January

This January we got the opportunity to go to Arizona for a family reunion.  The Floyd's all flew down and rented a house for a week.  Aaron and I ended up going a few days early and decided to visit some friends in California.  We stayed with Steve and Kathy Posegate and got to take Raylee to Disneyland on Saturday, January 12.  It was a lot of fun and a great time to get away as just our family.  Then on Sunday we met up with the rest of my family in Phoenix, AZ. 

We had a great time.  It has been a while since we have spent so much time as a family and since the last reunion we have added 3 new people to our family!  It was a great time getting to know Shannon (Jeremy's wife) and Scottie (Sarah's husband) a bit better and letting them get to know Raylee better!   We were also able to spend time with my Grandma and Grandpa Dennis, and my Aunt Margaret, Uncle Robert, and Cousin Alicia.  Aaron had to leave early to get back to camp for a retreat (which I will talk about later).  So Raylee and I stayed later to come back with my parents.  on our way home we were able to lay over in Portland, Oregon and use Steve and Kathy's beach house for a few days of relaxation, meet up with friends, and family, and attend Ksusha's wedding in Vancouver, Washington.  It was a fun time for Raylee and I to get some Grandparent time, and see some more of God's beautiful country!  I loved being in states where there wasn't snow in January and you could go outside without a ton of layers! 

Here are some pictures of our trip....

 Riding the Carousel

 Meeting Minnie Mouse for the first time!

 Riding a Bug's Life ride with Daddy

 Hanging out at the pool

 Riding at Grandpa's Shoulders at the zoo

 At the zoo with all the aunt's and uncle's!

 Grandma and Raylee looking at the Giraffees

 Rough housing with Uncle Scottie!

 Grandpa Dennis was the favorite man of the night!   She even cried when he left...

 

Throwing Rocks at Aunt Margaret's

 

 Looking at the Sea Lions at Newport!

I said earlier that Aaron came home early for a youth retreat at camp.  This was a huge event!  They ended up having 190 people on property for this retreat and it was really something Aaron has been working towards over the last 5 years.  He has been connecting with youth pastors to bring up their youth groups and partner with us for a retreat and that vision finally came true!  It was an awesome weekend and is really taking the ministry victory has for Alaska's youth to a whole new level.  Pray that the seeds that were planted at this retreat are watered and grow into a passion for Christ!  The biggest advantage that this retreat provided is that students that go home from it are going home with their own support system to help them continue to grow at home in their walk with God.