One Unforgettable Trip

We were fortunate to take a 5 week trip this Summer. We left our home on June 7th and didn't get back until July 10th. We had such a great time with family and friends...it is definately a trip we will never forget. I wanted to get out a post about it before school starts, which is....tomorrow! Just in the nick of time. :) Here's a glimpse of our trip...



We headed to Yellowstone, with a quick stop in Cody, WY where we saw a gunfight between some cowboy legends


It was a little loud


We camped in Yellowstone for 3 nights, and thankfully were not visited by any bears!


Camping was a bit chilly, but smores always warm you up!


Sam made the boys bows and arrows. They were taken everywhere through Yellowstone.


Including on our bike/hike to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone




The boys were awarded Junior Rangers different things they did around the park, the ranger announced it in front of the whole visitor's center...it was awesome!


We stayed with one of my best friends from college, Anna and her family


The boys had a great time together!


We then went on to Clarkston, WA and stayed with my best childhood friend (since we were 8!) and her family. Again the kids loved all their new friends!


We hung out one day at the Snake River


I think this was Elly's first time at a beach!


Friends since the second grade. Has it really been over 25 years?! Wowzer!


In Olympia, where my whole family stayed for J and Kristina's wedding


This is our view from the front door.


Sam and I with the bride and groom


Beth and Bill with 5-month old Gus


The proud parents with the groom


Mac with his cousin Morgyn, her mom's maid-of-honor


My sister and best friend!


After the wedding we stayed in Seattle. Here we are visiting with one of Sam's good friends, McKanna, from high school.


We loved their view from their backyard!


Another of Sam's good friends with his new baby boy Brecken.


This picture just can't help but make you giggle! We stayed with my sister Beth in Seattle and we got to have lots of time playing with Gus.


We got to take care of Gus two days. The boys were a huge help. Mac loved feeding Gus.


Before we left Seattle, Grandpa Glaser took us to a Cubbies-Mariners game. Nate's new favorite player is Ichiro!


We always have such a great time in Seattle and appreciate Beth and Bill being such loving hosts!


We then headed to Oregon for Sam's sister, Lizzy's wedding. We stopped in Astoria, OR on our way there.


Mac was the ring bearer and Nate helped Elly down the aisle as the flower girl


The boys did a great job...Elly struggled staying at her post. :)


She did a great job keeping tabs on what guests were arriving from the bridal suite.


Elly and her Aunt Lizzy, the beautiful bride!


The dashing couple and a gorgeous venue


Nate with his Grandma and Papa Eliason


Mac was quite the dancer...here with the mother-of-the-bride...


and here with Elly and cousin Cade.


Sam with his beautiful sisters


After Lizzy's wedding, we stayed in Olympia with my brother (the other newlyweds) and got to catch one of Morgyn's soccer games, as did Gma and Papa Glaser.


Grandma Kathy and Nate


Elly with her cousin Carter


From Olympia, we flew to Juneau to spend time with Gma and Papa Eliason...here are the boys with Mendenhall Glacier behind them.


Papa Jim let them play in one of his tractors


They loved scooping the dirt!


Spotted a bald eagle


Sam and I got some time away to celebrate our 10-year anniversary. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in downtown Juneau.


Went on a hike to get a great view of Juneau


When we got back the boys were ready for some fishing


The boys took turns driving with Papa...


and looking for whales.


Guess who caught a fish?!


These fish are sure tough to reel in compared to the ones at City Park!


Prize fish


Bruise brothers


We also caught some crabs. My camera broke on the crabbing trip, but from the size of this leg, you can tell how huge these things were! Galen, another of Sam's friends from college that lives in Sitka, joined us for the day of crabbing and eating.


Nate enjoying the fireworks in Juneau. They set them off at midnight because it's not dark until then. The boys were half asleep when we woke them to catch the fireworks.

Our camera broke while we were in Alaska, so didn't get pictures for the rest of our trip. After Alaska, we stayed with friends in Yakima, WA and Boise, then camped at Lava Hot Springs, ID.

We had such a great time catching up with friends we hadn't seen in a while, as well as spending time with our families. Thanks to all of you that let us stay at your homes and for making our trip so memorable!

Now it's time to move on from the Summer and start yet another school year.

Elly's moving up!

She fell out the first night and got a bloody lip, but we put up a railing by the second. We found this trundle bed at a garage sale...I think it'll look really nice in a steely lavendar with matching bedding...


Here's the big girl!

Playin' in the Rain

We got a bit of a reprieve in the 90 degree weather today and played in the rain!


Who's under there?


It's Elly! Mac put his coat on Elly to keep her dry. Sweet brother!


The boys were piling these innertubes on the trampoline and jumping in and out of them...or just falling over


Double Trouble!


And they're down!

That's right...we just passed the big 1-0!

10 Years Ago

Well it was on the 8th anyway...but I'm a little behind. It's been a great 10 years, really quite amazing what happens in that short amount of time. I definitely still feel just as blessed as I did back then.

We spent our actual 10 year in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, but we got some time away in Juneau and Sam surprised me with a date night this past Monday. We finally made it to Red Rocks and even better...saw the Bare Naked Ladies! It was awesome....here's some pics...


