The Big Alaskan Hunt

On August 30th, Brydon flew off to Anchorage, Alaska to meet his Dad for an epic Father/Son hunt.  This adventure had been in the making for over a year and you couldn't find two more excited men ever! It was quite the trip to plan and they loved every second of planning and getting things together.  After arriving in Anchorage they secured (not easily) some tags to hunt Dall Sheep Rams and a few other animals, just in case.  Early the next morning they hopped on a small plane and were dropped off in the bush near Farewell, Alaska.  No cell coverage and just the open tundra, 2 guides (Spencer & Dave), and a cook.  (I am not sure how rough it is when you have your own personal cook, but oh well.)

After being dropped off, they hitched a ride on these World War II Surplus Ammo Carriers.  They are 1940 Dodge Power Wagons.  Apparently if you remove the fan belt they can even become a bit aquatic although the river was higher than normal.

The Kuskokwim River was a bit much for the vehicles this time around and they didn't make it across and almost tipped over.  A little too exciting for me personally, but Brydon was quite thrilled about these pictures.

They didn't make it to Sheep Camp like they were hoping for a few days due to the rain so decided to make the best of it anyways.

 7 Foot Black Bear

On September 1st, Brydon shot a 7ft. Black Bear.
He is a beauty and Brydon plans to make a nice bear rug.
It is going to look beautiful in the new building his dad his constructing to house all the trophy animals.

Brydon and his Dad Kelly

13 Year Old Dall Sheep Ram

(13 1/2" base, 32" horn, 8" break off, approx. 350 lbs.)

On September 2nd, Brydon shot this rather large guy.  He is a rugged Ram with lots of character and that was apparently just what Brydon wanted.  He is quite a fat old guy and earned Brydon some bragging rights for a great catch on the first time out.  Brydon calls him a Toad.

This will also be an amazing mount to add to the Manning Generations display in the new building.

Dave, Brydon, & Spencer

Can you see the break on that horn?  This guy was apparently the bad boy in town!

Kelly & Brydon

Brydon seems to have a habit of shooting his animals late in the day and in remote, difficult to get out locations.  This ram was no exception.  After packing up the ram, the temperature was low enough the guide wanted to make it back to base camp.  So they began the slow, cold walk at night in terrible winds on the tundra.  They began the journey at 9pm and made it back to camp at 5:30am.  Apparently it was rather an exhausting journey.  

(It is moments like this that I am happy to let Brydon know I will join him in Alaska on a cruise and not on a hunt!)

Sheep Camp

Eventually they were able to make it to Sheep Camp, after safely crossing the river.

Quite the romantic getaway, don't you think?  It is quite rugged but they still did have their own cook, a nice lady named Susy. 

Kelly had previously been Dall Sheep hunting, so this hunt he was on the look out for a trophy ram that would complete his full mounted Big Horned Sheep Grand Slam. 

 And boy did find the perfect sheep!

They don't make men any better than these two!

Dave, Kelly, & Brydon

Brydon was happy to finally meet the infamous Dave.  He is a great guy and Kelly's adventurous hunting buddy.  

13 1/2 Year Old Dall Sheep Ram

 (14 1/2" base, 42 1/2" horn, no breaks, no teeth, approx. 300 lbs.)

On September 6th, Kelly shot this prize winning ram.

This ram earned everyone quite the bragging rights.  Even I can tell that this guy has some serious curl on that horn.  He is a beauty and since he had no teeth, would not have survived the winter.

Most definitely a record breaking ram and Kelly says he can hang up his hat now and no longer has to hunt a Dall Sheep.  We will see what Brydon and Caleb have to say about that!  

Dave, Spencer, Kelly, & Brydon

Time to head back to camp!

Meet the new 

KUIU Poster Boy!

The hike back after Kelly's catch, wasn't quite as adventurous but sure was beautiful.

This will most definitely be a trip these two will talk about for another year or so!

They both earned some pretty good bragging rights but most of all they just love the time together in one of their favorite places on Earth.

West Texas State Fair

While Brydon was away on the Alaskan tundra, Caleb and I spent an evening at the West Texas Fair.  It was a fun mommy/son date and we were even able to hook up with some friends.  It was just a fun relaxing evening.



We watched the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show.  It was pretty cheesy but the guys are pretty talented with a saw and rolling on huge logs.

Caleb was tall enough to ride the mini roller coaster.  I love his face!

He enjoyed trying out a couple rides and then getting a Carmel apple treat.

The evening ended with feeding the 4-H animals  Caleb didn't really like getting too close to them.

Got to love the fair!

You Know You Are a Parent When....

Do you ever have those moments that just really remind you that you really are a parent?  Some are amazingly funny and some are those crazy moments that make you go.....ugh.  But they would only happen because you have been blessed to be a parent.  I cherish those moments.  Those moments that remind that me that I may only have one child but I still get one, and he is amazing and fun.  

Here are a few of the moments we have had lately.  

Like when your child takes secret pictures with your camera and you find a sweet picture of your son (above) and an interesting picture of his eye.

Or you go through your pictures and find random photos of a favorite stuffed animal poised around the house.

Or when you get woken up by these two crazy characters who start mauling you.  Who could ask for a better way to wake up?

When you get ready to go down the stairs and randomly find a trail of magnets on every step.  Don't you wonder what they think sometimes?

When you look outside to find the trampoline full of toys and your son on a crazy adventure in the middle of it all.

Telling your child he has to stay in his room tonight and can't leave.  So he does........just barely!

For Family Home Evening your child to decides to make a treat by himself.  Popsicles with yellow food coloring and mapeline, but somehow the food coloring and mapeline end up all over the floor.    So "unfortunately" you have to make fudgesicles instead.

Or when your sweet boy curls up in your lap to read you a story and is beginning to love reading as much as you do.

Being a parent is an amazing gift.  It comes with all sorts of challenges but some amazing adventures and there is never a dull moment.  We are so lucky to have such a sweet boy in our lives.

Being a parent is most definitely the hardest thing we have ever done but by far the best thing too!

Do you have those moments like these?

2013 Dyess Air Force Ball

Last weekend, Brydon and I were able to attend the 2013 Air Force Ball to celebrate the Air Force's 65th birthday.  We enjoy the chance to get dressed up and go on a fancy date.

This year I decided to try my hand at making my own dress.  It is always hard to find modest formal dresses and so I found a pattern I wanted to try.  The dress turned out pretty well.  I still want to tweak it a bit but I am happy with the result and it was comfortable.  It was a hard dress and I am so grateful for my amazing seamstress friend, Natalee.  She was able to teach me some new skills and help me finish in time.

We had a wonderful night!  We were able to spend dinner chatting with a kind city counsel man and his wife.  It was interesting to learn about some city politics issues and visit was such an interesting person.  We also got a few dances in before we called it a night.

Sure do love that handsome man!  I am a lucky girl!