Seward, AK for Gabe's birthday and Father's Day!

Let me start out by saying Seward, Alaska is a beautiful place.  The snow-capped mountains set against the ocean is AMAZING!  We got to take a six hour wildlife viewing cruise that was pretty spectacular.  Humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises are just a few of the animals we got to see.   Not to mention the glaciers!  When I look at nature up here I can't help but be in awe of God.  You can't look around this state and not see it.

I'm not going to write a lot about it.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.  They aren't the best pictures but they will always help me remember the good times spent in Alaska. 

Car ride down

Don't really know what this was but it looked really cool.

Potty training meant the ride was longer but it also meant we could get good pictures to embarrass him when he is older!

 These pictures we took while we driving.  The scenery was incredible.

Helping Daddy set up the tent

Campfire food!

Wasn't ready for how cold it got at night

The sun never sets.  It's 11pm and still light as the middle of the day!

Gabe is the cook when we go camping.

Such a cool dude.

I don't understand having a sail boat when its so cold.

Sea otters

Told you the scenery was beautiful.

Puffins!

Bald eagle.  I should have cropped it.

Somebody was sleepy!

Harbor seal

Grayson loved it when the ice fell from the glacier.

The blue color of the glacier was so pretty!  I wish we had had better lighting.

Porpoises that loved to race beside the boat.

The map may have been his favorite part.

Humpback what tail!

Such a tired baby.  Camping wore him out!

Mother's Day Cookout!

Mother's Day this year was great!  Last year I spent it out to Brunch with two of my good friends.  We had a good time but this year I was really glad to have the hubby back.  I'm a little selfish.  I knew he would take care of Grayson and let me sleep in, which he did!  Can I say I have the greatest husband ever??

Let me start off by saying Gabe and I rarely get each other gifts.  We buy one big gift for Christmas every year but for all other occasions we like to make a gift or do something for the other person.  this Mother's Day was no exception.

Gabe let me sleep in until 10!  Do you know how long it's been since I've gotten to sleep in?  Almost two years ago!  It was INCREDIBLE!  I forgot how much I love to sleep.  I'll have to return the favor on Father's Day.   I even got to take a long, uninterrupted shower.  Those have been few and far in between since Grayson came along.   After I showered, did my hair and makeup and got dressed, we left for Chena Lakes.   If you live near North Pole I would suggest taking a day trip here.  It's a nice little recreation area. 

The lake looks so much bigger with Grayson standing in front of it.

When we left our house it was warm outside so I wore a long sleeve shirt with a short sleeve I could wear if I got hot and shorts.  By the time we got to Chena Lakes it was cold, cloudy and windy.  I was freezing!  Gabe had to build a fire so I could get warm.  Thank goodness we had extra clothes in the car for Grayson and three fleeces for Gabe.  For some reason I had taken out all my winter clothes except one sweatshirt.  I could not get warm so I took one of Gabe's fleeces and put my legs through the arms and zipped it up.  Then I had to use a paper clamp to keep it from falling down.  Let's just say I looked really silly but I was WARM!  That's all that mattered.

 The sun came out for just a little bit but it was still cold!  At least it wasn't snowing!

 See my wonderful fire the hubby built for me!  I had a really great Mother's Day.  I'm one lucky gal!

 Blackberry face!

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Homecoming!

As I sit here looking at Grayson I realize how lucky I am.  Gabe is HOME!!!  He's been home for a little over a week now and I am just now ready to write about it.  It was such a special event.  I've been through one before but this one felt different.  Maybe because of Grayson.

After being told different dates multiple times he finally arrived on a Thursday night.  I do know I have never felt that much excitement in one room.  You could actually hear a crackle in the air.  It was incredible!!  I kind of want to go to another one just to see it as an onlooker.  When we heard the buses were here my heart started pounding.  When we heard the doors go up and saw them walking I think I blocked everyone else out and just started looking for Gabe.  Then I saw him and the butterflies started.  I don't know if I ever loved him as much as I loved him then.  In that one moment my life was complete again.  I had my husband back.  Grayson has his Dad back.  It was awesome.  As awesome as it was I don't want to have to do it again.

That's one reason I haven't written about it yet.  I have just begun to realize he is here to stay.  He doesn't have to go back after two weeks.  The readjustment period is a little difficult.  The first time Grayson called for his Daddy instead of me I have to say I was a little jealous.  I have been Grayson's only one for a year and now I have to relinquish control.  It's HARD!  I'm glad to do it but at the same time I'm a little sad.  Grayson remembered his Daddy.  He smiled and went right to him.  They have been having a ball with each other.  It makes my heart swell with love for the two guys in my life.  How did I get so lucky?

I love my family!  Thank you to all of you who helped me get through this deployment.  The prayers and the shoulders to cry on and the ears to listen to me vent.  I hope you all know you mean a lot to me.

It looks like Grayson is saying Yes!!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Easter!