All posts by Greg

Adventure to Alaska Begins

We finally arrived to ANC late last night. It was a long day, but very thankful we, the kids and I, all made it on the same flight hours after Greg made it to ANC. Greg was able to take all our luggage, 10bags, to our new home and unload it. We wouldn’t have been able to fit in the car 🙂

As we were heading to bed, Greg was notified he had a four day trip. After sleeping for a few short hours we woke up everyone to take Greg back to the airport. Thankful that we live about ten minutes away! It was weird to go to bed with sun up and take him to the airport with the sun up as well. My sense of time is really messed up today. The kids and I were able to come back home and sleep. Which we all greatly needed. We are bummed he had to leave so soon. Looking forward to when he returns.


We had a chill, getting organized day. We found a Wolverine park, Costco, and Walmart. It was a great day to get settled in. 


After dinner we explored a little piece of Campbell Creek Trail which is just right out our back door. We found out that there is a lake about a mile away on the trail. Hoping to walk there soon.  


Tomorrow we will find a church to attend and then off to explore more of ANC.  

-Chris Ireland

I made to it Alaska. I want to tell you that we went on a trail today. I saw river and went over three bridges. We have a nice house with lots of flowers. We brought games to play.  

Daddy is on a trip. We have lots of rooms, a nice kitchen, pictures, bear spray, and sheets.  

Yesterday we tried four times to make it on the airplane. And we finally did! We have maps here and a nice neighbor.

-Rahab Ireland

We went to the N gates, then the D gates, then C gates, and back to the D gates to try and go to Alaska. Which we made it to on the last D gate. It was a long airplane ride. When we got there we meet WSAABE, our car. There is a Mariners fan right down our street.  

Today we saw Campbell Creek. We also saw a train bridge.

-Jadon Ireland

-Esther Ireland

Travel is what my family likes to do. Good thing I like to travel also. I moved to Alaska for the summer because my dad is a Captain. The adventure all started at Jadon’s baseball game when he lost his game 16 to 8. The next day after Jadon lost we started packing it took all day to pack our suitcases and our backpacks. The next day we left for the airport in the afternoon. It took us five tries to make it on the airplane. My mom was really surprised that we were all getting on the plane because there was not going to be enough seats but two people did not show up because their flight was late. When we landed daddy was there to see us get off the airplane and took us to our new house in Anchorage then we went to bed because it was midnight. 

In the middle of the night, daddy got called to work, so we all had to take daddy to the airport. It never gets dark in Alaska but only for two hours where we live.

No Apes but an Ape’s Cave

I, Rahab Ireland, went in an Ape Cave. I want to tell you there is lots of rock piles. We found puddles. Some people wrote their names on the walls. It was so long, we went in the out way. We saw people and then there was a big drop. Daddy had to help us climb down the big rock. Even a bigger rock we had to use the rope. We finally went out of the cave. We saw lots of things. Daddy bought a map, pictures, and coins inside the Ape Caves store. I liked it, but sometimes Daddy had to help me climb the big rocks. And I went on Daddy’s shoulders. I really want to tell you that it was formed from hot lava. At the end there was some white spots in the cave. There was a trail to climb and we had to climb big rocks to get out of the cave. I had to come off of Daddy’s shoulders. That was the end of the cave.
Rahab Ireland

The Ireland Family went into the big Ape Cave. We hiked on a trail to get to the place where we came in. There was rock piles. There was also a river in the cave. There were two big drops. There was one big rock pile we climbed over most of them. When we came out it was like Hawaii. It was so warm out. The cave was very cold, 40 degrees.  


Jadon Ireland

We went to the Ape Caves in WA. I thought going the ape was really cool. In the cave there are rock piles, puddles and drops that go straight down about six feet. When we got to the caves and there was a parking lot, a hut, and a trail. We went on a trail to get to the caves when we got to the end of the trail we took a break. What we saw when we got to the end of the trail was a hole about thirty-five feet down in the ground (the hole is shaped like a funnel). We went into the cave with each a headlamp and daddy had a lantern which made most the light. In the cave there is no tour Gide or no path. I like it better when there is no tour guide or no path because you can explore all by yourself. I can not decide what is my favorite part is because I liked it all but one thing I really did like seeing was the cave Slime. Cave Slime sounds slimy but it is not (I touched it). Cave Slime is a shiny white when you turn towards the wall with a light but when you turn your light away it looks if nothing is there. The Ape Cave are named after the person who found the caves. He was part of a club called Apes so the caves are now called the Ape Caves. The caves were formed by lava pushing up from under the ground. The caves are basically a tube formed lava. In the caves there are rock piles and lots of other things to get over which I think is really fun.  
Esther Ireland

June 20th, 2017

We were not able to be up in Anchorage during Greg’s five day off stretch. We decided to do some exploring in the state of Washington. We headed to the Ape Caves, just south of Mount St Helens. It was an awesome day trip for our family! All the kids were able to hike through the cave. Love it! It took us about 2 1/2 hours to complete the hike. We started on the trail above and then hiked the cave back. I’m so thankful that Greg brought a lantern and rope. It got a little steep on the rocks and the extra light was needed. During the hike in the cave we turned off all the lights. It brings a whole new meaning to Genesis 1:2-3 “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” The light sure does shine through the darkness. What an amazing image God has given us to be light to the world. The light takes over the darkness. It never ceases to amaze me how He shows up in all that we do.


