Jason and I were posing in front of a little lake on top of a mountain near Hanes, AK. We were able to go on a shore excursion where we rode ATV's through this mountain and ended up at a nice cabin where the guides cooked us a great meal of chicken and Fresh Halibut, with fruit salad and homemade lemonade. Delicious. The view from the cabin was spectacular.

This is the view I just mentioned. Can you imagine eating your dinner each night over-looking that? 

My cute Hubby. What more can I say? We took this cruise to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. On the ship, I surprised him with a chocolate mousse, heart-shaped, fudge-covered cake that said Happy 10th Anniversary. He surprised me with Swarovski jewelry... A tennis bracelet, a necklace, and teardrop earrings. I love them! I wore them on our Formal dinner night on the cruise! He is so thoughtful. (Made the cake look a little lame... but is sure was good!)

Mendenhall Glacier

Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever been. These purple flowers are called Fire weed, and they grow wild there- all over. They line the roads, the coast, the mountains... 

This is the sea coast we ended up walking on after our rainforest hike. There were balk eagles in the trees behind us, and boats out on the water, but it was really serene and calm. Nice and quiet. Occasionally, you'd see a salmon jump out of the water, or even a whale exhale through it's blow hole. We were able to see many humpback whales on the ship. They never really came very far out of the water, but it as cool to see the blow come 20 feet off of the surface of the water.

This was my attempt at photography. The big leaves you see are called Devil's Club. They are named that for a good reason... the whole plant is lined in thorns. I thought it was so pretty. I took this shot from the underside because the light coming through the leaves made the leaves appear lime green. I also wanted to get the old rainforest trees in the background. Such an amazing place.

This was the sunset on the first night of the cruise... It happened really pretty late, although it never really gets dark in Alaska this time of year.

Another excursion we went on was aboard the Allutian Ballad, a crab fisherman's boat that was featured on season 2 of the show, "Deadliest Catch" on the Discovery Channel. They took us aboard the ship, which has now been turned into a tourist vessel only... and showed us how they bait and pull the crab pots. They told us the harrowing stories of the many wrecks and terrible storms that the ship had been through (one of which was actually caught on film during the second season of the show.) They showed us an octopus, several different kind of crab, pulled next to native indians, who were salmon fishing, and they also pulled us along the shore line and threw fish into the water where about 30 bald eagles were eagerly waiting for them. They flew in and grabbed the fish not 3 feet from us. It was really amazing to see it that close. we caught it all on video with the flip! So fun!

Jason and me in front of our Carnival Spirit cruise ship at the Ketichikan port. This was taken right before we headed out in the Allutian Ballad Crab Boat. We had such a great time. I'll never forget the amazing scenery. It's just like looking right at God's handiwork.

Scrapbook retreat

So, we just finished our bi-annual Scrapbook retreat at Country Keepsakes in Salina, Utah. Every year my mom and sisters come up for the fun-filled day of scrapping, chatting, and giggling. There is no better girls day out anywhere! Tammy Hales and her crew at Country Keepsakes really know how to throw a party! We get tons of free stuff- lots of scrap supplies, cute totes and organizing options, a seat cushion one year, and even door prizes plus the added bonus of the staff's favorite things! This year, my sister, Kaycee could not make it, so mom's Friend, Carol Lee Hawkins came in her place. We had so much fun. Here are some pictures of the spoils... (Courtesy of Tiffanie Jackson-- Thanks, Tiff!) It is so fun to come and see friends that I haven't seen in a while. Candice was able to make it this year for her first CK retreat experience. I hope she had such a good time she'll be back this fall and next spring! Also, my great friend Sheral Whicker from Cedar, who inspired me to become a better scrapper comes as often as she can. (She has her 5th baby due in 3 weeks!) I also love to meet up with my friends from around here who also attend. If you like scrapping, whether you live near or far, it's definitely a day worth the trip! (They also give a prize for whoever has traveled the farthest to be there that day...) Fun times for all! Can't wait till the Holiday retreat this fall! 

