Alaska Trip- part 2

Rachel was asking for Fishing pictures- let's see what we've got- We were sort of in-between fishing seasons- missing the salmon run. So most of our fishing was done on the lake by the chalet- We did go out on the river and do a bit- but the salmon we were seeing were done spawning, and on their way to die.  So here's the best fishing pic I've got for you Nate-

L with the "rainbow" he caught.

He was so cute, he kept saying, "I caught a rainbow"

L and his Rainbow

Happy Anniversary!  15 years! And this is where we spent it. ;)  I love you Ben!

Doodle teaching L the finer art of tree-tipping



More motoring around the lake



Pam picking blueberries



Roo, L and Ben picking blueberries- we got a TON, and made a delicious pie with them.



Our family at Independence Mine State Park-



I love this pic!



Independence Mine

Amber and I hiked to the top, and looked down on the buildings

The whole Crew in front of the Matanuska Glacier

The Matanuska Glacier- it was huge! But we didn't feel like paying mega bucks to get any closer- :p 



Picnic lunch



Roo, Bug and Pam taking a break on our glacier view  hike



More breaks- with W and Roo joining in

More to come....coming soon- Denali National Park

Alaska trip- part 1

We just returned from a fabulous adventure to Alaska. A few months back- Ben's aunt Pam asked if we wanted to go to Alaska with her (ummmm YAH! what sort of question is that- of COURSE we did!)   So we've been planning for months, and the day finally came!  Ben's sister, Amber, her husband Tim, and their 3 boys- W, L and N came too. 

Roo and cousin W waiting for the airplane flight.

Doodle entertaining cousin N on the airplane.  Doodle is SO good with N- who is 6 months old.

Scenery as we are driving North of Ancorage.

Beautiful river!

The Chalet we rented for our family to stay in- we had the top level- it had 3 bedrooms, and fit us perfectly!

Looking down from our porch- Wolverine Lake- we basically had our own private lake! There were other houses on the lake- but we only saw other people on the lake 1 time. 

Tim and Pam Fishing in the boat

More fishing- Bug, Ben and Doodle

Bug getting his pole ready

Roo, playing on the boat dock- he's not much of a fisherman- he doesn't like to eat them, or catch them.

Doodle loved going out on the little motor boat.

Another beautiful river- we panned for gold in this river- hoping to strike it rich!

Ben and Doodle, panning for gold

Bug and Doodle

More panning-

Cousin L and Roo- thinking they found some!

More pics to come soon!

One of my favorite things:

Seeing this as I am hiking along a trail:

 All my Boys in front of me. ;)

We went for a family backpacking  trip over the weekend.  It was a beautiful hike, and those boys of mine are sure great backpackers-  Roo packed ALL his own stuff- sleeping bag, hammock, clothes,  & food

 Silly Roo dancing with his walking stick

 Doodle is a great backpacker- his pack was almost as heavy as mine. ;) though according to Ben, that's not saying much- cuz mine was rather light. :D

 Bug the mountain man

 See- I was there ;) 

 Beautiful spring we hiked to- it's a HUGE waterfall- that just comes right out of the mountain.

 A little further down the waterfall

 Indian Paintbrush is my very favorite wildflower.

 Roo in his makeshift hammock.  Everyone else had one- so Ben fashioned one for Roo- lol- only problem was he fell out of it in the night.  But he didn't care.  He slept through it, and woke up a while later and realized he was on the ground.

 Doodle loves the hammock he got for his birthday.

 Our little tangle of hammocks.  Roo's the red one- mine the green one at the back, Ben's the one that looks white, Bug's blue one, and Doodle's green one.  Can I just say that hammock was SOOO comfortable.  Bug gave it to me for my birthday- and I was a bit leery- not sure if I'd actually be able to sleep in it- but it was great! And my back wasn't sore from sleeping on the hard ground. (Just from the heavy backpack lol!)

 Me and my Silly Roo- playing around with the camera.  It was a SUPER hike, and I just loved spending the time in the wild with my boys.

Happy Late B-day Doodle

Sunday was Doodle's 9th Birthday. He's grown and is such a silly, energetic kid. (sometimes I think that energy will be the death of me! lol)

HAA! Has anyone else noticed- I've been getting a bit more cooperation in the picture taking area lately- lol- Cute cute kiddo!

Doodle wanted a Kayak for his birthday- and was absolutely THRILLED to get this.  He's already used it, and loves it!

"Mom are you going to put toys on my cake for me?"  he asked- so after a quick trip to town Saturday night- I found a toy kayak- the perfect cake topper.

Showing his cousin W how to work the kayak.

 Doodle- you are sure a fun kid to be around, and bring such energy to our home! I am so grateful to have you as my son.  I have enjoying homeschooling you, and pray for you every day.  I pray that all will go smoothly as you go to public school in a few weeks, and that the teacher will be able to challenge you and help you to continue to enjoy learning!

Scouting is great!

Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting play a big role in our homeschool....well, actually in our lives.  I truly believe in the scouting program.  It teaches boys how to become MEN. From Cub Scouting's Core Values to the Scout Oath & Law, boys learn how to be MEN. 

 The core values of Cub Scouting are  Citizenship, Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Faith, Health & Fitness, Honesty, Perserverance, Positive Attitiude, Respect & Responsibility

As boys know and learn about these values, commit to live by them, and Practive living them they become better members of families and society.

 Doodle just recently earned his Wolf badge (sorry- Roo was my photographer!)  I am so proud of him for setting the goal to earn it, and to finishing what he started.  He has had wonderful leaders, and is looking forward to his birthday when he can move up to the Bear Den.

 Bug had a court of honor the other night, and he earned a bunch of merit badges and is currently a 1st class- waiting for Sept. when he can advance to the rank of Star.  He also has wonderful leaders who have caught the vision of scouting. 

Wouldn't the world be a better place is everyone was  Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean & Reverent.  (and Hungry- Bug likes to add!)  We love the Boy and Cub scouting programs. 

More cabin trips

I think we've sure played a lot this year ;)  This cabin trip was a "work" trip though- we built a new deck for the cabin.  It turned out great!

Amber the awesome- cutting boards for the deck

Doodle loved to help drill.

The LAST board.

4 cousins eating their pizza on the deck....until the mosquitos about carried them away. Doodle- his buddy L, Roo, and his buddy W.

Taking a break on our hike in Yellowstone.

Hiking down the trail

Roo and Trish- great buddies.  Roo kept Trish entertained with all his stories and imagination.

Cool kids

Wraith Falls in yellowstone

Maybe sometime we'll stop playing and vacationing...but maybe not- as we have a trip to Alaska planned next month.