Happy Birthday Andi girl!

Happy Birthday sista'!
You are far from home but never far from our hearts!

Alaska is beautiful!

We spent this past week-end with the kids
up in Wasilla....

It was so great seeing them and their new surroundings.
Zoe is getting so big and she is just soooo sweet!

Their new home town.....home of the Iditarod!

We love these kids sooo much!

This is a cool museum in Wasilla

The kids got to pet the baby sled dogs

This is the beautiful country road that they travel on to get to their home....

This has got to be one of the most beautiful places
we have ever visited!

Sweet sweet Kristen.....

We saw some bald eagles - so awesome!

The wild flowers were incredible!

....and the mountains were the most beautiful shade of green....

Getting ready to take a hike

Went for a pretty good hike on this trail....
I know that there were bears watching us!

A sign at the trail head said to make noise so that you won't
frighten the bears....believe me....I was stomping and making a racket!!

Cute family shot....

I am serious....these mountains were so incredible!

This picture is taken from their front door...that is a forest across the street...

This is their front door way....

We went to a wonderful downtown market and festival
in Anchorage...

The food was incredible!

Bought the kids some twinkle toes fleece booties to
keep their feet warm....

Zoe got the lady bugs...

She is so sweet! Time to say good-bye.....

Lee and I still had some time to kill after the kids had taken off and before our
flight home so we drove out to Earthquake Park and took a little
hike around it. It was so pretty at the park and so interesting
to read about the earthquake of 1964.

The shoreline is just on the other side of the trees...

This shot is taken at the airport. The sun is still up and it was 11:00 pm.
We had such a fun trip. We fell in love with Alaska despite Sarah Palin!! :)

I just love this picture of Andi....

This picture just speaks for itself....
Andi, you are amazing! Love you sweetheart!

This is why I love my job.......

Graduation was a couple of weeks ago. This kid didn't quite make it because he was lacking citizenship credit. He has been working off his U's with me for a few weeks and finally got his diploma yesterday.

His parents were so happy....he was so excited and proud of himself, too....

It's a great reminder to never give up on kids!

This is why I love my job!!!