Alaska Cruise- Seattle

It was decided that we would go on an Alaskan Cruise for the Briscoe family reunion this year. When it came time to pay for the cruise, the fees had already been paid. My brother had taken care of all the family members to go on the cruise.  This was a huge blessing to everyone and our other children. All of the siblings and their spouses, most of their children, and my dad were able to make it. Between JD and I, we hit the jackpot when it comes to family! 

Ashlynn had just returned from 

FSY. She couldn't wait to go to Alaska.

We boarded the cruise ship in Seattle. 

I found the saying to be true, 

"It is not hard to fall in love with Seattle."

The Public Market Center is so cute and fun.

Some find the bubble gum wall disgusting. 

It made me smile.  

In 1990 this tradition began when individuals

waited in line for tickets for different productions, and it stuck:). 

For dinner, we ended up at a fancy restaurant.

The company was as cute as could be and couldn't be beaten.

 

The food was okay and someday when I return to Seattle, I will

 choose to eat somewhere outdoors that is a little more exciting.

The morning of the cruise Britton and 

I was up early so we went exploring.

This was a favorite for me!

Britton played soccer on the Pier.

Britton has used the word Core Memory a few times since watching, Inside Out. 

I love it when my children use those kinds of words.

The morning was a core memory for me in  

the way that I will forever perceive and remember Seattle.

I enjoyed riding around on the scooters with Britton 

so much. I begged JD to take our luggage with the other kiddos and 

let me ride around with 

Ashlynn before going to catch the boat.

We had a fabulous time.

I fell in love with this area of Seattle.

Can you imagine being able to go to a 

FRESH fish market every day?

Ashlynn and I were impressed and neither 

one of us likes to eat fish.

We were having so much fun exploring that we lost track of time. 

JD called to tell us they were all on the ship. We got a little

 worried that we might miss it. 

As we headed to Port, we learned a valuable lesson. Pick a scooter that has multiple bars left. We overlooked that detail. When we couldn't find another one, we rode together until we did. 

Yes, that is against the rules. 

The one that we found was from a different company. This makes it look like you are a first-time rider so you can't go as fast. Ashlynn loved that she was flying, while I could barely get mine to move. 

It was a memorable adventure and we made it to the ship in plenty of time!

Celebrating 29 in Vegas

 I LOVED spending our 29th anniversary in Vegas.

I had been talking about how much I wanted to sit by the pool, 

listen to books on my AirPods, and read my magazines for weeks.

 

Vegas was the perfect place to do this. 

We stayed in a family resort that was away from the strip. 

It was crazy hot the week we went and I LOVED it. 

Swimming is preferable when it's at least 100 degrees. 

Then you can get in and out of the water without getting cold:).

Took the time to visit the Las Vegas Temple. 

The Celestial Room is beautiful.

One of the things I love about going to the temple is how each time I 

go, it helps me to better understand who I am as a Child of God. 

I am thankful for the Covenants we make in the temple and 

how they make it possible for families to be eternal. 

                                             

One night we went to the STRAT and it was sold out. 

I wasn't too heartbroken about it. 

I don't love heights.

The temperature stays consistent in Vegas. 

Early in the morning, HOT!!

Late at night, Hot!

It might get old if you live in Vegas. If you are someone 

who loves the heat and is just visiting, it's wonderful.

I read on Pinterest that this area was a must-see.

We went, we saw, and all I can say is ODD.

I Loved spending the week in 

Las Vegas. I would not want to live there.

I read somewhere that you don't need to tour the world, you can visit

 Las Vegas and see all the highlights in one location. 

One day I plan to go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower. 

David LaChapelle said, 

"I like the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas more than the actual one." 

For now, I do as well LOL.

Las Vegas truly is the city that NEVER sleeps.

The day we went to the Hoover Dam it was 114 degrees. 

JD does not share my love of the heat. 

He dehydrates easily and prefers to be cold.

He still agreed to go to the Dam and tour it to make me happy.

The signs were cracking me up. 

I wonder how many people each year need to be rescued

 because they forget to bring water with them? 

As you can see by all of the drinks 

JD took the signs seriously :).

This Dam is incredible and made me think of the blessing 

it is to have such brilliant minds capable of 

considering every detail to make it possible. 

The Hoover Dam was completed in 1936. For it to remain 

strong and effective over the years a lot of hard work and

 dedication has gone into maintaining it. 

This will sound cheesy, 

but many of the same fundamentals required for maintaining the Hoover Dam 

are true for marriage.

1- A strong and solid foundation can help a couple withstand the pressures that life brings

2- Anyone who has been to Hoover Dam can see that it has been engineered and designed in a way that makes it possible to provide stability and handle the pressures of the Colorado River. This is true of a happy marriage. As a couple works together to overcome challenges they become more resilient and stronger.

3- As we walked up to the bridge at the Dam some signs talked about the collaboration and teamwork that went into making the Hoover Dam a reality. Each team needed to show a willingness to listen to one another's areas of expertise.  Marriage works this way as well. 

JD and I are the happiest when we are willing to listen to one another and let the other use their strengths and areas of expertise to create the best outcome. 

This can be difficult for the two of us because we both think we are the experts:). 

This is where collaboration and teamwork are vital!

