The land of the Midnight Sun!

July 25th - August 1st 2010

Trip of a life time, Cruising to Alaska!

We boarded the Sapphire Princess in Seattle, Washington.

Dinner for 12 Every night!

KETCHIKAN

The salmon run had to be my favorite sight to see. I couldn’t believe my eyes. As we gradually walked up Salmon Street there was a little stream filled with salmon. These huge beautiful fish were making their way back to their birth places to lay their eggs. Now this wasn’t an easy feat. The stream as did the walk ascended gradually. I don’t know if you have ever tried to swim up hill let alone swim against the current, but these fish worked so hard to lunge their bodies forward. In some areas there was white water rapids and they were just jumping out of the water thrusting themselves forward to get up the stream past the boulders and rocks in the way. In some areas where it was really tough there were these salmon ladders which if the salmon were lucky enough to find the opening they could swim up these levels gradually without as much struggle. Anyway mind you they were determined to reach their birth place and lay their eggs. When and if they made it to the top the water was smooth, clean, clear, and sparkling in the sun light they could easily lay their eggs and find rest. Many of the fish were so tired by the time they reached the top that they simply died of exhaustion. Along the way at the top there were signs that said, “No snagging.” The fish are so tired when they reach the top that they are gasping for every breath. Fishermen will come along and can cast and just hook them with little or no effort this practice is called snagging. It is hardly a sport at this point in the poor salmon’s life. They have come to lay their eggs and most die. Remains of salmon lay open on the rocks all around.
As we watched this and pondered the life cycle of these magnificent creatures we couldn’t help but to compare them to our own earthy existence. They are born swim out into the waters enjoy a few years in the ocean then try to find their way home. It is through much struggle and turmoil that they finally reach their resting place. Some of them are lucky enough to find the salmon ladders that are provided to make their journey a little easier if they find it and decide to use it. The ladders are more confining and have boundaries but if they choose to take it, it makes the way easier. We too are born into this earthly existence and as we go through this life we experience happiness joy, disappointment, sadness, and hard times and trials. But we must remember what our goal is; to return to live with our Heavenly Father in His rest. Christ has said “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” All these experiences are “for our good.” Heavenly Father has provided a “Ladder” for us if we choose to take it. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By taking this ladder we can be strengthened and guided as we find our way. Our journey will not be perfect and we may still be “snagged” by the adversary. But it is through the atonement of His Son Jesus Christ that we can be made whole again and find rest in His presence.

SCENIC CRUSING: Tracy Arm and Tracy Fjord

We were detained for several hours just outside of the Juneau port. Apparently during the night our ship had a run in with a hump back whale. A dead female hump back whale was found on the bulbous part of the front end of our ship. It was believed to have been already dead and floated up and got lodged onto the ship. The Port of entry would not let us dock with it on the ship. So we had to wait while the coast guard worked to dislodge the whale. They couldn’t get it released so they had to have a tug boat come and pull it off and tug it onto a near by beach so they could investigate the cause of death further. It was quite an event but saddening. Here is a picture of the tug boat tugging the large whale.

JUNEAU wildlife & Mendenhall Glacier

Whale Watching Excursion

Juneau was the port of wild life. Deceased whale, brown bears, bald eagles and the great hump back whale watching excursion. We were so lucky to see what is called bubble net feeding. A group of 6-8 whales get together and work together to feed on herring. A couple of the whales dive down under the water blowing bubbles our of their blow hole. This makes the herring confused so they form a tight ball. Then a couple more whales dive down and they flash their fins in and out showing black then white. This confuseds the herring even more so they form even a tighter ball. Then the last whale dives down and gives the signal by singing this eerie whale song. The tour guides put a microphone down in the water so we could hear it. Then all at once the whales open their mouths and swim to the surface feeding on the herring. The inside of their mouths are black so the herring swim down in to it thinking they are swimming deeper into the ocean. It was so amazing to see eight hump back whales all break the surface at one time. There were also seagulls which had a “birds eye view” of the every thing that was going on underneath the water. You could tell where the whales were going to crest the water by where the seagulls were circling. You could also tell when by watching when they seagulls flew down to the water. They fed on any leftovers fish spilling out of the whale’s mouths. The tour guides said that this feeding technique is a fairly new behavior and is a learned behavior. They learn this feeding technique from their mother’s. Each whale takes on one particular job and it remains their job forever. Not all hump back whales practice this method of feeding. As a matter of fact if they fed individually they would get more fish then they do with bubble net feeding method. It was amazing to witness.

