Annual Utah Trip

Saturday June 28th, 2008

We have taken a family trip to Utah almost every year in the past 7. We weren't able to make it last year and weren't planning to go this year in lieu of everything that we had planned!
When we picked the kids up from Eric's parents after our cruise late Saturday night the first question out of their mouths was "are we going to Utah?" We told them no, which in turn resulted in a chorus of moans, groans and but last summer you promised we could go because we didn't go last year! Dang those kids and their good memories! After much debate we decided to go ahead and make the trip! I had been feeling really anxious to see my grandma and the kids truly were getting the short end of the stick this summer. So here I am again with less than a week to unpack and unwind from our cruise, switch gears and repack to go to Utah for a week and a half. NO PROBLEM!!!

I packed and loaded up our little Nissan and the kids and I headed out early Saturday morning.
We had a very safe, non eventful drive to Utah thankfully and I am truly grateful for 4 kiddos who are good travelers. I barely knew they were in the car and I am pretty sure Keaton and Malerie slept half the trip!!
We stayed at great grandma Wright's cabin in Midway Utah from Saturday to Tuesday. We love it there, its like a little piece of heaven. The kids love their big rope swing and being able to be outside all day and play without roasting to death. For mom it is quiet and peaceful and absolutely picturesque! We thoroughly enjoyed getting to stay with and visit great grandma and grandpa! We did some of our usual activities, a shopping trip to the Park City Outlets, our annual BBQ picnic and fishing at Vivian Park with the Corbin's and Rowe's (man I wish we had mountains and parks like that in Arizona!!!) We had a traditional Wright's Sunday dinner at Aunt Colleen's house and got to visit with cousins we don't see very often. It was an unexpected treat to have my Aunt Joanie and most of her family in town from Montana. Even though my cousins are quite a bit older than my kids, my kids adore them and have fun hanging out!!

Kiley flyin high on the rope swing!!

Fishing at Vivian Park

Wednesday evening we headed down to stay in Provo for all the 4th of July festivities! That evening we met up with my sister Missi and her 4 kiddos and my brother Mike and his wife Kelliann and their 2 kiddos. We went to the Spanish Fork reservoir to swim and play. I have to admit I didn't know this place even existed and I was a little leery from the description I got but we had such a good time. Mike brought a canoe and made who knows how many trips across the pond giving all the kids rides. They played on the beach area with shovels and pails and just had a good time playing with all their cousins.

Cousins at the Spanish Fork Reservoir
Camery!!

looking good Kiley!!!

Halley and Jace

Abigail and Kiley

SHH don't tell anyone but Bryce is the kids favorite cousin!!!

Dyson, Keaton, and Jace

It doesn't get cuter than this!!
Kiley, Malerie, Halley, Brookley, Kenlee, and Abigail

I Love these guys!!!!!

Alaska part 3

Thursday June 19th - Kechikan

Unfortunately this was our shortest port and I wanted to see and do everything but there just wasn't time. I LOVED Kechikan at least for the few short hours we were there!! I seriously don't know what we did to get so lucky, but we had the most beautiful, perfect weather we could have hoped for!! Preparing for the unknown to come to Alaska everything we read said prepare for rain and waterproof everything, pack lots of layers..... It was awesome! Not to hot not to cold, blue clear skies and green as far as the eye can see!! I don't think I realized how rare this was until the pilot of our bush plane was explaining they maybe get 10 days a year like this! TEN??????

So in Kechikan the boys really wanted to do a fishing trip, so they had it all planned and were way stoked about it, so us girls (Charlotte, Lisa, and I) decided on a float plane trip up Misty Fjords. I have to admit I was a little torn! I really wanted to try something like this but I have a fear of those little noisy, bouncy planes not to mention the chance for some mean motion sickness. But hey you got to live a little right!!













It was one of the funnest things I have ever done and more beautiful than anything I could have imagined!! and surprisingly not near as bad as I had anticipated ( thanks to our good weather).
The pilot was very experienced and knowledgeable and told us some really fascinating facts about the Fjords, like the top of the peaks we were flying over were about 4000 ft. and everywhere they were rounded off they had been covered in ice. Also you could see all the massive cliff walls that were covered with glacier scrapings as they melted and shaped this beautiful place. We flew and got to land on a gorgeous lake that looked like glass with the green trees reflecting off of it and breathe the cleanest, freshest air in our whole country. We got a peak at a sea otter swimming. After about fifteen minutes we loaded back up and headed back. I think I took like 200-300 pictures! Right as we were flying over the bay into Kechikan the Pilot spotted Orca whales swimming so he did this whole dive bomb 360 thing I think twice! I was able to get a couple good pictures but I think the turns did me in because I suddenly wasn't feeling so hot!! Charlotte passed me back a puke bag and being the experienced thrower upper that I am was able to hold it over my mouth with my left hand while not missing a shot with my camera!! Who knew how talented I am! Puking aside the experience far exceeded all my expectations.
The boys (Eric, Eric and Dave) did not fair quite as well! The Salmon just weren't there. I think they had a good time but it was definitely disappointing to not catch any fish.(Eric Pottle did catch one but it wasn't big enough to keep). The whole experience made for a good story and gave them plenty of material for jokes!!

