O' Christmas Tree

Arriving in time for Christmas we were able to successfully resurrect the tradition of getting a real Christmas tree. We were able to enlist the help of Uncle Theron to assist with the process.
The kids enjoyed hiking/riding in the sleds in knee deep snow up the ridge at the back of Grandma and Grandpa's property. Hidden among the many moose tracks, we finally found the perfect tree.

Prep Work


The Search Begins


The Supervisor


The Specimen


Successful


As requested, Here is the finished product

North to Alaska

We made it! Three kids, two cats, two exhausted parents, 200 lbs of baggage, but we made it. (Only mildly disappointed that Sarah Palin didn't come meet the plane.) We arrived in Anchorage at 1:00 AM Alaska time (4:00 am Kansas time), drove to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Palmer, and went to sleep. This morning my oldest daughter excitedly exclaimed, "Look Papa! A moose!" as a moose casually meandered across the snow covered yard. With this sighting the moose count is up to 6, and we have only been here for 8 hours.

Waiting for Papa to get the car in ANC

Dust in the Wind

The big question is, "How does one move from Kansas to Alaska in December?" Apparently, if you are the Voran Clan, you load it all into a 40 ft shipping container, wave goodbye, and hop a flight to Anchorage. With the much needed and much appreciated help of our friends and family, a grueling 9 hours or so of loading and cleaning, I shut the door of the container and watched it roll on down the road. I wonder if we will see our stuff again?

The Shipping container and our house


Loaded


Ready to go

The Polar Express

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we loaded up the van for a quick trip to Texas to visit grandparents before the chaos of moving took hold. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Grandpa and Grandma and making special memories. A few of the highlights was a tour of the Gaylord Texan hotel and for the kids a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad "North Pole Express" complete with steam engine and a visit from the good ol' jolly one himself. The evening was topped off with a bite to eat at the Rain Forest Cafe and a "Volcano" dessert.

All I want for Christmas!!


Texas Longhorn


Our "Polar Express"


The Golden Ticket


The Jolly Red One


The Vollllcaaanooo

My Last Day a.k.a. The Prodigal Returns

Today is my last day. Last day at work in Kansas. No worries, as this was planned. Our family will be moving to Alaska within a few weeks to give our best "shot" at life in the "Alaskan Bush", and no, I don't know Sarah Palin personally. We are excited to be able to spend this Christmas with family in Alaska, but saddened as we leave dear friends and family behind. The VoranClan has had many wonderful adventures and memories over the past 11 years from our base in Kansas, now we look forward to many more in Alaska. We'll keep you updated as we go through this process.

Our new home

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