Alaska!!!!

We have been so blessed over the past two weeks. Our parents graciously agreed to love on our precious kids for two weeks while Eric and I escaped to the state of Alaska on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. This was not an expected vacation but we found a last minute deal that was going to be hard to pass up and found ourselves boarding a plane, eight weeks later, knowing that our children were in excellent hands with their grandparents. This was the first major vacation that we've taken with each other in 10 years and I'm so glad that we were able to do it. It was wonderful to learn that we still love to just "hang out" together and that we do have other things to talk about other than our offspring. :-) Here's a few of the highlights. Someday, hopefully soon, I will get a photo album together and will be happy to bore anyone with it.

Our first three days were spent exploring the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a beautiful city and it was fun to be able to picture the excitement of the Olympics. We spent our time there mastering the public transportation system and looking for fun, mostly inexpensive things to do.

Eric's attempt at posing for a dreamy picture. I think he's a master at it.

The beautiful skyline of Vancouver in the background.

The Totem Pole Village at Stanley Park.



The Olympic flame which is under construction to be a permanent fixture in the city.

A highlight for both of us was a trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This thing is 447 feet long and about 230 feet over the river. It does actually shake when you walk across. It was amazing. We really missed the kids on this day, because they would have loved to see this.

Eric resting between bridges. It was really like walking on a pathway high up in the trees.

We were quickly realizing that traveling by ourselves made it hard to get pictures together, so we took any chance we got.

Our first view of the ship as we lugged our bags to the port. Eric had voted that we splurge for the $35 taxi but he lost to my vote that we take the $5 Sky Tram. He was glad we did in the end and we actually met another couple that we were able to build a friendship with on the ship.

Ready to sail.

The first formal night. It was fun to get dressed up, go to a nice restaurant and not have to worry about the prices on the menu.

Ketchikan was our first stop. I didn't realize I was in the picture but had to laugh at how thrilled I look to be in a place where they measure the rainfall in feet!! This was actually our driest port.

My husband contemplating how tired he is on the Married Man's Trail. :-) I do wear him out at times, I'm afraid.

This is Eric regretting agreeing to my suggestion that we pretend the ship didn't have elevators. Our legs got a really good workout on this trip as our stateroom was on Level 12 and most of the restaurants were on 5, 6, and 7.

At dinner, one night.

A beautiful sunset. The mountains just made it more breathtaking.

Another rainy day at the Medenhall Glacier. It was amazing. This stop followed our whale watching excursion where we were able to spot 7 humpback whales, a couple of porpoises, several sea lions and probably at least 25 eagles. It's amazing to see them all in the wild. Unfortunately, they're not used to posing for pictures and it was really hard to capture them with the camera, especially in the pouring rain. We did buy some great postcards. :-)

At the Skagway port we decided to pan for gold to hopefully replenish our bank account. :-) We were bound to be disappointed.

I unfortunately missed this glacier that was right up close because I was too tired to come up on deck. I was one of around 300 people who set their alarms for 4:30 am and went to stand out in the freezing cold because it was prime whale watching time. The whales didn't disappoint us as we probably saw 9 of them as well as porpoises and several seals but I was a very tired woman that day. Fortunately, Eric was able to get a couple of shots.

A second formal night with my new white gold and sapphire necklace from Eric. :-)

This will be a forever treasured memory for us and we are so thankful for the support of our parents which allowed us to do it. Our kids had a fabulous time with their grandparents and while we were very excited to see them, the experience was great for all of us.

John Ball Park Zoo

School has been out for two days and Eric and I were leaving in three days, so we took one last day to spend having fun as a family before the serious packing began and I became preoccupied with the details of leaving for two weeks. It was Children's Day at our house, a tradition started by my grandmother and carried on by my mom. We also celebrated Father's Day as we would be away on the actual day.

Our three precious children. A minute ago they were fighting over who got to stand by which penguin, but they sure look cute now :-)

This little goat was trying to eat the buttons off Elizabeth's shirt.

The only two members of our family brave enough to touch the sting rays. Yes, that's right, the rest of us believe that sting rays were not created to be touched. :-)




Daddy getting in on the petting farm fun.

Father and son.

The traditional family picture on John Ball. Does every family do this every time they come to the zoo?

Bryan really enjoyed that blue slurpee. I wish I could say that Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the aftermath, but let's just say, that is alot of sugar. Happy Children's Day!

