Day 3...Hoonah, Alaska

 

Such a fun stop!! 

 We hadn't planned a specific tour to do on this day but headed into the 

little city to see what our options were. We quickly figured out that Whale Watching would 

be first on our list. We found a little restaurant that was also an outfitting company. 

 We set up our trip and while we waited for the time to come...we rented ATV's and 

explored the area. The only advice the attendant gave us was that we 

shouldn't bother the bears. The populations of humans is 3,000 in that town and the 

population of Brown Bear was 14,000. 

 He suggested we be careful and stay on the roads.

Off we went...

 

Day 1, Alaskan Adventure...Train Ride To Seward, Alaska...

 

Day 1 of the Alaskan Adventure... 

We arrived at the hotel in Anchorage around 2:00 am. Everyone exhausted, 

but happy with the cool temperatures. Uncle Nate and Aunt Jen had arrived earlier in the day. 

We slept for just a couple of hours then boarded a passenger 

train to Seward, Alaska. We were all so tired, 

but excited for the adventure that was ahead of us.

   

 The scenery was breathtaking! 

 We soaked it all up! The landscape...the wildlife...the streams...the glaciers... 

It was all beyond amazing!

 

We had a great time together! 

 The train ride was 4 hours long...worth every minute! 

They served a fun breakfast along with great commentary along the way,  

Teaching us about Alaska. We had time to visit...

sleep...eat...take pictures and tease each other.

 It was a great time!!

 

Alaska With The Darlings...

 

Several months ago The Farmer suggested that we take a family trip. 

It's something we try and do a couple of times a year, but as 

The Darlings get older...it gets more and more difficult. 

 This seemed like a good year for us all to gather together and do 

something really fun. We have wanted to visit Alaska for a long time...

it's a bucket list trip for us, so it seemed like the perfect destination for the family.

 

We decided to meet in Mesa, 

Precious would join us there from Utah, 

and the rest would travel from Mexico. 

 The day we arrived in It was 124 degrees in Phoenix! 

We stopped at Grandma Vicki's to get PreSh and say hi... 

Then it was off to the airport.

   

 Traveling with the whole family was really a great time! 

Lots of laughing...talking...eating...a very good time!

   

 We boarded the plane and headed to Seattle 

and then on to Anchorage Alaska, where we arrived in the middle of the night.

 

My People...

Last weekend I had the chance to hang out with "My People"

 Goodness I love those people of mine! 

The Farmer and I had planned to be in the Phoenix area for a concert...

to celebrate his birthday... 

and before we knew it plans were made for everyone to gather. 

It's been awhile since we have all been together, 

Years in fact.

 

The Brotherhood never disappoint...

there is certain to be lots of laughing when we are together. 

 I love that! 

We also spend a good amount of time eating great food... 

which again...is great by me.

 

Our dear Father's headstone has been placed. 

 It looks wonderful! 

The weekend was full of stories and memories of him. 

We shed some tears and we shared some laughs... 

We are so blessed to have been taught and loved by such a great man!

 He is always a part of us no matter what we are doing or where we may be.

I feel his influence daily. 

 Our Grandmother Mable Skinner left a great legacy for us,

 a song she wrote many years ago. I have spent my life singing that song

...it is a family mission statement of sorts. 

We gathered around our Father's grave and sang together... 

  We belong to a family who loves the Lord you see, 

We gladly follow the prophet in peace and harmony. 

As we choose the right and follow His light, 

His promises are sure, 

As we serve with joy, our talents employ, 

We gain strength to help us endure. 

 We love Jesus, he is our friend, 

We pray that we'll live and help ourselves give, 

That we may be with Him again!

Mother's Day...

Mother's Day was so nice this year! 

With the careful planning of The Boy and The Farmer a beautiful and very 

yummy meal was prepared.

   

 Not a thing was missing from this meal! Man was it good. 

The Farmer invited his mother and a couple of siblings to join us. 

 It is always such a great time to be together!

 

A Birthday "Fix-Up"...

This Boy of mine lives life.

 He has since is was a very small child. 

He isn't fearful, which can be both good and bad ;) 

Everything he does, he does with great intensity, which I love.

 He has done a lot of living in his short life and has a few scars to show for it. 

 One of those "scars" was the problems that go along with having

 his nose broken many times. Before his mission we took him to a

 Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, fully expecting to schedule a major surgery to repair

 the damage. What we found out was that he was not fully grown and we needed 

to wait until he returned from his mission. 

He has really suffered with chronic sinus infections for years. 

 He hasn't been able to sleep well, and was sneezing and blowing his nose all the time! 

He was miserable. Thankfully we found a great Dr. and took advantage of 

The Boy and his Bride being home with us for awhile...and we scheduled the surgery. 

 It wasn't invasive like we thought it would be. 

No additional scars...and now we have a Boy who can breathe! 

He says it is amazing!  His little birthday "fix-up" has been a success!

This Boy Of Mine....

This Boy of mine is 23 today! 

How did that happen...and...where has the time gone? 

I know...I say that each and every year of his life. 

This Boy has done a lot of living in his few years, 

 More than I think a person should have to...but it's his plan. 

Really it's His plan and I am ok with that.

.  

 It seems that for several years now, this Boy has celebrated his birthday in the hospital. 

 One year it was a car accident... 

another it was a broken arm...

and this year he will be celebrating with a surgery on his nose 

that he has desperately needed for a long time. 

 I guess the universe has him on some kind of schedule ;)

 

The burden of being a "first-born" is a heavy one. 

 He has shouldered it well.

 He is a protector...a defender...a worker...a dutiful son.... 

responsible and now he has added to the list...husband. 

I can look into his eyes and see a little of his soul... 

I can see when he is sad, when he is worried...when he is burdened. 

I can also see is joy and happiness...his desire for good. 

He has and is a blessing to his family and a joy to his parents.

 

These are the things I want to remember about you now.... 

You are thoughtful... 

You are a great cook and enjoy yummy food! 

You like to share a Diet Coke with your Mom... 

You love to fish! 

You love Kallie and that makes me happy!

 I wondered who the girl would be that would steal your heart... and she has! 

You have such a desire to lift the burdens of your Dad, and work really hard to do that... 

I love your sense of family. 

I have loved having you home for the last few months... 

you have brought so much life and fun into our home!! 

I love how you are committed to finish your education... 

My Boy...you are a blessing to our family! 

Happy Birthday!!!! 

*Today is also our Sweet Graces' birthday. 

She must have really really loved her brother to share her birthday with him. 

 I know she is close by