Our NW Tour

We were fortunate to get to spend the last two weeks of August in the Northwest, trying to soak in as much time with friends, family and the gorgeous outdoors as possible.   

From Portland to Hood River to Bend to Camas to Warrenton and back, it was quite the trip full of rich memories, some sleepless nights and incredibly dear family and friends whom made the trip more than worthwhile.  

A few photos from our adventures

 Two peas in a pod...or wheelbarrow, thanks to Uncle Scott

Exploring Uncle Scott's shed with Gigi

Harrison and GranGran the bee keeper

 VW Van love 

 Family 

 Picking tomatoes 

 A big rock in Hood River 

Swingtastic 

Lucia, the Lost Lake lovely 

Harrison the Explorer

 Right over there

Taking a break 

The Kapsa and Kunkler Clan

Sailing with Scott

First Mate 

Our friends Bruce and Alison enjoying a sunset cruise 

 More swings with Nana

Big slide smiles

A little help from Gramps

Story time with Nana

Pre-wine tasting biscuits with Lisa, Erin and Jenn

As usual, at the end of our NW tour, we found ourselves leaving with a warmth in our hearts and wishing there had been just a little more time to spend with our incredible "family" up North.

The Birthday Bash

Lucia's birthday party was a big event!  There just so happens to be three baby girls (Lucia, Alice, and Katelyn) living all within a block radius celebrating their first birthdays within a three week period.  As we live in an amazingly close community (literally and figuratively), we decided to combine the birthdays into one large bash at Spreckles park...just steps from our house.  Despite the sweltering heat that day, it was an absolutely beautiful celebration, made that much richer from a visit by our dear friends, Ryan, Alexa and their sweet baby girl Piper.

The evening was a bit of a blur of friends and family, happy children, delicious tacos, tasty margaritas, bubbles, pinatas, and one gorgeous sunset spent celebrating this momentous birthday.  Here is a collection of photos from the big day, starting with the three birthday girls (Katelyn, Lucia and Alice)

Scott's wagon put to great use

Harrison discovering lemonade 

Harrison & Cade

Happy birthday girl

Alexa & Piper 

Photo booth fun

Hakan (Alice's Dad) enjoying the taco bar

Frida (Alice's mom) and her beautiful baby cake creations

Soaking it in with Dad

With Mary Kate, her son Anthony & Harrison in the background drinking another glass of lemonade

Marie & Katelyn

Lucia & Alexa goofing around

Lucia & Alice sharing cake...although Lucia just picked off the blueberries and called it the best birthday cake she had ever had.  

Lucia & Sophia

Lovely cupcakes

Lucia & her amazing Dad

Sunset

Lucia at 1: Happy Birthday!

Dear Lucia,

On the morning of your first birthday, while looking at your beautiful face as you slept, I was overcome with love and gratitude as I reflected back to the miraculous journey we embarked upon together to welcome you into the world (a look back at Lucia's Journey).  It is with such vivid and emotional memories that I remember that momentous day, and at times it feels like yesterday I was holding you for the first time...soaking in every aspect of your being from your tiny toes, to your adorable little nose.  I am still in awe, perhaps even more so with the perspective afforded by time, of how the universe aligned perfectly on that beautiful morning one year ago to bring you, our graceful light, into our life...and for that I am profoundly grateful.

And now here you are at one...a radiant, silly, babbling, toddling, determined, cooing, cuddling,  screaming, adventurous, social, giggling, toothless wonder that brings endless joy to all of us.  

To celebrate your entrance into the world, we started early by making some delicious zucchini carrot muffins in the shape of what Harrison called "the girl Mickey" for our little girl.   

Following the culinary vibe, Harrison also insisted on making you special birthday popsicles.These lovelies were made with blended cantaloupe, rasberries, blueberries, peaches and Greek yogurt, creating a perfectly delightful pink treat which you so enjoyed.

Next up on our schedule was a brief photo shoot marking your first birthday...

And after nap time, we of course headed to your favorite place:  the beach!  Your birthday this year came during quite the heat wave, and even the beach presented a much warmer than usual setting.  The heat didn't stop you and Harrison from soaking in the sand,

playing in refreshing waves,

and just simply relaxing.

Your big day drew to a close with a tasty sushi dinner at Sushi in the Ranch where you charmed the waitstaff into singing you happy birthday, which they did happily despite the amazing rice covered floor you left in your wake.

To our amazing little one at one, happy birthday!