The Tourists Are Here!

I just finished my first tour and Im glad its over. Holland is still getting its stuff together and so things weren't running very smoothly. As a tour director, we are like walking customer service desks--what can you do. I am in Fairbanks right now for a couple of days then will fly to Skagway to pick up my next tour. Overall things are going well with me.

However, something much more exciting is that my niece was born. She was born the day after I had to leave, but she is here and is incredibly beautiful.

Meet Addison Maria (3 days old)

Here she is right after she was born

The proud parents. She is so cute.

Taegan is really excited about her little sister. She knew all along that it would be a little girl. She will be a lot of help to her Mom & Dad. Brayden is a proud big brother too.

So far Addison is the real exciting thing thats going on, but will keep you all updated. Later!

Howdy

Hello! Well it's been a few days since I have checked in. I am getting ready to start my first tour in 2 days so am on my way up to Anchorage tomorrow for that. It's been fun being at home. Ive been able to take care of my niece and nephew which as been a blast. Becky (sister-in-law) is scheduled to have her baby Thursday morning and am really bummed Im gonna miss it. But will be back down here for a few days at the end of the month. I am still pretty lucky to be here in the same state. Anyway, Ive posted some pics for all to enjoy. These first ones are of Taegan and Brayden at a farm we went to. Taegan was more willing to get really close to the animals. Brayden had some reservations and chose to watch from a close distance. Anyway both had a really fun time.

Taegan was loving the animals. She really had fun feeding the horse and pretended to milk the cow. Brayden tried a couple of times, but anytime the horse would get closer he would back up. He ended up just tossing the food to the horse hoping the horse would catch the food. It was really cute. Taegan was pretty good with the cow not too many kids got as close as she did.

If you cant tell Brayden is contemplating whether or not if he's going to touch the cow. Taegan was being a good sis and was offering to help him. Even though he decided not to he really liked the cow (well all the animals actually)

Now below are some pictures of a condo I stayed at while training for a tour to Homer this summer. Usually they just have us stay at the hotel where our guests will be staying, but they put us up in these Condo's, which were amazing. They were all different and very beautiful. I just took a few pics. This condo had three bedrooms and was three stories. I didn't get the bedrooms, but they were incredible as well and very comfy.

Here is the Harley Man!! Dad has finished his safety training and is getting as much time on the bike as he can. He is doing really well and is having a blast. He is probably wishing he had gotten one a long time ago. He and is friend Dennis are planning big trips with their new bikes this summer and the following months.

Isn't he cute!

Well thats it for now. I will check in later. I hope everyone is having a great summer. Later

Some Pic's for your viewing pleasure!

Hello All! Well here are some pictures of what Ive been up too. Basically it all has to do with my niece and nephew which I have been loving. I can just be a kid and play all day with them it's been a lot of fun. Becky gets to play to from the couch--but hey thats something right?? For her sake I hope she has the baby soon we are all ready for the bundle of joy to grace us with her/his presence.

Here Brayden and Taegan are giving me their best pic smiles, which was pretty hard since they love making funny faces and because Brayden had just stuffed about 5 skittles in his mouth and is trying to smile. I figured I had better do it before they started with the silly faces.

This picture is pretty much summed up into two words "WIPED OUT"

On this one do your best to ignore the face in the middle!

Note to whoever wishes to have a bubble bath in a tub with jets--USE LESS BUBBLES THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD!!! But they had a great time so no harm done.

This wasn't planned, but it looks like Taegan is wearing a big fluffy shawl over her head and Brayden is wearing a big white coat.

HERE THEY ARE!!! Don't they look great

Dad say's he has only had red meat about 10 times in the last year!!! Amy I know close your mouth--you too Becky :) And he eats sushi too and loves it.

Just ignore the white socks everybody--I wasnt going to say anything is was like pulling teeth to get they guys to get dressed again (if you can't tell it's almost 10 pm) Anyway I got the whip out and just pestered them until they got dressed. Oh I almost forgot--Dad is starting his biking class tomorrow and he got all dressed up for me. So here is your last pic for the night. I have to pack 'cause Mom and I are leaving tomorrow morning for Anchorage at 4:30 am so I get to work. Hope everyone is doing well. Later for now!

Hi

Well as most of you know I think anyway I am back in Alaska for the summer. I love being here in the summer. I have been home for almost a couple of weeks now and will be starting work with Holland America in a day. I have been able to help my sister in law for the time Ive been home with her kids. Poor girl is on bed rest(She's due at the end of the month, but is hoping to have the baby now) and so I get to come over to keep her company and try to keep her from going crazy from laying down all day and I get to play with her kids during the day. She feels bad, but she's crazy--I love that family and don't mind at all. ( You hear that Becky I really don't mind!!!) Besides kids grow up so fast--time really flies. We have been going out to Haney and Hansen's (Grandma and Grandpa Hansen if you couldn't tell) house almost everyday to see Mom's new baby chicks and of course play with our three dogs. Brayden usually bee-lines it to the chicken house with Taegan close behind to search for eggs and usually find a few. It's so funny watching Brayden carrying them back cause he's just taller than our dogs and he holds the eggs above his head saying No Bob! or No Oakley! My eggs Not yours! It's so funny.

Things are going really well. Im not ready to start work yet, but have to start sooner or later. I have some pic's I'll post hopefully tomorrow. Dad has been showing off all his biker gear and got all dressed up. Hopefully I can get a pic of him on the bike tomorrow so you can get the full effect. It's really great watching dad--he's like a little kid on Christmas morning talking about the different things he's planning for bike rides and different things he wants for the bike. Mom of course just smiles and rolls her eyes--but I know she secretly wants one of her own.

Well thats it for now. Hope everyone is doing well. Later