Anchorage and Valdez

Last weekend we went on a little mini vacation as a family. It was our ward temple weekend so we took the 7 1/2 hour drive down to Anchorage so that we could participate. It was great being able to go to the temple. We don't get to go very often because of the distance, but we try to make as much as we can. I watched a friend's baby so that they and Ben could help the youth with baptisms. We "baby-swapped" with our friends so that we could both do sessions, it was great.
After the temple we went to Valdez, which is about six hours away, so that we could fish. It was a long drive, but we made it and we really enjoyed being there. We stayed at a little bed and breakfast there it was nice. We fished in the Prince William Sound for the pink salmon that come back there every year to spawn. There were sea lions in the water eating a lot of the salmon, it was so cool to see them so close up. We caught a lot of fish and Cloe really enjoyed being outside. We fished for two days there and on the second day, we had an unexpected visitor. Bears are very common this time of year in Valdez because they head down to the ocean for all of the salmon that are coming up. A black bear walked down to the beach to do just that. We were on the beach fishing when a man walked down the hill to let us know, we were VERY grateful because the bear was coming our way. We made it back up the hill just before the bear got to us. Ben got his shotgun out and loaded so that we could help get everyone else up the hill safely. Everyone made it up ok. I put Cloe in her carseat so that she would be safe. We had lost site of the bear when I spotted him not five feet from our car where Cloe was. I was really scared, but there bear went back down to the beach to keep eating. Needless to say, we had to stop fishing earlier than we wanted to but it was awesome to see a bear that close.
We left to go back to Fairbanks and stopped to fish in a glacial river for red salmon. We didn't catch anything, but it was really a beautiful area.
We didn't get home until about 3:00 am and we were dead tired, but it was great to get out and see some of this wonderful place that we live in.

Utah

As most of you know, Cloe and I went down to Utah a couple of weeks ago to help out Sommer and Jeff. We were really glad to be able to go. It was great to see so many of you. Here are some pictures from our trip:

Kiana watching Sam hold Kaleo. He is SO handsome (Kaleo I mean, not Sam... but Sam is too)

Me holding Cloe and her brand-new cousin Kaleo.

Cloe trying some of Grandpa's Jello

Kiana and Olivia REALLY enjoying fireworks.

Look Out!! It's A Tae Kwon Do-ing Mama!

That's right everyone, I've started Tae Kwon Do! I really wanted to get out and do something active but I hate normal forms of excercise. I have wanted to study martial arts since I was a kid, but because of my family size, we really couldn't afford lessons or sports. I decided that I can do whatever I want now and Ben completely supports me. I went to my first class last week and I loved it. I was a little nervous because I had no idea what I was doing but it was great. I didn't think that I did that much of a work-out but the next day I was really sore. Anyway, so far I love it and I am really glad to be doing something for myself.

The Midnight Sun Festival

Hey everyone!! As I'm sure most of you know, yesterday was the longest day of the year. That probably doesn't mean much to anyone who doesn't live in Alaska, but we have a huge celebration downtown. Ben and I have been everyyear and we love it. This was Cloe's first experience. Just so you all know, the sun was up for a total of 21 hours and 49 minutes, but even when the sun goes down, its still really light outside. So, here are some pictures of us at the festival.


Getting ready to go downtown.

What a happy baby!

Trying some of Daddy's cotton candy.

Haha, Cloe was so tuckered out! I can believe she slept through all of the music and noise!

The Scariest Thing Ever...

Yesterday I had the scariest experience I think I've ever had.

Lately we have been having problems with Gus. He is still a puppy and that means that he has TONS of energy. He has been digging holes in the back yard so Ben and I decided that we would try to let him inside more during the day so that he doesn't get bored. Gus is very much an outside dog. He likes to be inside for just an hour or two before he wants to go back out. I was about to put Cloe down for an afternoon nap and I usually put Gus outside so that he doesn't make too much noise and wake her up. I put Cloe in her crib, but I don't think she was tired enough because I could hear her banging her pacifier on the crib. I decided that I would put Gus outside and then go and see what I could do for Cloe. I went outside to hook Gus up to his line but he was being super energetic and jumping a lot. I shut the door so that he wouldn't try to run back inside while I took care of him. I finally got him taken care of and I turned to go back inside. With absolute terror I'd realized that I had locked myself outside while Cloe was inside all alone. I had no keys, no cell phone, and no way to get ahold of anyone. I freaked out. I cried and cried and tried to think of what I could do. Suddenly I remembered that I did know one family that lived on my street. This family was converted to the church and baptized about a year and a half ago, but we have had a really difficult time getting ahold of them for the past six months or so. I didn't think twice about it as I booked it down the street as fast as I could possibly go. As I got to their door I could see that they were home. I banged on the door, shouting and crying to please let me in. After what seemed like an eternity, they opened the door. I told them what happened and they let me use their phone. I called Ben's cousin who has a key to our house and he said that he would come over right away. The husband of the family came back with me over to my house to see what he could do. He was trying to get the door open with a credit card while I went around to Cloe's window to hear if she was ok. She was crying and I could tell that she was really upset, which just sent a new wave of tears through me. I went back around to the front door as Nate (Ben's cousin) was pulling up, which also was the exact same time that my neighbor managed to break ihnto my house. I ran downstairs to get Cloe as fast as I could.
I thanked everyone for their help and just held Cloe for a while.

I know that doesn't seem very scary, but this is the first time that anything like this has ever happened to me. Cloe was only alone for like 20 minutes, but I am really glad that I had at least put her in her crib where she couldn't have gotten hurt. I was so grateful for the very spiritual impression I got to go to my neighbors house for help. I am so grateful that I was able to receive inspiration from the Spirit to tell me what to do. I know that without that prompting, I would not have reacted so quickly. I am truly thankful for the ability to receive guidance when I need it.

What's wrong? Is there something on my head?

My Cute Family

Here is a recent picture of Ben, Cloe and Gus. They are so sweet!!