Cruising Through Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe I've been married for 25 years

(actually closer to 26 years now).

Todd and I never went on a honeymoon

because I couldn't get time off from work back in the day.

So we brainstormed on what we wanted to do

for our 25th and cruises won unanimously

(like 2 votes out of 2 votes).

The next thing we had to decide on was the destination.

We had to keep in mind how much time we could

take off from work, and cost, of course.

The two destinations that we narrowed it down to were

Hawaii and Alaska.

Basically, two destinations on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

We put our heads together and laid out

all the pros and cons and well...

Alaska was the winner!

I actually hinted at the Alaskan destination on

our anniversary dinner post last year (here).

 

So why Alaska?

Easy, it's cooler weather and neither one of us

had a burning desire to don a bathing suit for

a majority of our vacation.

 

Our departure date was July 11th,

and we left from San Francisco.

It was a 10 day cruise with stops at

Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Misty Arms Fjord and Victoria, BC.

 

It took about an 1 hour to actually step foot onboard

the Golden Princess.  We had security, and passports,

and booze check, you name it, it was checked.

Once on the boat, it was great.

You were allowed to walk around

the ship and explore before it sailed.

We boarded at 2:30 PM and left the Port of San Francisco at 4 PM.

We missed the memo that there was a party at the

front of the ship, but we did hear a ton of people cheering

as we went underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

Too busy taking selfies to notice the party going on.

 

We missed the memo that there was a party at the

front of the ship, but we did hear a ton of people cheering

as we went underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

Todd and I were busy snapping pictures left and right.

 

The first couple days we were at sea.

Todd and I watched a couple of shows,

 

 

did movies under the stars,

 

 

watched sunsets, ate and relaxed.

 

We saw some truly magnificent sunsets and whales!

 

On day 4 we arrived in Ketchikan, AK.

 

 

It was in the 60's and drizzling,

but we didn't let that slow us down.

Plus, who goes to Alaska and doesn't expect rain?

 

We explored the small town for a couple hours, 

but had an excursion planned for the afternoon.

At 11 AM we hopped on

a tour bus and headed to our destination.

 

After arriving, we donned our rain suits.

 

Jumped in a boat that was not enclosed

(yes it was open and it was raining,

thus the rain suits),

and headed off into the wild blue yonder.

We visited some islands that had

baby bald eagles and seals,

and just missed a US submarine.

Apparently the Navy has a testing or training

facility in the vicinity so there is an

occasional siting.

 

We arrived at the Silverking Lodge

where we had a short little expedition through

the forest and then when we arrived back

at the lodge where our "all you can eat"

seafood lunch was waiting.

 

So do you think that's enough food?

It was all gone when we left.

Yes, our table had that big a pigs at it.

Oink, oink!

 

After lunch we headed back,

with big smiles and full tummies.

 

And crazy hair apparently.

 

After our excursion, it was time to board

the ship, so we headed back and

grabbed a warm cup of coffee

to get the blood flowing again.

 

A perfect end to a super fun day.

 

Next up...Juneau.

4th of July Fun!

I have kind of been MIA on the blog.

It's been a busy summer,

and I kind of put the blog on the back burner.

 

I'm back now so let's get this party started.

So what did you do for 4th of July you ask?

Well...we went to Union Valley Reservoir.

 

It was an overcast day, and the first 4th I can

think of that I wasn't dying from heat exhaustion.

 

 

We arrived in the afternoon,

Todd's brother, wife and their friends had camped

there for the week, and we just decided to

 visit them for the afternoon.

 

 

 There was plenty of food and drink

(as you can tell).

 

 

 

 

There was great company -

can you believe that little guy is 14 years old!

 

 

We sat around the fire, ate, drank and talked.

Around 9 PM we decided to call it a night

 and headed back home.

I know, big party animals.

 

We didn't watch any fireworks,

or stay out all night,

but we had a fun day with friends and family.

I can't wait to do it again next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father's Day 2015

 Our family gathered together this past weekend to

celebrate these outstanding men on their special day,

Father's Day.

 

Robb, Todd, Dennis, Lynn

 

It was decided that we would BBQ at Loon Lake. 

 

  

 

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday,

but what we weren't aware of was that there

were high wind warnings.

 

The lake was pretty choppy, so our plans to kayak

kind of fell flat.  We didn't let the wind put a damper

on the day though, we ate BBQ to our little

hearts content, and some of us napped. 

 

 

Todd barbecuing hamburgers, chicken and sausage.

 

 

We set up camp in a little cove area that

was surrounded by rocks.

This seemed to help cut down on the wind.

