Alaska 2015

I am truly blessed. I have been given many wonderful opportunities in my life and some that I have especially enjoyed are the opportunities to spend quality time with my parents and siblings. My dad and Lucinda generously planned for all of us to go on a cruise this summer to Alaska. We have done a similar cruise like this before but this time we experienced different parts and did different activities in the cities we visited. We began our adventure by flying to Anchorage, AK where we boarded a bus to take us to the port. The views along the coastline were so pretty. Once aboard the ship we sorted out which rooms we were in and then toured our new home. We had two days at sea where we played ping pong, shuffle board, and watched the beautiful views of Glacier National Park.

I didn't know, but I guess I have a talent for
shuffleboard. I was the shuffleboard champion!

On the second night, which happened to be Father's Day, was our first formal night. We had a wonderful mini testimony meeting together during the day and had fun celebrating my dad at dinner that evening. On the third night we decided to do something really fun; we dressed up as each other! Prior to embarking on the ship we each drew names to see who we would imitate. It was so fun to see how each of us interpreted each other. 

My dad was a good sport dressing up as Megan. Dane was Kris.

Megan was my dad and played her part to a "T."
She was hilarious! Abi was Lucinda.

I had the pleasure to dress up as Ashely and Peter was Ryan.

Kris was Kam and Lucinda was too kind in her interpretation of me.

Ashely was Abi, Kam was Peter and Ryan (not pictured) was Dane.

Our first port of call was Skagway. Last time we were here we took the White Pass & Yukon Route Train. This time, we changed it up by doing a hike and float (some of our group did a dog sled tour.) We hiked through part of the Chilkoot Trail and then floated down a glacier fed river. The hike was absolutely beautiful and our trail guide was awesome teaching us about different plants and trees native to the area. One plant, I can't remember what is was called, was used as a natural mosquito repellant and it worked well to keep the bugs away.

We had a little bit of time before our tour
so we shopped in the little town.
This is Dane trying to be as harry as Kam.

Our next stop was in Juneau. The first time here some of us when fishing while the others took a float plane over the glaciers and went to a salmon bake at the Toku lodge. This go around everyone took a tour of Mendenhall Glacier and took the tram up to the top of Mount Roberts. Before heading to the Glacier we stopped at at nature preserve area to walk through a garden of native plants and trees.

Our last port of call was Ketchikan, AK. This was the only day where the weather did not cooperate. It rained and rained and rained down on us. I forgot to bring my coat so our first order of business was to find Kam and I rain jackets. After finding just the perfect one we met up with the rest of the group for our Kayaking Adventure. Despite the rain it was a beautiful time on our paddle out to Eagle Island. On our way back the storm picked up and the wind was crazy. It was quite the workout to paddle back to land. We were able to stay dry and none of us fell out of our kayak. Sadly, we found out later that several passengers from another cruise line who was stopped in Ketchikan that day were tragically killed along with their pilot on a float plane tour. We were so grateful to have been blessed with safety.

Our last day on the ship was a day at sea. We again played shuffleboard, rested, hot tubbed, and celebrated Abi's 15th birthday with a "15" themed dinner. The next day we disembarked in Vancouver Canada. Since our flight didn't leave until later in the day we took a little tour of the Vancouver area. We first stopped at Stanley Park and then to Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension bridge. We also visited the Capilano Salmon Hatchery and walked along the Capilano River.

View of Vancouver BC from Stanley Park.

Totems at Stanly Park

Suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon Park.

A water fall into the Capilano River

This was by far one of my favorite vacations. It always helps to get away without the kids, but the time we spent bonding was absolutely priceless. Our relationships were strengthened and we just had a great time enjoying being together. It was also wonderful to be spoiled by the great staff and crew aboard our ship. We truly were spoiled by all. Thanks Dad and Lucinda for this fantastic opportunity!

With Ariel, Rommel and Homer!

June in Utah and Independence Day

Our summer started out really slow once the kids were out of school. We spent most of our days being lazy, catching up on sleep and swimming at Cowabunga Bay. But by the middle of June, the crazy fun began. Kam and I were going to be spending a week on a cruise to Alaska with my dad and siblings, while the kids spent time with their Henrie cousins up north. I drove the kids up north and dropped them off at Gram and Grampa's house and after 24 hours, I turned around to head home to get ready for Kam and my trip. The kids had the best time in Utah. The Giddings' family flew out from Minnesota to play and the Furguson's also came up to join in on the fun.

Riley, chalk-panting with the girlie cousins.

Silly kids.

All the Grandkids with Gram.

Just the girlies.

These two fought over the attention from Gram; and why wouldn't they?!

All three kids' favorite part of their time in
Utah was picking and eating fresh raspberries. YUM! 