We made it back on the ship by noon enjoyed some lunch and relaxed for the afternoon.

Stubbs

Pottles

Perkins

Victoria, Canada

Friday June 20th- at sea/Victoria, Canada
Most of Friday we were at Sea. We got to Port in Victoria for a few hours.
I thought Victoria was a lot of fun and again wish we had more time to thoroughly explore. The architecture was amazing. We all 6 walked around, did a little shopping, found a restaurant for dinner and walked around some more and that was about the extent of it, but we for sure plan to go back when we can stay longer!

Saturday June, 21st -Seattle

We finally made it off the ship went back to the hotel we had stayed at to meet up with the Stubbs. We grabbed some lunch down on the pier to kill time before we headed to the airport. It was sad for it to come to an end but we were more than ready to see our kids and rescue Eric's parents who so graciously agreed to watch our kids so we could do this fun adventure. A million thank yous to them!!

Alaska part 2

Wednesday June 18th- Cruising Tracy Arm Fjiord

This was the only day it was overcast and a little rainy which could not have worked out more perfectly. The overcast makes the glacier ice the most beautiful blue color you can imagine. As we were cruising Tracy Arm we were bundled up and out on the deck so we could take it all in. We got fairly close considering how much ice was in the water. There was a naturalist aboard that was commentating the entire time we cruised in and out and the things he taught us were fascinating! We couldn't see the tops of the cliffs that surrounded us on both sides because of the fog, but there were huge water falls on both sides of the ship all the way in. We were able to see puffins and sea lions laying out on the ice. the water was so serene. When we got as close to the glacier as was safe the massive ship stops and then spins in place doing a complete 360 so you can get the full view of the South and North Sawyer Glacier. It was awesome I don't even have words to describe the beauty and awe I felt witnessing one of Heavenly Fathers creations so close up!!! When we finally headed back out of Tracy Arm we headed up to our balcony with the Stubb's to view the return trip while enjoying hot chocolate and the guys pigged out on seafood!!! It doesn't get better that this!!!

Blue Glacier Ice!!

North Sawyer Glacier

South Sawyer Glacier

When we were back in open waters again the sky cleared right up to a majestic blue and we were on our way up to Ketchikan, our final Alaska stop! That afternoon Eric and I were resting in our cabin and had our balcony door open so we could listen to the ocean. After a while Eric says "I see whales spouting out there" so we jump up grab the binoculars and less than 100 yards off the side of the ship are 3-4 different groups of whales spouting! We called our friends and had a little whale watching party on our balcony!! It was awesome to watch. One of the whales got so close swimming along the side of the ship it looked like we ran over it!!!

The wait is finally over!!!! Alaska part 1

June 13th-21st 2008

For over a year we have been planning a cruise to Alaska! I can't even describe the anticipation we have felt about this trip! It has been my light at the end of the tunnel for the last 6 months!!
7 days in beautiful country, with no kiddos, good friends and my man!! We are going with our good friends the Stubbs and Pottles.

Friday June 13th-
We flew to Seattle and met up with Stubbs, We instantly fell in love Seattle!
We got some dinner down on the pier went to Pikes market, then back to the Inn at Harbor Steps
where we were staying for the night.(We highly recommend this place, it was beautiful great location and excellent service). We decided to relax in the hot tub before bed but with Dave and Eric around thats impossible. They cracked themselves up by emptying the shampoo samples into the jacuzzi. We had to leave when the bubbles got to bad! Never a dull moment!!

Saturday June 14th-
We had breakfast, went back to pikes for a while and then headed over to do the Underground Tour (very fascinating). Then it was time to head down to the cruise terminal.
By 2 pm we were sitting up on the cruise deck enjoying a nice lunch and a beautiful, clear and sunny Seattle day!! 4 pm sailing into the sunset on our way to Alaska!

Sunday June 15th- sailing day
Today we were just cruising. We enjoyed a nice breakfast and then the 6 of us met in the game room to play cards for a couple hours! We read and just relaxed, walked the ship checking it out. this was our first formal night but Eric forgot his suit and Eric Pottle forgot his jacket so it was buffet for us, which the guys were a little to happy about!!

