Journey to Juneau

(It's about time I catch up on my blogging! We are doing well in our new little world. I have been on my phone constantly updating facebook with photos & updates...but just haven't had the time to get a turn on the computer! We left our monitor in Oregon, so our one computer is now hooked up to our one tv- on the living room wall...so this is making it a challenge. But, I will try this!)

Let's start at the very beginning...

Checking in- Mom & Dad took us to PDX. I don't think I've been that scared/nervous/emotional since going into labor ;)



Right before goodbye hugs & the walk thru security. The kids were so excited about the little pilot cases they got.

Hanging out in the Seattle airport. The kids LOVED the flight! Sam was so nervous & thought he may just get up and jump off while we were taxiing the runway, but he stayed put & was pleasantly surprised that he survived takeoff. He just kept one arm wrapped around Dan's bicep, and gave me thumbs up every few minutes with his free hand. Olivia was calm the whole time & kept mama calm, too :)

Ready again for the next part of the flight! They got to sit next to eachother this time & held hands at take off. Olivia insisted on the window seat, and Sammy was a-ok with that. It was a 2 hour & 20 minute flight, and they didn't even get antsy until we hit the 2 hour mark. Thanks to many activity books, little toys, snacks & an amazing view- they were all smiles!

Landed in Juneau & waiting for Dan to bring the car around. We were all very quiet...soaking it all in...it was beautiful, seeing the mountains right away...so exciting, knowing that we would see our house very soon. This is our town now. Wow. What an adventure!

Don't cry because it's over.Smile because it happened. ~Dr.Seuss

Playdates.
Parties.
Hugs.
Laughter.
Tears.
Repeating that quote, by the beloved Dr. Seuss--to myself-- many, many times.

Lee Farms with Mom & the Clantons!

Cousins icecream playdate at the James' house!

Visiting our favorite pet shop & resident bird, Gracie!

Sam spent the day with Grandpa Clay, doing guy stuff. They both had a magical time!

Cousin Jordan turned 4, on the first day of Summer. It was beautiful that day!

Jordan's birthday at Discovery Meadows - teamwork!

Playdate at Snyder Park with our best friends, the James family!

Cousin Kyle has been spending lots of time with Sammy, showing him how to skateboard!

Grandma making a racetrack out of chalk for the grandkids!

Me & my mama at Lee Farms. Love her!

Me & Jenny, enjoying coffee in the park while our littles play, like so many other playdates we've had in the last 8 years.
 What was that quote again?....


My other favorite quote, since embarking on this new chapter of my life:
"How lucky I am, to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
 ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

Well......
See Ya in Alaska!!!

Father's Day.

Awwww.

Birthday Buddies

We celebrated both kids this week, with a fun family party! Lots of delicious food. Lots of laughter.

Lots of smiles. A perfect way to celebrate!

The cakes. Princess requested a "store bought carrott cake with a rainbow!", so I scraped off the carrott icing & added a candy rainbow. The pirate requested a "chocolate soccerball!" so that's what he got.

The cousins & friends at the clubhouse having a ball!

Happy Birthday to my big kids! (Olivia's bday is in August, but we celebrated early, before leaving Oregon)

Facepainting was fun!

Happy Birthday, Princess & Pirate! I love you.

Perfect timing.

Ya know when you feel like you just can't take much more...or you are ready to quit...or you are waaaay in over your head...or just throwing yourself a pity party? You know when sometimes, you just need that perfect "thing" to get you back on track...to find your focus...and you pray for it, even though you aren't quite sure what it is you are praying for? Well, I got it.

Dan called me Saturday morning, at 3:15am. His words were: "I'm at the door"....we had a wonderful, wonderful weekend as a family. It was my 36th birthday, and it is a birthday I will never forget. It was the "boost" I needed, and I'm ready. Oh, and we held hands all weekend long :)

3 weeks.

In three (very busy) weeks from TODAY, I will be here:

Home, with my love.

I haven't held my hubby's hand in 70 days. I miss him. A lot.

My, what a May!

Well...this blog has obviously been set aside for a month, but MY! What a MONTH! Fun family outings, gatherings at our home, a huge garage sale (yay!), and awesome kid stuff. We did some great crafts for the teachers during "teacher week" at school- but of course I didn't take any photos. So...without further delay, here's May!

Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest, May Day with the girls.





Backyard volleyball fun with the family!







Making us Mother's Day brunch with Grandpa Clay! (see the smoke? heehee!)



Rapunzel went to school for the "high 5" party.



We met "real" pirates, and enjoyed a wonderful production....



...of How I Became a Pirate, by the Oregon Children's Theater.

Playdates with cousins throughout the month, movies & fun!

Sam's music class had a spring program, Down on the Farm!

 



And, Olivia had a special day of celebrating her birthday & eating lunch with her class!



But wait! Our month wouldn't be complete, without a trip to the ER. Poor Liv had terrible hip and back cramps (we think...) and I took her to the hospital, because mama had no idea what was wrong. As you can see, as soon as the princess arrived, she was feeling good as new. 3 x rays, 3 hours, & a cup of icecream later....the dr. decided it was muscle cramps & sent us on our way. **sigh**

See Ya in June!