Ten days after leaving the kids at Gram's house, I returned refreshed and excited to play with my babies. The kids didn't want to head straight back home so we spent a few days playing with Grammy Bo and Aunt Megan, Uncle Kris, Navy and Baby Jensen. While together we watched Uncle Peter's soccer game, played at the park, visited the fire station, swam at the splash pad, and played, played, played!

Snuggling Jensen at the soccer game.

Swinging at the park. 

While at the park some girls came and gave each of the kids
 a stuffed buddy. These buddies were delivered in memory of a
little boy who passed a way about 6 months ago. It was so sweet.

Kiddies at the fire station.

These girls really love "chuver."

Brother-Cousins!

Waterballon fights were a hit at Bo's house and Riley was excited to have "big boobs!"

Riley's first Piggy-Tails!

Riley and Navy played much better together during this visit. They loved finding eggs that Bo kept hiding all around the house.

Swimming at the Splash Pad in Highland. Love that both their cheeks are hanging out!

Cute Cousins

Braden created this drum set and played us a few "songs."

I never get tired of spending time with our family. I thought maybe we'd be ready to be home after nearly 3 weeks traveling but we weren't. The only good thing about coming home was seeing Daddy. We got home on July 4th just in time to eat some Kentucky Fried Chicken and head to the park to watch the fireworks.

Riley loved watching the fireworks but hated the BIG BOOM.

Kindergraten Graduation and End of Year Awards

Wow! This year went by so fast! The boys have learned so much this last school year and I am so grateful for the amazing teachers they each had this year who have lead and guided the boys into new interests and passions.

Carter is my little math wiz and he also learned to read this year. I had worked on reading with him prior to starting kindergarten but he has just blossomed and is reading above grade level now. I think watching a child learn to read is one of the most magical times for me. I just love the excitement they get out of practicing and showing off their new skill. Carter has loved school. I am so glad I put him in all day as he would have been bored at home. After school, Carter loved doing his homework and was always asking if he could get on the computer to work on blended learning. He was the first kid in the school to finish ST Math for his grade and ended up moving on to challenge himself and completed the 1st grade level as well. At his graduation the kids were given their promotional certificate as well as other awards they'd earned during the year. Carter was on the AB honor roll at the semester and eded the year on the Principal's list for straight A's. He also received an award for Excellence in Art and a certificate for AR reading. AR (Accelerated Reader) is a program where the kids read books based on their reading level then take quizzes to test their understanding of what they read. AR usually doesn't start until 1st grade but as Carter was reading so well his teachers had him participate to challenge him. Carter passed 18 quizzes over the last semester. I am so pleased with how well Carter is doing academically and can't wait to see what future years bring.

Commencement Begins

Blurry picture but loved capturing his
teacher talking about how great Carter is.

My little Graduate

With his teacher Mrs. Corrales

Braden had a wonderful year as well. His teacher was absolutely perfect for him. Braden is a great reader but never really liked to read. This year though, his teacher inspired him and instilled in him a LOVE of reading that just amazes me. Braden who read mostly because he had to last year now reads all the time because he wants to. He reads every night even when I tell him it's too late. He will wake in the middle of the night and not be able to go back to sleep and will turn on his light and start reading. One night after tucking him in and telling him it was late and he needed to sleep I went into his room to check on him and he was under his covers reading with a flashlight. I couldn't stop laughing - how do you get mad at a kid for wanting to read? Braden has really excelled this year and his teacher has been a big encouragement to his growth as a leader and mentor. He helped encourage kids in his class to work harder, he would read to the class for his teacher when her voice was feeling worn out, he took charge and was a great example to everyone. Braden received several awards at his end of year ceremony. He received awards for excellence in both art and reading, he was on the Principal's list for straight A's all year and was awarded the President's Education Award for his outstanding academic achievement. The only challenge I had this year with Braden was homework. Unlike his brother, Braden hated homework; I think it was boing and repetitive for him.

"What ar you doing mom?"

President's Education Award (one per class, per grade)

Checking out his Presidential Pin

Braden's teacher did individual awards for each kid in her class that related some way to a candy. Braden got the "Nerds" award. It was the perfect way to sum up this great year for him.

With Ms. Spencer

Now to celebrate with lots of Summer Fun!!!

Braden's First Pinewood Derby

Braden could not wait for Pinewood Derby time. He has been looking forward to this since he started scouts a little over 7 months ago. Braden and Kam worked really hard designing and prepping the car for ultimate performance. I helped Braden with the paint job. He told me what he wanted and I helped him tape everything off so he could paint. I did help here and there including the last step of putting on the stars dots. Then, after a trip to Hobby Lobby for some powdered graphite to lubricate the wheels, he was ready to go. He signed and weighed in and it was go time.

Braden ended up 4th place over all. Kam thinks he may have done even better if we made the car a bit heavier (he was under weight by almost 1/2 an ounce), but there's always next year. Way to go Brady!