Anderson Island

Last weekend we were able to get away to Anderson Island. Margaret and Dale rented a place on the Island and invited us to join them Friday and Saturday. We loved every minute of it and it was such a gorgeous place!

Friday we headed down to the Steilacoom right after Nate was done working. The ferry there goes to Anderson Island, which is in the Puget Sound off from Tacoma. We were there extra early since we were worried about getting on with the big gaps between the ferry times. Since there was no one in line yet there was a park right by it and we stopped and played there for about 45 minutes before getting our place in line for the ferry.

We had to wait in line for awhile so Baylor stayed in the car with Dad and loved climbing around the car and waving to puppies as they walked by. Paige and I walked down to the water and looked at some of the boats and some fish in the water. We then ate a quick picnic in the car before getting onto the ferry.

Ferry ride over to Anderson Island. It was such a pretty day and the views were incredible!

Our house for the two days. It was such a perfect setting. It was in its own little bay and the view of the water was so pretty. It had lots of space to explore and we spent most of the time outside enjoying the water and the view. 

Paige and Nate first went out on their own little row boat. It was cute to watch them. Paige definitely has the love of exploring the little things around her from her dad. She enjoys the little things and came home with a bag full of rocks and shells.

Then it was nap time for Baylor. I put her down before heading out for some more exploring and water fun.

There were swings all over the property. One up the hill a bit, one off a fruit tree, and two hanging with a view of the water. 

Then Nate and Paige went out on the row boat again and Paige caught her very first fish. She was pretty excited about it and we all thought it was pretty cool. I went out paddle boarding. I went on my knees for awhile until I got brave enough to stand up. It freaked me out a little being that close to the ocean water and every once in awhile you could see a harbor seal pop up and I didn't want one anywhere close to me while I was standing on a paddle board or I definitely would have ended up in the water. 

That evening after dinner we went on a walk to go see a chimney of an old homestead that used to be there 100 years ago. It was a really pretty hike and very green and lush.

We got back in time for the sunset and some smores  before heading to bed. Baylor slept horribly since she was sharing a room with us and was not used to that. She was in our bed for a long time and we are so not co-sleepers and she was so wiggly and I couldn't sleep with her in our bed and she kept poking Nate's eyes and nose. Three times I thought she was asleep and would go to put her in the pack and play and she would start to cry so it was starting all over again. She finally decided she wanted the space of being in her own bed and we all finally got a little sleep.

 The next day, Christy, Lylia, and Matt came to stay for Saturday and Sunday. We stayed until late on Saturday so it was fun to spend time with them and spend the rest of the day exploring the island. A little after lunch we went to this historic lot with some older building, an old apple press, a small museum from things from the island, and lots of pretty gardens. They have farmer markets there during the summer and it was fun to walk around and explore.

 We found an apple tree there and we got to pick quite a few apples from it and they were so delicious. 

We then went to a lake that is also on the island. Lucky people that live there- lake and ocean water exploring all on one small island. They had this fun public park on the lake that had a sand volleyball area and some fun swimming areas for kids. 

 Then a little more ocean fun and boating before we had to leave for home. 

 Paige caught another fish and I was there to witness that one and it was pretty exciting when that fishing line started to move. 

 Then Nate and I went out on the canoe and went out a little further into the ocean. It was so very peaceful but also makes you realize how small you really are on this Earth.

We caught the ferry back home while the sun was going down and it got dark while we were riding the ferry. It was another incredible view of the water and all the city lights on the coastline.

 It was such a fun little getaway for our family and we are so lucky to live where we do that we get to enjoy such amazing adventures so close to us.

Anniversary Getaway

 On the 13th and 14th, Nate and I took our 10 year anniversary getaway to Long Beach, WA. It was our first ever overnight stay away from both of the girls. We were worried about the weather since it said it was suppose to rain the entire weekend and we knew on the beach it was bound to be much colder. It rained almost our entire trip down and started raining again when we left. We were so grateful for the no rain while we were there and enjoyed every minute of our short stay on the beach.

