"Arden's Party" video

Maya is actually participating in very simple games these days. At Ardie's party, we played a game where we all danced and when the music stopped everyone sat down. A thrilling game for adults and children alike...

Ardie Party

Our new friend, Ardie (Arden), just turned 3 years old. We had a great time at her party which included a beautiful birthday cake, freeze dancing, and pass the parcel. Those Aussies know how to throw a good party!

Getting ready for some games.

Ardie and Maya.

Ardie's beautiful b-day cake decorated by her very talented momma, Brooke.

Shout Out to Maya's Peeps

Here's a shout out to Maya's great babysitters. On Wednesday mornings and on various evenings, Maya has a few special people that take wonderful care of her. We are grateful that Maya is in such good hands when we go out. Here are a few pictures of Maya over the past months with her peeps!

Maya and Terie in April.

Maya and Diana (aka LaLee) in April.

Maya and Jenny in August.

Prints Time! Maya 2 Years, Part 1

We've uploaded all of the blog photos for "Maya 2 Years, Part 1" to Kodak Gallery.

Maya Photos, Maya 2 Years, Part 1

Prints Time! 21-23 Months

We've uploaded all of the blog photos for "21-23 Months" to Kodak Gallery.

Maya Photos, 21 through 23 months

Alaska: Fond Farewell

Sadly, our trip eventually had to come to an end. Here are a few parting images from our fabulous family adventure.

Uncle Nate, Santi, and Coco playing in the indoor pool.

Maya with her favorite pal and waiter, Brata, enjoying a little dessert.

Yes, we are on a boat...you can tell by the cool life preserver.

A beautiful sunset on our last evening at sea.

Alaska: Ketchikan-kan-kan

Our last port of call was Ketchikan. This little port city is the most Southeastern city in the state. It's famous for it's totem poles, so we decided to check them out with Marimar, Oscar, and Santi. We went to Saxman Village where, in the late 30's, many native Alaskan artists were commissioned to make replicas of the deteriorating totems from around the state. Now, many of those replicas and some originals are in this location.

Saxman Village totem poles.

Maya and a very big fish.

Totem poles are big.

Maya and Santi had a great time together at the totem poles and at dinner. We decided that such happiness should be captured in a nice smiling shot of them in their new Alaska shirts in front of our ship.

I can feel the love.

Alaska: Glacier Bay and Celebration

We spent another day at sea traveling into Glacier Bay National Park where we looked at...you guessed it...glaciers.

That evening was the second formal night and the designated night of celebration for Lulu and Pop's anniversary. It was a special night to pay tribute to a wonderful couple.

Another beautiful day.

Notice Uncle Nate, on the right, in the very weather appropriate attire.

Arctic monkey.

In front of the beautiful Margerie Glacier.

The walls of this glacier are over 250 ft high. Those two little black specks on the a piece of ice in the water are seals.

Enjoying glacier-y goodness.

Some very cool grandparents.

Pop reads one of the cards given during a pre-dinner anniversary celebration in Lulu and Pop's room.

Time to celebrate.

A little sun shows off Maya's cute dress which was a gift from her other very cool grandparents.

Happy 40th Anniversary!

Alaska: Oh Skagway!

Our next stop brought us to Skagway. This little town was a major center for the Alaska gold rush in days of yore. Now it's a tourist town with a population around 1000 people and 700,000 visitors per year (mostly from the cruise ships). Lulu and Pop treated us to a train ride on a beautiful narrow gauge railroad up into the scenic mountains and all the way to Canada! The three hour adventure was thrilling for the Maya and Santi who both LOVE trains.

After the train ride, Mommy took advantage of the great weather and went on a little hike with Lulu, Pop, and Coco.

The Zuiderdam arrives in Skagway.

Maya and Santi get ready for railroad thrills.

Here we go.

Didn't hear this interaction, but it looks like it started with Santi saying, "I'm gonna tell you something you need to hear. You may not like it, but you better just listen."

Passing a suspension bridge. Cool!

Maya waves a train traveling back down at the summit.

Heading back to Skagway.

Pop, Coco, Mommy, and Lulu (see below) after a hike to this scenic mountain lake near Skagway.

Sun is overrated.

Alaska: Ice Burgers and Trams

On the third day of the cruise we traveled up Tracy Arm, a narrow and scenic fjord with beautiful waterfalls and what Maya termed "ice burgers." It was a beautiful spot. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go too far up the inlet as a large ice burger was blocking our path.

After that, we cruised up to Juneau where we docked for the afternoon. Thankfully absent of Sarah Palin, it is a beautiful little city.

In Tracy Arm.

On the rarely open bow of the ship.

Ahh...summertime.

The ice burger blocking our path.

Getting warm inside the ship.

At our first port of call, Juneau, there is a scenic tramway that takes passengers up to the top of one of the surrounding mountains.

Looking down at the cruise ships from the tram.

Maya's initial reaction to our ascent (she quickly started smiling).

A nature walk at the top.

An injured, captive Eagle living at the nature center at the summit. Beautiful.

Pensive Maya.

Scenic outlook with Juneau on the right below.

The view of our ship, the Zuiderdam, and more of surrounding Juneau.


Think it's time for some Alaskan Halibut and a warm cup of coffee.