Snowboarding & Shooting

We have been having SO much FUN since Branden got home hanging out and just being together! Here are some pictures from our snowboarding trip to Alyeska. It is always a beautiful drive down to Girdwood! And an amazing view from the top of the mountain!

We went down a few times together and then I let Branden go down a couple of times by himself because I felt like I was holding him back, the runs were really difficult for me as I am still a beginner. We brought our own luch and ate it in the car, it was a perfect day!

But I was so tired by my last run I thought I was just going to die on the

mountain before I made it down... see!!

And just like all other military men that return from a deployment, Branden bought a new gun, one big enough to kill a moose or a bear, so we went to the shooting range by our house to try it out.

I just shot his AR 15 and he shot his new 30.06 because it kicks back too much for me, it was pretty fun and I guess I shot good because Branden said I was good enough that I could qualify in the military.

Anyways, we've been having a lot of fun together, we also got a new bike because one of ours was broken, so we have been riding our bikes on the bike trail near our house. Also Branden finally got a 4 wheeler, he's been wanting one since he sold his before we got married in 2006. I'll post pictures when we get back to Alaska because we are in Utah now for two weeks! But as you can imagine Branden is stoked to have some new toys!

Branden is Home!!!!!!!!!!!

Branden is FINALLY HOME!!!! Yesterday he arrived in Alaska at about 5:30 AM after a 24+ hour flight. They left Afghanistan on Saturday night, refueled in Germany, layed over in New Hampshire, and the flew to Alaska. There was a welcome home ceremony yesterday morning at 7:30 AM. Here are some of the soldiers standing in formation during the ceremony, if you look close Branden is in the back row...boy they look like a tired bunch don't they? I would be too after that much traveling!

Here I am with one of my signs standing on the bleachers!

I couldn't find Branden in all of the soldiers while they were standing in formation for the longest time, they all look the same in their uniforms!

Together at last! For longer than a year we hope!

I can't even describe how excited we are to be together again!
It almost seems surreal...too good to be true! But it is!!!!

WELCOME HOME BRANDEN!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Fur Rhondy

This weekend Ryan, Dawn, Britton and I ventured out to the fur rhondy parade. We had plans to look at the ice sculptures and snow sculptures, watch the sled dog races, and other fun stuff, but after the parade we were so cold we gave up and walked back to the car. It was about 18 degrees which is the coldest it has been since I got back up here...I hope it warms back up for when Branden gets home!

Here is a pic from the parade and below is some sled dogs we saw walking back to the car. I wish we could have stayed for the race but it was just too dang cold! I think there is more stuff going on next weekend, maybe we will try to do more then.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY BRANDEN SHOULD BE HOME IN A WEEK OR SO!!!

I can't believe that we are finally to the end of the longest year of our lives!

We are so excited to move on and live together again!

Yesterday...

Yesterday Dawn, Britton, and I went on a short picture taking adventure. We drove up towards arctic valley and took some pictures of the view. On our way back down Dawn spotted this guy on the side of the road....I hurried and pulled out my camera and snapped some pictures! Crazy! I was kinda scared, he/she was only 10-20 feet from our car....and we had the window rolled down! I thought it was going to jump in and get me! It was starring right at us!

On a totally different note, since the last post two weeks were added onto the month that Branden had left til he comes home, so now he still has a month left. He is on the LAST flight out of there.... At least he will be home soon, not soon enough for me though! Hopefully on the next post I can say he is on his way home!

So close yet so far away!

I know I haven't posted anything in a while, but not a whole lot is going on. I'm just playing the waiting game that is my life. Branden should be home in less than a month now, and I am going crazy waiting! I know he has been gone SO LONG and there is not that much left, but this last little bit seems to be DRAGGING! And, another hard thing is that Branden is done working over there because his replacement is there and so he is just sitting there waiting to come home, but he has to wait to come home with the rest of his unit....SO STUPID. Anyways, I am back working at Allure doing nails which is helping the time pass by a little faster.

My friend Dawn and her 16 month old Britton are staying with me right now until they get their own place. It is so fun having them around! They keep me happy and laughing all the time, I don't know what I would be doing here alone without them! Well thats about it, but I just wanted to update you all! I'll let ya know when Branden is on his way home!

Goodbye 2009!

and

Happy New Year Everyone!

Boy am I glad that 2009 is over, it was probably the hardest year of my life, but there were still a lot of good things too. But, watch out 2010 here we come! I am so excited for this year! There is only 7 weeks til Branden comes home!!!!!! I am heading back to the frozen tundra next week and I am not too excited about it. The only good thing about it is that it means that Branden will be home soon! Here are some pictures of new years eve, I went to Branden's parents house and we ate dinner of course and had an early new year celebration at 8:00pm so the kids could go to bed on time. Some of us adults stayed up til midnight talking and playing games, it was fun!

This aparatus full of cany and baloons is something Branden's mom came up with which was dropped down at our fake midnight, the kids loved it!

Actually Blake and Brian might have like it more than the kids! Here they all are trying to get as much candy as they can!

This kids also got noise makers and hats...they had a blast with them!

Here is Luke...

and Cohen and Alicey!

I also went snowboarding or should I say snowfalling a couple of weeks ago with a friend from Alaska whose family also lives in Utah.
Here are a few pics of me making a fool of myself!


The sunset really was the best part, and it alone was worth my $15!
It was georgeous!! This picture doesn't even do it justice!

It was fun, but I was REALLY hurting for a couple of days after! Thanks Steph for putting up with my falling down the mountain!

And, a couple of days ago I went to dinner with my friends, I am so glad we were FINALLY able to get everyone together! Everyone is so busy , but it is nice to hear what eveyone is up to! I am glad I have such good friends, hopefully we will be doing this until we are all grandmas!
Here is Natalie, Ashlee, Tiffany, Melissa, and Erika

Well, that's it for now! I hope everyone has a fantastic new year!

Christmas Festivities

Okay so this post is way late, but I had a mishap with my memory card with all my photos on it which I just barely figured out how to fix. Anyways starting with Christmas eve, here I am with my brothers and my Dad and Ashlee and Carter. We had a really good dinner that my dad and I cooked, and then we played a few games. It was a really fun night especially playing the games... I have never laughed so hard in my life!

Next is Christmas morning, Keaton, Jeremy, and I went over to my Dad's house and ate breakfast and opened presents.

We opened presents at my mom and Dave's Christmas Day... and afterwards we went to Grandpa and Grandma Carters and ate lunch, opened presents, and hung out.

Jeremy with his present....money towards a plasma TV!

Beau, Necana, and Keaton

Ryan, Ashlee, and Carter

This is my new coat I got! (Thanks mom and Dave!)

Later I went over to the Binghams and we ate dinner and played Scum. Scum was really fun, I got some bord games which unfortunately I had to return because they were to big to bring back to Alaska, darn it we love board games! (Thanks Elden and Sheri for the gift!)




The tuesday after Christmas we had the Jones Family Christmas party.

Keaton won the door prize....a remote control truck! Look how excited he is!! Ha Ha
My cousin Brittnie and her son Dillon were there....

along with baby Carter....

Grandma Jackie, and Melanie...

and the rest of the crew... Ashlee, Clay, Keaton, and Jeremy


Ryan and Carter

Brittnie and me

The family