The kids and I were able to join Greg on a layover in ANC.  We love being able to join him when it works out! The bonus was meeting up with the Ness family.  We were totally spoiled by a wonderful visit packed with so much fun! None of us wanted it to end.  Which in my book is perfect, it has us wanting more for next time! We just don’t know when the next time will be or where.  That’s the best part of these adventures!

Jocelyn with the Ness kids came and picked up me and the Ireland kids.  We went to the Arctic Burger, a summer favorite for the Ireland family! Lots of memories rollerblading on the trail to get a milkshake.  After the Artic Burger we found an indoor skating rink, inside the mall! The kids did an awesome job skating. Rahab even went around the rink without holding onto the wall.  She was so proud of herself. Bella and Rahab were so fun to watch as they skated around the rink together. Jadon, Bristol, Hudson, and Esther had fun chasing and racing each other. Hudson tried hard keeping up with Esther.  He even switched skates 4 times, hoping he could beat her. “Esther is fasting than me,” he said as he was switching skates. Love it! I’m excited for the day of being fully active again, and not missing out on skating opportunities because of the car accident injuries.    

After ice skating comes swimming right?!  It does when you stay at the Captain Cook Hotel.  We met up with Greg and headed to the pool and hot tub.  Us moms enjoyed the hot tub while the kids played in one swimmers lane, until the staff decided to give them two lanes.  We were very thankful for the extra room for the kids to swim and play. Greg went and fetched Brian from the airport. While we were swimming.  It was amazing to have all ten of us together. That is a rare thing with two airline captains.

Egg hunt anyone?  If ice skating and swimming were not enough activities for our kids.  We sent the dads ahead to hide Easter eggs in a park downtown. There is still snow on the ground in Anchorage.  Making it a great challenge! The kids had a blast looking for eggs in the downtown snowy park!

To end our evening we went out to dinner.  Best part was being seated at their private room.  It was closed off so we could hear each other without competing with the restaurant noise and contained everyone. Perfect!  Like eating in one of our homes. The company was perfect, food was delicious and I woke up still full from dinner!

As I’m writing this I can’t believe we did all this in one day.  What an amazing, jam packed day. Thanks to Jocelyn who spoiled us being our chaufer, putting together an Easter Egg hunt, and providing breakfast food for us the next morning,  Very thoughtful and much appreciated! She even brought the makings to dye eggs, but we ran out of time, image that! The kids were really bummed, but next time, right?!

I’m so thankful how quickly our kids fall back into rhythm.  It’s like they have known eachother their whole lives. When in fact they met less than a year ago.  Greg and I are very thankful for the friendship with Brian and Jocelyn. Finding couple friends is not always the easiest.  When we find them, they are truly gems to us.

Heading back to SEA we are flying on Greg’s flight.  I enjoy being able to enter Greg’s world and watch him do what he loves.  Seeing the kids excited faces as they hear their dad on the intercom is priceless.  I cherish these times with my family.

Our trip to AZ.  Praise God we made the flights we were hoping to make!   We had a great week playing in the sun!

Tuesday we enjoyed a slow morning sitting by the pool.  Greg heard about TopGolf in Mesa. We went to check this place out, and all be came lifetime members.  What a great way to golf with all ages. We had a blast! Everyone got to golf. The kids even scored points!  Of course my dad out golfed all of us. Fun to watch him crush the ball! I was so thankful I was able to swing the club.  My back and neck held pretty good with that motion. My thumb got fatigued, but I was still able to grip and hit the ball well!  Wahoo!!! We all can’t wait to try it again. Hopefully in MN or some other destination in the US.

The fun didn’t stop after golfing, we headed right into the pool when we got home.  Watching my kids swim is always a joy. Every year they get better and better! The jumping contest gets bigger every year.

We climbed Silly Mountain Wednesday morning.  What a great view of the surrounding Phoenix area.  I forgot how much I love to hike! I’m not quite up to par for the hikes I was doing last summer, but thankful I did this hike.  It was a challenge and slow going for me, but I did it. Boy was I tired when we got home. Ice and a bed is where you would find me.  I will slowly, but surely make this recovery.  

Wednesday evening we met up with my mom’s cousins at the Organ Stop Pizza.  Seriously, a must stop place in the Phoenix area. The organist was amazing.  I had fun texting my Grandma and her sisters, it’s their favorite place too. It’s quite impressive to hear the Indiana Jones and Star Wars theme song played on the organ.  Followed by Queen, Disney theme songs, and hymns was quite the contrast but amazing! My kids were glued watching the organist play! We also enjoyed catching up with family, even if it was in the parking lot, so we could hear each other!

We spent another relaxing morning by the pool, eating outside, a trip to the park, watching my brother judge the jumping contest, and playing cribbage with my dad.  Mornings like these are cherished family time. My only wish is my sister and her family could join us. Hopefully next time!

