Memorial Day Weekend

 We had an awesome Memorial Day weekend. The weather was beautiful and we spent as much time as we could outside.

Friday we decided to go to Saltwater State Park. It was a gorgeous day. We packed a picnic and then enjoyed exploring the beach at low tide.

For dinner we had sandwiches and Paige decided to make her own. It was so cute to watch. She took the time to tear off all the crust and got everything out and ready and the only thing she needed help with was slicing the cheese.

 Saturday we had a lazy morning but after lunch we went and walked a different part of the Soos Creek Trail. It was pretty hot but it was so green and beautiful. One of the many reasons I love living in Washington is all the green and trees.

 Then that evening we went to Lake Meridian and went on a family kayak ride. I was in my own kayak and Nate and Paige were in the other one. It was nice and peaceful and Paige enjoyed paddling the kayak when she could.

 It was such a beautiful and clear day and the view of Mount Rainier was gorgeous though pictures don't do it justice.

 Paige was so excited to see the baby ducks for the first time this year. They are so cute and Paige says she wants to bring home with her if it would stay little forever.

 Then we ended our great day with a nice little fire.

 Every year for Memorial Day one of my favorite traditions is going to Tahoma National Cemetery. We went on Sunday evening when it is a little bit more quiet and not as many people but all the flags are set up at every grave. It is so beautiful and very peaceful. I love doing this every year and it reminds me how lucky I am to live in such an amazing country.

 We saw some pennies on some of the headstones and we had seen this before but couldn't remember what it meant. So if there is a penny on a military headstone it means that you stopped at their grave to pay your respects for that person. Other coins mean different things like a nickle means you trained in boot camp with that person, a dime means you served with them, and a quarter means that you were there with them during service when they died. I think it is a pretty cool thing and so we grabbed some pennies from the car and Paige picked some graves to put them on.

 Thank you to all those that have served our country. You are truly amazing and our freedoms are because of you.

 On Memorial Day we enjoyed our morning going to some thrift stores and then went over to Dale and Margaret's in the evening. Paige and I went over to the lake before dinner. She wanted to swim with her life jacket. We were only over there for about a half hour but it was nice to soak up more sun and it was so cute watching Paige doggy paddle in the lake.

 We then had a barbecue and enjoyed eating outside.  

 And ended our great weekend off with some smores.

 We live across from a Costco and they have a retention pond. Instead of mowing it this past weekend they had some goats come and do the work for them. Every time we drove by we loved looking to see if the goats were still there. Something simple that put a smile on our faces. :)