Well, we have been home a month now, and I am finally going to post some pictures of our fabulous trip to Alaska and Washington to see Emily's and Allison's families. It was one of our best trips ever. 
We loved seeing where the Palenskes are in their gorgous new home! Alaska was breathtakingly beautiful in the winter and the cold didn't bother us a bit. It was mostly a dream come true to be able to play with Avery and Addison for DAYS with no interuptions. We had lots of tea parties and stories and horsie rides and Shutes and Ladders and all manner of dancing and fun! Those two girls are so precious and it was great to be a part of their little routine for a week.
We loved seeing where the Palenskes are in their gorgous new home! Alaska was breathtakingly beautiful in the winter and the cold didn't bother us a bit. It was mostly a dream come true to be able to play with Avery and Addison for DAYS with no interuptions. We had lots of tea parties and stories and horsie rides and Shutes and Ladders and all manner of dancing and fun! Those two girls are so precious and it was great to be a part of their little routine for a week.
We were showered with hugs and kisses-couldn't get enough!
I think we read every book in the house! Gramy loved it the most!
These two girls are so darling. Avery tries to mother Addie around and Addie will have no part of it unless it is her idea. They say and do the cutest things and are really good friends to each other. I loved to watch them play. They both have vivid imaginations....and lots of giggles.
A hightlight for me was sitting in on one of Emily's Biology classes and watching her teach. She is an amazing teacher, and it was one of my proudest moments as a mom. Great job, Professor Palenske!!
Dad loved seeing the moose out in the wild on our Sunday drive. He got right out of the car in all his excitement! It was pretty cool to see Mother Nature at her best in this wintry wonderland.
One day was spent in Anchorage at the Children's Museum. It was tons of fun. Emily already posted about it, but here are more pictures. 
We sure had fun, and then went to dinner and walked through the town. There was a great ice carving show. The carvings were all lit up at night.
It was super hard to say goodbye to this little faraway family of ours, but we were so grateful for the good lives they are living and for all the love that is in their home.
Then it was on to Kennewick for our surprise visit to the Chans!! Allison about had a heart attack when we walked in the house while talking to her on her cell phone! It was really fun. We had a great time with them, and got to go to Dallin's piano lesson with him, and out to dinner and shopping at the mall. Again, it was mostly just fun to read books and play with the boys.
We couldn't be any prouder of these handsome and talented little men....they are so sweet!
I got to go to Ashton's school and meet his teacher and see where he sat and just everything. It was very special.
We felt like we got to know Tanner better, and had some fun one-on-one time with him. He is very strong spirited and holds his own very well in that threesome.
Thanks to both families for a magical vacation for us...we are so proud of you and we love you so much!!!
8 comments:
It's so funny to see the pictures of those two gorgeous girls followed by my three hairless wonders!! I'm always SO bad at snapping pictures....darn!! We get having too much fun and forget to grab the camera, I guess. It was truly a magical couple of days to have you both here....the boys are still talking about it and Ashton asks me EVERYDAY if we're going on the airplane to see you today! Thanks again for such a special surprise!
You guys are awesome grandparents to make such an effort to get up north in the dead of winter! Worth EVERY bit of effort, I know, though, to see those cute kids! I'm so happy that they get opportunities to make memories with you and dad. It strengthens our extended family.
P.S....great job posting all of those pictures...with words in between! And your background ROCKS...it is SO "you"!
Thanks, Nat. I have had LOTS of expert advice from all of you today...it has been so funny tonight trying to help Dad figure out how to do this...can you say, "blind leading the blind?" It's fun....
Big Daddy is blogging now? What's the world coming to anyway? LOL Sure had fun with you two up here and hope to see you again soon...preferably during the summer so I can get Big Daddy to swim in one of the lakes with me. I'll even let him pee in the water if he wants as long as he isn't right next to me. : ) Love you guys so much.
Jared-
Great job on posting the pictures!! It's not so bad is it. What a fun vacation for you all, especially the kids since they aren't as lucky to live so close like us! I bet that is a visit they will always remember!
Mom. AWESOME posting. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new background. It reminds me of your kitchen. What a fun post, and what cute pictures you have! I LOVE the closeup of Avery! Looks like you had a fantastic time in Kennewick as well. You already know how much we loved having you here, but I just can't say it enough. We love you!!!!
Wow! Look a you. A blogger, world traveler and Grandma to 13. It seems you are having the time of your life. We need to get together for lunch on of these days since we both live in Chandler!
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