Off to the Peoria Sports Field in hopes to get some autographs from the Mariners Players.  Jadon and Esther stood next to the gate for over an hour hoping for signatures! Robinson Cano was the only one that came over and they got his autograph!  They were pretty excited! Mitch Haniger #17 was walking around the field and all the kids were quick to jump on that autograph. Although they didn’t get as many as they wanted, we were excited for the ones they did get.  We had fun watching the team practice before the game. What a game that was to come back in the bottom of the 9th for the win! Jadon was pretty excited! Fun to see these up and coming guys make great plays.

For Mom’s 60th birthday, we are traveling back to Seattle.  I’m so thankful we made it on the flight we wanted to get on!  Praising the Lord! Once we landed we headed to Olive Garden to celebrate Mom’s birthday.  Plus we picked up a Dairy Queen birthday cake! Hopefully Mom felt loved on her birthday, even if it was a travel day!

On a fun note:  We were watching march madness and our tv screen didn’t look clear enough for Mom.  Mike checks the cords “Well, you almost had it right!”  Its fixed and looks amazing!

Chris

Mother,

As your 60th birthday approaches, I have been pondering how you have impacted my life.  Where to begin, maybe the obvious. You gave me life. You raised me along with my amazing dad.  God blessed me with an amazing set of parents. You taught me how I am to love my spouse. I didn’t realize this, until I was married with my own children.  What a priceless gift to pass onto me. One that will hopefully be passed onto your grandchildren. Your love for dad is one of the best gifts ever given. That is a gift I cherish and for many years took for granted.  As I now know marriage isn’t always easy, but oh, the hard times make the sweet times so much sweeter! Thank you for putting dad first over me.

Your love and desire for the Lord is incredible.  You have survived two cancer diagnoses. You are strong, because your faith in the Lord is strong.  You have taught me how to rely on our Heavenly Father when the weight of the world is too heavy to carry.  Reminding me He will carry the weight. What an amazing legacy you are passing on to me. You inspire others around you to seek our Lord.  I hear others say, your strength is incredible, your fight is hard, and your faith is strong. I can only hope that I can rely on the Lord like you have shown through these years.  Thank you for showing me perseverance faith.

Your competitive spirit.  It not only comes out in your drive to beat cancer, but also the desire to beat dad at anything, especially on the golf course.  I love watching you and dad compete. It brings much joy. It has taught me how to play hard and enjoy competition. Even if that means I lose.

Mom, know that your love for your me doesn’t go unnoticed.  Keep praying for me, because there is nothing more than I cherish than your prayers and encouragement.  Love you Mom! Praising God for you, the Mom He gave me to raise me, love me, and encourage me!

Love your daughter,

Christine Marie

 

Yesterday my parents arrived from North Dakota!  We are all excited to have a week adventure to a warmer, sunnier place, Phoenix, AZ.  We are going to celebrate mom’s 60th birthday. Praying this standby travel will work out great, especially coming home on Friday!  Oh Lord, please bring us home on Friday!

After we picked up my parents at the airport.  We headed over to the Wharram household. My brother Mike, arrived the day before and stayed with Mack and Parker.  We went to Walley’s hoping to have some local seafood. We thoroughly enjoyed their food, especially their clam chowder!  Even if we did buy too much, Mack I hope you enjoy leftovers! Afterwards we went down to Washington Saltwater State Park.  Seriously, who brings their daughter in a white dress to play on the beach? Apparently I do, technically it was ivory! The kids had a great time beach combing for shells, crabs, and silver dollars.  I enjoyed the fantastic view of pudge the sound, the sun, and my wonderful family!

Afterwards we headed into Seattle to see Snow White the ballet.  Mack’s brother Dylan and his girlfriend Elle gave us a wonderful backstage tour!  We got to see the sets, stage, dressing rooms, and meet Snow White! We also found out that Elle, was Snow White in 2012.  How cool is that! She is actually featured on the promo stuff for Snow White this year. We appreciate Dylan and Elle for making this day happen for the whole family!  Thanks to Mack for the connection! Hopefully they will come out soon to our house so we can extend our hospitality and thankfulness.

We excited for this adventure week to continue!  

-Chris

We celebrated Greg’s birthday over the last two days.  The life of reserve makes it hard to plan.  We just celebrate on Tuesday, the day  Greg was home.  Then we got a bonus day with him, his actual birthday!

My love for this man has grown so much over the years.  Especially in the last three months.  The way he has taken care of me as I have been healing from the car accident.  It is truly amazing.  His patience, gentleness, and strength have been a huge comfort.  He is my rock!  I’m so thankful the Lord chose him to be my husband.  He displays Christ’s love to me.  I truly do not deserve his love.  I’m so blessed and thankful.

Happy Birthday Greg!  Hope you enjoyed your pie on pi day!

Happy Birthday my love!

Chris