Annual Adak Hunt

For the second year in a row, Darron and five of his buddies flew to Adak Island for their annual caribou hunt.  D, Craig Wilson, Cody Carpenter, Ron Bailey, Anthony Brooks, and Ian Turner set out for 7 days of "man-time" in the mountains of Adak.

 After not having any luck with caribou the first few days,  the guys decided to go "hunting" for ptarmigan.  They bacon wrapped the ptarmigan meat and broiled it in the oven.  According to the guys it was good, but I'm thinking they were just wanting to kill and eat!

 At one time, Adak Island was an old military base.  The guys always find some pretty cool artifacts left behind when the island was basically deserted.

Darron was blessed with a beautiful caribou this trip!  He had to take the shoot from 400 yards away and took it down on the first shot!  Impressive!

The guys came home with four caribou total.  They could have had more, but the "bou" were still way up in the mountains and they just didn't have enough time to keep hiking, shooting, cleaning, and packing out.  

Thanks to a wonderful client who let D borrow his professional grade meat grinder, Darron processed his own caribou this year.  Our freezer is abundant with roast, ground meat, and sausage!  Love the hunter in my man!

Viva Las Vegas!

This summer I had the opportunity to keep my niece and nephew a few times a week to help out.  I made an agreement with their parents that I would keep them as much as needed, as long as they would keep our kids for a long weekend to away in the Fall.  Best deal I could have made!

Darron and I love going to Vegas together, always have.  Don't get me wrong, I'd love to lay on the beach in Hawaii, but with only a few days to sneak away, Vegas is cheaper.  

We had the best time together, just getting away, staying in a nice hotel, relaxing, and being carefree.

Of course one of my favorite things about vacation, is eating.  And after a long flight, this fresh fruit crepe hit the spot!  Yum!

 We stayed in a newer hotel, the Vdara.  They "upgraded" us to a room on a higher floor overlooking the Belagio fountains.  The room was beautiful and the view was outstanding!

 This pregnancy, wings have been my biggest craving.  And wouldn't you know it, a Hooters Casino and restaurant is on the strip!  And they have AWESOME wings.  We stuffed ourselves the first night and could barely wobble out of there!

 New York, New York.  Love this casino and how beautiful it is on the strip!

 We went out of our comfort zone and had dinner at a Blue's Club one night (thanks to a coupon).  We ended up staying for about 2 hours because we were having so much fun!  The music was so good and we had a great time laughing and watching people dance....especially this group of African American ladies from Dallas who were singing, dancing, cheering, and everything else.  So fun!

 We also branched out and ate lunch at this Brazilian restaurant (thanks for another coupon)!  They brought fresh meat and seafood to your table.  You just said "yes" if you wanted some and they would cut the meat and give it to you there.  Again, we could barely wobble out of their.  It was soooo good!

 Out of all of the trips we've made to Vegas, we've never ventured of the strip to Freemont Street.  We made it a point to spend an evening there this trip.  It was a unique and very fun experience!  They have the street covered by this screen that plays little shows and stuff.  The street is filled with shops, casinos, and street performers, along with a very fun looking zip line!  We will definitely be heading to Freemont Street and the zip line next time we're in Vegas and I'm not pregnant!

 Darron and I don't take much to gamble with.  We set aside a certain amount for each day and just consider it our "entertainment fund."  We mainly play fun slot machines with bonus games and just enjoy walking the strip.  The last couple of trips we've experimented with playing Craps.  This trip, we started to really get the hang of it.  The cashout voucher was for $181.  We only started with $20!  Now THAT was fun!

 A picture of our beautiful hotel.  Would definitely stay here again!

D and I realize how blessed we are to get away by ourselves about once a year.  Between the kindness of T and Scott, or my parents, we are usually blessed with a trip to Vegas or somewhere local every year.  It does wonders for our marriage to just spend time together without being "mommy and daddy" and with limited other stresses.  Although we don't have the next trip planned, and it may not be for awhile, I'm already looking forward to it!

Basketball Baby!

Since shooting hoops with Max and Uncle Scott this summer, Preston decided he wanted to give basketball a try this Fall.  He played on a YMCA team with Max, one practice a week and one game on Saturdays.  They had a lot of fun playing together and Preston learned alot about the game.