(and maybe putting aside our pride)

4- As we drove into the Hoover Dam area it immediately became clear that the maintenance and care of that place is essential. I read a quote once that I think about often. It said, "Treat your family as an investment, not a liability." This requires DAILY maintenance and care if you want it to last. 

5-  The Hoover Dam has had a profound and lasting impact on the region by providing water, power, and recreation. 

As I look over the last 29 years I feel blessed by the impact that marriage has had on my life. I am thankful for JD and the blessing he is in my life. We are blessed by the beautiful children, in-laws, grandchildren, and friends who have come into our lives throughout our marriage.  They have provided JD and me with happiness and blessed our lives profoundly and positively in EVERY way. 

HAPPY 29 TO US!

An incredible time to be alive!

Can you believe this kid is a father? 

He and his wife are the most adorable parents. 

Their new little miracle is so precious! 

We all love her.

It is a gift to witness your children grow up and become parents.

LOVE THIS!

We woke up early to be one of the first fifty people in line at the Vintage Market Day. 

Only the first fifty received the coveted bag of treasured gifts and coupons.

 We weren't even CLOSE to being the first fifty:). 

Guess we will need to wake up earlier next time.

Ashlynn spent a fortune on food. 

The Creme Bru Lee she bought was delicious. 

She tried the lavender cotton candy. 

We all decided it tasted a lot like bubble bath. 

I used to love Brooks. They have been altering how they make their shoes for a while, and I haven't loved them as much. I was so excited when I found these Launch 9s the other day, and they fit a bit like the discontinued version of the Brook PureCadence only with more drop. 

Twisted Sugar has a cake batter drink, which is incredible!

My Aunt Louise used to make Cream Puffs. She would fill them with vanilla Ice cream and cover them with homemade fudge. I have tried to make them so many times and failed. Ashlynn made them, and they turned out perfectly.

I love this photo. It makes me smile/laugh every time I look at it. 

It is a blessing to have this child back home again. 

 Phoenix really wanted the Lucky Charms that the kiddos were eating. I asked Google if it would be okay. The answer was quite humorous,

"Lucky Charms are technically safe for your dog to eat, but they're not healthy, and your vet would likely discourage it. (One could argue humans shouldn't eat Lucky Charms:)"

Alyssa and I took her kids and Phoenix on a walk the other day.

 For some reason, we decided Phoenix was too much work to drag along and would be easier if contained in the stroller. It cracks me up how Luke is staring at his mom in this photo. 

Phoenix stayed in the stroller for quite a long time. 

She is such a good dog:).

Dax has been selling Solar and is tearing it up. 

His hard work paid off, and he and his cute wife 

are now the proud owners of the Bronco behind them. 

It is exciting to watch children grow up and become successful adults and parents. 

I read a quote somewhere that said

 "Strong kids grow up to be strong adults." 

Young adults today are strong and take on the world 

with a high level of skillfulness and wisdom. 

It is inspiring and inspirational to witness.

 The world we live in is crAzY full of opportunities. 

It is an incredible time to be alive. 

Such a time as this.

I can't believe our baby is a sophomore. 

This picture reminds me of a line from the talk given by President Faust in 2005.

"A sacred light comes to our eyes and countenances when we have a personal bond with our loving Heavenly Father and His Son."

I love this girl!

Most students cannot attend seminary all year. This girl was not okay with that. She signed up to do online classes so that seminary would remain on her schedule all year. I love the stubbornness and passion she expresses when something matters to her. 

That stubbornness and passion are why we 

own this adorable pet named Phoenix.

In 1982, Barbara Smith spoke at a BYU Devotional. 

The title of her talk was, For such a time as this. This title has been on my mind a lot recently. The youth today are coming to this earth stronger and more stubborn than ever. They are coming prepared for such a time as this.  

Being a parent at a time such as this can be complicated. The rules are continually changing. As I have thought about this, I have concluded that my most important job as a parent is to teach my children who they are as a Child of God. This knowledge gives a child the resilience to adapt and follow the advice given in the Happiest Millionaire. Watch your footwork while standing in Holy Places and be not Moved. Keep your guard up. Watch and pray always that you can bob and weave when Satan who desireth to have you and sift you as wheat will be left wanting. 3 Nephi 18:18

This girl loves her job. She puts her 

whole soul into everything she does. 

The other day, she called and asked if she could work. 

The boss agreed. I wondered why she was so excited to work. 

I found out the evening's event involved serving a couple football teams. 

We laughed over the fact that she was volunteering as tribute:). 

She sings 24/7. One of her favorite indulgences recently 

is getting blonde highlights in her hair. I love the compassion this girl shows towards others. She has a keen awareness of others and how they are feeling. 

Her smile lights up the room and her enthusiasm is contagious. 

Yesterday, she passed the driver's test. 

This will put her behind the wheel of my car a lot moving forward. 

Pray for me, LOL.

Honestly, she is proving to be a great driver. 

I am blessed to be this girl's mom. 

I know at times life can feel challenging, tough, and a bit confusing.

President Nelson gave millennials advice in 2016 to help them access heaven's powers and combat life's challenges. 

Take time to think prayerfully about these facts:

• You are an elect son or daughter of God.

• You are created in His image.

• You were taught in the spirit world to prepare you for anything and everything you would encounter during this latter part of these latter days (see D&C 138:56). That teaching endures within you!

YOU GOT THIS!