Time to Relax.......or not?

Last month Ryan's parents took us to Alaska to see where Ryan served his mission. It was a blast!! Being on a cruise with mostly elderly people, I thought we might have a bit more time to relax that we actually did lol. It was awesome though.

We drove around and got some close-ups with a mama bear and two cubs. We had the opportunity to go whale watching and fly over Glacier Bay.

We were able to go to dinner with a family from the mission, and ran into a Branch President in another area. Ryan showed us his first apartment as well as the Eagle Preserve where he spent a lot of time.

We were able to plan a run-in with Ryan's last trainee.

The ship went in to Glacier Bay, and we were able to get some gorgeous shots of the Mendenhall Glacier before we had to leave because it had calved (broken off) too much. I was completely shocked with the different colors of blue in the glaciers. It was breathtaking.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end :( and we came home to start with school and work all over again. For now all we can do is hold on until our next vacation :( may it come quickly!!!!

A time for thanks.....

I have had a lot to think about this month. I remember this time last year and, wow, how much life has changed!!! I remember last year so vividly, is crazy.

Last November my Dad passed away. I remember helping him with his oxygen and I sometimes miss him calling every other hour all through the night for help with something. I miss waking up in the morning and fixing him breakfast before I left for school, then coming home and helping get his lunch and taking him outside and sitting in the garage just watching the day. I remember helping him go walking around the gym, the sound of the walkder skidding accross the ground, and the loose screw tinkling in the left wheel of the wheelchair we pushed behind him.

I think of all the things I miss about my Dad, and I feel so incredibly blessed to have had such a wonderful man in my life, for as short of a time as I did. I am thankful for all the time I got to spend with him, and for the opportunity to be by his side as he slipped slowly from mortality to immortality.

I am so thankful for the chance I have had to be so close to my family- not many people are. I love my siblings and my Mom and my nieces and nephews. I dont think I could have made it through this last year without all of you. I love you all!