 Parker snuggled with Aunt TT during one of the games....for a few minutes.  He loved going to "basketball" and I'm sure he'll be officially on the court as a real player in no time!

Wether it be soccer or basketball, Preston loves to learn and try.  While he isn't necessarily the "best" on the team, he sure plays with a lot of heart.  He always has fun and is so encouraging to his teammates.  Keep up the great work Pres!

A Ghost, A Pirate, and Rapunzel

Halloween came quick this year!  Darron and I spent five days together in Las Vegas and didn't return home until the day before Halloween!  While costumes were ready and kids were excited, the day was still crazy and therefore, a lack of pictures. :(

Parker loves playing in his big brothers pirate chest so he "played pirate" this year for Halloween.  The poor little guy was just diagnosed with a sinus infection and double ear infection that same day.  We thought we'd take a sled to pull him in, but it didn't last long.  After only a few minutes, Parker was off and running to the rest of the night!

Little Silas was dressed in a warm Giraffe costume and he loved being pulled in the sled with Parker!

For several years now we have had a Halloween tradition of having the Mondeel's, Sanchez's, and Wilson's come over so we can all trick or treat together.  The group continues to get bigger each year, but we all have such a great time!  Look carefully and you'll see a Preston ghost with a Cowboy candy bag, a little Parker Pirate, and a sweet Payton Rapunzel with pretty much only her long braid showing!

Family Fun 2012

A few more pictures to catch up on fun events in 2012!

Preston, Darron, and I love sushi (the cooked kind).  We are learning to perfect it at home!

Fun times sledding at the cabin!

Payton and Parker enjoyed hunting Easter eggs at Sportsmans Warehouse this year (Pres was at his cousins house).

2012 Easter Picture

As is tradition, Kimi, Marta (and baby Silas), Becca, Hannah, Laura, and me spent a weekend in April at our Family Cabin.  These weekends are filled with walks, junk food, games, laughter, and some sleep!

More sledding at the cabin with Parker, Brookelynn, and Max!

We had such a great time in Texas at the end of May.  The kids and adults all had so much fun being pulled in this tube behind the boat!  Peepaw took me for a wild ride, and then Peepaw and I took Bubba Hairy the dog for a fun ride too!

Preston and Max had their first guitar recital.  I was so nervous for them.  They both did GREAT!

Soaking up the sun in Texas again.  A little girl and her daddy....too sweet!

Parker sporting his new glasses for the first time.

Darron and I enjoyed a night out at dinner with friends, then the Dirks Bentley concert.  It was awesome!

A good days catch out on the boat with Maggie and Peepaw.  Thanks for hosing them off Parker!

Peepaw and Maggie kept the kids for two days for Darron and I to get away.  We spent an entire day at Six Flags together.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  Then we drove to Oklahoma and spent the night at the Chocotaw Casino and Resort.  It was super nice and the time away is just priceless!

I finally did it!  Becca and I (along with some other friends) went and got our tattoos!  I love it!

Would you believe the parents of these kids have been our first and closest friends since we moved to Alaska...11 years ago.  We all started off with no kids.  Now, between the 4 of us families we have 10 kids, a new addition since this picture in Seward this summer, and one on the way!!  It's been a busy few years!

This was taken in our trailer while camping with friends in Seward.  I just had a feeling....and although the line was faint, there was a definite line!

We drove to Ninilchick with the Coronado's for a weekend of dipnetting this summer.  We camped just up from this beach.  The guys caught a TON of fish and we had the most perfect campground...eventhough it rained alot.  The beach was fun to walk on and we collected tons of rocks.

While Darron was in Texas visiting his grandparents, I got brave and took the kids the the Air Show.  Whew!  What an adventure that was.  After parking and walking about 8 miles total that day, we all had a great time and were worn out by the time we made it home!  We ended the day with pizza and a movie.  While tiring, I wouldn't have done it any differently!  We had a terrific time together!

I love this man.  We have so much fun together.  I love that we have lots of the same interests.  Date nights with Darron are what fuel me and keep me going.  So blessed and thankful!

The Last of the Mohicans!

