Celebrating Jake’s Birthday
I am just now getting our pictures updated from our last big adventure, so yes a little later than planned…. Our family was able to celebrate Jake’s birthday this year while on our Alaska Cruise vacation! Thankful for an opportunity to spend time with the whole family.
We surprised Jake and had the chef on the cruise ship make him a birthday cake! It was big and extra rich chocolate! The crew sang him “Happy Birthday” in Indonesian which was really cool. He was so thrilled that we made a big spectacle of his birthday celebration. We were so full after the delicious meal that we ended up taking the cake back to the cabin to eat later that night after all the other activities that evening.
SURPRISE!!! Happy Birthday Handsome!
Celebrating Jake’s birthday with the whole family.
Thankful for a wonderful time together and for this amazing man who I get to live my life with!
Love you JACOB!!! Happy Birthday! Wishing you many more healthy, happy, and fun adventures!
Alaskan Cruise – New Holland Zaandam
Once we were back on the New Holland Zaandam cruise ship after exploring the town of Seward, Alaska we were able to check out more of the ship. The girls were thrilled to see all the cool activities and places on the ship. They couldn’t wait to try out the pool deck, play a little bit, and try out the different foods as well as fun activities that were coming up that week. Thankful for the opportunity to spend this time with the family. We had a blast spending time together. It was a wonderful family vacation!
Testing out the courts…..they had fun even in the rain! 🙂
Brina enjoying her first dinner on the cruise. She found out that although the window views were nice at dinner it was a little chilly and she needed her jacket!
Our first night on-board the ship and heading to dinner!
Brina and I trying to stay warm at the evening meal. We were trying to get used to the cooler weather after coming from the 100 plus degrees we were having that week in South Carolina!
Jake and Karlie having fun at our first dinner on the cruise!
Visiting Anchorage, Alaska
First glimpse at our Home-Away-From-Home this week as we pulled into the Seward Port!
We made it to Port Seward and caught the first glimpse of our ship! The kids were super excited (and Dad & Mom too)! We arrived at a good time so were able to drop our luggage off, go through the check in process, drop items most of the backpack items off in our rooms, and head back out to tour the town of Seward. Our visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center took up the majority of the time we had in the town, but was a great activity for the whole family. It was a cloudy and misty day in Seward, however, we still had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful area, small town, and the local people we met were very nice.
Beautiful views as we roll into the town of Seward
Someone crashed on the way to the port!
Sweet girls having fun in Seward and excited about going on our Alaska cruise
Gorgeous area!
Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)
On our Alaska cruise we were able to visit Glacier Bay National Park. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! The day started out as rainy and cool, but it cleared up as we were getting closer to the glaciers. The overcast, misty, and foggy day gave it a really neat look. Thankful for the opportunity to visit this beautiful place. We LOVED hearing the glaciers snap, crackle, pop, and watching them slide into the water.
The water was a gorgeous blue color with lots of ice chunks floating around into it. The lines and colors in the glaciers were super pretty. You could really see a lot of the dirt, rocks, and items that the glaciers brought down through the mountains and valleys with it. It was a super fascinating experience! We took a lot off pictures, but even the pictures don’t do it justice. We even saw several animals while on the boat going through Glacier Bay…a bear near a camp site with campers in a tent, otters swimming in the water, and more!
We had the privilege of visiting Glacier Bay National Park on it’s 100 anniversary! While we were cruising through Glacier Bay National Forest Rangers were giving talks and sharing information about the area. It was a very educational and fun activity for the whole family!
Overcast, but beautiful in Glacier Bay National Forest
Our family on the deck of the ship with a glacier in the background!
Big glacier!
The water, mountains, and beaches were pretty at Glacier Bay
The fog made it have an even more distinct and beautiful look to it
A private boat in Glacier Bay
You can see from the striachens on the rock where the water ran down it into the turquoise water below
You can see the waterfalls coming down the mountains
You can see all the rocks, dirt, and items that a recent glacier moved down this mountain.. Fascinating that ice can move that many items along with it!
Huge glacier coming down between two mountains and into the water!
Love the beautiful colors and lines in the glacier
Water streaming down the mountain!
Iceberg floating in the water below us
Glacier coming around the corner of the mountain
My favorite people – thankful for my family!
Massive iceberg, part of a glacier!
A little cave like area of the glacier
On the middle-right side of the picture you can see something that looks like a cloud near the water? That is actually a part of the ice breaking off and falling into the water. It was loud and super cool to watch!
