Preparing for Alaska

This week is exciting and fun as we are thinking about our upcoming trip to Alaska.  I'm telling everyone that we are doing a cruise for my mother's 80th birthday.  So many have said what a great thing it is to be able to go with family, and now they want to do it too.    I really am glad that it is Granny's idea that we go, and as the time gets closer I am so glad that she has wanted to do this.  We started last summer with the planning, since this is my year to put something together for a family reunion.  We decided that after this trip, we won't have a big reunion every summer....I think we decided on every other year??  I'm not sure, I just know that getting together as often as possible is really important. We all need to know each other and remember that we are family!  I miss being close to all of you and hope that we can keep up family ties on blogs, email, phone and by going to reunions as often as possible.  (We did decide to have a family gathering at Cedar City on Grandpa's birthday July 17th , for whoever can come.)  I think it would be good to send pictures for those of us who can't make it, and hopefully we can still stay updated when we do come and see everyone's picture on Granny Leavitt's fridge or the wall in the library.    To my family:  I noticed there aren't as many updated pictures of us as there could be.  Please send something new to Granny soon.  The whole family will get to see you when they visit her....so please update!
Anyway, back to the cruise.  There are seven of us going.  Terry and me, Granny and Bonnie Cook in a cabin, Berne and Cade together, and Martha Leavitt has her own place, complete with a balcony because she has done cruises before and knows it is important to do it right!  We are looking forward to visiting her when we are cruising at sea between dockings.  I've heard the scenery is spectacular and that it can get cold on deck, so hope we can sip hot chocolate with Martha at her place.   Bonnie and I have gone round and round about what land excursions to do when the ship docks.  It has been fun to research what is available and try and decide what to do.  In the end we are only scheduling one ahead (Vancouver to see Butchart gardens).  We're deciding on the others after we get on board ship.  We have heard positive and negative about scheduling ahead or waiting, but since deciding now is so hard, we are waiting.  We may be disappointed if they are overbooked and we miss the train to the summit in Skagway, but like one travel lady said, "just do something else" so that is what we are doing.
I started packing today....warm scarf, gloves, headband, and swimsuit and towel for lounging at the pool, formal dress for dinner on ship a time or two, (my wedding dress that is seldom used does get another wearing) and just a few tops to go with jeans, which I expect will be my main thing to wear everyday.  Mom said to go light and I am trying....but it is nice to have a choice...oh well!
Anyway, Terry and I are super excited.  We will be taking pictures and we will try to send postcards.  Please let me know if you want one sent to you.