Alaskan Adventure!!!

We had a wonderful time last week as we boarded a cruise ship with all the other McDaniels and headed out for an Alaskan adventure. After flying to Seattle to board the ship, we cruised to Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, Alaska. Our last port was in Victoria, Canada.

The scenery was outstanding! Glacier Bay was breathtaking and wonderous! It is so amazing what God can create! The huge, icy glaciers, wildlife such as bears, dolphins, and whales, and enormous snow capped mountains- WOW!

In Juneau (the capitol of Alaska), we shopped, visited the Alaska state capitol, saw Sarah Palin's house and office, and enjoyed the sites. In Sitka and Ketchikan we shopped and took in the wonderful outdoors. What a sight! Canada was a quick visit. We were only in port for a few hours, so we walked around and shopped a bit.

The cruise was great. We ate and ate like crazy. I think Garrett (newly named Mommy's little moose) gained a few pounds in particular. The programs and shows were good, and we enjoyed our time with my parents and Retti. Drew absolutely loved the kids program, Club Hal. He would skip dessert at dinner time just to get there earlier. If you know Drew, that means a LOT! The weather was absolutely beautiful. Usually the climate there this time of the year is foggy, dreary, and cool. Luckily, it was bright, clear, and around 70 degrees the entire trip! A wonderful change from the near 90 degree climate at home!

We loved it, are looking forward to another adventure (not that everyday in our house isn't one), and are grateful for the time we could spend together. THANKS RETTI!!!

The Best Ice Cream in the Country!

We all ventured down to Brenham this morning to visit the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory. The wait was long but Blue Bell had complimentary water and jumping pits for the kids while we were in line. We saw how the ice cream was made and packaged, and then we were able to eat a scoop- YUM!

We were also able to take our yearly bluebonnet pictures. Since Drew was born, there is only 1 year we have missed out (we were in Lubbock). They are such handsome guys!

Happy #8!

Today is Trey and my anniversary! It has been 8 crazy and wonderful years of marriage. We've lived in 3 (soon 4) different houses, 2 different cities, had 2 sweet baby boys, finished 3 degrees (my M.Ed., his B.S. and Ph.D.) and ridden the roller coaster of life through jobs, school, church changes, sickness, and lots more. I couldn't imagine having it any other way without him.

Love you babe!