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!

Benson and the Slide

Rhona's Visit

Benson Walking

Big Girl Bed

We love to jump on beds at our house! And Kenas new big girl bed is the best one to jump on!
She is so happy to be in a big bed now! We left up her crib for a week to use as leverage to keep her in bed, it totally worked! She won't get out of bed until we come in and get her in the morning! She has done great!!

Grandmas Toys

Grandma Sue came to visit this week and brought her fun building blocks! She decided to leave them for Kena and Benson to play with for a few more days since they love them!
Grandma keeps them in this fun basketball hamper that also acts as a perfect "fort"!

Summer Swim

We have been spending a lot of time in the water the last few weeks! Benson and Kenadee have been loving it!!

Home is Where Your Heart Is

Here is a little tour of our house. The front and living room/dining room

The messy kitchen and family/play room

Backyard and kids bathroom

Spare room (future Library/Office) and Kenas room

Bensons room, the only one in the house fully put together.

Master bathroom and bedroom. (Doesn't our little queen bed look tiny?)

There you have it, our current abode! We are loving it!!

My Favorite Dancer

Ladies Night

5 Moms + 0 kids + lots of chocolate = too much fun!!

This last Friday night we had a much needed carefree getaway! My highschool girls went up north to Nattie's cabin. It was do fun to talk about the good old days, share in the excitment of the present days and dream of our future days! We missed our sweet Megann, Rhona and Morgan! Natalie, ,Leah, Lindsay, Alissa and I were able to make it. Ladies, you amaze me! You are witty, fun and sassy still!! I love ya!!
Nat and Linds

Alissa, Leah and me

Papa Bears chair

Group hug, next year lets all get there!!