{livia}

Livia has gone back to school and I miss her! She is always there to help me out and now I have to run up and down the stairs to fetch my own things- yuck! I took so many pictures on her first day back I was so excited to see them and then realized I did not even have a card in my camera! Tate misses her too- His days are long and lonely again. I will do a retake of the first day of school. I am so sad because I have had the classic first day of school picture (standing in front of the front door?- I know you all have one of those!) since she was in preschool. I can't flake this year. These pictures were taken in Alaska a couple of weeks ago. She is growing up.

came across this one today.........

First of all I am so sorry I do not have the photos of Kodiak Island up yet- just picture Hawaii- it is that beautiful. The planes that took them there were the ones that land in water. This little bit of footage was a bit much for me to handle. They look like model airplanes dropping them and their gear off in the middle of nowhere. I think Chad keeps me in the dark sometimes for a good reason.

band of brothers {Alaska Sheep hunt}

I love the way Joe captured these two brothers in their element. This is definitely how they do what they do so well. I am beaming with pride for my hubcap for the way he follows his dreams and makes them into reality. He worked so hard to be able to do this hunt and he deserves the end results. (Shane helped to0 but only a little- why is he always so unorganized?-jk. bff Ricky Bobby- you know I appreciate your skillz)

Alaska {a doozy of pictures}

checking the maps

Chad calling me with the satellite phone

{deep breath}

So we pulled an all nighter and made it home Wednesday afternoon from our WONDERFUL, fun filled 3 week Alaska adventure. I have so many more pictures to post and can't wait to catch up with everyone here. I am a bit homesick for Alaska (Tai food and late night laughs with Shannon did me some good- gotta love pregnant women's dreams') and Chad and I are already scheming ways to move there ( don't worry sis- you know we are just big dreamers). Shannon is so close to delivering that little girl that it nearly broke my heart to have to leave right before the due date. We got the kids rooms all organized and decorated and went through all of the little girl baby clothes-I was in heaven. We made it home to our stacks of mail and messages and e-mails and Livia starting school and riding the bus and piles upon piles of laundry and items that need to be put away (I had to borrow two suitcases from Shannon for our trip home- yikes!) A couple of things I realized while on vacation:

• it is sooo important no matter how much work it feels like with the preparation etc., to take a vacation away from your life- you come home refreshed and ready to meet your life and commitments head on.


• we live in the most beautiful country- Alaska took Chad and I's breath away and driving home to our house from phoenix we noticed all over again how beautiful it is where we live.


• Family is the most important thing and making sacrifices in order to make memories and be there for each other is what it is really all about.


• Tate has such a potty mouth and i don't know why


• I am turning into such a home body- all Shannon wanted to do was to take me to experience Alaska and I was more fascinated with staying home and doing home things (thanks Shannon for showing us such a great time when you are so uncomfortable pregnant right now- you really are a champ.

I will get pictures up of Chad's goat and the rest of our trip as soon as I catch up on my life.

{just pretending}

Since being in Alaska I have had the opportunity to get to know my nephew a little better. Needless to say, he has filled a little piece of my heart that will never be replaced. While Shannon is at work a few days of the week I have had the pleasure of watching this little one and secretly I pretend that I am the mother of three kiddos. He just fits perfectly with us and he holds his own with his cousins just like a Chad Rhoton baby. He is quite the little thinker- always figuring things out and in deep concentration on his task at hand. He acts like he is so serious but all I have to do is tell him to NOT smile and the big dimple comes out immediately. It is his heart however that touches me the most. He gives kisses to Shannon's belly and talks to his little sister and whenever I put my kids in time out he sneaks over to them to give them kisses and pats because he is so sad they are sad. 2 year olds never share but this little guy will give just about anything to someone if they ask him nicely or his mom asks him to do it. Here he is having to share his Mom, toys and house with all of us and has no idea when we are ever going to leave! He is really independent but he loves cuddles and secrets and his giggle- don't even get me started- it brings me to tears every time- too precious! as you can tell I am just smitten. I am sad for him to be so far away from us- maybe we will just have to move to Alaska- that way I can pretend he is my kid all of the time.............

Chena Lake

The best part about this day was watching the stealth bombers fly overhead. We played so hard this day and Tanner (AKA Mr. Independent) acted like he was a big kid and wandered around with pregnant Aunt Shannon chasing behind him. My kids are way too easy now and I got to just lounge on the blanket watching and relaxing. I felt a little guilty but not guilty enough to do anything to help. Sorry Shannon.............thanks for the wonderful, relaxing day.

{adventures in Alaska}

Here are some beautiful Pictures of Chad and Shane on hunt# 1. They came home took us out to dinner and left this morning for part 2 of the great month long adventure. Their plane leaves in a few to take them to Kodiak where they will be hunting mountain goats and hopefully not get eaten by the bears. Luckily Shane has an electric fence they set up around camp so I will rest easy knowing they will rest easy. Notice the glow on my husbands face and you will have the answer to the often asked question of why I let him play so much. He has deserved this plus i love having a husband that is in shape.............it is a win, win really.