From Tennesse to Valdez, AK

We arrived in Tennessee Sunday the 13th to temps above 100 and high humidity. The Christensens were ready for us as we moved in all our 'stuff' for the summer. We only had three days to settle in, acclimate the dog and cat to a new house, celebrate Maggie's 12th birthday. Amy was teaching bible school and took the kids each evening while Steve and I spent time with Andy and Michael.


Mercedez went shopping with Moriah and I to find a dress for Moriah to wear in Brei's wedding...a little side-tracked here but having fun!


We celebrated Maggie's birthday a day early with a pool party since Steve, Mo, and I were leaving for Alaska on Thursday.








Simon, the latest addition on the Christensen hobby farm.

Amy took Steve, Moriah, and I to the Nashville airport very early Thursday morning (thanks Amy!) for our 6 a.m. flight. No pictures allowed.

Steve and Moriah at the Anchorage airport waiting for our connecting flight to Fairbanks. It took 13 hours to get to Fairbanks...we were tired. Praise God I had NO motion sickness!!!

We spent Friday getting settled at Brei's adorable dry cabin, AAAAANNNNDDDD THEN!!!! We all left for Valdez!!! WOOOHOOOOO! When Brei and Daniel were back in Iowa last May, he mentioned that we should spend the weekend in Valdez while we were in Alaska(most beautiful place I've ever been (see for yourself!) and was secretly wishing to go again). I'm loving this guy more and more.

Saturday was cool and a little drizzly, normal weather for Valdez. Last 4th of July it was sunny and in the 80's. We made the best of it (hey, it's only water!).


Mo, Brei, and Daniel hanging out at the harbor.


View of the waterfall from the harbor shrouded in clouds.


We'd never seen an ice cream truck that also sold espresso and hot soup...not a bad idea, huh Holly?


We had a great visit with our friends, the Riggins, who moved to Valdez last year.


We all went sea kayaking out to Columbia Glacier on Sunday. I hadn't planned to go along and am SOOO glad I changed my mind. We had a 1 1/2 hour boat ride out to Heather Bay where we were dropped off. It was an awesome adventure that was very surreal and beautiful. Sometimes I can hardly believe the places God's taken us. This one ranks at the top...see for yourself...








































We all survived our 10-hour adventure!! I wanna do it again!

Bridal Veil Falls on the way back to Fairbanks.

I wish you all could have been with us. Here is the best I can do...(turn off the music)

IOWA IN JUNE

We've enjoyed this past week in Iowa. It's been a full. We got to see some of our kids and grandkids, friends, and family we haven't seen in years. Here are some highlights....


We got to celebrate Forest(3)and Willow's(1) birthdays that are both in June. Ben and Joseph came to visit that day too!


Willow with her new shopping cart.


Gabe and Missy treated us to an afternoon at the North Liberty swimming pool...quite refreshing on a hot day!


Willow decided it was time to start walking this week.


Sometimes when we stay at Gabe and Missy's we get to help them with a house project, which we love to do. This time it was a remodel to the sunporch. Here John and Steve are tearing out a bench.


Steve, Gabe, and John laying the new carpet. Missy, Moriah, and I painted the room while the other girls watched the 'little ones'. "Many hands make light work". The room turned out great and was fun to be part of.

Sarah and I got to have lunch with Aaron, Karla, and Phaedra this week, always a wonderful thing since it's not always easy to connect with family, especially on short notice. We spent a day this week with our friends and old neighbors, the Deardens. Thanks for the fun and food!

Today, our last day here, we went to a memorial service for my Uncle Jack. He and his wife, Aunt Betty, and their kids played a big role in my life when I was a kid. They opened their home and their hearts to my siblings and I. They taught us a lot and were a huge help to my Grandma and Grandpa who were raising us. It was wonderful to see family I hadn't seen in years and to honor and remember Uncle Jack.


Aunt Mardene and cousin Kelly.


My brother, Torrey, and his beautiful granddaughter Kaelyn.


My siblings, Vicki, Randy, Torrey, and I. We hadn't been together in years and I hadn't seen Randy or Vicki in a couple years. This was awesome! Vicki sang at the memorial and did a beautiful job.

Tomorrow we're off to Tennessee. Thursday Steve, Moriah, and I leave for Alaska for Brei's wedding. I'll try to update this blog often.

Thanks Gabe and family for putting up with us once again!!!! We love you!

Montana Bound

Here are some memories of our trip this past week to Montana for my sister-in-love, Sheila's, memorial service.

This was a bitter-sweet trip...sadness and loss mixed with happy memories and such beauty.

Our first view of the mountains, very welcome after all the plains of North Dakota and Montana.

Middle fork of the Flathead River.

Uncle Dan giving Moriah a drawing lesson shortly after we arrived at Dave's.

Dave and Steve waiting for Matt.

Sheila's memorial Wednesday was beautiful and painful and blessed. The message was taken from her own words and God's. The live music had a wonderful message, but the highlight of the service was the slide show that took us through a gamut of emotions....To see the beauty of Sheila's life, the deep love that she and Dave shared, the love of family, and all the pictures taken under the 'big sky' of Montana that she loved was comforting and brought closure.  

We visited Glacier National Park where Matt and Jessica work.

All you who are getting close to retirement age...We usually spend $80 a year for a National Park pass. Now that Steve's 62, he was able to get a pass, good for the rest of his life, for $10 that includes his family...Life's little pleasures...

Going to the Sun Road

Lake McDonald

Matt drives a red bus like this and gives tours. He gave us a little ride when he got off work.

 Hanging out at McDonald Lodge

Jessica is the pastry chef at the lodge. We enjoyed a couple of her wonderful creations while we waited for her and Matt to get off work. The desserts were beautifully plated, tasted delicious, and the crackling fire was welcome on a cool, damp day.

Our ride in the 'open air' in Matt's Red Bus...fun and chilly!

John helping Uncle Matt button down the rag top of the bus.

Then we went hiking, one of my favorite things, and in such a beautiful place, AND with family!Part of Avalanche Trail

Some of you that vacationed with us here in 2005 may recognize this river/waterfall

Matt, Jessica, and Moriah

Does this rock look familiar?

It was a highlight to spend time at Glacier with Matt and Jessica.

 We said good-bye to Dave Friday morning, went to Glacier Park and said good-bye to Matt and Jessica. Then we began our journey out of the mountains, back across the plains, and back into the north woods of Minnesota. We stopped at the cabin we'd rented for the past eight months to visit the landlords and pick up our trailer to store at a friend's near Ely. Then we headed south to spend a week in Iowa before we travel to Tennessee for the summer.