Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Big No. 1




Cam had his first birthday in August. Since Mark was gone for the actual day, we had a party when he got back in the family. We haven't had that many people in our home at one time and we had a blast. Mark's parents and siblings came up from Farmington/Centerville and we loved having everybody!

It was so fun reflecting back a year and thinking about Cameron coming into our lives. It crazy to realize that at one point Cameron wasn't here. It seems like he's always been here laughing and being a nut. I can't believe how much he's grown and what he's learned over the course of the year!


The cake

Cam was an old pro at opening presents by this time.



Blowing out the candle (with help from Cousin Jackson).

Eating a cupcake-not such a fan.
I'm sure Cousin Russell thought it was almost sacrilegious
to waste a cupcake like that.

Someone finally had mercy and thought to give him goldfish.

Love this boy!


Fun on the Emerald Island

Mark headed out to Kodiak, Alaska to catch "the one" in the middle of August. Fish that is, since he's already found me. I guess there's something about being out in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of guys, bears, and fish that man just can't resist. All the men in the family headed out and the women decided to stay behind and "party". Or something like unto. Cameron and I missed Mark a ton while he was away for a week and a half, but we loved playing together and learning new things. There was no cell phone coverage where they flew to, so it was a new experience not having Mark to talk to for over a week.

Cameron had his first birthday while Mark was gone with little fanfare. A good birthday to miss since Cam doesn't know the difference!

Now that Mark's back, we're enjoying the fruits of his labors. Well, I guess it would more accurately be termed the fish of his labors. Here's some pictures from the trip and if Mark feels the urge, he can post some stories!

A new friend in Kodiak. Thanks for not bringing
him home-you're already hard enough to feed.

The guys were stuck in Kodiak since it was too stormy and
foggy to head out on the float plane to their peninsula.

Mark making the most of their unexpected sight-seeing day.



View from plane. This takes my breath away-the view
and the fog they're flying in. Glad I didn't know about
this until they came back.

Mark, Dana (bro-in-law), Dad, Denny (bro), Todd (bro)

Hiking to the fish.

A river runs through it. Whatever "it" is...


A Mama bear with her triplets. What a thrill to see that in the wild!


Looking down on cabin and ocean. What a view!





Flying out! Alan (bro-in-law), Mark, Dad, Todd

I just thought these pictures looked like a scene
out of Jurassic Park. Look close and you can see
the waterfalls on the mountain! Gorgeous!






Summary: Mark and the guys had a blast, the girls went to Willow Park to see their own fish, and we're all glad they made it back safe and sound (the guys and the girls-hard to say what's more ferocious: bears or tired children).