Indianola Days : 2011

When I was growing up, I'd spent weeks visiting my cousins Matt and Mike, my aunt, my uncle and my grandparents at their homes in Indianola (10 minute drive from the Kingston ferry on Puget Sound). We'd play at the beach, have bonfires, go on long bike rides, jump off the dock, go crabbing and on boat rides...for me it was the perfect summer camp. Each summer, the people of Indianola celebrate their little community with "Indianola Days." I hadn't participated in Indianola Days for about 15 years so it was fun for me to get back this weekend, but even more exciting to share this memory of mine with Steve and Raleigh. I can't wait until next summer when Raleigh can run around with the older kids and swim in the Sound.

We randomly ran into Steve's good college buddy, PJ and his wife and kids who were attending a family reunion at the house next to where we were hanging out on the beach.

Cousin Mike and Raleigh

Paul, Olivia, Lauren, Raleigh and Henry

Cousin Matt bought his wife Lisa a golf cart for her birthday - best.gift.ever!  Steve and I went for a little spin up to check out the country store and the salmon bake.

The infamous Indianola Dock

Somtimes you just need a little assitance going to the bathroom when you've got wet swimtrunks on.

Happy 95th Birthday

Today, my wonderful Grandpa Ralph turns 95 years old and still feels and looks great. A month ago, we had dinner with him and introdued him, for the first time, to Raleigh. My Grandpa is my only living grandparent so introducing him to my son and his fourth great-grandchild was extra special for me.  I couldn't help but imagine how different my Grandpa's life was 95 years ago when he was a newborn compared to how Raleigh's life is now...times have sure changed ☺

Happy Birthday Grandpa!  We're looking forward to celebrating with you and the rest of the family tonight.  We love you!

4 Generations

Love For My Boys

Five years ago today (when I least expected it) my life was changed forever when I met the man that I would spend the rest of my life with.

Because of that chance meeting, today we also celebrate the birth of our sweet boy - three weeks ago.

As each day passes, I fall deeper and crazier in love with these two.  Thank you to my husband and my son for making me the wife and mama that I am today - I love you.

* 31

Turning 31 yesterday was better than I ever could have imagined...

I originally looked at 31 as the 10 year anniversary of my 21-run and then felt really old when I thought about the difference between 21 to 31 being the same as 11 to 21...have I lost you yet? And now I'm 31 and my husband is 28! Age ain't nothin' but a number, right? In my 31st year, I'll be celebrating a lot, but most importantly the arrival of my first child. I used to think (maybe around 12 years old) that I'd be married no later than 25 and probably have 2 or 3 kids by 30...boy have times changed. The thing is, I'm perfectly content with how my cards have been played and can honestly say that I'm now counting down the days until my 32nd birthday when I can celebrate with my 6 month old.

I was completely spoiled rotten this weekend by my adorable husband...a new lens for my new camera, massage at a spa downtown, dinner at the Space Needle, a night at the Edgewater Hotel, shopping, coffee and flowers at Pike Place, brunch with my in-laws, relaxing at Carkeek Park and dinner with my family. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to my loving family and friends for the sweet messages over the weekend - I feel so blessed and fortunate to have each of you playing a special part in my life.

Me and my birthday twin - Miss Addi - at her 3rd birthday party Saturday morning. I love her wavy hair, huge smile and dimples. She'll most likely be taller than me by her 5th birthday.


My handsome man

Our room at the Edgewater


View from dinner




Complete relaxation - perfect end to the perfect day

Sunday morning sunrise, looking west from our room






Carkeek Park

Huge shout out to the Sun Gods for providing the most picture perfect fall back-drop for my already ideal weekend.

Flash back...me...31 years ago with my parents at Evergreen Hospital...I think my mom might be clenching her teeth wondering what she's gotten herself into.

Friends of Fitch 13

Was held (for the 2nd year) in a giant field, this past weekend, in Port Gamble. For the past 13 years, my cousins, Matt and Mike, have hosted this camping trip for their college friends, highschool friends and family. Despite the fact I've only attended the last four camp-outs I think I'm still the favorite cousin...actually, I take that back, Steve definitely surpassed me this year as the favorite. Megs is not the favorite since she missed FOF for the Lady Gaga concert...not sure if they'll ever let her live that down.

The weekend was a blast, but thank goodness for the trusty RinaCamper keeping us sheltered from the pouring rain Saturday night. One of the reasons Steve is such a good man is that he knows as long as I'm comfortable, the happier I'll be. All I need is a hot shower (propane Coleman shower - check), comfy bed (memory foam and down comforter - check) and warmth on a 45 degree night (propane heater - check). We drove out on Friday night and returned mid-Sunday...stopping on the way home at our favorite antique shop in town and Matt and Lisa's new house in Indianola. The weekend consisted of the meeting our newest relative baby Olivia (Matt and Lisa's daughter), playing with baby Paul, the annual game of sloshball, campfires, mid-morning bloody marys, flip cup tournaments, and catching up with friends we hadn't seen since FOF '09. And since we didn't have quite enough time with Mike and Shannon - they brought over fresh dungeness crab (which my uncle caught on Saturday) and spent the night at our house on Sunday.

The highlight of the weekend for Steve - the ultimate gift from our friend Brenda...a REAL Seafair Pirate hat - no joke, I thought he was going to shed a tear when Brenda told him the story behind it and told him he could keep it. Throughout the weekend, the hat only came off when he went to bed...errrr passed out.