Freezing cold, but gorgeous to see so close!
Brina hanging out on the deck and trying not to get too cool
I knew the glaciers were a pretty turquoise just didn’t expect it to be so vivid and beautiful in person!
Mesmerizing watching the water splashing along beside us. Peaceful and pretty at the same time!
Family Fun at the Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward, Alaska)
We were able to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska before cruising out of the port. The Alaska SeaLife Center is located at 301 Railway Avenue, Seward, AK 99664. It is only a couple miles from the port terminal and the city bus comes by the terminal every 5 to 10 minutes will take you to a number of places around the city of Seward (with the Alaska SeaLife Center being one of those stops). The Alaska SeaLife Center is part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums so if you are a member of one in your area you will be able to get into the center at a reduced rate. We are part of our local Greenville Zoo which allowed us to have 50% per persons admission ticket which was a huge blessing and savings
The Alaska SeaLife Center was a lot of fun! The kids loved seeing a variety of different marine life and the exhibits were very interactive and educational. You could get fairly close to the animals and they even had a touch tank. WARNING the touch tank water is freezing cold so you won’t be able to keep you hand in it for very long. I thought my hands were going to go numb before I had a chance to touch each of the different marine critters in the tank. They had several interactive talks with the animals. We got to watch them feed, train, and care for several of the animals. The animals were content and were showing off for the guests.
It was a cool and misty day when we arrived at Seward that day. The Alaska SeaLife Center was a great task to do on a rainy day. There are a couple of places you can go outside, but you can see the majority of the center from inside. It is a wonderful place for anyone that enjoys animals, marine animals, and the opportunity to learn more about the native critters that can be found in Alaska. Thankful for an opportunity to visit the SeaLife Center. It was a hit with our kids. There are also plenty of places for adults to sit down and relax as well. It is a great activity for the whole family. The girls loved personalities of the birds exhibits, the way the HUGE octopus spread out across the glass in front of them, the Artic Seals performed tricks for treats, that the touch tank was ice cold, that the fish and other animals were very active, and that the Sea Lion loved rubbing its belly on the glass window right in front of them. It was a wonderful place to visit while we were in Seward.
Brina and Karlie in the boat at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Beautifully colored starfish. He was waving at us! Even the starfish were active while we are the center!
Small yet beautifully colored bird
Taking a swim around the pool!
Coming by to say “HELLO”!
SeaLIfe workers checking the seals out and giving them treats.
Performing tricks
Enjoying the swim
Playing around in the pool
Doing a dance for us!
Beautiful and fast!
Watching him swim underwater from a viewing window at the bottom of his tank! Fascinating!
Showing off and diving right in front of us
He obviously was having a grand time!
Loved watching them glide so smoothly through the water
The Sea Lion rubbing his belly up against the glass in front of us. He did it several times! The kids thought it was hilarious!
Huge male octopus!
He was very active while we were there too
He decided to spread himself out across the front glass of his tank!
He was very big, pretty sure I would not be excited about running into him in the ocean! So neat to see!
Relaxing in the water with his nose out and the rest of his body just floating in the water!
Diving directly in front of us! Really loved how the animals were very interactive with their audience!
Camouflaged ray….
VERY COLD touch tank!!!
The freezing water was not stopping our kids from checking out the animals in the touch tank!
Beautiful and showing off for us!
He hung out near us, watching us move around the bird exhibit!
Karlie all smiles as Brina soaks in all the birds zooming around the exhibit
Brina loving time with these beautiful Alaskan animals!
Keeping one eye on us as he watches the other birds….just in case!
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Portage, Alaska)
Our family had the opportunity to visit Alaska on our summer family vacation. We flew into Anchorage, Alaska and took a bus tour form Anchorage down to Seward, Alaska to meet our cruise ship. On the way to Seward we stopped to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservatory Center, Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, Alaska 99587.
It was a cloudy and drizzly day, but that didn’t stop us and the area as well as the animals were still amazing. The landscape was beautiful even on the cool rainy day. Thankfully it was a light mist not a downpour while we were at the Wildlife Center. The kids loved seeing all the animals It was a neat place to stop and soak in some of the animals and information about Alaska. I would recommend it especially for families with kids. There is a little bit of walking, but not a lot.
Gorgeous views of the mountains and animals lounging in their pen
Deer in the headlight look…..