I got this cute place on Airbnb. Our little one room is where those two French doors are. It was a perfect little place for just the two of us. It was small and quaint and I loved it.

Once we unloaded our stuff we walked to the beach. Our little house was just a couple of blocks from the beach and it was a beautiful setting.

After you got passed a couple of driveways you got to this grass area and you could hear and smell the ocean. It was exciting since you couldn't quite see the water until you got up a small hill.

 Then there it was- the Pacific Ocean! It was so gorgeous. The weather was perfect and there was hardly any wind. We pretty much had the beach to ourselves. We just walked up and down and put our feet in the water and it felt so good to walk around and feel the sand beneath our feet. The entire evening when we were out on the beach was so soul soothing and Nate and I both loved every minute of it.

I'm so lucky to have Nate in my life! He is the best husband a girl could ask for. He is so supportive and lets me shine. He is my sounding board and always knows what to say when I am feeling down or worried. He is always up for going on all the adventures I plan out even if some of the logistics aren't perfect. He is one amazing dad and often times I feel like he is a better parent than I am. He is understanding and loves me and our girls fiercely. 

One cute selfie of us and then the other one a wave surprised us from behind and came up a lot further than all the previous waves.

We then went into town. Long Beach is a very cute, small tourist town. It has a lot of fun attractions that we could have walked around more if we had more time. We ate at Hungry Harbor and we both enjoyed our burgers and then right next to it there was Marsh's Free Museum. It was a curiosity shop along with a gift shop and was fun to walk around and explore. Then we went back to Hungry Harbor for some twist ice cream cones before heading back so we could watch the sunset on the beach.

 The sunset was gorgeous. It was so peaceful to just sit out there and watch and listen to the waves.

We walked back home and video chatted with the girls before it was time for them to go to bed. In the evening we played some card games which was fun since we hadn't done that in awhile and then went to bed. The next morning we got to sleep in and I had packed some things for breakfast before we had to check out. Then we drove to Cape Disappointment to spend the rest of our time there. There are two lighthouses there that we walked around and a few other hikes down to the beach that we also went on. There were lots and lots of boats out fishing which was pretty cool to also see. It was a day filled with enjoying this beautiful world we live in.

 We had a picnic and then walked down to this beach to sit and watch the waves for awhile. There were some boogie boarders and also some fishermen fishing off the coast. One of them even caught a seagull which was pretty entertaining to watch. The seagull must have been going for the fish that he caught but also got caught itself. The fisherman had to wrangle with it for awhile since the seagull was trying to fly away. He finally got reeled in and the fisherman grabbed him and threw him back in the air and the bird flew off. 

 Our last stop before heading home was back to Long Beach. I wanted to go see the boardwalk right on the ocean they have. Then Nate decided that he wanted to drive on the beach and we ended up getting stuck. Our front wheels just dug right down into the sand. We are supposed to have four wheel drive in the car and that is why Nate drove onto the sand but I guess it doesn't work. It ended up taking six guys pushing us to get out. It was a great memorable moment to end our memorable trip.

10 Years

Today we celebrate 10 years of marriage! I can't believe that number is even right. I don't feel like it has been 10 years but then again I don't really remember what it is like to not have Nate in my life. I love the song by Brad Paisley called "Then." It talks about moments in life where you think you love someone like when you got married and then you go through life together, have children together, have joys and sorrows together and you realize how much your love has grown over the years. In the chorus it says, "Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world, I can't believe the way I feel about you.....We've come so far since that day, I thought I loved you then." The moments that take your breath away to the moments that have brought tears and sorrows, Nate has been there for me and with me. I couldn't have asked for a better husband or a better father to my children. I heart you Nate! 

September 5, 2009- one of the best days of my life and I know the best decision I ever made is marrying Nate.

 Our lives have been made more joyful and sweet because of all the friends and especially family that have always been there to support and love us.

As I was going through 10 years worth of pictures, I was flooded with memories and so much love. We have been through so many things and have gone on so many adventures together.

 The two greatest things ever to be a part of our lives- Paige and Baylor.

 I love the couple and the family we have become.

Happy 10 years to us!