Alaska

The Ellsworth's this year decided that they would take their whole family on an Alaskan Cruise . Wow what a treat , I really don't know how I managed to marry into such an amazing family. The main priority of David's parents are to create time for the family to concentrate on building relationships and enjoying one another's company. What could be a more perfect idea of quality time then on a cruise ship . . . in state rooms where each couple is just steps away from each other.Couples have alone time and a lot of fun family time , it really is a great way to spend time with one another.

Our flight left very early in the morning and Barbara being so prepared made these SEATTLE , WA tags to stick on each of our luggage. It was a great idea and I think most of us utilized her preparedness but of course a few of her boys had to give her a hard time and stick them on her back. She had no idea they were on her all through the airport so here is a picture of her casually strolling around the airport . I wonder where she is headed ... hmmm... ?

It was fun because we took a limo from the airport to our ships port . A fun way to get a ride from here to there especially since it was my first time in a limo . Each night at dinner photographers come around and take pictures of each couple . It is a nice gesture but the pictures are so expensive to buy so really it becomes more of a game for David's family . Here is a casual one of David and I and the next one is a little different.

DJ and Justin pretending they are deeply in love on a cruise together. The funny thing about this picture is it is believable and looks like they are thoroughly enjoying their cruise together.

Look at these two handsome guys ! I can definitely see where David gets all of his good looks from.

This picture was taken at 10:30 p.m . It really is so unbelievable and surprising how bright it stays in Alaska . This is something you have to see to believe. I don't know how many times David and I went out on deck so late at night in amazement .

The card room on the ship is always a big hit with the Ellsworth family . We spent most of our evenings playing cards either before or after the featured shows. Rook with the Ellsworth's is a very serious game and can get heated rather quickly .

Most of the group is in this picture

We took a tour of the town and hiked to this glacier . I can't believe how beautiful it was and how fast the run off from the glacier was coming down . The waterfall from the glacier melting was great and really felt good after the short hike to the glacier. While we were in Alaska we took sweaters and jackets thinking it was going to be cold. The weather was not cold at all and rather warm sometimes. We sure didn't need our sweaters and at one location I ended up having to ditch my sweater and buy a cheap T- shirt .

Our next stop was Skagway and it is known for the famous White Pass train tour. We opted out of the train tour and decided to walk into town , rent bikes and take our own tour. We managed to see about three or four of the offered tours. It was a good work out and we had a lot of fun doing our own
thing.

Panning for gold in the "Gold Rush Cemetary" waterfall

Later that day we took a river tour and enjoyed the scenery of Alaska . It was slow moving and we had a very interesting tour guide but nevertheless we were in Alaska so what could we complain about. There were eagles all over Alaska just like crows here in Az . This was the only picture I got of an eagle and it isn't clear at all . I forgot my zoom lens at home and I was kicking my self for not bringing it with me on this trip . I could have got some great pictures.

Later during the cruise Justin , Audra , David and I were having lunch on the ship and decided to pull a prank on Barbara. Justin and Barbara are always finding one way or another to prank each other . This vacation was no different and throughout the entire cruise the two of them had been hiding a packaged condom in random places . Justin would hide it in Barbara's suit case and then Barbara would find a place to hide it where Justin would soon find. So we were sitting at lunch and David and Justin come up with this idea to create a plate with different food items that resembled the male parts. Justin would then place the condom on the side and have the dish served to Barbara at dinner. As we sat at dinner Barbara ordered her appetizer and Justin the corporate paid our waiter a few dollars to bring the plate he had prepared for Barbara. Too funny ...you should have seen her reaction . . . only in the Ellsworth family ... Barbara is such a great sport and thought it was hilarious. We video taped it and she later asked us if she could have the video so she could share it with some of her colleagues at work. Click here if you want to see the video!






















One of our last stop on the cruise was to British Columbia in Canada . It was lush with green and flowers everywhere. So amazing how flowers and plants just grow so easily there . It was fun to walk the streets and go into all of the different shops . A couple of the streets were titled china town and resembled just that with all of the fresh sea food and produce lining the streets.

David showing us where we were on the map

The building structures were immaculate and everything was gorgeous . British Columbia was definitely a place that I wouldn't mind returning to . I would love to spend more time there and tour the botanical gardens and see what else it has to offer. I felt like it was a place from the movies , long strolls on the beach ...a place with lush beauty and romance.

Our cruise to Alaska was so great and a wonderful vacation . I couldn't thank the Ellsworth's enough for taking us on such a fun and exciting trip . I love how with the Ellsworth's day one we start out smiling and laughing and after eight days on a ship together we are still smiling and laughing on the flight home. There is never a dull moment and so many great memories were made that will not be forgotten . Thank you Dean and Barbara for supplying all the resources for us to enjoy one another ... we love you!