Yurt fun- Happy Anniversary Simon!

A friend recommended we visit the Guemes Island Resort; getting the last ferry from Anacortes we traveled under the stars to our yurt.  This perfectly sized space was a wonderful get away for the long holiday weekend.  We hiked, massaged, rested and soaked in the sauna.  It was BLISSFUL.  

Food storage-squirrel protection!

Guemes Island Resort

Rain barn

Natural rain collector made by a creative local

Atop Mt. Guemes

Si took this mesmerizing photo atop Mt. Guemes.  Not only did we enjoy a nice and mild hike, but at the top we spoke with a co-steward of the Skagit Land Trust.  We learned a great deal about the preservation of the land and what the future plans for the land are.  It was really interesting!

Guemes Island Fall Festival

We visited the community fall festival and just fell in love with Guemes Island-even more!  Everyone was very friendly and talkative.  The small town feel was very obvious and we enjoyed all of it.  We spent a total of $26 and this is what we bought:  2 hotdogs, 5 small gift cards, 1 beautiful bowl and my anniversary gift a special peace pendant necklace.

Sweet woman who sold pottery with her husband: Eikeland Pottery

We bought a beautiful bowl and roasting dish.  It was discounted in price and a perfect fit for our kitchen.

Lovely photographed greeting cards

Local art at the library

Second growth tree

Beautiful San Juan Islands surrounded us

My most favorite picture of all....

Happy Anniversary, Simon!  Here's to many more.

Summer Scoop: In no special order, here are a few highlights of the summer...The A Team

Alice, Adam (Si's old friend) and Arwyn visited us from Paparoa, New Zealand.  They stayed a week, wandered through the city and were the most delightful house guests!  They tidied and bought us a new bbq (as seen here).  A good time was had by all.

Arwyn!

Visit from John and Mary, from New Zealand!

Simon's aunt and uncle visited from Ngatia, New Zealand.  We visited the Snoqualmie Falls and enjoyed a day trip complete with a big dinner at the Crab Pot.  A table full of crab, shellfish, potatoes, corn and more.  A real feed!  We also had them over for breakfast and learned much about the family's farming history.  It was too short of a trip.

Jumping for Alison's birthday!

We celebrated Alison's birthday by playing at Skyhigh.  It's a giant trampoline world where there's much to do in just an hour!

Back flip into the foam pit

Jump!

 In the background there's Laurel, Lexi and Simon on his back.

Meeting Cordelia Violet Swan Wall

My beautifully happy God daughter from Vancouver.  She's an international traveler and sporting the cool onesie from her favorite auntie.

Summer at Lakebay!

Hardcore hammock!

Dance!

Men at work

We decided to do some work to the main kids room at Lakebay.  Here the guys are rebuilding the bunk beds so that a double can fit on the bottom bed.  Better for growing families!  The men were hard at work!

Say Aaaaaah!

Amalia, is our "only" as Kai's babies live back east; so she is like baby TV to us.  At family gatherings, we just can't get enough.  Here she is with the "Anti" Marcy, and they just love, love, love eachother.

Hiking with Peter, Dee and Si...

In July, we spent a day hiking with our great friends, Peter and Dee.  They led us to a trail up in the Snoqualmie area.  The sun was hot as we trodded up the steep hill and the last mile was tricky as it was quite rocky.  But, as the mountain breeze whizzed by us, it was so worth it to get to the top.  Beautiful mountain ranges surrounded us.  The best reward after a big climb!

View from the top!