Salt Creek Recreation Area

This weekend we were invited to go camping at Salt Creek, which is on the northern coast of the Olympic peninsula, on the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Its about a two hour drive from our house, over bridges and through vampire country, but well worth the danger - and whining child:)

While Randy set up camp Lucas and I explored the area.

The campground is up on a bluff, walkways all over take you down to the gorgeous beaches and tidepools below.

Lucas, along with all the other kids, had a great time biking all over the campground.

The land you see waaaay in the background is Canada.

There was a great playground for the kids. Lucas was lucky enough to see two deer here - he's the little red dot by the swings.

Randy and Scott went diving Saturday morning. Scott and Susan, plus their two kids, were the family that invited us camping.

Shadow had a great time too.

Crescent Beach

All the kids digging in the sand. Two other families - friends of Susan and Scott -were also there.

Family portrait.

A hike was planned to this peak.

The view from the top - the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Canada.

The hikers - a spouse from each family and the two oldest kids. It was about a four+ mile hike, took us a little over three hours. Great workout. I needed that.

When I got back from the hike this is what I found.

Our campsite - #88

In Port Angeles, which is the town just before you get to Salt Creek, there is a store front that offers tours of all the famous Twilight sites. I so want to do that!

What a great weekend we had with everyone. We are planning a trip next summer, during the new moon phase - the tides will be at their lowest - and we can get some serious tide pool exploration in around that fantastic island. Thanks for the great trip Susan and Scott!

Port Orchard Nursery

Thursday mornings you can find Lucas and I at the Port Orchard Nursery, managed by South Kitsap Helpline, which is our local food bank. We started volunteering sometime in May, but didn't have a regular schedule until late June. We love it, I am learning so much about gardening, among other things, and Lucas is having a blast digging in the dirt and helping Tiffany - he follows her around like a lost puppy. It's a great bunch of people that work at the food bank, and we are happy to be involved in such a wonderful community service organization.

The Nursery was only recently acquired by the Food Bank, this spring actually. When Lucas and I started, the beds we totally bare. Now they are bursting with carrots, tomatoes, corn, beans, cucumbers, squash, herbs, onions, and many other veggies. There is a huge green house that is managed by a woman that really knows her stuff. It has been a learning process for everyone there - working with beds that have never grow anything more than weeds - and Lucas and I are very privileged to have the opportunity to help out any way we can. We look forward to our Thursday mornings out at the Nursery:)

Days of Summer

We've been busy since we got home from Hawaii. We went camping with MOMS Club at Penrose Point SP. Had a great time. Lucas' new favorite activity by the way. Been spending lots of time down at the waterfront. Lots of activities hosted by the county and the library. I can't believe its August already, where has the summer gone?

Sitting around the fire after all the kids have gone to sleep.

Lucas was covered in dirt from head to toe, and then some.

Hiking out to the point.

National Night Out hosted by the P.O. Police Department. Bounce house, hot dogs, candy, popcorn, balloons, music - lots of fun.

Lucas is going to jail, he's locked up, without bail. We'll let him out next summer:) I'm sure it will be here before we know it.

Lucas and family at Mana Sushi

Hawaiian Vacation Part III

Another July... another trip to paradise. This year, however was a little different...We stayed in a house right on the beach, we were on the windward side of the island, and we had to buy a ticket for Lucas, among other things...


At the airport in Seattle heading to our gate Lucas discovers the moving walkways.

The first day we had to make our trek to Costco and Walmart...but we made time for the Royal Hawaiian.

Instead of the sunsets we were so used to, we got sunrises.

The house at sunrise.

The house in the middle is "ours". My dad and I are checking out the reef during the early morning low tide.

The worst thing about the windward side, Portuguese Man-of-war, oh, and the wind.

We spend most of our time at the beach.

Lanikai Beach

Lucas trying out the ocean for the first time at Shark Cove.

Lucas' first taste of shave ice, it won't be his last.

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck.

Lucas is all set for a swim.

Waimea Bay.

Lucas was very excited he got to swim with some turtles.

Using all his energy to kick around and swim.

Fell right to sleep.

Anniversary Dinner at Haleiwa Joes.

Shall we go for a swim?

Hi Daddy!

Sunset Beach

The best place to spend the evening.

Lucas and Jana doing what they do best.

"Hey, whatcha lookin' at?"

Second round of shave ice. Yum.

Three Tables - Doin' what we do best.

Diggin' for treasure.

It was a great trip and a wonderfully relaxing two weeks spent on the beach with my family. But, it wasn't a vacation-as-usual, we had a purpose. Randy and I went to get our little frozen embryo that has been waiting patiently for us for over three years. I have been tied to Oahu ever since we left because of our waiting baby. Finally, the tie is gone, I feel freed. Regardless if I get pregnant or not, our baby is home. Thanks to my parents and my sister for making this trip possible. If it weren't for you, it would have been a heck-of-a lot harder.

Aloha! A hui ho!