Pre-Trip:
The day before we were leaving I was running errands around town. The last stop was CVS. I felt something strange on my finger. When I looked down I noticed my engagement ring was missing. All I had was the back of the gold band. The diamonds were gone. My heart sank and of course I was late getting the kids from school. I rushed to get the kids and then we were on a hunt for the other half of my ring. Long story short- the last stop was CVS. I walked in and spoke with the manager and explained my mess. He took my name and info and the kids and I set off throughout the store just to look and see if we could find it. About 5 minutes later, Abby (my new friend and CVS store manager) came to me with my diamonds in hand. I wanted to french kiss the man I was so excited. I couldn't thank him enough. I just cried. I walked the kids to the car and when we got in I told them I would do something special for Abby like a gift card to dinner. Brandon says, "Mommy, first you want to French Kiss him, now you want to take him to dinner! This seems like a relationship starting!" All I could do was belly laugh. I was so happy!! This three hour ordeal meant I had a lot of packing to do and not a lot of time left.
This is my ring:
I realize today I could probably write a book on this Alaska trip alone. First, have you ever traveled across country with two kids as a single parent? I am sure a few of you have. I am sure I am not alone when I say there are challenges that come with traveling with kids- PERIOD! My biggest challenge was packing! Good grief! 6 suitcases, one just for shoes! Then the formal dresses, and pants and of course winter coats that were worn ONCE. The weather was fantastic and NO rain. That is a miracle.
Let me share my journey with the kids. These pictures are just of the first day and our first Sea Day. Overall I took 900 pictures. Oh my! It appears I was not on this trip since I was behind the camera, but rest assured I was there every moment of the way. <smile>
Ya know how we always say we live in a small world? Boy is it. When I was sitting on the plane, I noticed someone that looked so familiar to me. Couldn't put my finger on it. Then we both looked at each other with disbelief! It was my friend Stacey, another cool Navy wife that we used to live near 10 years ago! Unbelievable. 10 years ago I didn't have kids! There I sit with my two kids… To me she looked just the same, cute as ever! She didn't say that to me. ROFL. I must have really aged. <sigh> Isn't that amazing? 10 long years and we run into each other on a plane out of DC. CRAZY!!
The plane ride to Seattle was a quick 5 hours. <just poke my eyes out!> The kids kept busy with the Digi player I rented on the plane and the $30 in food we also purchased. Russ would not be so happy. I chose to make myself happy! LOL!
Once we arrived to the ship we had to go through a long line for processing. Seriously, had I known I would have fed the kids more. They were starving at this point and the only thing they cared about was getting into the pool on the ship. The temp was a whopping 58 degree's or so.
We had a beautiful view of Seattle from the top of the ship. The kids thought this was SO cool.
They were so excited to get to the pool. Then they found out it was salt water. They only stayed in for a little while. I was freezing just watching them.
Alexis was so excited to meet her Pen Pal, Jordan Bauer. Jordan and Alexis had been writing each other for about 3 months prior to the cruise. It was so cute watching them finally meet. They became best buddies on the ship. In the Stampin' Up! hospitality room there was this HUGE pale of buttons. The kids would "pan" the buttons in search of the Big Red Button. This was the coolest thing and the highlight for the kids each day. Alexis would also spin the prize wheel for me. I could just sit in that big pile of buttons. What a happy place and you can see from the picture that the girls were having a great time.
Formal night with kids was so fun. Watching them get ready, priceless! They were a little nervous on the "proper" way to do things at the dinner table. I won't lie, I was a wreck about formal night. If you could see Brandon eat, you would understand. He typically wears everything he eats. <sigh> Overall, they had a blast. Brandon did wear his food and Alexis was not impressed with her dinner selection. She is just like me. If I cannot pronounce it, I don't want it! They couldn't understand WHY there were so many utensils. It just made me giggle. Our table mates were awesome. Heather Summers and her little boy Mark (the best eater I've EVER seen) made the night so special.
The kids were fine until the ADULTS next to us started playing….
Really? Is there anything I can say here? Again, they had a blast. Brandon even tried a frog leg. WOW!
This is just the beginning. I have much more to share. The trip does get more interesting.
I won't leave you without something Creative. I created an MDS page last night. My dear friends on the ship taught me some cool tricks using the My Digital Studio. This page only took me about 30 minutes from start to finish. No tricks really.
I am using the new Digital Download Travel Log Kit. Great kit.
You can view all the new digital content in my Online Store!
Here are the PDF's of all the new Digital Content for May:
I hope you are having a GREAT week! More photos to come!
XOXOXO
