Panninis, Wine, Gelato, David...ahhhhhhh

On our first date, Nick told me about his time living in Italy while serving in the Navy. He spoke of it with such passion and vigor and details; almost as though he had just returned from overseas.

His adoration for the beloved Italy has only grown these last 4.5 years, as has my interest in traveling internationally (Gelato on every corner???? Yes please!!!!), so we decided to commit already and put a date on it. The flight has been booked and the planning will soon begin. We will get 3 lovely weeks in Italy during the Spring.

I better hit the books...my Italian is worse than my Spanish and that is pretty bad! Arrivaderci!

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend had been on the calendar for months. The plan was to have the Mag 7 meet on Orcas Island and spend the long weekend kayaking, hiking, biking and hangin'. After the 20 phone calls and constant watch of the weather leading into the weekend, it was decided that camping in the rain is stupid and a revision would be made. The family headed up to B-Ham instead and for the first time we were all in Bellingham together.
Each day was a bit different...Saturday brought a walk to Starbucks, a bike ride to the Farmer's Market, a swim in the pool (oh if only I had a photo of my niece in her BIKINI!!!), a fantastic dinner cooked by mom, and a rousing couple's competition of the Newlywed Game.
Sunday we packed up lunch and ferried over to Lummi Island. A day never to forget:

The Ferry:

The biking train:

Charlotte and Delya sharing the ride (although Charlotte did not obey the "no escape" rule while the cart was in motion):

The blowout (note that the mustard looking material is actually poo, NOT mustard):

The hang time:

We also got to celebrate dad's 62nd birthday. Mom again made an awesome dinner and we had some delicious German Chocolate Cake for dessert.

Monday allowed us to squeeze a few more precious hours of togetherness. We did a little baby clothes consignment shopping, consumed the oh-so delicious Coconut Kenny's long board sandwiches and took a little hike near Lake Padden. Dad even busted out a few tools and helped the rot on our eaves disappear. He is amazing like that!We were thankful for our time together and even more thankful that we opted for the roof over our heads rather than the tent sitting in a soggy campsite.

Yellow Aster Butte

Nick and I were determined to get at least one back packing trip in this summer, so when we found a weekend that worked, the obvious destination was to Yellow Aster Butte. The view from the top is beyond-words remarkable. It is expansive, versitile and breath taking. But don't take my word for it...go check it out yourself!
The entire hike is 3.4 miles. The first mile and a half you are begging for the flat part. But it is shaded so at least there is some mercy. Beyond that is an exposed trial with a gradual climb. At about the 3 mile point, you turn the corner to see your destination: the actual butte to the right and vast meadows, interwined with tarns (glacial water ponds or lakes). Once at said destination the exploring is endless. Miles and miles of additional trails that wind amilessly and show you God's beauty. Seriously, there is not a bad view in the joint. Mt. Baker and Mt. Shucksan steal the show, but a 360 panaramic view of varying peaks that layer back hundreds of miles aren't too shabby themselves.
We decided to camp in the same location as we did 3 years ago when Nick surprised me with a candle lit propsal, a bohemian themed campsite and a gourmet dinner (all at 5,500 ft...not too bad). It was fun to re-live Nick's anticipation at certain points along the trailhead..was the plan going to work? Was I going to say yes? Was it going to be worth all the effort he put into this? Back then and 3 years later, he still says "Absolutley!" Lucky me.
We were blessed with amazing weather...warm enough to make the tarns feel like our own personal swimming pools. Not to mention unlimited blueberries to feast on! Charlotte of course dug the trip and did an amazing job off leash the entire time. She was born for the outdoors; the perfect dog for the Vanns!