Bryan

I know, lately it just seems I'm trying to catch up. Eric and I leave on a cruise in 6 days and with a birthday and end of the year stuff for everyone and lots of open houses, it's a bit crazy around here. Since Bryan has had the most happen to him lately, I thought I'd catch you up on him first.

A field trip to a local family farm gave Bryan the opportunity to ride a full-sized horse and a miniature donkey.

Enjoying a snack with his classmates.

On the last day of school, we met at the preschool before heading to the park for the morning.

Contemplating the best course of action to attack the park.

The last day happened to also be Bryan's 4th birthday. Perfect timing although it was very difficult for Mommy to deal with the last day at school, preschool graduation and her baby's birthday.

Enjoying every last drop.

The 3 year old Starfish AM class.

Mrs. Ann and Mrs. Jodi were such a blessing to us this year. We are so thankful for the loving instruction that they gave to Bryan.

Bryan handled graduation like a champ!!! He was one of very few children who actually sang and did the motions of the songs. We were so proud of our little boy.

The bear in the jungle says, "Thank you, Lord, Rarrrrrr"

The next night we celebrated Bryan's birthday with our family. Spiderman was the cake of choice.

As always, it was a blessing to have the great-grandparents join us.

The party was culminated with a sword/shield fight between Bryan and Grandma Tower and later, Grandpa Kregel. It was quite amusing. Thank goodness there was only one sword. :-)

You're next!!!!

Spring Break in Indianapolis

Have I mentioned lately how much I adore my sister and her family? :-) Once again we were all invited to spend a few days of Spring Break with them, and while it didn't quite go as planned, we had an awesome time reconnecting and relaxing for a few days. Unfortunately, Elizabeth came down with a second round of strep in the beginning of our stay, but once we found a doctor and the necessary antibiotic, she was feeling much better.

This precious little boy is all smiles and giggles. I grabbed any minute that I could get with him.

Ashlynn enjoyed loving on him as well.

The older kids are enjoying Shari's new Iphone.


These two could still pass for twins. At almost the exact same height and with that golden hair, I love watching them play together.

Taking advantage of the beautiful spring weather.

What better way to end a day than with a movie and popcorn!

Ashlynn using her newly developed skill to read a bedtime story to her cousin.

As always, it was difficult to say goodbye even though they would be coming to Michigan in less than a week. Every minute we get to spend together is precious and we try to enjoy each one to the fullest. Thanks, Shari and Stephen, for a wonderful visit!

Spring Break

We're back!! To those of you, including my mom and sister, who have faithfully checked for a new entry, I'm sorry for the many disappointing days and I will try to catch you up (over the next couple weeks) on what you've missed in the last couple of months at the Tower home.




Bryan has loved his first year of preschool and only has 5 days left. We have had field trips galore and this one was to Gymnastics Unlimited in Hudsonville. He had a lot of fun once he conquered his fear of heights. The highlight was watching Mommy jump into the foam pit and being able to throw pieces of foam at her with all of his friends.

Concentrating very hard on mastering the task at hand.

On the first day of Spring Break we had the privilege of having our niece and nephew for the day. We took advantage of a gorgeous day to go park hopping and have a picnic.

Elizabeth is now old enough that she chooses her own locations and poses for pictures. :-)



A beautiful Michigan spring day. We are thoroughly enjoying each one and hoping they are here to stay.

Washing sand out from between the toes with chilly hose water. I think Aunt Brenda had the most fun!

The circus came to town

Thanks to the generosity of Grandma, most of the Tower family headed to Muskegon to the circus on Saturday afternoon. Eric was away in Chicago for the weekend with some friends from Taylor, so Grandma decided to keep the rest of us from getting bored without him. This was Bryan's first experience at the circus since the last time we went I was about 7 months pregnant with him. Ashlynn and Elizabeth remembered so little from that time 4 years ago that it might as well have been their first time too. They were all so excited.

One of the girls' highlights was riding a full-sized elephant around one of the rings. Bryan wanted nothing to do with that...

...but he did get to go on the Screamer slide. That was much more up his alley.

Silly boy.

A few not so quality pictures, as our camera doesn't handle large, dark places very well.

Mom and I both had sweaty palms for this one. The boy on the top was 13 years old and he was the only one with a rope attached to him.

Lastly, the elephants. We had a wonderful, exciting time. Thanks, Grandma, for the great memories!!!