Disneyland, Alaska, and a Special Surprise

Lots has happened in the last few months. I meant to blog sooner but have been putting it off waiting for my new computer to be ready. (My old one is slower than molasses). So now that the new computer is here, I have no more excuses!

3RD ANNIVERSARY!

In July we celebrated our 3rd anniversary. My brother Chad happened to be in town for the one night only, so we let him take us out to Montana's for supper. There was these silly hats that they made us wear for the occasion. I would love to put a picture on but cannot find it. Sorry!

TRIP TO DISNEYLAND

Then in August, we found that our company had a change in ownership. As part of the change, they required us to go to California to meet our new bosses and since we were there, encouraged us to spend a day at Disneyland.

Even kermit has his own walk of fame star!

City walk near Universal Studios

The "Nature" trail was so funny compared to the real crocs and such we saw in Belize.

I didn't go on many rides since I tend to get motion sick. But Chris loves rides. The way the day worked out was perfect...We did some "nicer" rides in the morning at Disneyland then went to California Adventures for the afternoon where the bigger rides are. I was so tired by then that I just wanted to sit and rest while Chris went on the bigger rides. Perfect!

ALASKAN CRUISE!

After returning from LA, we had an Alaskan cruise with Chris' family planned. This has been planned since oh I think spring sometime. It was a nice way to spend a vacation together with Chris' family (his brother, wife, kids, and parents). Yup, the entire entourage was there!



I thought it was terribly funny that for the emergency run through with your life vests and all, they had us gather in the casino. Ha! All these sophisticated people gathering in the casino and wearing funny looking outfits.
Chris and his brother spending some bonding time together in the pool.

Me.

Chris and I took a dance waltz lesson. I remember my mom teaching me some waltz steps in our kitchen when I was growing up in Harrison Hot Springs. We had a design on the lino that was perfect for learning the waltz. They didn't have such a neat design on board the cruise.



The kids did great at the 2 hour meal at the evening dinner. Of course, though, they did not attend every night as that would be too hard. Rather, they feasted up on the buffet dinner available in another area of the ship for some evening meals.

Chris and I all dressed for evening dinner

Chris' parents looking fabulous, dressed for dinner. Ps: his parents just moved to Kelowna this month. It will be nice to have them here.


The evening theatre show was amazing. They re-inacted a shorter version of Phantom of the Opera amongst others.


Port of Call -- Ketchikan

My father-in-law




Chris and I went to see the Lumber Jack Show.



The Hubbard Glacier. We got about within a couple hundred feet before we had to turn around. Amazing!

But hey, it was cold. It was Alaska after all!

Chris and I also took a tour bus to see the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau. It took a half hour to get there, a half hour to view it (although we could have stayed longer but I had to meet someone back at the boat soon) and a half hour back. I was so glad it worked out!

The boys needed to exercise!


The boys went up the tram to the top of some mountain in Ketchikan.

While the girls watched from down below.


On Ice Strait Pointe, the boys had to skip rocks. It is just something Priebe boys do!

And Chris looks to first base. It is clear and he takes the shot!

On one of the last nights at sea, the dinner staff did an amazing presentation of the desert item. They called it a Baked Alaska. I have never had Baked Alaska before and so had no idea what it was. But in my mind, I thought they said "Baked Alaskan Salmon" (I thought that because there is such things as Baked Salmon and Alaskan Salmon and I just stuck the word "salmon" in there even though nobody actually said the word salmon). So I was then convinced that we were having salmon for dessert. And I couldn't figure out why they would do that to us!!!! I don't even like fish that much...for dinner it is okay, but really for dessert!

I asked the waiter: does this have fish in it? He says no but I don't believe him. And I ask again. He says, it is ice cream. I still don't believe him. Ha! But truth is truth whether you believe it or not -- so I learned that lesson. I was very thankful that it was not fish, but I couldn't figure out how Baked Alaska Salmon was ice cream. Baked Alaska is neopolitan ice cream with a lemon meringue on top. And it was very funny when someone at our table asked it they had anything else available for dessert and the waiter said that not only did they have Baked Alaska, they also had Neopolitan ice cream. Ha!

SPECIAL SURPRISE

And if you managed to read through this entire blog you get to read the best news of all -- I have gained about 10 pounds in the last month.


(Can you see the bigger tummy on that picture?)

Due to the cruise? Maybe; I did learn to ignore the "I'm full" signs on the cruise. But, really, the doctor is quite happy with me as this means that our baby is healthy!

We are having a baby! That's right, a new little Priebe for the world to enjoy. We are due at the end of February (about the 25th although I am shooting for the 29th!).

The doctor told me the other day that it was a boy. But what does he know? I mean, he was just a dentist and not a baby doctor. And he didn't do anything special except look at me and say "how far along are you". When I answered, he said it was a boy. He just had a feeling! But really, we have no clue at all.