Love exploring God’s world with my family! Can’t wait to get to Alaska!
Chris Ireland
*Esther’s title

Gardener

A gardener, this is not me.  If you know me you know how much a loathe gardening.  I sneeze, welt, itch, and just downright miserable.  However, God is slowly showing me his truths through this garden.  Greg and I inherited this beautiful, well, loved garden.  I’m learning how not to kill it!  No seriously, it’s a mess.  The weeds are never ending.  The flowers are entangled in the weeds.  It’s never ending.  Ugh!  As I have tried to keep up with the weeds God is teaching me in the pit of weeds.  

First, as a gardener, you need to know what is a weed and what is a flower.  I’m getting better at picking out the weed when it’s small versus taking over the garden.  God is showing me that is like my sin.  I first must recognize what is sin and what is fruit.  The more I grow in the Lord the more I recognize my sin.  Sin never stops coming just like those weeds in my garden.  But they are lot easier to manage when you can recognize them right away.

Second, preventing the weeds from coming up is huge!  This spring I have been on a mission to ‘over’ bark my planters!  We are getting ready to leave for the summer so I wanted to put protection on them.  The bark will keep the weeds down, but it is not a substitute for the gardener.  Just like attending church, reading books, listening to speakers, fellowship with believers are all important, but they is no replacement for God’s word.  His word will get to the root of the problem.  

Third, it takes time to garden.  The hours upon hours I have spent on the garden is still not enough to get it perfect. It will never be.  The more time I spend, however,  the more beautiful it becomes.  The fruit is incredible to eat and the flowers are appealing to the eye.  I desire for the fruit in my life to be like this.  I want it to be pleasing to His eye.  Someday I will be perfect with my Lord and Savior.  Until then I’m learning to will enjoy my time communicating with Holy Spirit in the garden.

Just for fun here is the progress Greg and I have made on just this planter in the past few weeks!  I hope I can maintain it over the years.

-Chris

Before
After
Before
After
Blooming!
Beautiful

Ruth Wedding!

Made it to Kentucky!

Kentucky wedding? Yes, please!  My cousin Matthew married Caley, she is beautiful inside and out!  Very thankful that God brought these two together! Greg had the honor of performing the marriage ceremony.  What a blessing that was to be apart of the wedding in this way.

Every part of this wedding weekend was wonderful!   Great grandkids met each other for the first time. Loved watching them become instant friends!  Catching up with cousins, aunts and uncles, I haven’t seen in awhile, such a blessing.     

Rehearsal!
Groom’s dinner
The Beautiful bride!

Making it legal 🙂

My Family

Grandma Lois, Becky, Chris, Esther, Jadon & Rahab

Great Grandma with the greats: Esther, Jadon, Rahab, Evelyn, Francis & Trace & Rachel

Aunts singing!

My Dad!

I’m so thankful we made the flight on Thursday which meant we made the rehearsal!  It also allowed us to enjoy hanging out with the Ruth clan before the rest of the family arrived on Friday.  I’ll take all those moments I can get!

Our side trips:

Mammoth Cave!  What a cool experience, even if we went with 100+ middle schoolers.

Mammoth Cave

Ready to Explore

In the cave

Entering the cave

What do you see?
Enjoying being on top of the cave! 

Fort Williams so much early American history here!  Grandpa Tim came and explored with us as well!

Fort Williams
Battle history
Cannon

Trains, of course we had to see the train museum!

Trains! 

At the station 

Last stop before we went home, Lousiville Slugger Museum & Factory.  Who knew that making wooden bats is a fascinating, serious, business.  The mini bats totally made the stop worth it. Even if we didnt’ realize we stitched time zones to catch our plane back home.  Don’t worry we made it with a little time to spare 🙂

The Bat

Getting the best view 🙂

Slugger!

Lego stadium! 

The Branford House that was rented our family, well I should say it was an old school, was amazing!  What a cool building, we loved this loud, echoing, gem of a house. Of course it meant a houseful of family!  The M&M stash was quite impressive…and it didn’t last long. Thanks Grandma Lois for always having M&M’s

The House!
The M&M stash!!!

-Chris

Happy 60th Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad!  We had a decoy birthday for dad!  With cake and a gun safety class on his actual birthday!

Decoy Cake
Happy 60th Dad!
Gun safety class!

Family gathered at Mike’s house on Saturday to surprise dad!  What a great surprise!  We got him good!

Surprise!
60th Crown
The real cupcake cake!
That’s a lot of candles!
Family crew!

Another surprise was I put together a video with the help of all the family for his birthday.  Dad’s legendary cupcake eating must be documented.  We all joined in the fun!

 

Happy 60th Birthday DAD!  I’m proud to call you my dad.  You are the glue that keeps this family going through the hard times and the fun times.  We have put together a video of the legend you have given our family!  Hope you enjoy!

