimidating as the sun set. I remember looking around feeling very small and insignificant. It was hard to sleep...I was way too aware of every sound and I kept hearing strange bumps that I couldn't identify. Finally, I had to wake my dead asleep husband and he told me that the sounds were rocks rolling and bumping together as they were pushed by the river current. Even with this new information I couldn't sleep. He woke up early and we started off. I get giddy just thinking about it. You know that feeling you get when you are silently hiding behind a door, ready and waiting to pounce on the next person to walk by...I had that feeling all day long. It was so fun. We climbed around the mountainside all day. We would stop...listen...pick blueberries...stare at the magnificence that surrounded us...and sometimes drift off. It was sunny and warm and the smell of the air was heavenly. Alaska foliage in the fall is by far one of the best smells and there are so many memories wrapped up in the scent for me. Now there is one more.

Ok...so we are moose hunting, and this is serious business, no fun and games. I'm sure if Zach was able to write his own interpretation he would write more about tracking and strategy, and the difficulty of the hunt. It was hard work but I think we would both agree that there wasn't a person alive we would rather be spending this marvelous day with. We never got our guy. There was evidence all around and we came very close. We spotted two cows and a bull just beyond some trees, but when Zach "glassed" him (I feel so silly using hunting slang) he decided that it was just too hard to tell if he was legal and he didn't want to take the risk. Right after he turned to me and said, "I bet there is a big one around here...but he must be right out of view. They tend to group together..." we heard a two grunt warning call and this monster of a moose stood up and took off like a shot. We tried to find him but never did. Even though we didn't get the prize, I am so glad I was able to experience the exhilaration of the hunt and be enlightened to one of my husbands greatest joys.

Vote YES for WES!!

It was so great to be around this summer to show our support for one of the best guys around. We are so proud of Dad/ Bumpa and his efforts to make our community and country a better place. Sometimes it feels like there aren't very many men like him left in this world, people with integrity that will stand up for what is right and good, no matter what the cost. I am so thankful for his example in my children's lives and in my own life.

It's so good to be home

Even though this past summer wasn't one to brag about, with rainy, cold days far outnumbering days of warmth and sunshine, we made the most of the sunny days we had. There is nothing like being away to help you remember how much you love home and all the reasons why. Alaska summer just can't be beat. I missed the mountains, the fresh smell of the air, the familiar greenery and wildlife...even the bugs! Alaska bugs are so friendly compared to Arizona bugs. I won't go as far as to say that I like them but they do rate much higher on the list and their squishability is far superior.


This is a picture of the kids getting a close look at a very friendly bug on one of our Hatcher Pass excursions. Someone had the foresight to bring a magnifying glass...probably Miah.



Grandpa Miller is so inspiring and the best guy to teach my little complacent one the joys of training wheel free bike riding. She enjoyed the lesson, but still doesn't feel the need to take off on her own.

I think this may be the only time the kids licked popsicles in their tank tops all summer. I'm glad I have this picture...some proof that we had at least one sunny day.
Here's to next summer! Hoping for the best...
but again, we'll make the most of what we get.

Halibut Cove

Thank you Father, for the gift of this place.

Three adventurers head for home

I took the littlest two on a quick, 12 hour journey home by air. Zach, Vince and Miah took the scenic route from McNeal, Arizona, up through Nevada, Wyoming and Montana and then zigzagging across Canada, they finally made it Home to Wasilla, Alaska... two weeks later. It was quite a journey and Zach took some amazing pictures. They made some very memorable stops along the way like the Grand Canyon, Yellow Stone, Old Faithful, Uncle Dave's Ranch in Cody Wyoming and they were able to see some dear friends, the Spears, at their home in Montana.


It was hard deciding which wildlife photos to post. Zach had so many amazing shots of all kinds of critters close up. Vince made a list of all the animals they spotted from the truck and I remember being amazed at the variety.





