Pinch me...

I will say this summer has been the best ever! Passed my ALTA exam (meaning now a dyslexic therapist)......6 hours of grad school completed (6 left in the fall)......6 weeks in Alaska......got engaged......and tomorrow we are off to Janesville Wisconsin. I will be meeting Bryan's grandmother for the first time on her birthday along with all of the Conway family members coming to town as well...which means I get to spend the weekend with Leslie and the triplets...Bryan's parents, brother, sister, aunts, uncles....cousins etc etc! WOW I can't wait! I am truly blessed with the best friends and parents!!

We're Engaged!!

The WHOLE story.....

Well to start ...in September 2003 Bryan and I met at Leslie (my best friend from college/her maid of honor) and Mike's (Bryan's brother/ his best man) wedding....years passed and our paths crossed several times along the way, but in December (thanks Leslie and Mike's triplets) I randomly emailed Bryan about pictures I had seen of him with the triplets to say hello. We hadn't talked in probably a year or so...he then called that night, we talked for a couple of hours.....the next day he emailed me and invited me to Denver the next weekend.....I am not a spontaneous person but I said sure (after several phone calls to Leslie!!)......and 7 months later we are here in Alaska together!

SO ON JULY 13.....

Bryan told me last week we were going to Girdwood on Tuesday... I had told him I really wanted to see this place and go up the tram! He was adamant that we would go Tuesday..red flag?? :) So we drove out after work....

Took the tram up to Seven Glaciers......

Alyeska Resort from the tram...

Couple hours before the big moment.....

Bryan was giddy and walking all over the place....so I thought he was going to do it outside...but he didn't!

So we go to Seven Glaciers to have a glass or two of wine.......

At this point I think Bryan was nervous...but later found out the ring was still in the car .....

The way back down......still no ring :)

After the tram we headed to the Double Muskee for dinner...

So we had dinner and just chit chatted nervously...then he had friend call and say that there was a DUI check point on the way back from Girdwood and we shouldn't drive back. At this point I knew something was up!! Bryan then suggested we go back to Alyeska and just get a room......(which had already been established). We walked in Room 560.....

Rose petals were on the floor....and Bryan immediately dropped to his knee! He said the sweetest words and we both had tears and he pulled the ring out of his sock! :) Yes sock!!

And I said YES!!!

There was champagne and chocolate covered strawberries (Thanks Katie, Clark, Kathy and Dan!) And the phone calls began!! We called our families and friends and just laughed and were so thankful for such wonderful people in our lives!

The self timer pics began.....

Bryan was all about the camera at this point! He was proud!

I was just thrilled and couldn't stop staring at my hand (AND still can't!!)

We both are so thankful for Leslie and Mike :)!! I am also thankful for all my friends and family who waited the journey out with me! It was sooo worth the wait! It is still so amazing to me that I am ENGAGED!?!?! I can't wait for this next step in ours lives to start......

Bryan is thinking...."Did I just do that??"

WE'RE ENGAGED!!!

Thank you for all the phone calls, emails etc etc etc......

I am one happy, lucky gal! I have met my true match!

FINALLY the pictures are uploaded :)

ENJOY!!

XOXOXO

Lazy day....

Today I just did about nothing! BUT I DID find the cutest boutiques in Anchorage! There are all of 3....and they will know my name by the end of this month. I wonder who shops in these stores as I haven't seen anyone in the town yet wearing anything but jeans and a tshirt.....and these stores have pretty trendy labels/designs etc...and when can they wear these frocks with such chilly summer temps.. is another question... I spared you pictures of my findings :). Heading to Girdwood tonight to go to the Double Muskey and Seven Glaciers (look them up if you need something to do today at work). Miss everyone! More later.....

Kincaid Park

Today I went hiking at Kincaid park while Bryan was at work. It was an amazing park with over 41 miles of trails. I took off with my map, bear bell, and camera on my adventure. I picked an intermediate trail that was about 5 miles around and it was great! I can't wait to go back and find new trails to explore. I didn't see any moose or bears...mostly small bugs and birds. OH at one point I got off the trail and ended up on an "active" archery range....thank you dear man for seeing me!!! The trails are all lit (not that I need that) and are used mostly for skiing and skating in the winter. Very beautiful and for sure will go back. The sun is shining bright today, LOVE IT!

THANK GOODNESS!

But the archery range was fair game!

Golfing in Alaska....

Today was a chilly day! Bryan played golf with a gal from work and her husband....I rode in the cart and finished my book while wearing two coats. :) I was told we would see a moose but we never did...big bummer! After golf we cooked a mexican dinner....Bryan set the fire alarms off with his taco shell "cooking" or I would call burning in the oven. Tomorrow....suppose to be 73 and sunny....thinking of hitting some hiking trails and going to the zoo!! I want to see a MOOSE and BEAR (but not up too close!).... Today wasn't as thrilling and amazing as Saturday, but just thought I'd put something up!

Whittier and Prince William Sound....

Today was an amazing day! We got on the train in Anchorage at 10am and left for Whittier. The train ride was about 2 hours but very beautiful! We got to Whittier and it was pouring cold rain and we were a little bummed as we had a 5 hour glacier tour ahead of us. We boarded the boat while laughing wondering what the day would have in store. The first two hours were a bit slow but then we came upon some amazing sites! Below are just some of the 150 pictures we took!!! The sea otters and bald eagles were amazing! The ice was just unreal and nothing I could imagine. You see trees, waterfalls, glaciers, ice chunks and ocean all in one place! We heard major cracking and caving (meaning falling of ice). Here are some of the pictures....I will put more on if I feel the need :).

HERE WE GO.....

Car A....our train!

Amazing views!
Bryan was really sleeping..of course I wasn't!

Ah let the pictures begin!

The boat tour started...

We were the only ones up top...that is wind pushing B!

Self portrait! FREEZING!

Self timed portrait in the freezing rain!!!

Alaskan Flag!

Amazing views...

Drowned rats....

That is a glacier :)

That is a cave.....

VERY COLD!!

Huge glaciers and ice just floating all over

SEA OTTERS!!!!

Frost bite was setting in.. :)

Amazing as this is the other side of the water....looks like it is in the tropics!

Just vasts amounts of waterfalls, ice....amazing!

Can you see the bald eagle???

Whittier!

This was from the train home.....just right next to our car!

GOOD BYE!