Our 10th anniversary cruise to Alaska was everything we had hoped. It truly was a second honeymoon. Knowing my man so much better and fuller, and having weathered some storms together, made the trip sweeter than a honeymoon. We sailed on the Norwegian Pearl out of Seattle on a Sunday. Monday was a day at… Read More Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage {Part 1}
The past few weeks have been fairly monumental for our family. Stephen and my mom share the same birthday, and they both celebrated milestone birthdays this year. Stephen turned 35, and Mom turned 60! We helped celebrate Mom’s big day with a photo book full of pictures of her visits with us and her grandbabies. Love… Read More Milestones
At the end of September we slipped away to San Diego for a mini family vacation. I had too much fun planning snacks and activities for the road trip that I was probably having more fun than the boys while we drove. One of my favorite things was this cool idea to help the boys… Read More So*Cal
It was a surprise–our family day trip. Stephen told us on Saturday that he had taken off work on Monday so we could travel north to escape the heat for the day. I love surprises! Exploring is one of our favorites, so we packed for swimming, for playing at the park, for picnicking, and for… Read More Christopher Creek
My man and I took a babymoon last month. Babymoon=honeymoon trip without kids before Baby is born (just in case you’re not familiar with the term). We visited Portland for the first time! We stayed downtown in the Hotel deLuxe, which was not only charming, but convenient as it allowed us to walk most places… Read More Escape to Portland
Cooper had his first taste of the ocean this month. In early August we were planning a day trip with our friends the Horkavys. After learning that a mutual friend of ours, Pastor Tim Sneeden had suddenly died of a heart attack, we decided to drive over to San Diego for a day to visit… Read More A Bit of Beach
Grandma and Grandpa live “far, far away in West Virginia” (as Silas says). And the boys had their first Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Manka and the Aunts. We landed on Christmas Eve day, and Mom and Dad picked us up at the airport. I was so glad it was cold–it felt like winter! At… Read More A West Virginia Family Christmas
St. George, Utah will always be my special place. My own personal greenhouse where I grew into womanhood. I learned to love in new ways, to explore with abandon, to spread my wings, to soar. My first year out of college I took a teaching position at Westside Christian School and formed precious friendships with… Read More Mini Roadtrip
Stephen is already my favorite person, but he won my heart in new ways this past weekend. We flew with two babies for the first time. And we survived. Amy, Stephen’s youngest sister, was getting married in Indiana, and we were headed for the celebration. Since Silas is two years old, he had his own… Read More Wedding Weekend
I had visions in my head of leaves, cool weather, pumpkins, a bonfire, sweaters…all things autumn, and Indiana did not disappoint! Autumn couldn’t have been more picturesque. The weather last Monday and Tuesday was sunny, clear, and crisp. While a lot of trees were still showing green, there was enough crimson, gold, and orange mixed… Read More Autumn in Indiana