Our trip began with a fun stay at the Comfort Suites by the airport so that we could be up at 3:30 AM for our 4:15 AM shuttle to the airport. We got on our flight around 6am and sat there....and sat there...and sat there until we learned that it wouldn't start. After several attempts to "start" the plane (honestly, I wasn't listening to all of the annoucements as I was busy entertaining a toddler on a plane that was NOT moving, ha!) we got off of the plane! Avaree was such a trooper. It turns out that she is a fabulous traveler and didn't hurt that she already loved airplanes! :) We eventually got back on the same plane that we were originally on and then made it to Denver where Daddy stood in a really long line for a really long time to get out tickets sorted out. (Ave had her own ticket on the previous flight, but would need an "infant pass" for the international flight to Vancouver.) We eventually all made it to Vancouver and boarded our Holland America Bus to the ship!!! It was a long day of traveling, and I was constantly impressed at how well Avaree was handling it all! :) Of course it helped that she could run across the airplane aisle to Uncle Spencer and Aunt Shannon whenever she wanted. We fully took advantage of the "feel free to move about the cabin" thing. :) Avaree made lots of friends along the way. :)
I can't say enough about the beauty of the sights that we saw on our voyage and in the ports. Alaska is a beautiful place--God's country for sure! We were continually amazed by EVERYTHING we saw! I have several pictures that will document it better than my words; however, most of my pictures are Avaree related, ha! :)
Mommy and Ave on our first formal night. This was the first time I got my camera out. When we awoke the first morning, the boat was rocking so badly that I wanted a helicopter to come get me. ha! But, by the evening we were shielded by islands and everything steadied. :) Let the pictures begin!
Avaree made friends with EVERY SINGLE waiter on the boat. Her two favorites were Iwan (our breakfast and lunch waiter) and Jaya (picutred here). Jaya was our waiter every night at dinner and Avaree LOVED him. She wanted to go with him everywhere and cried when he put her down! ha!
Avaree LOVES Aunt Shannon. They sang lots of songs and danced every night! :)
A side view... :)
Playing with Da-Dee! :)
The puppy that greeted us at the ship! :)
We were on the front! :) We loooved it!
When the "sled" stopped, Avaree started saying "more, more" really loudly! She LOVED it!
Part Two to come.... :)
Plus our Barton Family Vacay 2011!
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