Alaska

We are among the lucky ones. Last week we took a cruise up to Alaska. It was amazing. But even more amazing than the opportunity to be there was the chance we had to be there with Mom and Dad, Jeff and Natalie, four of our kids, John's mom, and two of his aunts and two uncles. SWEET!

We went with an LDS group organized through a company called "Cruise Lady." It's so fun to be there on board with not only family, but a large group (over 160) who are all LDS. You have such fun getting to know people during the trip!

We spent a couple of days on board the ship, but stopped in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, Canada. There were so many highlights to the trip, but I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

All Aboard!!! (I think Ashley's smile was fading by the time I got Matthew to even LOOK at the camera!) And Straight to the Buffet (a really hard habit to break now that we're home!) Honestly, you go from two meals a day at home (well, that's me talking) to eating at least FIVE! Thank heavens for the menu selection of "sweet and nutritious fruit"!
Is there life without shrimp????
After our first day at sea, we stopped in Ketchikan!

Totem Byte Park:Ashley and Andrew were so happy to find handfuls of "Salmon Berries" along the path. The berries look like "pink" raspberries, and much more tart!

Gorgeous Natalie in front of a totem pole

John, just lookin' good.

There was an amazing view of the ocean nearby.Messing around in the gift shops:

Natalie tries on an $80,000 GREEN DIAMOND ring. (That was the SALE price!)

Back aboard, the kids ask, "what should we do in 65 degree weather? SWIM, of course!"

Panning for Gold in Skagway:

Dad hits the jackpot!

Natalie: Worth her weight in gold!

The Breathtaking Butchart Gardens in Victoria Canada

Formal night on the Ship.

Jeff and Natalie

Mom and Dad

Kim and John

Ashley wanted to try the Pheasant!

Jeff, with his SECOND helping of Lobster Tails!
And Dessert never disappoints!

Looking at the eagles on shore...with NO zoom lens. No kidding, they were 10 yards away.

Jeff makes friends with a sea urchin:

Could it even BE a vacation without Settlers of Catan?

It's so amazing to realize the great opportunities we have! We are so blessed! We couldn't have done it without the Cruise Lady, and especially the help of Amy and Marshall for watching our two babies and kitty while we were away! You guys are the best! We love you. Thanks again!

...and to Alaska: See you next year!

Farewell, Christian

Amy started a new blog for Christian documenting his mission, and is doing a beautiful job. She has great posts, and you can check it out at http://www.elderloveridge.blogspot.com/.

I had a few things to add. We spend a lot of time together as a family. At least some of us are together probably 4 or 5 days a week. But with Christian leaving on his mission, I think I at least saw him every single day for the last three or more weeks. Crazy! We are really going to miss him.

This is just before he was set apart with his Stake Presidency and bishop. I could hardly believe what a BEAUTIFUL blessing he received as he was set apart. It was specific and custom-made for him. It was an amazing experience to be there.

With the new MTC drop-off rule, you can only have ONE car drop him off at the curb, and NO family goes inside the MTC. So, we had a breakfast buffet at Tiffany's home in the morning, and then those who could drove to Provo, and we met at a nearby church parking lot so we could see him off once again.

As my parents drove him the last two blocks to the MTC, we all stood in a long line and waved goodbye, and just as Christian drove past, he stuck his head out the window, threw his fist in the air, and yelled, "Hurrah for Israel!" What a cool brother!

As we waited for Mom and Dad to come back and report, I asked the kids what they were going to miss most about Christian. Andrew said, "playing games, like Sardines." Ashley said, "leadership." Adam said, "him just being there." They LOVE their Uncle Christian!




Mom and Dad said the MTC was short and HARD, and sweet. They pulled up and a couple of dozen missionaries greeted them as they unloaded his luggage. Mom described them as just "BEAMING." Dad said he was glad that they didn't have to go inside because that would have torn him apart. He said it was hard enough as it was.

Later that afternoon, we went to Brick Oven for lunch, and as I sat there with Dad, he said he was thinking that if Christian had been born sooner after the other children (he's 8 years after my youngest sister) that he would be graduating from graduate school about now. I said, "yeah, but isn't it sweet to have this experience of sending a missionary off this late in your life?" He then got a bit emotional, and said, "Christian is like an encore. You go to the performance, and you think it's over, and then, they play an encore, and it's like they saved the best for last." Coming from a musician, I thought that was a beautiful analogy. He really is like a wonderful "addendum" to our family, and we simply wouldn't be complete without him. LOVE YOU CHRISTIAN!!!
Bethany waves goodbye:

Nacho Libre!

So, I've seen Nacho Libre once in my life, and thought it amusing, but when my brother-in-law decided to host a Nacho Libre party, I thought we'd better get our kids decked out for the occasion. I got online to get the costume ideas. Andrew, of course is "Nacho Libre" and Matthew (far right) is his side-kick. Timothy is one of the opponents...I remember my brother-in-law showing me a clip of these two little dudes in furry costumes (I think they're called the Devil's cavemen) so I knew he at LEAST would get a kick out of Timothy's costume. Thanks for planning a fun night for all of us! I didn't take enough pictures at the event...All the kids had decorated their own little paper plate masks, and Christian had SEWED a "Strong Bad" from Home Star Runner mask! I'll have to get pics from the fam for that. We had Nachos, toast, and of course, "the Lord's cheeps." Thanks, Marshall!

Oquirrh Hills Temple

Today, thanks to Jenn getting reservations, we went to the Oquirrh Hills Temple Open House. We had the chance earlier this year to see the Draper Hills Temple, so we feel doubly blessed to be able to take our children inside TWO temples. I remember as a child going to the Jordan River temple before it was dedicated, and am grateful that we get to give our children the same experience.

We actually saw some friends who had never been to an open house before, and who probably don't know much about the LDS church, so it was an added bonus to see them there! Overall, it was a great day!

Here I am with all of my kids! And they're all looking and smiling! A rarity!

Jennifer with her sweet kids!

Aaron and Abby

All of the cousins together

Natalie and Abby