Our newest additon

I have been a terrible blogger lately. Sometimes we just let life get way too busy! I need to be better at taking pictures of my kiddos in the various activities that they are involved in. That is my goal for the next several months. But for now, I was looking through my photos, and I thought I'd better introduce you all to the newest addition to our household. Can't quite call him family, although, I'm afraid his stay here is permanent. He isn't really so bad, though. He keeps quiet, keeps his thoughts to himself, doesn't make messes for me to clean up, and he certainly  doesn't leave the toilet seat up, forget to refill the empty toilet paper rolls, and he doesn't wake me up in the middle of the night. I guess as far as house guests are concerned, he's pretty good. So I really shouldn't complain..... And yet......

A Day For Love

Yesterday we decorated Valentines boxes for family night and then filled out Valentines cards and candy for the older girls' classes at school. They were so excited for their class Valentine's Day parties. After we were all finished with that project, we took a moment just to snap some pictures.

Me and McKaylyn. She always has been and probably always will be my little snuggle bug. She loves to lay by me in bed or sit with me on the couch. She never misses an opportunity to give me a hug or a kiss. She is such a sweet heart!

I suppose you could say I'm the luckiest mom in the world, cause here is a picture of Landry's sweet open-mouthed, slobbery kisses that he so generously shares with his moma. I love it. A little on the moist side, but so dang sweet regardless!

Now from the sweet to the silly! THis is where Jason is always found! The girls just adore him, and love to tease and play with their daddy!

This was supposed to be a nice, smiley picture, but alas, I fear Delaney has too much of her daddy in her. We really struggled getting a picture of her without a funny face!

McKaylyn has a really silly side, too... but much like her mother, does not let it show around too many people. I love capturing the rare moments like this with her! She tries so hard to be grown up!

Victory! One big smile from Laney-girl.

Always the big helper...

I just love our family!

Thankfully, just in time for Delaney to start the face-pulling in pictures, Maddisen has out grown that phase! Just look at her sweet smile!

No question on the gender here... This boy thinks it is hilarious to hit... anything and everything! His mom & sisters don't like it too much, but Dad always lets him have his fun. (Once a boy, always a boy!)

Landry has just started noticing how funny Jason is. He crawls as fast as he can to get to him when he comes home from work. (Just between you and me, Jason is just as easily wrapped around Landry's finger as he was with our girls.) I really love the soft spot he has for our kiddos.

Once upon a time, my hair was that color, too! Now I have to buy my blonde...

Seriously, does life get any better than this? Happy Valentine's Day, from ours to yours!

Squeaky Clean

This boy LOVES bath time!

Notice the two new teeth that are in, plus two more on the way...

I kept trying to get fun pictures of him splashing and playing with the bath toys, but he was very distracted by his sisters who were trying to get him to laugh.

Crooked little grin.

He loves his bath toys. When he is very grumpy, we just have to strip him down to his skin, and he knows what comes next. He gets all excited and starts kicking h is legs. But a word to the wise... if he thinks you are going to put him in the bath, do NOT, under any circumstances, walk past the bathroom without going in, or all heck breaks loose! He will let you know that he is not pleased. When his sisters are in the shower, they have to shut the door or he crawls in there and whines and cries till they let him get in. Now they shut the door, and as soon as he hears the water turn on, he crawls into the hall and right over to the door, gets up on his knees, and knocks on the door with his flat palm, just begging to be let in! He absolutely knows what he wants, this boy!

Weighing in on 2009

So, I guess I just want to share my good news with everyone! As of yesterday, I have lost all of my baby-Landry weight plus a couple of extra pounds for a total of 25 pounds. I'm torn between being completely embarrassed that I actually had that much to loose, and feeling really proud of myself for doing it! I think the whole mind set was easier this time because I know I never have to be pregnant again! Let's face it... I am not a dainty pregnant woman... just ask my doctor :)  So now, just a little more to go till I hit my goal weight. But... it's not just me. My older sister Kimm has lost 18 pounds, I think, and my mom just hit the 20 mark! What a good thing for all of us.

The funny thing is, I really like to exercise. I don't know why I stop when I am prego... Alas, No more. The kids are here and the fam is complete. Now to hit my goal and stay there! Gotta love moving down a size or two or three in jeans!