Rumor has it...

Just so everyone is clear... Nathan still has NOT gotten his orders for Iraq. As of today, there is still a 50/50 chance he will be deployed, but the other fella has another week or so to get medical clearance before they officially replace him with Nathan. They are still treating him as if he is going and have asked him to make sure I am prepared for a last-minute decision. *IF* he goes, he will leave one month from today.

I'm actually doing really well with the whole thing, I think. I just want to knoooow. That's the part I can't stand. I hate that if he does go, he will miss so much- our anniversary, Halloween, Thanksgiving, his birthday, Christmas, the twins' 2nd birthday, my birthday, our second beach trip, etc. And with all three kids being older this time around, I'm afraid it will have a bigger effect on them. But I'm not scared. I already know I can hold the fort down without him for six months. And it is easier to do things at home when you aren't on anyone else's schedule. I know we will be in regular contact. I know he really, really wants to go and I want him to have that experience. I just despise the not knowing part! I'm good either way, just let me know! Arrrggg.

Those fabulous beach weddings!

So you know I love a good beach wedding, since I had one myself and all. But this time I got to watch thru my camera lens. I loaded up the kids with Leslie and Sutton and we drove to Destin for a long weekend. It was quite an eventful trip! We had one very uncooperative rear tire, our turn signal was stolen, it rained on us the one night we went out, and Leslie and Layla threw up all day Saturday (no more TCBY for them!). It was still a great trip and we can't wait to go back!

Alaska or bust!

A lot of you have already seen the pics and heard the stories, but I wanted to make a spot for it since it's our most recent grand adventure! We travelled by the dozen with Deda/Poppy/Cay-Cay, Ba/Ge, Uncle B/Evan in tow and it was MAGNIFICENT. It's a shame the little ones won't remember, but hopefully some of the 800 photos we took collectively will give them a chance to experience it all over again. We left Seattle, WA on the Norwegian Pearl. After a day at sea, we made our first pit-stop in Juneau, Alaska.

In Juneau, we saw the Mendenhall Glacier (HUGE!) and went whale-watching. We saw lots and lots of humback whales (never gets old), as well as sea lions and bald eagles. It was amaaazing.

Next, we went to Skagway, Alaska where took the most incredible train ride up the mountains and into Canada. It was so relaxing (except for a few squirmy babies from time to time). The view was stunning. The mountains were majestic. It was definitely a family favorite.

Our next stop in Ketchikan, Alaska took us to the Saxman Native Village. Layla loved the totem poles and is still able to tell the stories that inspired some of them! The babies and I had to miss out on the lumberjack show in favor of a nap, but I hear it was quite entertaining!

After a day cruising thru Glacier Bay National Park, we spent four hours in Victoria, B.C. Canada. We only had a enough time there to eat and do a little shopping, but we made the most of it!

We definitely suggest you add this trip to your "bucket list". We still can't quit talking about it and Layla officially declared it as the "best trip EVER!