Redmond 2023!

Stace, Violet and I made a took a long-weekend trip to Redmond, to visit Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty, and for Stace and Uncle Bill to attend a fancy car show full of English specialty vehicles.

Violet was happy to miss school for two days, while Cora felt like she really couldn't miss rehearsal for her upcoming play. 

We had a great time, soaking up the last bit of Northwest warmth with a kayaking trip, hiking in the woods, and seeing the cousins.
 

Alison, Tyler and Lupin spent one of the nights, and Alison, Vi and Aunt Patty created watercolor artwork.

We had a firepit one evening, with Will, Anna and Miles.

I was happy there were still a few blackberries to pick.

These little guys are so fun to watch! What a blessing they have, growing up together.

Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty fed and watered us well!

Blackberry crisp with the fresh blackberries, and a from-scratch apple pie. Oh my!

Saturday Fun with the Girls

We returned from our getaway Friday night, and on Saturday, had Ellie over while her parents worked. 

I woke up to Gregorny again hanging out in the microwave. I kept myself from screaming this time when I spotted him.

 

Liana came over for the day, too, and I took the girls to Hobby Lobby  and then to Seafood City next door. Ellie had a lot of fun shopping with the big girls.

In the evening, we went to the pool for a little while. Ellie loves the pool! She's in a floatie ring here in the middle, while Liana and Violet toss a football around (see it circled?).

San Juan Capistrano Mission

We hadn't visited the San Juan Capistrano Mission in many years, and I was interested in having another look. It's a great day out - history, museum, gardens, shop.

The mission was founded in 1776, the seventh of 21 missions in the state. This large church collapsed in a big earthquake in 1812.

So many beautiful vantage points.

The mission is famous for the swallows that returned each spring for many years, though they now nest in other places in the same town.

The museum told of the history of the mission and its inhabitants, including the Spanish missionaries and the native Californians.

This chapel is the last one still standing where Father Junipero Serra, now sainted, celebrated Mass.

Stace and I enjoyed our afternoon at the mission.

20th Anniversary Getaway

 Stace took Thursday (our actual anniversary) and Friday off so we could get away for a couple of days and a night. We woke up to this lovely message from Gregorny!

We headed south to Long Beach, and once near the ocean, took the coast road further, into Orange County. We stopped in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach before reaching our destination, Dana Point. 

We stayed at a sweet Best Western, seen behind us with the blue trim, behind the lifeguard tower. Yes, we were right across from the beach!

Our lovely room - because it was a slower Thursday in September, we got upgraded to a third-floor ocean view room.

View from our room! 

We went to Salt Creek Grille for dinner, where we used a gift card we'd "won" in a charity auction a few months ago.

Fancy dinner and drinks - but we also caught Happy Hour! It was a very enjoyable night.

We walked back to the beach after dinner and watched the sun set.

The next day, we walked down to the Dana Point Wharf, where we looked around the shops and had a bit of lunch.

Near the beach, this old bit of wall from the 1920s was interesting.

Later, we went a few miles inland to San Juan Capistrano to the tour the mission. (See next post.)

After, we were ready for coffee and a snack, so we treated ourselves to gelato.

Then, we went back to the coast - Laguna, to be specific - to soak up a little more beach time.

Another gorgeous OC beach sunset.

We waited until after dark to drive home, so we didn't face crazy traffic. 

It was a perfect full, two-day trip away, so great to celebrate our blessed life together.

20th Anniversary!

 TWENTY years! So happy to celebrate with the perfect man for me. 

Old school post - gotta take photos of our wedding album!

Pretty picturesque Placerita

Violet has a new DSLR Canon (because a certain mother of hers was borrowing her camera and allowed it to fall with the lens open.) We went to Placerita Canyon and she enjoyed using the special settings.