Tracy's Arm, Alaska

Tracy's arm was a really small fiord between Juneau and Skagway. We couldn't believe our huge ship went in there because it hardly seemed like we'd fit. There were icebergs and everything everywhere and canyon walls as high as you could see on both sides of the boat. We didn't go all the way to the end of the Fiord because there was a huge Iceburg in our way, but it was great to get to see it.
At lunch later that afternoon, as we were just out at sea, Brian and I were sitting eating and watching for dolphins and whales. We saw just pods and pods of dolphins and watched them swimming in and out of the Ships wakes. It was the best thing ever! I LOVE dolphins. I mean we probably saw, 40 dolphin in about 30 min, as we ate, the sun was going down and it was gorgeous.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneua was awesome! We saw the great Mendenhal Glacier which is in the photo behind Brian and I. It was super cold the closer you got to it, obviously because its a huge chunk of ice! And I have NEVER seen leaves as big as they were in Juneau. That is truly 1 leaf, that I am standing next to. Just humongous.

Seattle

We stayed in Seattle the nite before we boarded our ship. I LOVE Seattle. Brian had never been before so it was neat to take him to Pike's Street Market, the home of the famous throwing fish market! I had my brother brad hold up the baby octopus that the had there. It was very dead and very sad. :( I also found out where the term "Holy Mackeral" came from! Ha ha. At the Market they always have the freshest produce ever, and the most amazing flowers to sell. Just buckets and buckets of them. And of course, because of all the sports fans we were traveling with, Brian included...we had to drive by Safeco Field.

Boarding the STAR Princess in Seattle, WA

This is the day we boarded the STAR Princess. The ship was sooooo HUGE! It was awesome and shocking to see in person. I can't even describe its hugeness. Once onboard, each passenger has to attend Muster Training, and demonstrate knowing how to use a lifevest. I was very willing to do that, so no argument there. Then we put our stuff in our room and went up to the Top of the Ship as we pulled out of Seattle. They had tons of stuff for us to do. We golfed (yes, on the ship), ATE, had family round the world PingPong tournaments, swam, hot tubbed, ATE, played family board games, went to shows, watched movies on the deck outside by the pool, ATE, you name it, they had it and we did it! Brian and I had never been on a Cruise, and hadn't really had a strong desire to. Now, thanks to Princess CruiseLine...we are Sold and want to do a Cruise every year....WITH our children, preferably. :) Oh ya, we also watched them make Ice Sculptures. The one pictured is of a swordfish.

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan had to be my favorite Port of all. Everyone that WANTED to, fished for Salmon. Brian, my brother Brad and my Dad caught the biggest Salmon ever. They were sure ugly fish, but watching these guys reel these huge fish in, was definitely worth attending the fishing trip. My Dad has always had the dream to someday fish for Salmon, which he loves soooo much! So, it was awesome to be there with him when his dream came true, and neat to see him so excited and emotional about it. I love my Dad. In this collage are several pics of the guys catching fish left and right. Theres also a pic of my dad blowing a seaweed horn that our fishing guide sliced apart and made, right there off the boat like stinkin' Grizzly Adams. He was amazing. While we were just sitting still fishing, I hear this loud BLOW and just off the bow of the boat were whales it was soooo cool! We saw a ton of them between ports on the Ship, but this was upclose and personal and was amazing. There were bald eagles EVERYWHERE too. We passed 2 trees that were just chuck full of them, seriously probably 30-40 bald eagles purched on the branches. Its hard to see in the pics but if you click on the pics it will blow them up a little bigger so you can see how many we are really talkin' about. It was so awesome too, because our little Grizzly Adams guide.. whistled at them, then threw fish over the side of our boat and those dang things swooped right down by us along top of the water, dropped their talons, snatched the fish and flew off. He was nuts. He did the hole "eagle feeding whistling thing" several times, to show he was for real. It was awesome!

Back at it!

Oh my goodness, it has been a seriously crazy 3 months, sooo much has gone on and I am so seriously behind on my blogging, I will NEVER catch up! Actually, I will catch up...and within the next few days too...which is why I am letting you know that there will be ALOT posted from us very soon. We have over 3 months of events, 2 super fun vacations, parties, you name it.....I'm going to be blogging it. FINALLY! Sorry for the delay in updating for you all to see. But...have no fear, you will get to see all the fun shortly. Thanks for faithfully reading and keeping up on our blog, and thanks to those of you that have a blog for keeping us current on the happenings in your lives.

Dad's been Kidnapped!

For Father's Day this year, we kidnapped Brian and took him to dinner (his choice) and went and rode Bumper Boats. It was super fun and a REFRESHING bit of fun, at that. Being June, we were ready to be refreshed, that's for sure. It was funny to be able to all 4 be in our own boat and chase each other down. Hope that's not a vision of our kids future driving skills. :0

BK Cont'd ...

Broadway Kids was another Fabulous performance this June! Tatum and Stockton both had several solos and were amazing! We were told by SEVERAL people that Tatum was by far the best in the show and should continue her singing and dancing career! Funny, cuz we feel the SAME way! :) Both kids sang great! This year they performed songs from Happy Days, 9 to 5, the Broadway Show Wicked, and even High School Musical. (Of course). Tatum was Gabriella and did a great job! It was a blast, and hard to believe that Tatum only has 1 more year to be able to be in it, as she will then be 12! :( So sad. But they have asked that she be the Junior Producer, when she does truly "graduate". Way to go guys!

BK Cont'd.....

Broadway Kids Cont'd...

Broadway Kids 2009

Back to School!

Oh my goodness, I CANNOT believe I am sooo far behind on my blogging! Its taken me 3 hours tonight to organize and get all my pictures together in folders, for me to blog. I haven't even blogged our FABULOUS Cruise or trips from the Summer, so expect many more updates within the next few days!

Hard to believe I have a 4th and 5th Grader this year! Unbelieveable. Its actually quite sad, as to how fast they are growing up....really wish it would just SLOW DOWN, but I'm thinkin' that probably won't happen. :( Oh well..... So I guess I will just keep blogging! :)

The Infamous Birthday Donut ?????

Hmmm.....aside from the PINK candles (that melted all over the donut making it then, uneatable of course)...Stocky, as everyone knows, is just NOT a sugar man. But, he does have a HUGE love for PLAIN GLAZED DONUTS! So, of course, we got him a whole dozen and we stuck a candle in one for him. He was in heaven! There's just something not quite right about sticking a birthday candle in a piece of fruit, which is the only other thing "sugary" that Stock would eat! What a knucklehead!

The DirtBike's unveiling!

Nice picture of Grandpa Mounteer's bum, eh? On a happier note, here is Stockton with his new LOVE! He has been tearin' up the streets of Gilbert, ever since.

Stockton turns 9!

Stockton turned 9 last Wednesday, the 27th! Can you believe it? I can't! He has been DYING for a dirt bike and saving every single penny possible, to buy himself one. So, both Grandma's and Grandpa's and Brian and I gave him money, so he could still save a LARGE portion of his savings and still able to go buy his dirt bike. For his bday gifts he also got riding gloves and a helmet. Safety first, of course! :)