Christmas Time

A beautiful December day
Fogged in Kodiak

Gus trying to get through the snow to us

Being in Kodiak for Christmas was something we never thought would happen. But being 8 months pregnant and traveling, plus the increased cost made Kodiak the best Christmas option. Today it is clear and 35 degrees out, but it's amazing the time we would have been flying out the weather was terrible and planes didn't come into Kodiak for two days. Now watching the news and talking to family it looks like another snow storm will be hitting the midwest, right where we would have been traveling. While we are missing everyone greatly, we also feel blessed knowing the Lord knew what would be best this Christmas.

Yesterday when the wind and the rain died down we decided to take the dogs for a nice long hike. It was beautiful, but tiring. Being 15 pounds heavier really changes things, especially when the weights all in the front and you're trudging through snow past your knees. All four of us were pretty tuckered out by the time we got home, but it was well worth it.

We are also enjoying having our wonderful friends Evan and Cindy Jones and their kids back on the Island for the Holidays. Evan and Stephen replaced our very old stove, so I now have four working burners (a huge upgrade from the one working burner I did have). Cindy is also pregnant so I look forward to catching up with her on some baby things.

Cindy Jones and me

Currier and Ives 2009

Stephen and I have enjoyed a busy Christmas Season so far. At the beginning of the month we were Mary and Joseph for the children's Christmas program at church. It was great, no lines, no real practice time, just stood up with the kids. The Mission put on it's Christmas Bazaar. It was amazing how many handmade items were sent up from across the lower 48.

Probably the biggest even was our annual Currier & Ives, Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration at the Mission. This is always so much work, but completely worth every minute. Stephen was quite busy throughout the night speaking for the marionette performance, being Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas, and the lead shepherd who announces the arrival of baby Jesus.

The night was filled with great food, friends and most importantly the message of the birth of the Savior of the world.

A community member brought some goats to share for our live nativity. They were so cute and lovable, Stephen even enjoyed them. It reminded me just how much I want to have goats again.

If you would like to see a recap of this years event go to youtube and type in Kodiak Baptist Mission Currier and Ives 2009 or copy and past this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYl1mitudbo

December Hikes

Throughout the month of December Stephen and I have enjoyed some beautiful weather. One of our favorite things to do is load up in the jeep and head out to a trail or mountain. Watching the dogs chase rabbits and birds never seems to get old.

As many Nebraskans we had a great time watching the Big 12 Championship Game. What a fun game to watch!

Paul and Stephen's Birthday

We had some beautiful weather over our break and some really bad weather. We enjoyed going ice skating with Paul out on Mission Lake on the Sunday that he wasn't suppose to be in Kodiak. But because of the crazy Kodiak weather he got stuck for an extra day. It was a great time having the dogs pull us around. So wonderful!
Stephen and Paul went out with a friend of ours to trap some beavers. The weather was pretty bad, but they had a great time.
We celebrated Stephen's birthday on Saturday. Paul got Stephen a great present, and I think the picture describes it great.
I also made Stephen his annual German Chocolate Cake. It was so much easier to make with two good knees (last year I was hobbling around.)
This was a hike that we went on after the Husker game on Friday. Beautiful weather!

Thanksgiving

Well Thanksgiving was a full day. I made the turkey for the Mission Thanksgiving get together along with the stuffing and gravy. I am so thankful for all those times in the kitchen with my mom. Oh, and of course learning how to make my Grandma Neta's incredible gravy. After the Mission's Thanksgiving we went to the Davidson's house for another great celebration. Stephen's brother Paul was visiting and it was wonderful having some family close by. Paul got along very well with our dogs. Roscoe loved to sit and have Paul just pet him.

The Eagle Outside My Window

This was my view out my office window yesterday. Amazing!

A Bear in the Parking Lot

Well last weekend we had a great time going for a great hike in the snow (except that my snow pants really don't fit anymore). Anyway, when we were coming back into town we decided to run by Walmart to grab a few things. Well in the parking lot there was a pickup with a bear, yes a bear. The guy had just shot it in the morning. Stephen was really taken by it and had to take a few pictures. So enjoy.

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