At Sea...August 8-9, 2009

We left Dave's parents house early Saturday morning (6:00 a.m.) to catch our train to Seattle, Washington. We arrived in Seattle around noon, got a taxi to the port, and got in line to board the ship...

Once on board, we enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch and got ready to set sail. The ship left port at 4:00 p.m. We sailed through the night, all day Sunday and arrived in Juneau Monday at noon. I was a little sea sick Sunday morning but didn't have any problems after that. This is a video of the swimming pool on board that first day. They had it roped off and only half full. The water was mimicking the waves in the ocean...

We spent our first days at sea getting acquainted with the ship...

Our Room...

...working out (they had a great gym), relaxing...

reading...

...and even doing a little of this (napping)...

Did I mention I got a Swedish massage too? It was by far one of the best I've ever had! :) Sunday evening was the first of two formal nights. So we got all dressed up for dinner...and finished the evening watching The Golden Princess Dancers perform. It was a great show!

Come back tomorrow to hear all about Juneau!

Home Sweet Home

We made it home safe and sound last night. We had a wonderful vacation and took over 800 pictures, so I have lots to tell you about (don't worry, I won't post all 800 pictures!) The plan is to split the pictures into several posts over the next few days... Shall we get started?!

Pre-Alaska: We spent two days before we left hanging out with Dave's parents. We were supposed to get together with his little brother Andy and his family but one of his kids was throwing up so we didn't get to see them. His wife, Carrie, left with their four kids while we were in Alaska to visit her family. So, the kids got to spend one day with their cousins after Dave & I left but we didn't get to see Carrie or the kids. That was disappointing, especially since we won't go back to Oregon for 2 years. We're so sad we missed you Carrie! We did get to spend some time with Andy when we returned as he did not join his family on their trip.

---------Friday, August 7, 2009---------

The girls kept themselves busy making costumes out of construction paper. Grandma & Grandpa's dog went crazy when he saw them...Dave's mom and I had gone to the outlet mall and they didn't want to take their costumes off until we got home to see them; evidently, the dog barked the entire time we were gone. :)

Dan grilled some good ribs! He was getting us ready for our week of feasting (not to be misread as fasting!)

Carter loves the view from the roof!

Guess where we're going?

We bought new luggage and packed our bags for a two week vacation. Our flight to Oregon left Wednesday morning and we arrived at Grandma & Grandpa Matheny's safe and sound. Tomorrow, Dave and I are leaving on a 7 night cruise to Alaska! The kids are staying with Grandma & Grandpa. They've planned a train ride up Mount Hood, a trip to the coast with cousins, a day at the children's museum, swimming in the mountains, and a classic car show. So, I don't think they'll miss us too badly! :) We will be celebrating our 15 year anniversary and have a bit of whale watching, kayaking, and zip-lining up our sleeves! Stay tuned for pictures...

Krause Springs

Yesterday my friend, Laurie, and I took our kids to Krause Springs. It has been privately owned for over 50 years and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites. Several springs feed the man made pool and the natural pool. In the fall, I'd love to take the kids camping there.

Carter, Lauren, & Katelyn

Carter & Zachary

Taylor on the rope swing. She got to where she was getting pretty good. I tried it and thought it was miserable...Carter agreed! :) After watching Carter & I try it someone in line told Taylor, "You're really good at it, your family...not so much!" :)

Halli & Laurie

Lauren & Katelyn

Zach & Carter

Lauren chillin' and having a snack.

Katelyn, Lauren, and Taylor

We had a great day! It was overcast so it wasn't very crowded or overly hot.

The Perfect Place...

My mother-in-law, Nancy, makes the most beautiful quilts ever! Last year, I received this quilt in the mail. I absolutely LOVE it. She had intended for it to be in our play room but I liked it too much to chance having it ruined by kids. I thought about using it on one of the girls beds but it didn't quite go in their rooms. Today, I found the perfect place...

It is at the top of the stairs, between Lauren's room and kids bathroom. It's the first thing you see as you arrive upstairs!

Isn't it gorgeous?

Thank you Nancy! The kids have been told to leave it alone! :)

Brace Face

Do you notice anything different about Taylor?

How about now?

Now?

Does this mean I'm old???

Sunday Afternoon at Our House...

I love Maggie's tongue in this picture! :)

Look what Taylor can do!

Dave's thrilled...Can you blame him?

Splash Park

On Thursday we went to the Splash Park...

Macy & Lauren

Carter & Sam enjoying their picnic lunch.

Lauren & Macy

Sam & Carter

And then to McDonalds for Ice Cream...

Lauren & Macy

Taylor's home from Girls Camp. She had a fabulous time and said she didn't want to leave. I asked her if she missed us and she said, "Not really. I was really busy." :) She met lots of new friends...we're glad to have her home and happy she had so much fun. They swam, hiked, climbed a rock wall, played on a water slide, ate lots of junk food, and played lots of pranks on each other. What could be better than that?

Lazy Days...

Carter & his friend, Bradley, playing Monopoly...Bradley won! :)

Girls Camp

I took Taylor to Girls Camp this morning...I can't believe she is old enough to go! It seems like just yesterday that I was headed there myself. Let me tell ya, they have it WAY better than we ever did at camp...cabins with air conditioned bedrooms (I guess that's understandable since it is HOT here), dining hall, and swimming pool equipped with both a low dive and a high dive! I haven't seen a high diving board in years. She will be gone until Saturday. I am really irritated with myself as I forgot to take my camera when I dropped her off, so no pictures today...Sorry! I'm interested to see how her hair looks after taking care of it completely on her own for 5 days. It could be scary! :) She was a little nervous but I know she'll do great and meet lots of new friends. Carter is also in a camp this week (just in the mornings) so I am going to take advantage of a lighter schedule and clean, scrapbook, and spend some special time with Lauren.

Independence Day

We went to the Fort Hood Freedom Fest in Killeen, TX with Dave's sister and her kiddos. We went to a free Dierks Bentley Concert and watched one of the best fireworks shows we've ever seen. During the concert, Carter asked me if he (meaning Dierks Bentley) could win American Idol! And Lauren said, "Hey, I've heard this song on the radio!" The concert was the highlight for me, but if you ask Carter he'd tell you the best part was climbing into a real army tank. The sky divers and helicopters were also pretty cool. Hope y'all had a great 4th of July!!!