Zach was so happy to reconnect with his longtime friend Marc and spend some time with him & his family. Vince and Miah were so happy to get to get cleaned up and sleep in a real bed. Thanks Abby for taking care of my girl and braiding her hair!



I tried to prepare Zach as well as I could for the journey with stockpiles of snacks and easy to prepare meals packed in the little camper fridge. I couldn't help worrying about them...fussing with food it not one of Zach's strengths...so I imagined they would survive on convenience foods and the occasional drive threw. I love this picture because it proves that my man is capable and that he did fix a meal every now and then but in a very unconventional way. This is what memories are made of.

new years resolution

So it has been 7 months since I last updated our blog. I have worked my way through feelings of embarrassment, complacency, relief (that I had one less thing to do) and now regret because I miss it (blogging) and want to start again. I love sharing my observations and experiences in daily life and posting pictures of my treasures. I miss the irresistible distraction of following link after link after link, taking part in the daily adventures of beloved friends and family, long into the night. I'm coming back. I'm past being overwhelmed by how behind I am...and I know I will have to post often in order to prove my commitment to my once faithful visitors.

We're comin' home...ready or not!

Stripes & stripes

I feel I have a very important responsibility, as the mother of my children, to teach my kids the art and skill of everyday attire coordination and development... otherwise known as "matching."  I know this is not something that is learned overnight.  It takes a lot of trial and error, sometimes in the face of ridicule and mocking. It is my job to teach my children the rights and wrongs of everyday dressing.  I'm not talking about keeping up with the latest fads or encouraging them to make any kind of statement...I'm just talking about  the more obvious fashion foe-paws like - wearing socks with sandals, coordinating bottoms and tops and the basics of matching.   If they don't learn these valuable lessons from me they will learn them from the world...or worse yet...from their dad.  :)  

Avery was extremely proud of this outfit she picked out all on her own.  "Look mommy!  stripes and stripes!"  I guess we need to have a little lesson on coordinating patterns and prints.

Vince comes to stay

It has been such a joy having Vincent with us.  When April and the kids came down to visit in Feb/March, Vincent met so many friends his age and was in a euphoric state the whole time he was here.  He loved chasing "small" game with his bee-bee gun, riding bike everywhere and anywhere, and the late night games of capture the flag.  He was in heaven.  That's why it was easy to put air miles into sending him down again this April.  I assured his mom (April) that he would be so easy to have around and a huge help to us as we get ready to move back to AK.  

He HAS been a huge help and it has been so wonderful watching him with all his new friends.  He went on a dirt bike camping trip with his uncle Zach.  Some of his favorite daily activities are having air-soft wars and playing capture the flag, at night, in his camo garb with all his buddies...and of course taking out the trash for his favorite Auntie.  :)  Yesterday he called me out of the house because "he had something to show me."  It sounded urgent, so I rushed out to find him holding a live snake with a big cheesy grin on his face.  It was his friend Carson's pet, nothing dangerous, but it thrilled me to see him having such good guy fun.

Vince and Miah will be traveling with Zach in the truck/trailer all the way to Alaska. I am flying home with the younger two and will probably be home a good two weeks before them.  It will be quite an eventful trip.  They will get to see the Grand Canyon, Yellow Stone, Bamff and a visit to Cody, WY to Uncle Dave and Aunt Carol's house.

It's finished

Before taking off for the first time, Zach and Paul Dye, 

offer up a prayer of thanks and commit their flight to the Father.

Two very happy boys!

The maiden flight

The 185 is finished!  What a beautiful airplane it turned out to be.  I just realized I should have posted some pictures of what it looked like before the restoration process.  Zach and so many others poured themselves into this project for many months and I think it is safe to say that the finished project is more than they could have hoped for.  The past few weeks have brought so much excitement and anticipation as well as relief as everything checked out.  Zach's brother Matt flew down to ferry the plane with Zach back to Alaska, it's new home.  It was such a beautiful sight, watching the two brothers take off into the sunrise, it brought tears to my eyes. They flew from Mexico to Palmer, Alaska in 3 days!    

