Our Alaskan Cruise

We were So fortunate to be blessed with yet another amazing trip courtesy of Nana and Grandpa Hal, this time to beautiful Alaska. Cruising on the Norwegian Jewel and spending time with our family was a treat; Nate asks every day when we can go on the cruise again. 

The kids enjoyed eating at their own table in the main dining room, Tsar's Palace.

They had Teppan-Yaki on board, so we got to enjoy a Benihana style dinner!

The pool was a huge hit with the boys, and they both enjoyed going down the water slide.  The water was warm enough that you didn't notice the cold Alaskan air.

They had circus training, where the boys learned to balance feathers and spin plates. At night, this venue became a karaoke lounge, where Nate would hip hop and breakdance while Luke sang either Justin Bieber or Imagine Dragons.

Seattle

After our cruise to Alaska we tacked on three extra days to spend touring Seattle. Luke and I braved the Ferris Wheel while Nate and Scott played arcade games and won Monkey (above), who is the newest member if our family. We rode the monorail and visited the Chihuly Glass Museum and Garden, which inspired in me a new appreciation for blown glass. 

A real highlight was the EMP (Experimental Music Project) museum. They ha a fantasy exhibit, so Luke got to pose with dungeons and dragons and sit on the Iron Throne:

Here the boys admire the tower of guitars... We also saw a cool exhibit about Jimi Hendrix and another about Nirvana.

After spending some time in the sound lab, our family put on a concert as Swollen  Guitars, singing "I Love Rock and Roll." Luke sang lead vocals, Nate was on the drums, Scott on guitar , and I tickled the ivories. There was a simulated audience and a curtain that opened, so the  entire experience simulated a concert. Despite Nate's initial trepidation, We put on a show, and we have these concert tickets as proof:

. 

Nate and Luke posed by the gum wall- the nastiest attraction, but a marvel to behold!

In all, Seattle was a beautiful and very walkable city with cool shops, neighborhoods,  and yummy bakeries ( the gluten free pumpkin cookie is most memorable!). 

Summer Fun!

This summer we have spent a lot of great time with our BBQ crew friends, and not just at BBQs:

Exploring the botanical gardens and playing slugterra with the Garriotts and the Ormsbys

With the Ormsbys at Splash in La Mirada, where my boys together swam the lazy river and rode the big slides!

With the Masseys at Seaside Lagoon ! Nate passed his first swimming test and braved the blue slides into the salty lagoon!

We are truly blessed with the greatest pals!!!!!

Luke's Slumber Party

Because we were traveling over Luke's birthday, we had his first ever slumber party one month late. Guests included Tyler Lumbao, Aaron Nicholson, Kai Smith, Cooper Reitinger, and Grant Mabry. The boys ate ahi and rascals, played Wii Infinity, and Minecraft on the iPod. Late night they watched Jack the Giant Slayer, and finally went to bed about 1 am. Luke had a great time- and now we are all off to get some much needed sleep!