Texas-Colorado

We made the rounds when we went to the lower 48. First we went to Houston to see Chris and Heater (and baby!). We spent a few days with them and Shelley drove up from San Antonio to spend a few days with us as well. It was fun to catch up with them since they weren't going to be going to Colorado for the family reunion.

We then went to Muleshoe for a night. While there we celebrated Mina and Cori's birthdays.

Ahhhhh, LOVE this sweet little girl

Trey spending a little time with his Grandmina. He is such a sweet little guy

We stopped in Westcliffe, CO and enjoyed a little ice cream.

Cousins :)

A VERY serious game of bocce ball!!

Peyton being silly

More bocce ball.

Peyton Jo LOVES her aunt Gin gin

And her mamanita :)

Trey spending some chill time with aunt Whit

What a sweet little family! Cannot wait to meet the newest addition (arriving in September).

Peyton and uncle Ben taking a little nap.

Trey loves his dad!

Peyton with some CRAZY hair

Ben trying to be collegiate. 

The best parents in the whole world. I am so thankful for them. I love them more and more everyday.

Enjoying some time down by the campfire.

The whole clan.

Look at that sweet little red head!!! Love that kid!

Aunt Teresa teaching Will and Levi all about the tractor.

Peyton Jo getting a little ride on the horse.

When we all rode away she cried. She wanted to be a big girl and go riding so badly.

Levi and his uncle Matthew

These boys love their cousin Ryan

Taking a swim in the hot tube with Papa.

Kara and Trey (and another one on the way in September!)

We had such a great trip. It was so good to see some extended family and get to spend some quality with with all of them!

Denali and more with the Butlers

In the 3.5 years we have lived here, Matt and I had not ever gone North to see Denali (Mt. McKinley). Our friends Stetson and Katy came to visit us again from California. So, we went North with them!

You can barely see the sheep in the picture...but he's there :)

Below is the first view we had a Mt. McKinley, from the highway as we were driving towards Denali National Park.

The sheep again.

We didn't see any moose while we were on our tour through the park...but then we saw this guy as we arrived back at the visitors center.

Uncle Stetson getting a little Piper time :)

Jasper loved Stetson and Katy

Hiking Mt. Baldy

The usual jumping pictures :)

We finally got one with all of us off the ground...even Jasper! (Sarah's feet are off the ground if you look close...impressive since she is holding Piper!)

We had a great visit with them! One of these days we'll have to go see them in California :)

Baby Cornett

For those of you who do not already know...Matthew and I are expecting again! We are so thankful for this undeserved and unpromised blessing from God. We found out we were expecting 1 week after we got our sweet little puppy, Jasper! The first few weeks were a rather nervous time for me. God did provide us with a lot of peace during those few weeks as well, but there was still some fear in me. We got to have an ultrasound at 7.5 weeks and got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. All day before the appointment I was completely at peace and knew that everything was okay with our growing baby, but then right as the baby appeared on the screen I was overwhelmed with a fear that there was not going to be a heartbeat. So, when Major Trump told us she saw the little flutter of the heart, I didn't believe her at first. But then, of course, cried once she let us listen to that little heart beating!

This announcement has been one that has taken a lot of time, thought, and consideration for me. Since we have been through two miscarriages and have felt the fear of the possibility of never having a healthy pregnancy, we have developed some close relationships with other couples who are dealing with the same thing. Because of those close relationships that we have formed, this announcement is one that is, in many ways, difficult to make. We are aware that God never promised to give us a healthy pregnancy. God never promised to give us this blessing. We are sinners and deserve nothing but death. Therefore, each and every blessing in our lives is just that. A blessing. We are thankful that God has given this to us and will continue to pray for our dear friends who long for this as well.

Matthew and I are so excited about this little one and feel so overwhelmed by this blessing!

There will be no announcements or updates on Facebook through this pregnancy. 

So check back here (or call me) if you want an update! :)

Gwyneth Bentzin

Please be in prayer for my niece Gwyn. She is 3 weeks old. my sister and brother-in-law just found out that she may have a metabolic disorder called carnitine transporter deficiency. This could be life-threatening. She is not exhibiting any symptoms at this time. But Nate and Terah are awaiting further test results. Please pray for peace for them and for healing for sweet Gwyn.

Saturday Market to Mt. Baldy

After we had a sisters weekend in Seattle, Gini came back to Alaska with me to hang out for a few days. Here are a few pictures of her visit.

Gini and Jasper at the peak of Mt. Baldy.

 You can't tell from these pictures...but there was a large part of this hike that still had LOTS of snow and mud. On the way down we definitely sat on our tail-ends and slide down about 1/4 of the mountain :)

 This picture is in the wrong place :) Gini, Sarah and I hanging out the last night that Gini was here.

 Sarah and sweet Piper :)

 Me at 11:30pm on Skyline drive, enjoying the sunset.

 Gini and sweet Hailey. Hailey had so much fun with Gini. Definitely found a new friend :)

 Gini in her jumping sunset picture.

 Me and Jasper at the peak of Baldy. Jasper did great! It was his first long hike. 

He made it all the way up and down! (he's only 11 wks old)

 Gini and Hailey being amazed at how large that fork is!! :)

 The view.

 Hailey getting a piggy back ride from Uncle Matt while at Saturday Market.