Life is rough…..eat and nap!
Beautiful view of the mountains (even gorgeous in the mist that day)!
The animals were very content and well cared for at the Wildlife Conservatory!
Brina attempting to run a bobsled
Little Kitty!
On the move!
Makes neck hurt just looking at those antlers this guy has to support!
Peaceful stream flowing through the pasture for the animals
I know the snow on those mountains must be cold, but the snow, mountains, and fog really were amazing!
Karlie and a very large bison hide!
Checking things out!
They had a neat bridge overlooking the bear pends which made it easier for people to see them.
Black bear relaxing for a few minutes!
Thankful for an opportunity to spend time with my family seeing this beautiful place and animals!
Travel & Vacation: Touring Beautiful Anchorage, Alaska
We had a blast walking and touring Anchorage, Alaska. Since we were only in Anchorage for a day we packed in as much as we could during our time in town. They have a lot of neat places to see. It was beautiful. During some of our walks we would stop and check out the scenery. The picture above is a restaurant over looking the river. We watched people fishing for salmon and many other cool activities while in the area.
They had a neat park near downtown where a lot of kids and families seemed to like to hang out. We went to the Ulu Factory. The Ulu factory does not do tours on the weekend, but have some demonstration explaining the utensil at the store. We shopped for some neat souvenirs while in the area. Anchorage is a great place to visit with your family with plenty of neat activities to do together.
Hanging out for a few minutes in the park near downtown!
Brina Bee on a roll!
Pausing to Eat at The Glacier Brew House Restaurant (Anchorage, Alaska)
During our adventures while in Anchorage, Alaska we decided to stop for a few minutes to rest and grab a bite to eat. We had been walking and sight seeing all morning so wanted to find a place where we could sit down, relax, chat, and refuel for a little bit. There were several great restaurant options to choose from where we are currently walking, but we ended up settling on going to the Glacier Brew House at 737 West 5th Avenue, Suite 110, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.
We arrived in a little bit after lunch so the wait was short. It was a neat atmosphere and the staff was great. The hostess brought us glasses of water to drink as we waited to get our table. It had a cozy atmosphere and decor inside the restaurant. The sound carried well inside the restaurant so at times it was hard to hear the conversation at the table, but the kids were more interested in eating at first.
They bring bread to the table that you can dip in oil and seasonings as you wait for your appetizer and main entree to arrive. The food was delicious too. Jake had a steak sandwich, Brina had chicken strips, Karlie had brick oven pizza, and I had the shrimp salad. With the kids menu they serve a homemade ice cream sandwich which was HUGE and DELICIOUS!!! We were full by the end of the meal so we ended up splitting the homemade ice cream sandwich between the 4 of us.
If you are looking for a good restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska you should try out the Glacier Brew House. They carrier their signature beverages too if that is something that you would like to try.
Travel & Vacation: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center (Anchorage, Alaska)
Our family recently had the opportunity to travel to Alaska for our family vacation. We arrived in Anchorage in the middle of the night, slept a couple hours before getting up and heading out to explore Anchorage. One of the first stops we made was the Anchorage Museum at Ramuson Center, 625 C. Street, Anchorage, AK. The hotel driver dropped us off right outside the entrance of the museum.
The kids loved the opportunity to learn about Alaska – fFrom displays with the culture, life styles, people, and history of Alaska. The kids loved exploring the neat science and technology exhibits as well as watching the animal presentation! They had really cool boulder chairs and places for parents or grandparents to sit and relax in the common area which seemed popular for the adults! The kids loved it and it was entertaining for us as parents too.
If you have some extra time while in Anchorage and you’re traveling with your family you should check it out. If you want you can use a free locker to put your travel items in while going through the museum. Also, it is part of the Science Center Association so if you are a member of your local Science Center check to see if they are part of the Association and you will get into this museum for free! 🙂
We had a blast at this museum! They were not into the “art” gallery as much as the history, science and more kid focused rooms. They had a lot of neat history and culture regarding Alaska. It’s a great place to visit if you have kids and some time while in Anchorage, Alaska!
Karlie giggling as she tries to sneak up on me with her pillow boulder!
That’s a big pebble Brina!!!
Goof ball Karlie!
Brina and Jake checking out what will happen if an earthquake hits near a house….
Brina and Jake in the bubble ring
Now that’s a pretty shoe for you to wear! Brina loved it! Karlie said it didn’t look comfortable at all! It’s beautiful, but not sure I could stay upright in them.
