Dear Dad

Since I didn't get to talk to you today, I made you a little video.  I miss you!!!! (Side note from Mom: Kate left you a little present right before she climbed up the slide, which is why I think she was trying to take her shirt off before she slid down.)

Some pictures for Papa

Now that Danny's gone, I want him to feel like he's still a big part of what's going on here.  Kate and I are in CO now, getting ready for Bubba's wedding.  Here are some pics of our last few days together, along with a pic of Kate with her cousin Ben enjoying some popsicles.  We miss you, Dad!  

Aloha!

Doing a little catch-up blogging. Danny's parents both have birthdays in May, and this year was the big six-oh for Danny's dad, Larry. His best friend (Uncle Frank) planned a huge luau for the occasion.  Although Larry knew about the party, he didn't know that his daughter Shelly would be coming from Virginia, and that we'd be coming from California.  Surprise!   

Hawaiians sure know how to throw a party!  I think the food preparation began weeks before the event.  The food was plentiful and exotic, and although an intense rainstorm hit us during the feast, everyone stayed and ate until the sun went down. 

Danny's sisters giving Kate some love.

Most of Danny's immediate family made it to the party.

Everyone huddled under the tents trying to stay dry.  Eventually the water started to pool in the depressions and spill over the sides.  A few kids got their baths early that night!

The Many Faces of Kate

I'm sure going to miss this little girl. She has been so fun lately- full of new faces and sounds. Here's a quick clip of her reaction to a Jack-in-the-Box.

Exploring the Last Frontier

We just got back from our 7-day Alaskan Cruise.  We left Kate with my sister and mom so we could have a little couple time before Danny deploys. 

Aside from being sick with Strep Throat most of the trip (Amy was.  Danny got it the day we got home.  Hopefully Kate gets passed over...) and not seeing the sun until the last day, we had a great vacation.  We wanted a change from the desert, and definitely got it.  Brrrrrr!!!!!

p.s.It was so hard to decide which photos to post.  If you want to see all of our photos, they're on my facebook page. 

A view of the ship at night.

Docked at Ketchikan

Creek Street in Ketchikan.

The view from our balcony.  Can you believe that?!

 Sailing through Tracy Arm (the Inside Passage).

Look closely...see the two seals on the ice?!

This video will give you the panorama view from the ship.  Amazing!

Here's the glacier we saw.

At Skagway we rented a car and drove about 60 miles in the Yukon.  Gorgeous!!!!

Docking at Victoria Island, British Columbia.

BC's Provincial Legislature bldg.