Pieces of Me: October 2019

Dear Jack,

Today you are 10 years old! Double digits! When I was driving you to your soccer game this morning you informed me that you were now double digits and that you would be double digits for the rest of your life. Pretty deep thought for a new 10 year old!

This is how you have spent your birthday so far:
You played your heart out at your soccer game. Grandma and Grandpa came to cheer you on.

Then I drove you and your favorite people to Chinatown so you could introduce them to your favorite dessert - ice cream in stuffed waffles.

Afterward, y'all wanted to explore the shops in Chinatown and everyone picked out some Chinese candy.

Now you are building a Harry Potter Lego set we bought you for your birthday. I think you have thanked me AT LEAST 20 times today. You are honestly the most empathetic, kind, polite kid I have ever met. You are awesome and everyone agrees with me! Last week you ran for student council and were voted in easily. People like you because you are friendly and kind to everyone. I love that so much about you.

Jack, I am so happy you were born so I could get to know you. I think you are the most incredible kid and I thank God every day that he sent you to our family. Happy birthday, my sweet Jack-jack!

Love,
Mom

On August 1st, I boarded an airplane for the trip of a lifetime! For my parents' 50th anniversary, they paid for each of their kids and spouses to go on an Alaskan cruise! Unfortunately, Tom couldn't go because he was hosting a cross country meet and his brother was getting married. I was initially not that excited about the trip since I was the only one of my parents' kids going solo. Plus, Tom and I had never spent more than 3 nights apart in all our years of being married. However, I got over that real fast, haha. The cruise departed out of Seward, Alaska. I flew into Anchorage and spent the 1st night there. The next morning we boarded a train for a scenic ride to Seward.

Once we arrived in Seward, we boarded the ship and grabbed some lunch before heading out to explore.

The views in Seward were gorgeous. Nothing fully prepares you for the beauty of Alaska.

The first night on the ship, we gathered in the library to make decorations for my parents' door. My brothers were supposed to distract them away from the room for the actual decorating, but while we were crammed in the hall, laughing and being loud, the door opened and my dad's head peeked out. Behind him were my 3 brothers just chilling in their room.

The 2nd day of the cruise, of ship pulled up to the Hubbard glaciar. It was awe-inspiring. I was so happy I packed my binoculars.

That night was the first formal night on the cruise. Jeannine, Dianna, and I made a point of taking pictures together without Jennifer as a funny throwback to our sisters’ cruise when we snuck professional photos while she was in the bathroom.

Our 1^st shore day was in Juneau. We took the Mt Roberts tramway up the mountain, did some hiking (that about killed me), and just walked around exploring the city.

I also found the Juneau library (library tourism is my thing).

I bought this shirt for Ellie

I did NOT buy this underwear for Tom. But I was sorely tempted.

Juneau was also the location of my one big splurge. I originally had booked a helicopter/sled dog camp excursion, but it was cancelled because unseasonably warm weather caused the camps to close down. I was initially so disappointed, but we ended up booking and EVEN BETTER excursion! I was able to experience the Mendenhall glacier by air, water, and land. Meaning, we took a helicopter there, went on an airboat around it, and then took the helicopter again to LAND on the glacier, walk around, drink glacier water, and then fly back. Words can’t even describe how amazing that experience was. It was worth every penny of my summer school money!

The next day we docked in Skagway. I talked some of my family into going to the Days of 98 Show with me. It was campy and funny and I loved it. They also called my dad’s best friend, Eddie, up to the stage and incorporated him into the show in the most hilarious way.

Afterwards, I went my my niece Andrea and my Aunt Laura to do a little exploring and hiking. We located the Skagway library and it was ADORABLE. I would LOVE to work there. It was just down the street from the local LDS church.

We then walked to the Gold Rush Cemetery. I was glad we had done the Days of 98 Show so we were familiar with the history and the names on the tombstones.

After that, it was a short hike up to the beautiful Reid waterfall.

The next day our stop was Icy Strait Point. This place is so different because it is owned by the local Indian tribe and no outside tourism is allowed. It had a much different feel. I went with my SIL Alethea, my niece Abby and her husband (“Nicholas not Nick”) and my niece Andrea to explore the town. We rented bikes to get around.

There was no library in Hoonah, but I did find the local school. I also went to their trading post and bought a few Diet Dr Peppers to smuggle back onto the ship (because I was too cheap to pay for the beverage plan).

That night was also another formal night and my dad arranged for us to get professional photos taken. The photo session was unable to accommodate our whole group so they just did my parents and their 7 kids.

Ketchikan was our last Port of Call. I disembarked early and hiked up an extremely steep incline over a mile to get to the local library. The library was beautiful and the views from the library were breathtaking. I wish I could have spent more time there, but I had purchased a ticket for the lumberjack show, so I hauled butt back down the mountain so I could meet up with family for the show.

The show was fun, particularly for the kids.

Afterwards, I split up from the group and went to explore Ketchikan on my own.

Even though I was on this trip solo, I was rarely alone. You couldn’t walk anywhere on the ship without running into family. It was awesome. Every night we would find a place to camp out and play games.

One day my dad rented out the lounge on the top level so we could celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries. He paid for unlimited (virgin) drinks and we had a huge cake. And, of course, we played games.

My dad turned 70 on the cruise so we made sure to celebrate him big time!

The cruise was so fun. I loved spending quality time with family, but I also was able to spend time alone to reflect and to be inspired. It was the perfect balance. The views were breathtaking and the company was delightful.

It was hard to disembark that last morning when we docked in Vancouver.

I did manage to get a picture of the Vancouver library on our bus ride to the airport. Oh how I wish I could have gone inside THAT library!

While I was living the good life, Tom was holding down the fort back home. Not only was he taking care of three kids on his own, he also hosted his brother's bachelor party, threw a kickoff party for his team, went to the rehearsal dinner and 1st ceremony for his brother, and planned the first cross country meet of the season. It was quite possibly the worst time for me to be out of town, but he handled it like a rock star!

As soon as I got home, I hit the ground running. Tom’s brother’s wedding festivities were in full swing. I had already missed the rehearsal dinner and the Catholic ceremony at the church, but I was able to attend their 2^nd ceremony and reception.

Plus, we were able to get a rare family photo!

The Monday after the wedding, Tom and I had to return to work for two weeks of professional development.

In the meantime...
Sam and Jack started soccer.