Alaska Trip July 2010

I have been trying to post these pictures for a week now and I was having trouble loading the pictures on blogger. I had more luck today but still didn't post all the pictures I wanted to. Josh had such an amazing time last year that we decided we all needed a little bit of it this year! Plus it helps that Arianne (Josh's sister) and her family now live near Anchorage. We spent 12 days with Josh's family, most of it in Eagle River. We also spent a few days in Soldotna, Alaska and were able to come home with 50lbs of salmon and halibut! Alaska is beautiful and we can't wait to go back again! Below are pictures of some of the different adventures we went on including hiking on a glacier, fishing, playing at the park, etc.

Josh and Arianne toting their babies on our hike to the glacier.

Playing at the park in Soldotna: Kyla, Ella, Jackson, Wyatt

Jackson loved to go down the slide!

About half of the salmon that Ron and Josh caught on the Kenai River

Jackson wanted a turn at fishing too!

The city of Eagle River was having the Bear Paw Festival while we were there, this picture was taken at the car show.

Nana and Papa with Ella and Jackson at the cabin we rented in Soldotna

Watching the parade at the Bear Paw Festival, just after the 5k which Arianne and I ran

On the trail that led us from the cabin to the river while fishing in Soldotna

Ron with some of the salmon caught early in the day

Josh and Jackson on the glacier

Our family on the glacier, overlooking the lake and river on the glacier

Most of the group on the glacier. Josh, Ron and I hiked further to the lake but the rest turned around here. The glacier is 26ish miles long and if I remember correctly about 3 miles at its widest point wide. Just huge! It also moves 12in every day. Pretty cool.

Jackson loved riding in Makenna's barbie jeep!

Josh helping his mom on the ice at the glacier.

Arianne and Ella

Ron, Josh and I went out halibut fishing out of Ninelchik. We caught our limit but they were small...

Where they load and unload the fishing boats

That mountain in the background is a volcano

Me and the halibut boat we chartered

Just playing around outside in Eagle River on the sunny afternoons

Back at the Kenai while we stayed in Soldotna

The Jacksonator

Here are a few pics from the last week of the little Jacksonator, now 14 months. He has become quite the menace to our house, but we love him more and more each day. He loves getting in to anything and everything. He wakes up each morning around 6:30am ready for action and the first words from his mouth are usually "baba?". If mom or dad doesn't want to get up he literally will jump on us, grab our hands and try to pull us out of bed. He's a great alarm clock! He loves to swim, watch for birds, read books, draw, wrestle, eat, be outside, play in the rocks, swing, and kick or throw balls. He is already accustomed to hanging out in a gym and yesterday during mom's workout had an 8lb dumbbell that he was cruising around with. He doesn't have too many words down but talks all day long. Words that he says better than most are "dadda, birr (bird), bal (ball), baba (bottle)". The other night we were saying goodbye to the missionaries in the driveway and he pointed right at the moon and asked "ba?" It is so fun to watch him learn and grow. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Getting ready for bed...

Loves his baths!

Playing around on the patio after swimming the other night.

Watching the birds in the backyard

He makes a mess no matter what he is doing!

Utah and Colorado Trip

We headed to Utah the first of the month to join in the celebration of my brother Steven's graduation from the University of Utah! Yay for him! We were only in Utah about a day and a half when we then took off to Colorado to attend the funeral of my great-aunt. We were in Gunnison where spring had not yet arrived. It was still as beautiful as always and we can't wait to go back to visit for real so we can enjoy the cabin and all the mountains have to offer! It was great to be able to spend time with the family...and a wonderful 14 hr ride back to Arizona! :) When I get more pics from my mom's camera I will post them.

I always seem to stand right in front of my husband, I have got to stop that!

By the Gunnison River after eating Mother's Day breakfast

Jackson and Josh's first time at the cabin...it hasn't welcomed spring yet!

Birthdays, Swimming, Vegas, and more!

The past month has been a busy one! We celebrated Jackson's first birthday with a swimming party, monkey cake, and family! He received a lot of new things including a ball pit, cozy coup, and more! Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Nina and Uncle Steve all came for the weekend and the Marshall family also joined in on the festivities! Other than a few people getting sick, we had a great weekend! ;)

Jackson and Georgia enjoying cake!


The monkey cake....

Georgia showing Jackson how to drive!

Yummm...



Before the craziness of spring break Havasu got started, we took Jackson down to the lake to feed the ducks. He loved it!



Grandma Neuman gave Jackson his first haircut! We only trimmed up the sides and his bangs, gave him a little mullet. What a cute little man.



We met up with Josh's parents in Las Vegas for a few days over Easter. We had a great time exploring the strip, eating at Texas de Brazil, and touring the Hoover Dam.

At the Hoover Dam


Shopping at some of the outlets, Jackson took his first ride on a merry-go-round and loved it!




The next few are of Jackson playing with his new toys. Notice his hair in the ball pit!

Life's Lessons

The last few months Josh and I have been frantically trying to catch up from our 2 months of unexpected unemployment....in those 2 months our income was pretty much nonexistant and unfortunately traveling for job interviews plus moving expenses added up. Not to bore anyone with our financial woes, but let's just say that we figured we would take advantage of picking up extra hours while Josh was not yet back in school. This last week was definately a long one, I traded a day with a co-worker, picked up an extra shift and worked 10-12 hours every day except Sunday! When I got home Thursday night I went to put Jackson to bed like I always do and he kind of freaked out. He almost acted scared and I couldn't get him to calm down. Josh finally came in to see what was wrong and Jackson went straight to him and calmed right down. Broke my heart. My only thought was that he is mad at me for not being around; he prefers Josh over me... And, that's when I realized no money is worth my time away from my little man.

During slower times at work I often get online and browse around on blogs of friends, family, and even some people I don't know so well. I wonder what it would be like if I could spend all my days at home playing with my son, cleaning my house, working out, making dinner, being crafty, and doing whatever else it is that stay at home moms do. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and am grateful I have the education I do to help our family, especially while Josh is working on his career. It's just that it truly does break my heart that I can't spend everyday with Jackson, and I'll even go as far as saying I feel guilty that I'm not the kind of mom I want to be. I know in time all will be different and Josh will go off to work each day while I stay at home. In the meantime, I think I will cut back on trying to pick up extra hours and enjoy every free moment I have to spend with my son.