Benson Turns 1!!!

Our little boy turned one yesterday. It is crazy how fast time goes by. We had a fun day with a trip to a splash pad, pizza and cupcakes. Benson loved it all. At one Benson is walking, waving, clapping, climbing, playing peek-a-boo, eating everything in sight and being an adorable and happy boy! Benson we love having you in our family, Happy Birthday!!!

Alaska

We had the fabulous opportunity to go up to Alaska with Ben's sister and brother-in-law to visit his brother and sister-in-law. It was a kids free trip full of adventure! We did everything!! It was so fun to visit with family and see so much of beautiful Alaska. Dave borrowed this motor home from his friend so that we could travel in style and comfort!!
This picture shows what 10:30 at night looks like! It only gets dark for about 4 hours in the summer.

Aimee caught the first of two salmon on the Russian River.

Here is Ben with Dave carrying our catch.

The next day we went Halibut fishing. We caught several fish, but we were only allowed to keep to halibut each. This was the biggest of our catch, a 65 pounder.

Here is the group in front of our chartered boat.

On this trip Dave planned a 26 mile one day hike. It was gorgeous! By the last 3 miles I felt ready to die!!

The landscapes changed all through the hike! We had snow and glaciers, then pines and wildflowers.

About half way through the hike we had to cross a river. Dave brought a pair of flip flops for the crossing. The rest of us had water shoes. Ben decided to give Dave one of his shoes. About 6 feet into the river Ben and Dave each lost their flip flop! The water was freezing glacier water. It burned so badly!! We were so grateful when we reached the other side!

Here is a group picture from the hike. Aimee and Cindy went on the first two miles and then headed back, but we were joined by one of Dave's friends Keith and his wife Kathy (who was 7 months pregnant and was a champ!!).

This is our group at "Musky" something. It was an Alaskan steak house. It was yummy!!

The girls outside the steakhouse. Cindy, Me and Aimee. There were wild daisy's everywhere!!

We rented quads one day and went on a long ride up to this glacier. It was so fun! We were filthy by the end!!

We had 5 quads between the 6 of us.

We were in desperate need of showers after this ride! I look like I have a full beard! :)

Another day we went sea kayaking. Our guide built this little shelter while we went hiking to a nearby waterfall.

We went out to what they call a bird rectory. There were hundreds of birds who built nests on this rock. It was crazy! We saw sosme bald eagles come in and try to eat the babies. It felt like we were in a National Geographic movie!