He's Back!!

Well, Bryce has returned from Alaska. Finally!! 10 days was a little too long for all of us, including Bryce. He had a good time overall, but he did miss his family a lot. The weather wasn't too great while he was there. He said it rained all but one day. The fishing wasn't too great either. He caught a total of 3 salmon. Now I know that sounds bad, but they were good size and we should be able to enjoy them for a while.

Bryce actually got sick the last couple of days. He wasn't able to eat much and he said he slept a lot. He was glad to get home to his own bed and a meal cooked by me, not by his roomies. They cooked most of their meals while they were there and there were some guys he said definitely didn't know how to cook.
He told us a funny story about going to church in Alaska. They went last Sunday to a small branch. There were 27 people there and 7 of them were from Bryce's group. During the sacrament a black bear ran across the parking lot of the church and someone yelled "bear". Bryce figured everyone would swarm to the window to see and they would have to start the sacrament over again. But actually only 2 people went to the window, a 4-year old and the branch president!!

We are all really glad to have him home. The kids were really excited to see him. Ellie took a while to warm up when he got home, but she didn't want him to leave for work this morning. She loves her daddy!!

He was able to take only a few pictures. He had to take the old digital camera instead of his really nice Canon because the battery was at work when he left on the trip. So the pictures aren't all that great. Also, he got the camera wet while he was fishing one day and it had to dry out for a few days.

Gorgeous scenery!!

They saw this bear at the city dump.

Bryce and his salmon!!

What's new

Well, it has been about 6 days since Bryce left for Alaska. Everything is going remarkably well here at home, but I don't think I could be a single mom forever. For those of you who didn't know Bryce was going to Alaska, here is how it all happened. Our neighbor, Cory, called Bryce about 2 weeks ago and told him he had an opportunity of a lifetime. Cory's dad was supposed to go to Alaska but had to back out at the last minute, so Cory invited Bryce to go in his place. The trip had been planned for about a year and so everything was paid for. All they needed to do was transfer the plane ticket to Bryce's name for $75. Well, of course, Bryce couldn't pass it up so he told Cory yes and started to arrange things so he could be gone for 10 days.

It stressed both of us out. Bryce because he was trying to arrange to be gone for that long from his job, family, and church calling. He even got out of speaking in church this Sunday, but I don't think he was happy about that. I would be!! I was stressed out thinking about him being gone for that long and me having to take care of the home front, ie running kids to baseball, soccer, etc. I have to admit overall it has not been bad.

Oh ya, for those that didn't know, about 2 days before Bryce got the call from Cory he had signed Tyler up to play fall baseball with a No. Ogden team. I wasn't very happy about that because it meant 2 practices a week and 2 games on Saturdays. And Bryce was leaving. But with the help of Tyler's coaches they have helped get him to the games so that I can take Brayden to his soccer game, also on Saturdays.

We have heard from Bryce a few times since he left. He said that it has been rainy and cloudy in Alaska, making it hard to see all the beautiful scenery. The fishing hasn't been too great either. On Monday, they went deep sea fishing for halibut and out of the 6 people on his boat, all but 2 got sea sick. Bryce was unfortunately one of the guys puking over the side of the boat. And they didn't catch one halibut. Bummer!! Bryce said that Tuesday they were chartering a plane to a lake to go salmon fishing. I didn't hear from him last night, but hopefully they had better luck.

I have luckily not had to work much this week. I do work tomorrow and Friday but we are on the downward slide for Bryce to get home. The kids have done well, but we are all starting to miss Bryce. I don't think Ellie even realizes her daddy hasn't been around, but I am sure she will be smiling when he gets home. Ellie has been really great lately. She is starting to entertain herself with her dolls, strollers, and other toys. She is so fun to have around.

Well that is what's new with the Clark Clan. I am sure when Bryce gets back there will be more to tell about Alaska and hopefully some great pictures to show.

Life has been busy!

I finally have a few minutes to sit down and do a post. Last week was the first week of school. The boys love their new teachers and seem to be doing well. We are getting back into the routine of homework each night, which hasn't been too bad. Brayden did have a case of the hives last week. We were not sure what caused them but they drove him nuts for a few days. We don't know if the stress and excitement of starting school was the culprit or if it was his new school clothes that made his skin sensitive. But they are gone and we are all glad.

Last week I went to get my hair cut, yep I chopped it. I seem to always want to do something drastic at the end of summer. Anyways, I took Ellie with me and Rachel my hair dresser told me how cute she would look with an A-line bob. So I did it. I let her chop off her hair. It was getting pretty long too. I think Bryce was wondering why I did it, but he likes it now. It is really cute on her, but she doesn't like to keep the cute barettes in it. Oh well, enjoy the pictures. I hope they show up okay. I took them with my phone.

I also started back to school/work last Thursday. It was nice to have the first few days of school off to be with the kids. My class seems to be good. A few squirrels, but life would be boring without em, right? Anyways, I go back to work again tomorrow. I feel a cold coming on too, it must be those germy 6th graders. Hopefully, it goes away soon.

Well, I guess I better go. Ellie just woke up from her nap and is calling my name. See ya!