Alaskan Cruise 2014

Wow! What an amazing trip!! If I'd known what Alaska was like, I would've gone long before now...  Cruising is definitely the way to travel.  Unpack once for a week and arrive in a different port almost every day.  We left from Seattle on Saturday, August 2 and returned Saturday, August 9.  We sailed on the Norwegian Jewel and found many fun activities on board to keep us busy.

We went with a group that had a couple of great speakers--John Bytheway and Jack Welch.  We heard John Bytheway speak 6 different times throughout the week which made an amazing cruise even better!

 

We were welcomed back to our cabin each night to a variety of towel animals sitting or hanging all over the room.

 

First stop--Ketchikan, Alaska.  Lumberjack show, Totem Bight State Park, Duck Tour and THE most amazing popcorn I've ever had!

 

Next port--Juneau, Alaska.  Salmon hatchery and Mendenhall Glacier.

 

 

We traveled through Tracy Arm to see Sawyer Glacier.  Temps were in upper 50s, low 60s the days we were in Alaska.

Last Alaskan port--Skagway.  Zip lining, panning for gold, Iditarod dogs/sleds/PUPPIES and the 40-degree below chamber to feel what it's like during the Iditarod race--crazy cold!!

 

 

Final port--Victoria, British Columbia.  Butchart Gardens and downtown Victoria.

 

 

 

 

Early Saturday morning arrival in Seattle with a few hours to spare... Visited Pike Place Market, the famous gum wall (yuck!), monorail to the Space Needle and John's Street.

 

An amazing and memorable trip of a lifetime--even if we didn't see any bears...

 

Birthday WEEK!

  My day couldn't have started out any better!!  I received a beautiful letter and pics from Sister Tebbs in Nashville, an email from Elder Tebbs and a text from Hillary wishing me a happy birthday.

AND THEN... A Happy Birthday celebration to US!! July 27, 1965 was a great day for both of us--I am now 49 and my mom turned 80 and she looks fabulous!!!  My sister was kind enough to have us over for dinner so we didn't have to cook on our birthdays :)  Thank you Michelle!!

 

It was so fun to spend time with the extended family, especially Erin King who lives in NYC and don't see very often... (we look like we tried to color-coordinate!)

 

My niece Courtnie's children are darling and always great fun to be around... Plus, they keep Grayson entertained at the family get-togethers since he's the only other child that's usually there!

 

My birthday celebration continued as I flew to Vegas the next morning with my friends Michelle, Kristen and Lauretta.  We went to the furniture market (Kristen is a buyer and was able to get us in) and it was incredible!!! Three huge buildings with 15 floors each of product showrooms.

 

We literally walked from 9:30 am-6:30 pm and were more than happy to "test" chairs and couches when we needed a breather.

 

 Tommy Bahamas for dinner that night with the 3 of us celebrating birthdays within days of each other.  The pineapple creme brulee was to die for.  A little shopping at the outlet stores the next day and we were back on the plane heading home.

I flew home Tuesday evening just in time to watch Grayson play in his last game of a 2-day basketball tournament...

 

 ...then it was on to Wicked at Capitol Theater.  I love this musical and even though it was my 7th time seeing it, I still felt as giddy and enjoyed it as much as the first time.

 

Mid-week found us at a VIP tour of the new Ogden Temple.  John was in St. George for the day so I invited my parents and we all enjoyed ourselves.

 

I'm grateful for temples and the knowledge that families are forever because I sure love mine!

 

Pioneer Heritage Celebrations!

 I'm pretty sure we haven't skipped a Handcart Days Parade since we've always had a child participating somehow.  Kind've sad this year that we weren't in that same situation but we still thoroughly enjoyed the parade with family and friends.

The next morning John and I tried to keep with the tradition Hailey started last year with the Handcart Days 5K run.  This picture is before the race...

 These next two are of John and I heading to the finish line.  We both improved on our times from last year.  I placed 1st in my age group again (not too much competition in my age category) but my goal is to be one of the top 3 overall women finishers so I can get a "cool" pioneer trophy.  I was 5th among the women this year so I have some work to do.

After the race we ate our Chuckwagon Breakfast and headed over to work in the nacho booth at the park which our ward was assigned to this year.

 

We rounded off our weekend of fun by heading to Bear Lake to spend a couple of days with the Passey at their lovely house on the beach.  We enjoyed a hilarious play at Pickleville Playhouse and then an amazing dinner prepared by Chef Heather.  Favorite treat was the fresh raspberry shaved ice at 10 pm.  Amazing!!

 

 Saturday was beautiful and we headed to the beach for lots of fun!

 Grayson had a great time too and kind've remembered what it was like to have siblings again :)

Ended our week of celebration with our annual family birthday dinner to Maddox in Perry, Utah.  There were 15 of us and it was awesome!  My mom and I celebrate the same birthday as I was born on her 31st birthday.  She's celebrating a big one this year--Happy 80th mom!!!!