Fall Activities

Well we have had a busy fall, but it has been great too. The first few pictures are of the harvest festival at one of Stephen's elementary school. He was the sheriff and it was so fun watching the kids go crazy, throwing friends and teachers in. Gus did great as well. I am always amazed that he is a husky and so well behaved.

The second group of pictures are from our junior high wyldlife overnighter. Yes, overnighter. We started at 9pm on October 30 and went until 6am on the 31st. It was a great time hanging out with the kids and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I made it until 4am before calling it a night. Stephen, the champion, went the whole time. We slept for a couple of hours before waking up to watch the Husker game. It was a long, uncomfortable day. After every overnighter we say we're never doing it again, but somehow we always do.

Catch Up

So much has happened in the Foreman home since our last update. First, Stephen had the great opportunity to go to his cousin Rachel's wedding at the end of September. He along with his cousin Andrew worked it out that they would surprise Rachel and I think they did just that. it was quite the whirlwind trip though. Stephen left on a Thursday night and returned Monday morning and went directly to work after taking a shower. He had a great time though, seeing his cousin, aunts & uncles, grandparents, brothers and of course parents.

I had the opportunity to also travel down to Nebraska and see my family as well mid October. I was going to a Love & Logic conference in Denver so I left a couple days early. My parents picked me up in Denver and we drove through a cold snowy Nebraska. It was hard to believe it was early October and so cold, but it was wonderful. I got to see my niece, nephew and sister which was a huge blessing. Jill outfitted me with some maternity clothes and I got to sort through some of her boy clothes. I was amazed at what a nice little young lady my niece is becoming and Liam is quite the little man. The conference in Denver was great, but the Husker game was terrible the Saturday before I left.

Anyway, we're both back in Kodiak and are finishing a wonderful, relaxing weekend. We got caught up on sleep, work and just spending time together! By the way, this weeks Husker game was miserable as well. Oh, we also found out this month that we're having a boy (of course going through the boy clothes with Jill). Anyway, we're so excited. The baby has been moving a lot this month and I'm actually starting to really show. I had a lady in Walmart ask me when I was due the other day, first time I've ever been asked that question. I'll start my sixth month on Tuesday. Wow, how time flies.

So the pictures were from a nice hike we took this weekend. Does anyone know what the third picture is?

Labor Day Weekend!

We had an incredible Labor Day weekend! It began on Friday evening when Stephen and I headed out to the Buskin River to do a little fishing. On my first cast I pulled in beautiful Silver salmon that we enjoyed eating that night. The next morning we awoke early to head off on a camping/fishing trip with the KBM staff. We all hopped on the Diakinos (the Mission boat) and headed out to Afognak Island, about a 3 hour boat ride.

Once again, amazing sunny warm weather. We spent the afternoon fishing and putting out the long line for Salmon. On Saturday we caught around 20 and on Sunday another 15. I find it interesting how growing up we always filled the freezer with beef and now fish. I think I still love Nebraska beef just a little more, but take a liking for Salmon more and more.

We were blessed to stay in a little cabin on the island. As we approached we all couldn't help but notice all the bear claw marks and even the broken window in the back (it was double paned). Right before entering we had to move a big wooden board with nails sticking up to keep the bears away. It was a cute little cabin in a beautiful location. Oh, I can't forget the out house. It was about 15 feet from the cabin and the door had a huge hole where a bear had taken it's claw and ripped it. It made for a great view when going to the bathroom though.

Anyway, we didn't make it in until quite late on Saturday night and after a quick supper everyone was fast asleep. Well most people, being pregnant I find I have to go to the bathroom much more often and with all the bears around this made for some interesting trips of shining the head lap out the door looking for eyes and then going as fast as I could. That next morning, me and another girl Emily (who is 8 months pregnant) were out on the porch and watched a bear walk right by. AMAZING!

Sunday was filled with some fishing, but probably my favorite part was when we pulled up in the boat to go to a nearby lake. There was a mother bear and her three baby cubs right along the shore line. It was such a blessing to sit and watch the cubs play and the mother grab salmon out of the ocean. We sat on the bow of the boat, ate lunch and enjoyed the show. Not long after (well after the bear and cubs had left) we all made our way to the land and over to the lake. Some of us enjoyed a little, freezing cold, swim but worth every cold minute!

We then returned to pull our nets for the last time and then make the trip home, with a short stop along they way for some halibut fishing. We pulled into the harbor right as night hit. We were very tired, and stunk like dead fish, but it was well worth the fun of the weekend.

Late Monday morning we all joined once again to clean all the fish and vacuum pack it for the winter. With so many hands it made for light and fun work.

Vacuum packing the fish on the boat

Stephen standing with all the fish

Taking the fish out of the net
We had a good system going, but Stephen came home with pretty raw hands.
Becca jumping into the lake
It's funny we both jumped in wearing the long underwear under our clothes. It really was a warm day, but in the shade and on the boat it was a little chilly
Stephen mid jump
The bears we watched. The splash in the water is a salmon. The salmon are thick in this area and there are always lots of jumpers.
The view from the cabin, you can kinda see the outhouse by Stephen's head.
Watching a fishing boat bring in their nets.

Our long line net

It was a beautiful evening on the boat

The Strong Wind in Kodiak

Wind is something that we always deal with in Kodiak. Winters are especially windy and rainy. There are many times I wonder if the rain is coming from the sky or from the side. Anyway, Kodiak decided to put this wind to use this some new Turbines. Stephen and I took a hike the last week to get a closer look. They are HUGE, but really neat. Anyway, we also love this commercial about the wind. So enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mTLO2F_ERY

On the top of Pillar Mountain

The hike up was beautiful.
Roscoe and I having a little chat.

Fremont Foremans Visit Kodiak

It's hard to believe that summer has come to an end. It seems I spend most of the year thinking about summer and wondering and even worrying that everything will work out. However before the close of the summer we had some visitors. Stephen's parents made their third trip to Kodiak. It was wonderful having some family in Kodiak, and so much got done around our house. Stephen was getting ready to head back to school so they got so see where he works as well as our summer program at KBM in full swing.
Ft Abercrombie - In the winter Stephen and I like to ice skate and cross country ski here, but it sure is beautiful in the summer!
This is Stephen after his haircut. He looks so different!
We enjoyed a lot of beautiful weather while the Foremans were here! This is out at one of the boat harbors.
We took a road trip on Saturday out to the end of the road. It was a little chilly, but the fog was beautiful over the mountains. The dogs enjoyed running around and we even did a little fishing.
So this is Stephen before his haircut. He hadn't cut it since last April I think.

South Africa III

We enjoyed a lot of random things as well. We went to the Boma which was a restaurant where you could try some interesting food. I wasn't so much into the interesting food, but it was a really great restaurant. Stephen of course was and he had a very restless stomach that night.

We went to the Monte Casino (I think that's right). It felt like we were outside inside.
Stephen and Daniel had to play a little tennis. Stephen lost, I'm pretty sure. He blamed it on the racket.
Johannesburg in the evening.

South Africa II

Here are some more pictures from our day at the National Park. We saw so many animals and had a wonderful time. It was a long day, but well worth the trip. We ended up driving part of the way home in the dark. Not normally a big deal, but with no street lights and people randomly crossing the road, oh and the whole part of Daniel having to drive on the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the van with the stick shift on the wrong side (okay, I say wrong, but it's right there, I'm just not use to it). Anyway, I'm thankful Daniel is a great driver!

A family of elephants
As you can see Stephen's hair is very long. I though he looked a lot like a Lion.
Can you tell what this is?
The whole group!