 

Aust and Lexx

 

And what would a family get together be

without some gratuitous pictures?

Uncle Lynn

 

The kids with their dad. 

 

The gang.

Robb, Amber, Austin, Alexxa, Todd, Anne, Dennis & Lynn

 

Dad, husband and world's greatest man!

 

It was such a good time.

I love spending time with family,

and it makes it that much better when we

do an outing like this.

 

Is there any better way to celebrate dad's

than BBQing and being outdoors?

Dad's Life

I saw this floating around on Facebook and

with Father's Day right around the corner,

I thought some of you might get a laugh -

or totally be able to relate.

 

Enjoy!

Raise 'Em Up

I love the message in this song.

 

Now you go and raise 'em up!

 

Happy Mother's Day

I had a fantastic Mother's Day weekend and 

was showered with love.

Unfortunately, I couldn't celebrate with

 my mother because she isn't in town.

I did send a card and a text letting 

her know I was thinking about her.

We'll probably go wine tasting when she returns,

but that's another post.

Back to Mother's Day...

First thing, got my hair cut and colored!

Day made right there.

Nothing makes me feel better than 

having my long time hairstylist pamper me.

Fast forward three hours later,

and I met up with Todd at a Starbucks 

and we were on our happy little way.

I had some things I wanted to return,

and I wanted to do a little shopping.

I ended up only spending $5 and returning $100!

After fighting all the Mother's Day crowd,

we decided to try out The Yard House.

The food was amazing.

 

Waiting for our meal at The Yard House. 

 

I ended up getting a salad a fish taco + a vampire taco.

Todd ordered Summer Salad, 

lettuce wraps and a skirt steak.

Everything tasted fresh and sooooo good!

 

After dinner we decided to do a little window

shopping at Z Gallerie.

They have some fun stuff,

mostly furniture and home accessories.

So how is this picture relevant to the store you ask,

it isn't.  I just look cool and wanted to show you.

 

After we had our fill of window shopping,

we headed over to the Studio Movie Grill to watch

Avengers:  Age of Ultron.

 

 

I love this theater because the seats are not cloth

and there is plenty of leg room

(mostly because there needs to be so the waiters can walk around).

 

 

It was getting late,

so after the movie Todd and I headed home.

 

Sunday was a very mellow day for me.

Todd took me to breakfast and then went to his

mother's house to help with yard work and go for a walk.

I met up with them in the evening,

after my three hour nap,

and we had dinner at Sizzler.

Todd's dad treated, so that was a nice surprise!

 

Robb, Dennis, Anne (Todd's mom) and Lynn.

Doesn't Dennis look scared of me taking his picture? Tehehe

 

Chloe and Amber (Chloe's mom) were there as well.

They are always so much fun.

When dinner ended so did my Mother's Day weekend.

I love being able to spend time with family.

It's my favorite thing!

The only thing missing were my kiddos,

but they will be home in a couple of weeks.

 

So what did you do for Mother's Day?

 

Trip to Truckee

Try saying that 10 times fast!

 

Since Todd and I had so much fun going to Cabela's,

we decided to take a little day trip to Truckee

the following weekend.

Plus I was craving The Village Pizzeria's food.

 

I had been through the town several times before,

but I had never really stopped in the historic part of town.

We spent the day the entire day

visiting little shops and eating.

 

It was a perfect sunny day to explore the town.

 

It had special little touches all throughout.

 

I can't remember the names of the shops we visited,

but when we ran across these little figurines,

I laughed out loud.

I told Todd that they fashioned these ladies after me.

I kind of look like this in a swimming suit.

 

Todd was such a good sport.

He waited patiently while I ooohed and ahhhed

at everything in the stores.

 

 

I had two favorite stores.

The first was a cooking supply store.

I didn't get much in the way of pictures,

but I did manage to get a couple of their

beautiful displays.

My little phone camera doesn't do them justice.

 

 

The presentation was stunning.

 

The other store I liked had several

imported items that were artistically arranged.

It was very pleasing to the eye.

 

After we were shopped out,

we made a quick stop at the local candy shop

to pick up...

you guessed it,

some fudge.

What is it with me and fudge?

 

And of course we couldn't leave Truckee

without stopping at the pizzeria.

Check out the size of the glass of Diet Coke.

 

And finally,

the piece de resistance,

my pizza!

It's just heavenly.

It's the pizza I always get when we travel

through Truckee coming home from Tahoe.

I seriously have dreams about this pizza -

it's that amazing.

 

I had such a great time hanging out with Todd,

and spending some quality time with him.

Life has been busy,

and it was a great way to

 unwind and enjoy each other.