Love Chris

 

Easter 2017

 

We went to North Dakota for Easter this year!  We dyed eggs with Aunty Tricia and Grandma Becky.  It was even warm enough to bring the mess outside! Love it!  

Ready to start!
Let the creativity begin!
Aunty Tricia helping Rahab
Creating the best egg
Intense concentration
Working so hard
It’s an art!
Aunty Tricia & Rahab
Exciting!
Finished products

We went to two Easter services.  Saturday evening we went to Hope Lutheran’s service.  Then on Easter morning, after yummy caramel rolls,, we drove to Walker MN to catch up with the Barrus family.  We went to St Agnes Catholic Church. It was awesome to see God working in his Churches. The Catholic Church had a priest from Haiti.  I couldn’t help but think of the Simon’s as they spent their first Easter in Haiti.

Esther and I
Grandpa, Jadon & Rahab
Easter basket
caramel rolls!
Enjoying those caramel rolls!
Easter Sunday in Walker
Grandma & Grandpa
Happy Easter!
My Family

After service we enjoyed Annie and Mark’s hospitality.  They cooked a lamb along with way too much food. Which was all amazing!  My cousin Kaydee put on a Easter egg hunt for the kids! She was so excited to have cousins there to play with this year.  My kids were thankful too! They get along so well. I also enjoyed catching up with my cousin Krystle. Great to see family!  I sure love the time I do get to spend with them. Warm my heart, only wish it could be longer!

The Lamb!
The hunt is on!
Run! Find! Run!
All found!
Enjoying the park
Cousin time!
Race is on!
Easter Bingo
Uncle Mike! Dragging the Kids!  I love watching my brother be an awesome uncle!
spontaneous stop:  Paul Bunyan Of course I needed a picture before we drove home!  
Random stop

-Chris

Arizona Trip!

Sunny weather here we come!  We went to Arizona to find, sun, family, pool time and spring training!  We were able to find all four! Pool time is always a favorite for our family.  This year the kids had to finish school before they could enjoy school. Such a great motivator!  

Pool Time!
Cleaning it out!
Stunt time!
Tuckered out from the day

We love climbing Silly Mountain.  Thankful for a close hike with great views of the Phoenix area.  We also enjoy the park just down the street. Throwing the baseball, flying kites, and playing on the playground are the top choices!

Silly Mountain Trail
Enjoying the view!
Hiking with my love!
Homework by the pool
At the park

Spring Training was the highlight for Jadon this trip.  He went to two games this time. One with just the boys: grandpa Don, dad and him.  Then we all ended our trip with an evening game. Jadon loved getting autographs from all the triple A players.  He was starstruck! Greg and Don enjoyed watching Jadon take this all in! How fun!

Watching the players!
Starstruck!
Autographs!
Enjoying the game with Grandpa
Enjoying the game with Daddy
Ice-cream with Grandpa!
At the game!
Enjoying the game with our family
Working on the scorecard
Enjoying the scenery

We are blessed to have all the accommodations to go to Phoenix and enjoy family!

Heading home

First Adjudication!

Esther experienced her first adjudication!  She prepared two pieces to play for a highly respected pianist.  She did an amazing job and learned a lot!  Very proud of her to preserve and be critiqued.  It’s a very intimidating thing to do.  She did an amazing job!

From her piano teacher about the process:

Jeff Gilliam from Western WA University in Bellingham. After you play your 2 pieces for him, he will work with you in a sort of mini-lesson way and you will learn a great deal from his teaching. I have known Jeff for many years and am just so pleased that he will be hearing my students this year.

Esther’s pieces she played
Listening to his great pointers. He was very encouraging to Esther!

-Chris

Daddy Daughter Dance

It is a rare occasion for Greg to be home on a Saturday especially when the Daddy Daughter dance is happening!  This year is the year! And I’m not sure when this will happen again. Therefore we will enjoy this moment! Thank you Lord!  

I loved how Greg asked the girls. He is very creative!

Dangling roses
The Rose
The Note

Also, thankful they can spend the night with great friends. They all had an amazing night.  I heard they started the congo line at the dance.:). Thankful for a husband who will teach our girls how to date. Very blessed.

Crosage time!
Precious
Great Dads with great daughters!
Esther, Greg and Rahab
Corsages!
Off on their date!
Rahab Limbo
Esther Limbo
At the dance!

Crissy and I did a mother son date.  We went for dinner at Casa Mia and enjoyed the new Lego Batman movie!  Love creating these memories!

-Chris

Happy Birthday Greg!

Happy Birthday to my adventure partner!  Exploring would not happen without his adventure spirit.  I’m looking forward to all the places we will explore together this summer!

Our kids enjoyed surprising him with a path to follow for his birthday!  I love watching their creativity come out!  They love their dad!

The path!

Reading all their notes!

Morning snuggles!
Enjoying his share after the following the path

Speaking of adventure, Greg had a layover in Salt Lake City on March 15th.  He rented himself a convertible.  Drove to the mountain with the top down and went skiing!  Bummed I couldn’t come with him!  One of these days I will be able to go!

His ride!
Off to ski!
Flying and skiing combined!
His view!

Happy Birthday my love!  Hope you enjoy your 35th year!

Chris