Alaska

Alaska is the most amazing place I've been. It has more wildlife, scenery and fishing anyone could ask for! In the Homer Spit port was the boat Time Bandit from the Discovery show Deadliest Catch. This is me and Ben's favorite show to watch. So I was super excited to be able to see it.

Now I can say I touched that boat when I watch the show this winter, he he!!!

Ben's parents Cheryl and Kel. Very special thank you to these two who took us on this fun trip and made everything possible. We are lucky enough to be able to stay in their new cabin in Ninilchik. It was awesome, thanks again!

Homer was my favorite place because it was surrounded by so much scenery and I love the ocean!

A stormy day on the beach...you look a little chilly Ben!

I had a blast and I hope that's not the last time I ever get to see Alaska!!!

And a HUMONGOUS thank you to my sister Shauna and my Mom for taking time out of their busy lives to watch my kids and love them like I do! And to my bestest friends and neighbors Holly, Brooke, Stacy and Amy for watching my kids while my Mom worked. Love all you guys tons!

Beautiful Alaska

Alaska is the most beautiful place I've ever been! Even though the first part of our trip wasn't the best weather. You just couldn't help but be in awe at all it's wonders. This is a glacier across the bay from Homer. Their are tons of glaciers there and they're so mesmerizing to look at.

A golden eagle or a young bald eagle (I'm not sure) Either way look at those talons, yikes!!!!

Two bald eagles at the inlet of Deep Creek.

A young bull moose near our cabin.

Overlooking the city of Ninilchik were the cabin is.

The ocean at sunset. Sigh...I could live here forever!

Another sunset at the cabin.

Halibut Fishing

We also got to go halibut fishing in Alaska. We went out of Homer Spit and into Kachemak Bay. This was the first day we went on a bigger boat with our BIL Scott and his brother Wayne. It was a little rough and I ended up getting a little sea sick so I didn't get many pictures. They were smaller about 10 lbs. a piece but we both got our limit!

The next time we went out the water was much calmer and lots more fun!

The fog rolling in. It was neat but when the fog was all around you it was kind of spooky!

My first halibut of the day. I ended up getting two more that were about 25 lbs a piece too! This was so much fun and we LOVE to eat halibut in our house!

Silver Salmon

Silver salmon fishing in Alaska was my favorite thing we did! It was so much fun to be out on the Kenai and pull those huge fish in! Our first run on the Kenai was great we all got our limit in about 2 1/2 hours!
Kel, Scott, Trisha and Ben

Our second silver run wasn't as great. Because of all the rain the river was really muddy so the limit wasn't happening. But I lucked out and got the four on the right!

This was my biggest salmon a 10 pounder! I know there is far bigger silvers but this was the biggest fish I've ever caught!

Kel getting his on the boat.

Sunrise on the Kenai River...it doesn't get much better than that!!!

I hope someday I'll be able to do this again, it was a blast!!!

Boston's First Day of Preschool!

Well I wasn't actually here for Boston's first day since we were in Alaska. So we pretended today was his first day again so I could take pictures! To say he was SUPER excited for preschool would be an understatement! He's been waiting for two long years since Brylee went to Teacher Vicki and has been talking about it ever since...and that grin says it all!

Heading in to Teacher Vicki's! I'm so proud of Boston and how outgoing he is. I love you buddy and I hope you have a great day!

Studio 48 Dance

Brylee took dance this Summer at Studio 48. She LOVED it!!! Silly pictures!

A picture with her teachers Shaelyn and Cassie after her recital.
She got the cute medal she's wearing and a bouquet of 6 mini hot pink roses!

Her awesome toe touch jump (at least that's what I think it is)!

She did so good we signed her up for Fall classes, hooray!

Awesome job Brylee, I am so proud of you and how great you did!!! You've really come out of your shell this year and you weren't even nervous at all!

It's a boy!!!

We went to 16 wk appt. and found out we are having a little boy! These pictures aren't very good. This little boy is super shy and doesn't seem to cooperate with showing us his face or privates! This picture is of his man parts. Although to be honest I even have a hard time seeing it and this IS my fourth boy!

We're really excited to be having a boy! I was thinking with 4 boys and Ben we could have our self a basketball team!!!! Brylee was extremely disappointed to learn she wouldn't be getting the sister she has been praying for, for months! Boston and Logan however were happy as a clams! So I guess you can't go pleasing everyone, he he!

First Day of School

Brylee started her first day of 1st grade today. I'm super sad to have her in all day school but I know she'll do awesome, she is so smart! You are growing up so fast, love you Bry!!!

Caldwell Family Reunion

Shirley's family hosted the Caldwell reunion this year in Bear Lake (one of my favorite places!)
We had a blast spending three days at the beach! I noticed that in all my picture taking I managed not to get any pictures of Ben or myself, just kids and family...but I promise we were there! Everyone hanging out at the beach

Carter (with help from his sissy) and Boston making their homemade boats.

Here they are getting ready to float them.

Dinner at the KOA with everyone.

These are what the girls got to make. Cloth tied flip flops, aren't they the cutest!

Carter chillin on the boat

Logan got Dr. Richter's approval to go wake boarding. He was thrilled he could finally do something exciting since most of his Summer has been surgery and slings!

This boy sure loves his sister!

KOA choo choo train ride (my kids favorite) they probably rode it 10 times. It was a wonderful babysitter while we were packing up to leave!

Montana

Me and the little kids had the opportunity to go and see my Dad and Caroline. Since it was the last free weekend we had before school started we took it! The first day we went to Como Lake.

The kids swam for about an hour and then it started to rain so we didn't get to stay very long. But it was still really fun!

Then we went to Crystal Park were we dug and sifted for crystal's. We found alot of good ones including one that was the size of a softball! This is my favorite place ever!

The last day there my Dad and his wife Caroline had to work so we super lazy and just hung out all day!

I always love being at my Dad's it is always so peaceful, fun and relaxing. We get to go up in October to go hunting again and I can't wait!!!!

Swim Lessons

Brylee and Boston took swim lessons at the Roy Complex this Summer. Here is Bry are her instructor helping her do a back float. She did awesome and has started swimming tons better.

Boston did really good too!

Here he is with his instructor. Boston did an awesome back float.