SKAGWAY

Celebrating 50 years!

Dinning Fun!

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Victoria, British Columbia is the home of the most beautiful garden. Butchart Garden.

Last stop Seattle Public Market!

Hannah B-day July 9, 2010

12! 12! 12! My baby is a Young Woman! Hannah had her first slumber party! Why they call it slumber I don't know because no one did until wee hours in the morning! These pictures are of a swimming game these girls loved!!! We took a water melon and greased it all up with shortening then threw it in the pool. They had to get in, get it and climb out on the side with it to be declared the winner. It was a riot! They played and played until the water melon couldn't take it! We use to play this at the Fourth of July pool parties when I was a kid and it was always great entertainment!

Grayson B-day July 7, 2010

Hex bugs! Fun little cockroach like critters that bounce around until they find their path! Kind of fun you can build tracks and have little battles! Grayson loved this gift!

Zero teen! Happy 10!

July 3rd, Stadium of FIRE!!!

STADIUM OF FIRE!!!!! Awesome performance by Carrie Underwood. My favorite was the "fly by" by the US Air Force!!! What a magical night. Also our 17 year anniversary!!!

Through the Years with Jim and Grace

As a young adult I wrote a poem for my dad entitled, “Fix it Daddy, fix it!” In this poem I mentioned several things that couldn’t necessarily be fixed with glue or a hammer and nails. After reflecting upon the deeper meaning of this poem I realize that these things could indeed be fixed through a Mother and Father’s love. The love of my mother and father has brought me much happiness in this life. My dad is Mr. Fix It! He can fix anything and everything and if he can’t it is just probably time to get a new one anyway! Being the last to leave the nest I had a lot of opportunity to spend time with my parents’ one on one. I will never for get my mother’s many rolls as she served in callings, volunteered and worked in the community, loved and cheered me on in my activities, nurtured and taught me in the way that I should go. I will always be indebted to them and the sacrifices that they made to provide and ensure my brother; sisters and I were reared in love and righteousness. They provided for our physical and spiritual needs as they taught us to love and serve one another. All that I am I owe to them and their special care in teaching and loving us even to this day. I love them and am so happy to celebrate this very special Golden Anniversary with them. Happy 50th mom and Dad!

We celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary in Utah on July 2, 2010! It was so wonderful being together as a family! We enjoyed visiting with their guest and catching up on old times. Congratulations to mom and dad being married for 50!!!!

Hannah

I love my grandparents!! They are so super cute!! One of my fav. memories was when grandma took Karson and I shoe shopping. It was super duper fun and we can always swap shoes because we are the same size. Don’t get me started on Grandpa!! He is a PARTAY animal!! One of my memories with him was when we made these cool battery things with him. It was super sciency with all these wires and stuff. He is so smart!! I’m smart 2 cuz I know my grandparents are da bomb!!


Grayson

On of my favorite memories I have with Grandma and Grandpa is going to the dollar store. We got to go to the $ store and buy five things each. It was so fun. I still have some of the things I got. It will be a memory I will always remember and cherish. I am so grateful to have such wonderful loving Grandparents.


Marisa,

(The real one)
I remember when you held me when I was a baby because of pictures. Love Marisa

(The one I wrote for her)
Some of my favorite memories of grandma and grandpa are the theme parties. Every year usually in the summer they come or we go there for a visit and Grandma and Grandpa put on a big party. We have had a Fiesta, Luau, Pirate Party, and a Cowboy party. It is so fun. I love my grandparents!!