Your Missionary Aviation Family

There has been a lot of life happening around the Keller home lately.  This is my excuse for not being very diligent with my blog as of late.  Besides the daily drama of life with youngsters we have been enjoying a steady flow of visitors - much to my delight.  I love having people to stay over with us...especially people that I like :)  It is amazing how many people we can stuff in our little trailer!  Besides the fantastic late night conversations and the long pancake breakfasts over coffee that compliment more great conversation...it allows me  (the resident domestic engineer) a little breather from the everydayness of my job.  When  friends come to stay I do a little less laundry, a little less dishes...a lot more cooking (but I like that part!) and there are extra eyes around enjoying the constant energy and entertainment that is my children. I like knowing that others are a witness to the chaos that is my life right now.  You know I love it.  

While I have been occupied with keeping things running smoothly at home, Zach has been totally consumed with the 185 project.  It has been such a roller coaster ride for the whole family and even though he has been the gumption behind this endeavor, we have all been involved in one way or the other.  I can tell the minute Zach steps in the door what kind of day he has had.  He either walks in with a light step and a smile plastered on his face or he heads straight for the pantry, grabs a handful of Red Vines and Planters Peanuts, sits in his chair and zones out for a few minutes (or longer if that is what he needs).  I love that through it all...good days and bad...it is obvious that God has been  at work in the process.  I could go on and on about all I have seen Him accomplish through this 185 project and I know there is so much going on that I don't see.  It truly has been a growing experience for the whole Keller family.  All in all, I have seen this as great practice for what we will face when we go overseas.  

If you want - read "The year of 185's" on our NTM Website.  It'll explain a lot if you are confused about what I'm talking about.

The day we had been waiting for

Disneyland faces...

Beach Day take two...

When I learned that April and the kids were coming to visit, I decided that we HAD to try to get to the coast some how.  I figured out that it is only a 12 hour drive from McNeal, Arizona to the California coast and if there is a will there is a way.  This is all before my sweet Aunt suggested that we come stay with her in Palm Springs (ALL of US...she is that kind of sweet) and I quickley did the math....that's only a coupla hours from the beach!  What we never counted on and what God had planned all along was fthat we would actually stay 2 blocks from the beach in a beautiful Hotel (thank you Auntie!) in San Clemente.  It was fantastic and these are only a few of the many pictures I took on this blissful day.

That evening we went to the San Clemete Pier to watch the sunset and get something to eat.  When we got to the end of the pier there was a lady blowing bubbles - tons of them.  It was such a beautiful, memorable sight with the sun setting and the kids shrieking with delight as they chased bountiful bubbles.  

First stop - The Tucson Desert Museum

We set off from NTMA in McNeal early Saturday morning and by 10 am we arrived at the Tucson Desert Museum.  It was recommended by many as a highly interactive, zoo -like place with extras like dusting for dinosaur bones and caving and my personal favorite...the hummingbird atrium.  What a thrill to have these tiny little creatures buzzing by your head so close you can feel their wind.  April captured this beautiful picture of a humming bird on her teeny tiny nest.  It is literally the size of a quarter in circumference - a little too small for the bird as you can see :)  What a wonderful first day.

Road trip Anyone?

April and I had planned and scemed for what seemed like months and the day finally came...the day of our big adventure.  The single mom and the missionary wife set off with five kids, limited monetary resources and dreams of making memories that would last a lifetime.  The whole experience and opportunity was a gift straight from Father and He proved His love and faithfulness every mile of the way.  It could have been an absolute disaster...one flat tire, one sick puking child and all would be lost.  Even before we walked out the door we knew who went before us...He made it so obvious, and  so wonderful....for that I am so thankful.  It was more than we hoped for.

the cousins come to visit