Bird business: The Cruise of a Lifetime

My parents have been planning a big vacation for their 40th Wedding Anniversary. They decided to share it with their four kids and spouses!!! What a wonderful idea!!! It was a challenge getting all 10 people's schedules with school, work, moves, and 14 grandchildren taken care of for a week, but it all worked out marvelously!!!

We went on an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Jewel.

Our first stop was Ketchikan. Fascinating!

We went on a hike lead by the cute lady on the left below. She had been a school teacher for over 20 years and taught us all about the rain forest, the bears, other wildlife, trees, bushes, birds, economy, and the people of the area. I couldn't get enough. I was blown away by how dangerous it was to live out there and how the children are required to learn survival skills at young ages.

The greatest thing was hanging out with my family for a week. I got to know these unbelievable women better and laugh and learn from them.

Steve loved taking pictures of the beauty that enveloped us. It was like a dream. Streams, mountains, forests, mosses, lichens, skunk cabbage...

The day we saw the glacier, we got in our "40 Years" t-shirts that my mom had had made for us. This was definitely a celebration. On a side note, my mom had actually purchased gifts for all 8 of us kids every single day. When we went to dinner, she would break out with "Present time!" Then she'd distribute the gifts she had been setting aside for us. We got t-shirts, ties/wraps, glasses-shaped cookie cutters (cuz my dad is an optometrist), the book "I'll Love You Forever" with a letter from her, and more. She is amazing! She's always known how to make us feel loved and special.

The glacier was epic, but leading up to it was also just as gorgeous. The countless waterfalls, eagles, seals, and icebergs were spectacular!

My parents are my heroes!

The amazing men in my life. My dad and brothers are so funny. They all showed up with these 3 blue jackets. None knew that the other had nearly the exact coats. They are like the 3 amigos!

This is my favorite iceberg!

My sister & her hubby--what a cute couple!

Our next stop was SKAGWAY! Our excursion here entailed another hike along the original Gold Rush Trail and a float down the river.

Again, I just love these 2 lovebirds. :)

This was very much a romantic getaway for us as well. Amidst the craziness of a move, starting a new company, and finding out this day that we actually sold & bought a house, it was SO nice to be away.

Our excursion guide was Dave and he, too, was a wealth of information.

Weeks before cruise, my mom kept us updated on excursions and events on the boat. One night, we would have a "White Hot Party." Since this was not my family's normal cup of tea, my brothers, in their teasingly way, began sending response emails about the attire they were contemplating. Some involved white religious apparel--just to shock my mother. Since she poo-pood that idea, my knows-no-boundaries- brother said that he would then wear a white speedo with "Stormin' Mormon" in Italian written on the back. Ha! Ha! Little did he know that his sweet brother would make sure that it happened. At dinner, after my mom handed out our sentimental gifts, Matt presented Wade with his white speedo. Wade ran with it! He was the life of the party! He's unforgettable as himself, but you add a white speedo with that says Stormin' Mormon and you've got a memory that will never be erased.

The big reveal!

Victoria, Canada was a short stop. My family and I vacationed here when I was a teenager, so it was really fun to be able to return together again and see some of the same things.

I couldn't get enough of the awesome totems!

Oh, the flowers! They were everywhere! Double hanging baskets on all streetlights lining the downtown area, surrounding the empress hotel, gardens everywhere.