The Last of the Rizer Mohicans (at least according to OUR plan) is due to arrive mid-March!  We are very excited, and a little surprised!  While we weren't necessarily trying for a number four, Darron never felt like we were quite done (I felt very done, but I guess God was on his side for this one)! :)

So far everything is going great with this pregnancy.  I was pretty nauseous the first trimester, but thankfully that has tapered off and I only feel sick when I'm super hungry.  We haven't been able to hear the baby's heartbeat on the doppler at any of our appointments, but a quick scan on the ultrasound shows the baby is healthy and doing great!  For these reasons alone, I'm guessing it's another little girl!

Payton really wants a baby sister, although she says she'll still love it even if it's a boy.  Preston wants another brother, and Parker has no clue what's going on.  But Pres and Pay keep saying they're happy we're having one more baby....it melts my heart!  I know they will both be great helpers....again!

Cravings have been bad this time too.  Wings is what I am craving all the time....lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, regular....you name it!  I also could eat mozzarella sticks quite often too.  Basically whatever pops into my head at any given moment is what I REALLY want to eat.  I'm learning to practice great self-control!  And thankfully, at 15 weeks, I've only gained 3 pounds!!

We're scheduled for the "big" ultrasound at the end of October and we're planning to find out what this little pickle is (that's what cousin Max thinks we should name the baby).

While it's still kind weird to be experiencing pregnancy all over again...especially when I thought I was all finished with having babies....it is such a joyous and exciting time!  Who doesn't love a little newborn baby and their sweet little baby smell??!!

Parker- The Life of the Party!

Oh Parker.  The title of the post says it all...."The Life of the Party!"  I'm not sure there are enough words to explain this little cutie!  He is stinkin' hilarious!  And mischievous, high energy, brave, daring, all boy, snugly, happy, a boundary pusher, and just all around fun to be with.  Our pediatrician one time said, "Parker is like a campfire.  I just find myself entranced watching him, like I can't take my eyes off of him!"  And answered by telling the doctor that right, we can't take our eyes off of him because who knows where he would go or what he would be in to!

Enough said.....

Parker does love to sit in laps and snuggle, but he doesn't sit still too long....unless he's sick.  While I feel bad for him, I just soak up these sweet moments!

No, he's not potty trained at two, but he sure thought it was fun to sit on the potty at the cabin!  Goof ball!

We found out at Parker's 18 month appointment that he couldn't see well (thanks for a new digital screening).  After meeting with a pediatric specialist, he's now sporting some cool glasses....when he'll keep them on!  We like to refer to him as "Harry Parker" when he's wearing the glasses. :)

Lovin' that shaggy, curly hair and the fact that he's a momma's boy!

Because his hair grown so fast and I don't know how to trim it without cutting off the curls, he gets to go to the "haircut store" often.  He loves it and the ladies love him!

Parker LOVES to be outside....winter, spring, summer, or fall!  We have to drag him inside!

Leave it to the third child to be the one to test all of the boundaries!  This was the result of him grabbing a hot pan right after we told him it was hot and no touch.  He handled it like a champ though and not anything that is possibly hot, Parker says, "No touch...hot, hot....owie!"

Sporting his cool hand wrap while keeping the blister clean and dry.

The family cabin....so much fun, so relaxing, and full of four-wheeling!  I love that this little man loves to ride on all the trails with his momma!  A boy after my own heart!

Again...need I say more?!  This was a camping weekend.  I turned around to see what Parker was up too, and this is what I found....using the air pump to pump up himself!  Never a dull moment!

And this is why he eats naked most of the time....unless we're in public. :)

My thrill seeker!  Riding his first "roller coaster" at the Bear Paw Festival.  I have no doubt this one will be riding all of the big coasters with me as soon as he's tall enough!

No, this was not his older brother and sister playing dress up.  Parker did this all by himself!  He found Payton's dress up tu-tu, put it on, and found me saying, "See Momma, look!"  He was so proud of himself.  And sadly, this happens at least once every week or so! :)

I'm so thankful we didn't stop with having two kids.  I'm so thankful God had another plan for us.  I can't imagine our lives without this little stinker in it!  He is so loved by everyone, especially his brother and sister.  It's amazing how much grace they give him!  Parker stands out in a crowd.  He's just naturally catches everyone's attention and he just goes with it.  God MUST have big plans for this boy one day....not sure what they will be....they will be BIG!