Home Again.

We are home! What a trip we had. It was so much fun but very busy, and let me tell you vacation has a whole new feel to it now with a baby. I didn't get quite as much sleep as I'm used to or hoped for and the list of activities was quite different, but it was so very good.

Here are a few pictures off my phone. I'll show off more later but this is what I have for now.

Finnie B Sleepless in Seattle the first morning after we arrived.

Playing in Clara's toy. He loved it!

On my favorite bike ride in Chelan. Usually I would do a run & bike in the morning, then maybe bike this again in the afternoon. How much did I do this time? 0 runs & 1 bike with the hunz. Quite different I tell you!

Wine tasting with the siblings. So very fun. I love Nefarious wine!

Uncle Adam.

My favorite coffee shop, Stumptown. We had to make a stop when we were visiting in Portland. Yumm.

Old old friends. Bethie & Annie. Love the matching outfits!

Our trip entailed flying into Seattle Friday night, staying at the Madayags then leaving in the early afternoon to drive to Lake Chelan to spend a family vacation with my family. Then Wednesday we drove for 6 hours to Portland where we stayed with Lyle's sister & her family & parents. Saturday we left & drove back to Seattle to stay the night at the Buri's before heading out early Sunday morning. Whoa! Little time was spent with friends but we loved every moment. Last night Lyle & I were lying in bed discussing what a great vacation it was and how good it was to see our friends. We miss ya'll so very much! We had such a great time with family & just getting to relax. 

Little Finnster really changed quite a bit this last week too. It was fun to watch him grow & interact. I loved that he got to spend so much time with his daddy as well. Sometimes I feel like I get all the good times with Finn while Lyle's off at work.

So here we are, back at camp and trying to get back in the swing of things. My goal these next couple weeks is to get Finnie sleeping better at night. He's been waking up too much & I need to stop deliriously feeding him and let him soothe himself. Wish me luck!

lauren

The San Juan Island Adventure.

 Lyle and I recently took a trip home the second week in August for a couple weddings, then hit up our parents for a boat trip up to the San Juan Islands. Lyle and I were ready to get away from civilization for a bit and to get some cool fresh air. We were so blessed to get both sets of parents to vacation with us AND to have the sun shining the entire time we were on the water with dolphins making several appearances. We had such a restful and fun filled trip.

Captain Bill at the helm successfully launching the trip. Skipper Cheri peeking through to steal a spot in the picture.

 

 Lyle & me enjoying the cruise through Roach Harbor.

  

 All three nights Lyle & I were able to sleep under the stars up on the deck. We were hoping to get as much northwest fresh air as we could while we were up there.

 Stuart Island kayak adventure.

 Happy hour took place promptly each evening and lasted until dark.

 Waiter Lyle making the rounds.

 The dads doing the grilling. We even made grilled peaches on the boat.

 The lovely moms that kept us organized and fed. Thanks you two.

 The Lyles out for a kayak. This is Sucia Island. It was one of the most beautiful places we anchored. The landscape and sea life was amazing.

I have the feeling this won't be our last trip on the boat. That is if Papa Paulin is willing to take us all out again. Thanks Dad for taking us out on the maiden voyage and doing such a superb job with navigating us through the waters. And thanks to Lyle and Mary for taking the time to make the trip all the way up from Grants Pass, Oregon.

lauren

home again...

I finally made it home again after my trip to Washington for a Lake Chelan adventure. It was a very relaxing trip filled with good family time, lots of running and biking, wine tasting, and good reading. It was the first time we had all been together in over a year which made it that much more enjoyable(minus Lyle). But I have to say that Lyle was missed and it will be a very long time before I go away again without him. I'm glad to be home again and in my little summer routine with the cats and Lyle. I don't have any big projects right now, I only have the bathroom left to paint and I think I'll wait a bit to do that one. Our garden is growing ferociously with lots of tomatoes. Our friend, Lauren, graciously gave us a raspberry plant from the Saturday Market that we planted this week. I just can't wait for that one to grow. Yummm. I've truly enjoyed having a little herb garden to quickly grab some fresh herbs to throw into a dish. Last night we grilled mahi mahi burgers and summer vegetables. I threw in some salt, pepper, olive oil, and a little balsamic vinegar then sprinkled thyme and oregano into the mix. I have to say they were very delicious and Lyle grilled them to the perfect point.

Below you can take a peek at some photos from my trip. Aren't my nephews just the cutest?

A stop in Leavenworth on the way.

Lunch at Vin du Lac with the family.

A boat ride with the nephews.

Jamie

Alex-he sure likes his band aids.

Though he deserved them on this trip after getting a few "bonks".

Wine tasting with Julie & Ryan & baby Madayag.

I love my nephews (niece too, though she didn't get pictured).

lauren