An awesome venue


Denver's skyline


Ready for the show!

I have a lot of pictures to sort through, but hope to have a slide show of our trip posted soon. We had an awesome trip, can't wait to show you all the pics. We got back late Friday night and started this week with VBS, so still feel a little worn out. Getting back into the swing of things though!

Summer's Here!

It was Mac's last day of school today! I'm so excited for Summer and not having to wake up my night owl for school every morning! Not that Mac actually stays up late, but the kid is a bear in the morning. He likes his sleep...and I like a relaxing coffee that doesn't entail a deadline, so Hurray for Summer!

Here's some end of the year pics. Some are of the boys in their first bike races (there's a series of bike races over the Summer here, the boys got whupped by some serious roadies the first race), and the rest are of Mac's last couple days of school.


The boys getting ready for their first bike race...racing around the oval at CSU


At the starting line...


Nate's got a headstart w/the curb option...Mac actually couldn't get on his bike right away, so Nate had the right idea. The kids with the racing gear and road bikes won...oh well, we like the look of scrappers. :)


I loved watching Mac cross the street to school. He loved the independence of doing it himself...he would wait for Mr. Frank to put up his sign, then walk across, as soon as he got across, he would sprint to his class line.


At the end-of-the-year awards ceremony. Mac got a student-of-the-year and P.E. award for his class. He was so excited for his medals and we were of course, were very proud of him.


Mac getting his kindergarten diploma


Mac w/his teacher Ms. Kramer


Monkey #1


Monkey #2


Monkey #3....Elly is starting to make me very nervous. I've had to sprint to her twice this past week at parks with her hanging from a high spot. It's hard when her brother's are on a bigger playground...and they encourage her. She's not as bad as Mac has, so hopefully she can make it to 5 without a broken bone

Elly's Birthday & Nate's Preschool Graduation

We have entered 2 again, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Elly's not as much of a talker...so a little more of a screamer. She loves dolls and pretending she is a mommy. After visiting with her two aunts and their new babies, as well as me having friends around her that are nursing, she has decided to point at whoever's breasts and say "baby eat". So far she hasn't pointed at a random stranger, so that's good.

She also loves to climb and explore. This morning I had to take her off a shelf of books at the library and search for her twice. The boys are much better dates for the library at this point. Oh well, I guess I have to teach her sometime how to behave!

Nate graduated from preschool this past Friday. He did a great job, but is very excited for Summer. He told me that he would miss seeing and playing with his friends at preschool, but he'd rather play with me instead. I've got to enjoy my little homebody now, as I'm sure there will be a time when he won't be as excited to spend Summer with mommy!

Here's some pics!


In case you were missing another pic of Colorado snow. This was the morning of the 12th...Elly's birthday.


Here's the birthday girl and one of her babies!


Her gift from Gma and Papa Eli...got to get the girl going on some wheels!


Happy Birthday Elly! The boys helped decorate her cupcakes. Mac's wearing one of Elly's b-day gifts. Can you guess who got if for her? Nate is going to try to get Elly playing catch with him in no time!


Nate graduating from preschool


We're so proud of our little graduate! (so proud that he didn't hit any friends, scream at any teachers.... :))

Spring update

Happy May Day!

Here's some pics from our trip to Colorado Springs to visit Sara, Dre and the boys. Of course the kids had tons of fun playing with their cousins. They've never been so antsy on a road trip. You'd think the 2 1/2 hours was a day of driving! It's fun to have the kids at an age where you can see how much they love their cousins and can't wait to see them. They already want a plan as to when we'll see them again!

We've been enjoying the Spring with it's crazy weather. One day feeling like it's Summer, then the next, having a reminder that it's not all shorts quite yet! The boys are nearing the end of their school year, Nate being done mid-May and Mac at the end of May. I'm very excited for Summer!

Sam is out-of-town this week, working in Fairbanks. He actually got to spend a day in Juneau with Jim & Debbie, then will go on to Fairbanks today for the week. It's going to be hard to have him gone, but it's a huge blessing to have the work. The kids and I have a busy week with school winding down, so I'm sure the week will go by fast. I'm praying everyone is healthy for the most part. Elly got sick yesterday, but I'm thinking it's just from congestion from a bad cold. We'll see. Everyone slept great last night (as opposed to a bad night the night before with Elly under the weather) and for that, I am thankful!

Here's a bunch of pics!


The big boys trying on their outfits for Aunt Lizzy's wedding


Elly, Cade & Nick cheesin' for the camera


Elly giving Maggie kisses...Mac & Elly are definately convinced they need a dog, Nate...not so much


Mac, Nate, Jake & Nick enjoying the sunshine


Back in our backyard, the boys are excited for another bug season! I don't mind the roly polys so much.


In they go to the bug jar...


It takes such teamwork for a good bug collection!


Elly and I joined Nate's preschool class on their field trip to the farm


Nate helped Elly see the baby cow


And here's the lamb


Watch your nose Elly!


Elly and I at the Spring Tea with our church.