The Island Cafe

In a battle for first place, my family would certainly win, but I think the Island Cafe might just come in a close second. When we are in the Portland area, staying with my aunt and uncle, we regularly frequent this wonderful little spot located on Hayden Island on the Columbia River.

Even my grandma, who is 90, enjoys herself fully, feasting on beloved seafood while watching boats go up and down the river.

My wonderful aunt, after finishing her meal, always takes the kids to feed the ducks and walk around the docks. Aaron and I get to sit back, relax, and enjoy a meal in quiet.

We are all smiles after a wonderful dinner together.

My wonderful cousin Andrea and beloved Aunt Sue.

Sam tries to steal a drink of Dad's margarita, and I don't even notice. Sneaky, silly boy. I hope it was delicious!

90-year old Gonna LOVES being with family. And indeed, she's one of those who taught me to love family gatherings.

Here is Aunt Sue, with Andrea and Maya, feeding the ducks

There is something special about family traditions that bind us together and make memories that last a long time. Being at the Island Cafe with my family does just this. I'm thankful for this beautiful place, but even more thankful for the community and love of Aunt Sue, Uncle Doug, Andrea, and Gonna.

The Oregon Coast

We LOVE the Oregon coast. This week we met our good friends the Dolencs for five glorious days at the beach. The first two nights we camped in a campground (yes, we deserve a round of applause for camping with two four-year olds and two babies) and then we spent the last two nights relaxing at a beautiful beach house. It was a fantastic time.


We all spent many hours on the beach walking on the sand and playing in the water.




Sam was still getting used to the cold water on his toes. His sister, on the other hand, absolutely LOVES the beach. She would have spent our entire trip running in the waves.



The kids enjoyed our time in camp too. Many an hour were spent playing with games and toys on the ground and in the tent.



The weather couldn't have been more perfect--August at the beach is SO beautiful.


We felt blessed to have such great time with our family and our friends this summer.

Keeping Busy

We're staying busy this summer . . . trying to be outside as much as possible. In early August, Sam, Maya and I went with my folks to their cabin near Leavenworth in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. We spent several hours at the local swimming pool, enjoying the warm Eastern Washington weather.

Sweet Maya flashes a pretty smile.

Sam plays in the sand at the playground.

The kids are getting to be pretty good pals.

I got to go for a couple wonderful trail runs--then I joined the kids at the park.

Bapa was Maya's favorite swim buddy.

Sam always has smiles for Marmie.

Both Bapa and Marmie joined Maya in the pool one evening.

Aaron and I had a date night at the Sounders game.

I think in Aaron's secret double life, he'd be a striker for the Sounders!

A trip to Canby gave us the chance to see Gretta, Maya's favorite childcare mama.

The cute Canby girls pose for me--Maya's special friends from our life in Oregon.

Maya eats cake on my 34th birthday in Everett.

Sam celebrates birthday festivities with his mama.

Don't I have a nice family--they made my birthday SO special!

People We Love

We are doing just fine in Everett. Just fine. But there are people who were our friends and neighbors in Pullman whom we miss VERY much. These are some pictures of those people. It's not an exhaustive list by any means--just a small representation of friends we love. But these dear faces bring us joy and remind us of a very sweet time.

Sam playing at the park a few days before we left.

Aaron and Maya playing djembe in the Watsons' living room.

Three special friends; Annemarie, Kaitlin and Amy. I miss these dear souls SO much.

Two of Maya's favorite people: Gracie and Ryan.

Sweet, sweet Sydney and her fantastic mama Tiffany (a fellow writer, English teacher and kindred spirit!)

Maya, Leila and Maren: Four-year-old buddies!

Liz and Elsina.

Maya and Leila indulge me with their smiling faces.

Helping Sydney on the teeter-totter.

Sam and his best-buddy Ethan. They are 8 days apart in age.

Farewell, Pullman people. We miss you more than you know.

Beginnings and Endings

We leave Pullman on Monday, moving truck packed, cars loaded, waving goodbye behind us. It's hard to imagine taht we've lived in this house a whole year, and yet time has definitely passed. We are all feeling glad to be at the end of Aaron's doctoral program of the beginning. It's a gift that this season has finally come. But we are sad to leave dear friends here in Pullman, people we who become very important in our lives.

Last night I went back and looked at pictures of Maya and Sam when we moved into this house--And I can't believe how much they have both grown in the past year.

Here they are in August, just after we moved to Pullman. Maya was three and Samuel was just a few weeks old.


Now they are four and one--growing and changing every day. When I see the difference in their pictures, I am convinced that a full year has passed.


We have fun adventures ahead of us, but we will miss the dear friends we leave behind. This is a special place, and we are grateful for the opportunity to live in Pullman this year.

Down on Emily's Farm

Last week we took a special trip up to Chattaroy, just north of Spokane, to visit the family farm of my good friend Emily. I had been at the Nordhagen farm a few times in college, but it had been many years, and I wanted Sam and Maya to see it with me.

Emily was the perfect host--she showed us around, let Maya pet and ride on Fiona, the friendly cow, and introduced us to her grandparents.

Emily stands with Fiona, the friendly cow

Maya gets an up-close experience with a cow.

Here is Maya riding on Fiona.

The cows patiently graze as we look on

Maya gets a ride on the ATV.

Sam tries his hand at farm life.

Thanks, Emily, for a fantastic day! We love you.