Perfect fall weekend with Doug and Evelyn

On Friday night (after a really long and particularly stressful week at work) we headed out to meet Doug and Evelyn at Cape Disappointment on the Washington coast. Its a depressing park name, but spectacular place. They arrived around 10pm and we rolled in afterwards to an already-set-up camper, roaring campfire and open bottle of wine. Not too shabby! We drank a couple glasses of wine and passed out in our tent.

When we left Portland Friday evening, it was gorgeous, but we hit lots of fog and mist on our way to the coast. I was worried we left good weather for a crummy weekend on the coast, but was pleasantly surprised!

Woke up to sunshine and coffee with the Bartells Saturday morning. : ) That was Darby and Fiona's hang out spot, soaking up the sun.

Our tent spot Saturday a.m.

We got in the car Saturday a.m. and drove to Fort Canby - hiking trails, an old military fort, light houses, and a Lewis and Clark Interpretive center. It was just a perfect fall day for wandering around.

Looking out onto the Pacific.

The trail went around a beautiful little cove on its way to a lighthouse.

Pretty old lighthouse

Sunshine!!!

Our campsite is pretty much behind that far hill. There is ocean on both sides so at all times you hear the roar of the ocean.

We went into the smallport town of Ilwaco for their Saturday market. We ate halibut tacos and a beer in the sunshine. These guys were hanging outside a cafe playing some bluegrass.

Stopped at this little fish market and picked up smoked tuna, sturgeon and raw oysters.

Checked out a bunch of retired old boats parked in a parking lot - so pretty.

We came back to the campsite and got a fire going...

And had some snacks - this is the aged cheddar from Matt! So nice of him!

Went for a sunset walk on the beach just a short stroll from our campspot.

Driftwood galore

We threw those oysters on the campfire when we got back.

And ate them with a glass of wine. Not bad at all!

Campsite Sunday a.m....

Morning walk on the beach with doggies and coffee.

More pretty driftwood

We parted ways late morning. I headed back for the fish market to pick up a fresh tuna so I could can it at home. Unfortunately there was a BIG order in front of us and we didn't want to wait so we left. In another small town on our way home, we saw a sign for fresh fish again, so stopped. On our way back to our car with the tuna, Doug and Evelyn pulled in! So we got to see them once more. I believe they picked up a tuna to can as well - I think we'll have to have a canned tuna taste off : )

 Couldn't have asked for a more perfect fall weekend or a better way to forget about a crummy week at work! Thanks so much Doug and Evelyn! (and Darby and Fiona who shared their camper at night with cousin Carmen : )

Mug Shot

Poor Macy.  She has been so exhausted from not adjusting well to her new routine and not napping.  She cries a lot in the morning when we drop her off - sometimes up to 2 hours!!!!  Check out the picture below and then read the words.  Seriously?!  What teacher would put that picture above "I Love School"?!  Look at those dark circle under her eyes.  She looks like she's been on a week-long bender.    

She is enjoying her afternoon school though and learning a lot.  Here she is at her "own" school teaching her baby dolls the alphabet.

Matt is gone for the weekend - up north four-wheeling with his buddies and dad.  Soooo they girls and I thought we deserved a girls night out (but we had to be home by 7:00 for bedtime;)   We went to Oh La La.  I LOVE that store and could go crazy buying everything in it.  Anyway, Macy seemed pretty pleased with the hip sunglasses she found.  

sailing

We went sailing again with friends Michael and Letha on Friday night on the Columbia River. They got a new (to them) boat this time so it was fun to see them so excited. They live on the boat together (and its SMALL) with their cat and this one seems to be much nicer. It was a gorgeous night for a sail...

Suset from Golden Girl, their new boat

A different boat with sunset in the background

Their cat Luna from the galley

Charger Challenge

Morgan and I ran a 5K mud run for a Hamilton School District Fundraiser today.  After doing the Tough Mudder, it was a little weak, but we still had a blast!

Morgan with her friend Olivia before the race

 

Morgan finishing the slide - that's me and Olivia coming down behind her.

Mr. Newcomer - Morgan's Math teacher

Our cheering section!

Back To School

Well, it has been two weeks back to school and I'm just getting around to posting some pictures, if that's any indication of how busy it has been.  I think I'm having the hardest time adjusting out of all of us.  Having 3 kids in 4 locations throughout the day has me nervous to begin with.  Then, when they lose your 4 year old - that DOES NOT HELP!  Anyway, glad she is safe and sound and I'm looking forward to starting a fresh new week tomorrow!  Here are some "first day" pics for all three.

End of Macy's first day;)...The day they dropped her off at the correct spot!

Girl's camping trip to the San Juan Islands

I headed up to the San Juan Islands on Friday for a girl's camping weekend - there was tons of sun and water and laughing. It was awesome. : )

Ferry ride from Anacortes to Orcas Island

Arriving at our camp spot - a hike in spot at Doe Bay resort.

Tents set up at sunset

Without planning to, almost every single one of us (there were 7 women all together) brought homemade salsa, so we had a salsa taste off.

We spent a lot of time hanging out on this point by our campspot - talking, eating, drinking wine, watching stars. We stayed up very late the first night and saw at least 10 shooting stars. It was so so so peaceful and beautiful.

We rented kayaks and paddled around the island - we saw salmon spawning and jumping up a stream, and an otter and eagles.

We then went to the highest point on the island and had a picnic. This is a view of Mt. Baker across Puget Sound.

Michelle and I with other San Juan islands in the background.

The whole group.

 It was the first weekend away from their babies for three of the women (there was a lotta pumping going on!). It was so great to have a few solid days together outside in gorgeous weather, even if almost half the group was pretty antsy to get back to babies by the end of the weekend. :)

What the cat dragged in

Ashley sold his 67 Cutlass last year to make room and so we could focus on some other projects. That doesn't mean he doesn't surf craigslist for other cars on a daily basis....

He found this one last week (a 64 Cutlass), mentioned it to a childhood friend of his in CA (they each restored a classic car in high school) who told him to buy it. Ashley picked it up this week and his friend will "supposedly" be making a trip up here to pick it up one of these days. Till then we've been cruising around. I'm thinking it'd be fun to go wine tasting in when Heather and Matt are here?! (if we still have it in October? Ashley goes through cars like I go through a pair of socks.)

It followed me home, I swear! ; )

Dark photos - took these Tuesday night when we picked it up

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