Designer Paula Rasmus-Dede, Not Your Mama’s Mary Janes, 2003 (consists of glass beads, patent leather, and different colors of wire)
“I made this peice because I like Mary Janes. My grandmother made me wear orthopedic shoes when I was a child. I wasn’t allowed to wear black patent leather Mary Janes like all the popular schoolgirls. When I started making shoes I decided to make my own Mary Janes” – Paula Rasmus-Dede
I think Paula’s shoes may be a little bit fancier than just the average Mary Jane.
Brina and Karlie lifting Jake up. Testing the different types of pulleys
Karlie and Jake in a giant bubble!
There’s a bear behind you!
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Hotels: Hampton Inn – Anchorage, Alaska
While in Anchorage, Alaska we stayed at the Hampton Inn at 4301 Credit Union Dr, Anchorage, AK 99503. Once we arrived at the airport in Anchorage, Alaska we called the hotel shuttle which comes by every 10 to 20 minutes 24 hours a day. I think we had to wait about 10 minutes which the kids thought was “forever” in the cool drizzly mist outside the airport, but it wasn’t bad. We just were not used to the cool rainy temperatures in the summer being from South Carolina plus we were tired. It was 5:00 am our time back home. The 4 hour time change had us a little bit off schedule and even though we napped on the plane it wasn’t like a full nights sleep!
The Hampton Inn was a fairly quick drive from the airport and the driver was pleasant. There was only one other couple in the van with us. We were able to check into the hotel, settle into our room, shower, and crash for a few hours before getting up and heading out on the town. It was wonderful getting a hot shower and crashing into a comfortable bed after being up over 30 plus hours.
Why did we choose Hampton Inn? There are multiple reasons, but here is a handful that swayed our family in the direction of going with Hampton:
- We are Hilton Honors Members – a lot of time when we (mostly Jake) travels for work the nearest hotel is Hampton so we tend to stick with the Hilton line
- Quality and service at the Hilton Hotels is pretty consistent
- Clean Rooms
- Comfortable Beds – we have slept in a variety of rooms / beds over the past 16 years of our marriage and Hilton beds typically more comfortable then other hotels that we have been at while traveling. A good nights sleep can make a huge difference on the following day!
- Swimming Pool – most of the Hilton’s we have been at have either an indoor or outdoor pool which is always a hit for the kids
- Continental Breakfast – decent and predictable breakfast (which is especially convenient when traveling with a family member that has food allergies or food intolerances) Not all the Hilton hotels have continental breakfasts, but all the Hampton Inn’s we have stayed out do have breakfast which is always a benefit when you have a hungry family every morning
The Hampton Inn not only had shuttle service to/from the airport, but also to several spots around Anchorage. After some sleep and a good breakfast we were ready to hit the town and explore Anchorage. We were the only ones on the shuttle at that time. We asked the driver for recommendations on “must see” places to visit, shop, eat, and tour while we were in Anchorage (especially since we were only going to be in town 1 day, we wanted to squeeze in everything we could during our time there).
After we asked the question the driver took the time to pull over the van in a safe location, got a map of Anchorage out, started to circle and draw an outline of where we need to go that day, how to get there, and a variety of activities from sight seeing, shopping, tours, and great local places to eat or visit. We did EVERYTHING recommended that morning, except 1 of the restaurants and that was only because we got hungry earlier than we expected and stopped to eat prior to getting to the restaurant which was delicious too!
It was thoughtful and AWESOME having that 2 minute explanation and highlights of the town. It gave us a clear path to follow throughout the day without wasting time wondering around and trying to figure out what to do. We left the hotel at 9 am that morning and didn’t actually get back to our home to start getting ready for bed until almost 11 pm that night. Thankful that Hampton Inn hired good drivers who go the extra mile. It made our day in Anchorage fun, memorable, and enjoyable for the whole family. We got to see a lot more with his assistance then if we had just roamed around on our own. It made it more efficient and we got to pack more into our one day of Anchorage than we ever anticipated.
I would definitely recommend that Hampton Inn in Anchorage if you are looking for a place to stay. It is not the one downtown Anchorage but in the suburbs. It was clean, family friendly, and a great place to stay. It was the first hotel we had been in that had crayons and postcards that the kids could color in with crayons in the lobby and mail out. Which was a neat “extra” piece for families traveling with kids.
