Private Family Cocktail Party

The cruise gave us a private cocktail party for booking such a large group with them. It was very nice and the view of the glaciers as we passed was breath taking.

Formal Night

We wrangled the kids away from the kid program (which they wanted to be there more than go off the boat or be with us, ha ha they had a blast) for fancy night of up-do's, ties, and a nice family dinner.

Skagway, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska was our third stop and the town was like one street. It was so busy with tourist but we of course made all the quick store shops early in the morning, went back to the boat for lunch and than got on our tour. Our tour was a Salmon bake/cook out, gold panning, a old miners camp that had some funny tents and sayings (of course Brecken my cousin and I had to pose). Logan stayed on the boat with Auntie Shawna while we went on this excursion. He was so tired.

In this town we saw a train that said Makenzie on it (note that there is a "C" and she does not have a "c" in her name) and there was a barber shop that was named Logan. TOO CUTE, both my kids names!~

Juneau, Alaska

Stop two was Juneau, Alaska

We took the Dog Sled Excursion and it was pretty neat. I thought we would be on real dog sleds but since there is no snow, they improvise and have the dog sled teams pull you on these wheel carts. The kids thought it was a ride at a amusement park and wanted to do it over and over again.

We took a nice bus ride to a mush ranch, had a sled ride, got to get warm by the fire, listen to stories, and play with all the puppies that were just born!

Ketchikan, Alaska

Paris and I
Brecken and Makenzie
Shawna and Logan
Our group with the trolley

Our first stop was in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Jon went on a private fishing tour with all the men, while I took the kids on a horse drawn trolley ride. The wind and rain was so bad after the ride we got right on the boat. I guess when you are use to the AZ sun, it will take you a day in the rain and cold before you are ready to brave it again~

The town was so cute, green, and the people were friendly. Our first stop of our trip...

First Day on the Boat

I must admit, I think I hit the spa every day we were on the boat! I know that is so bad, but it was addicting, PLUS I met a friend! Her name is Fretzly. She did my facials, massages, wraps, etc etc.. we became close :) I gave her my blog (we will see if she jumps on) and we exchanged emails. I have a new pen pal...she is from the Philippines and works with husband on the cruise boat.

Us girls got our nails done, up-do's, pedis, and enjoyed being pampered for our formal night.

First Stop: Seattle...To the BOAT!

The plane, early morning tired hyper kids, family fun~!

Getting the kids up at 4am was not early, but I managed to pull them out of bed, get them dressed and headed to the airport. 20 family members were on the flight to Seattle where our private chartered bus was waiting to load us all up, and our luggage, and grab the rest of the family (they flew in a few days early) at their hotel!

36 of us headed off to the pier to board our boat... the cruise begins!

The Day We Have Been Waiting For REFERRAL DAY

Jesus said, "If my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like, and it will come true for you". (John 15:7 )

Today around 10:30am I got a email on my blackberry from our adoption agency with the message that stated "see attached."

I opened the attachment to find 2 pictures of our beautiful daughter from Ethiopia and some information that they had on her.

She was born on June 22, 2008 (3 days before my b-day) She was found near the airport in Ethiopia on July 22, 2008.

She will be 2 months old in a few weeks! We are so excited to meet her and for the courts to re-open in October so we can get a date and find out when we fly to pick her up. Now that we accepted the Referral, we are on the waiting game for the next step.
When I saw her pictures the first reaction I had was to cry, I swear I felt like I saw her before, I knew her already, and I wanted to grab and snuggly her. She looks so alert already, older than a few months old,but I think its the baggy clothes that had her in, the old car seat she sat in at the police station and the oversize booties laced up.
I am glad that now she can be taken to the orphanage and be take care of until Jon and I arrive.
This journey of adoption started out "suppose" to be a long process...but turning out only taking months. Which surprises Jon and I and can only be in the hands of God. I know people have been waiting so long for babies, referrals, and court dates, and for us to get ours so fast makes us so happy, but feel bad for the others that are still waiting and have been waiting for a very long time. BUT I know God has special babies for everyone and I guess our little angel came up at the right time she needed to and for us.
Now we are looking forward to flying out and picking her up and having us join our family, until than, we now know her age and size to buy her clothes and toys and start spoiling her!
Wishing every waiting parent out there a referral soon, and praying every orphan finds a loving home and a set of warm arms to love them ever night and day. God Bless xoxo

Back From Our Cruise

Our Family (8 people could not make it, so almost everyone!)
The Glaciers..Can you spot the 4 of us out?
Makenzie and her cousin Paris!
"white night" Jon and I, Shawna (my sister) and Robb
This week flew by so fast, first we were in AZ, Seattle,Alaska, Canada, and back home in AZ again. It was the best time ever and as you can see from our professional pictures, we had a nice big family group of us all there. We had a total of 36 family members all on the same boat, yes people LOVED as at dinner and excursions!
I wanted to post a few pictures from the boat before I got my camera out and downloaded from the past week. Plus I have more California pictures, and probably stuff I did not realize I still had on my camera. FOR NOW here our the group pictures with the glaciers, "white night" when we all wore white, and the actually route the boat when on.
More details in next post with my camera pictures! xoxo

I MISSED ARIZONA, BUT WOULD RATHER BE BACK ON THE CRUISE BOAT!

Tomorrow We Leave......YIPPY

We just got back from Cali, turned right around with laundry, dug out our winter clothes repacked and now are getting on a plane in the morning to board our cruise boat to Alaska. I know we will be missed but think of all the wonderful pictures you can see and the animals, rain, and glaciers we get to freeze in!

I will be checking my email during my week gone so keep me posted...