Jeff

One memory of the Roeders that I will not forget was the first time that I met them. I had been dating Shannon for a few months when she decided that it was time for me to go to Colorado Springs and meet the parents. I was naturally apprehensive about meeting the patents and wanted to make a good impression. Several times I thought about heading back to Logan without meeting. However, from the second I came into their home Jim and Grace were friendly and welcoming. They both made me feel comfortable and relaxed. It felt like coming into the home of a good friend. Since that first visit Jim and Grace have been kind and gracious. I look forward to their visits and enjoy spending time together with them as a family. I appreciate their righteous example and deeply appreciate all they have done for myself, Shannon and our family.

Cake, cake, cake!!!

JUNE 28th, Marisa's 7th birthday! Marisa was so lucky this year she got to celebrate at home with friends before her birthday and at cousin's camp on her actual birthday with her cousins. Needless to say there was lots of CAKE!!!

Which path will you take?

A couple of months ago we were able to go on a wonderful 3 day hiking trip to Southern Utah. Jeff is an amazing tour guide! He read and researched where we should go, wrote out an agenda and organized the whole thing. There were about 14 of us so it was no small task. I often think about Father Lehi when we embark on such an adventure. Keeping everyone happy is a difficult task. Thank goodness there was little murmuring. One of the rules to qualify to go on this trip was NO complaining. In fact before the 3 day event my little nephews had to go on a practice hike with no complaining or carrying before their parents would allow them to qualify for the real hiking trip. We were about to do some serious hiking!

We were able to see some of the most beautiful creations. It is amazing how glorious and different each area we hiked was. One in particular was called “Spooky.” It is a slot canyon where wind and water have eroded a large crevice within a huge rock formation. Now this crevice is large enough for SOME people to pass through from one end to the other. As we faced the entrance we realized that not everyone in our party would be able to make it through the tight constricting passage way and instead they would have to walk up and around and meet us at the end.

We parted and went forward with some sadness that everyone would not be able to experience the adventure, the challenges and the beauty that was found inside. Inside the canyon it was squishy, a whole new meaning to “get skinny.” There were some curves where your chest and your back were flush against both walls. We had to strattle turrets, push and pull each other through holes and hard patches. We had to work together to ensure every ones safe exit on the other side of this grand formation. We made it through and we realized we didn’t know where to go next so we decided to follow the path with the most footprints. We had to climb up a steep sandy hill at the top was a vast plane of desert beauty. We went a little ways and to our great joy we could see the ones we had left behind coming to meet us. Now I don’t know exactly what THEIR journey was like but the point is we all got there.

In life we are all going to take different paths and have different journeys but hopefully we will all get there! ETERNAL LIFE is our goal. When our chest and our backs are up against the wall, and when we need someone to push or pull us through a trial, I hope that we will be able to turn to one another more importantly, “Turn to the Lord.”

Recently I read a conference talk entitled “Turn to the Lord” by Donald Hallstrom. In the talk he says “Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually.” Lets face it we all have EARTHLY CIRCUMSTANCES. He said, “deal with these matters directly and with all the strength you have. “Hold on thy way” and without delay turn to the Lord. Let him share your burdon. In the most difficult circumstances of life there is only one source of peace. The Prince of Peace Jesus Christ.”

“The most exemplary act was the atonement. It required Jesus to suffer the “pains of all men.” The atonement is for all men and all pains. Not just a means to over come sin. If we turn to the Lord and put our trust in Him he will deliver us in His time. He will not allow us to suffer more than we can bear. He will forever light our way our truth and our life. He is our brother and our Savior. He loves us and he alone left foot prints for us to follow. I am grateful that he has given us a living prophet Thomas S. Monson on the earth today to guide our paths and help direct us in the ways that we should go.

I testify of the truthfulness of this Gospel and the remarkable way that it was brought again to this earth. I applaud Joseph Smith his strength and his courage to take on and complete such and awesome task that would come to lead so many to a path of righteousness and eternal life. I love him and am indebted to him. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding…and he shall direct thy paths. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.