Monday June 16th-Juneau, Alaska
Our first port was Juneau. We loved it immediately and man did we get lucky on the weather not a cloud so far! The Stubbs and us went on a whale watch cruise. The captain and the guide on the boat were so knowledgeable it was truly fascinating. We saw lots of humpbacks blowing water and we lucked out to get a picture of one breeching. On the way back we swung by an island that was covered in Eagles. they are truly a majestic animal to watch. All and all it was a great success!! We went to the Twisted fish for lunch did a little shopping and headed back to the ship!!!
Tuesday June 17th- Skagway, Alaska
This was our longest port. The Stubbs and us rented a car and drove up the Klondike Highway into Canada! It was truly the most beautiful drive I have ever been on! We went about 100 miles to Emerald Lake and then turned around to head back! We took tons of pictures and saw so many animals, waterfalls, lakes and breathtaking scenery! We came across quite a few bears who surprisingly seemed to care less that we were there, along with a porcupine, some mountain goats, and an animal we have yet to identify!!

Happy Birthday Braydon!!!

It's Official we have a TEENAGER!!!! AAAAAAHHHH!
Happy birthday son! It doesn't seem possible that you can be 13 already!! You have grown into such an awesome young man with many admirable qualities including those stunning blue eyes! I guess I better work on my scary mom skills to keep all the girls away!! As a parent are you ever prepared for all the new challenges growing kids present. I pray every day that you will be true to yourself, and to your heavenly father, know that your family loves you and be a good example to those around you!!

Are we havin fun yet??

May 28th

So we survived camp, I drove home by myself Wednesday (probably) not the smartest thing considering how tired I was and actually not all by myself I had 3 little white mice running a muck in my car keeping me wide awake (another story)!!! I stopped in Mesa to pick up Kiley from my sisters and headed home. Malerie was dropped off by a friend so the 3 of us unloaded my car caught one of the 3 mice and headed to pick up Keaton! After getting home I was EXHAUSTED, I showered and put a few things away and I was done, couldn't function any more! About at this point Kiley started complaining of horrible stomach pain, GREAT!! We laid down and took a little nap. When we got up she was even worse. At about 7 pm I was pretty convinced she had appendicitis so her and I headed to the urgent care (who knew they closed at 5?? what the heck)
so we went by our Uncles house who is a doctor who thought is was most likely just the stomach flu. Music to my ears so we went home, she threw up all night so it made perfect sense that is was just the flu!! About 5 am she came in and was in so much pain so I jumped out of bed threw some clothes on and after Eric gave her a blessing we headed to the ER. They hooked her right up with IV fluids, pain and nausea medicine thank goodness. After her Cat scan they were positive it was her appendix and it needed to come out! Her surgery was scheduled for 4, and then suddenly she had a raging fever and they were taking her straight up. After an hour long surgery she was done and the surgeon (who was fantastic!) said it had ruptured and we get an extended stay for IV antibiotics!! Good times! Poor Kiley was so sick and miserable, its not like her not to smile and be pleasant.
Friday she had to go back under anesthesia and have a PICC line placed to get her 3 antibiotics through.
We got to go home after 6 days, yah and boy were we ready to get out! The nurses and everybody were amazing but sleeping on a couch, being woken up all hours of the night, and hospital food ughhh were for the birds!!

Not exactly the way we planned to start our summer vacation, but we were so happy that she waited till we got home and we are SOOO blessed to have so many supportive friends and family members who jumped right in with meals, cleaning our house, watching kids, visits and goodies. We can't thank you all enough!!

Girls Camp

Not even sure where to start?? Those of you who know me, know how much I love it, everything about it including a total lack of sleep or sanity. Mostly the 5 days we were gone went by super fast and are mostly a blur, but all in all I don't think things could have gone more smoothly. There is always some improvising to do though!! It was UNSEASONABLY cold and rainy so instead of snow cones we had hot chocolate, we had a fire almost the entire time and we shared camp with another Stake that was in West camp with not near enough cabins!! Our pack in girls got in to camp Saturday afternoon, after enduring an entire night of rain, hale, snow and freezing temperatures!! Those girls didn't get a wink of sleep but I couldn't be more proud of their endurance and they had an awesome time together despite everything!! We had a very peaceful spirit, with very little drama. Played a lot of games, had a rockin dance party, fun classes and memories that will hopefully last along time! Its unbelievable to me that next year my daughter will be their with me and neither of us can wait!!!
A huge shout out to my sisters and our good friends the Atkinson's for helping with our kiddos so we could go. It means a lot!!