Family
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Surprise! We got a puppy!
On Monday afternoon, we surprised Sam and Emma with an 8-week-old, male English bulldog puppy! Name remains TBD. We want to let the kids choose (while retaining ultimate veto power) and since the puppy’s arrival was a complete surprise, we are giving Sam and Emma a few days to try out some names and see what sticks. After spending the past weekend in Suncadia, Ryan stayed over an extra night feigning a work trip to visit Boeing airplanes in Moses Lake. In truth, he was picking up the English bulldog puppy we found via an ad in the newspaper and I spent the better part of a week checking references…
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Jack-O-Lantern Pizza Making in Suncadia Resort
This past weekend, we had a wonderful time in Suncadia enjoying the beginning of leaf peeping season in almost EIGHTY DEGREE WEATHER. When in Washington State have we ever put sunscreen on our kids in October? Weekend highlights included the Rope Rider Golf Park (free Par-3 course adjacent to Swiftwater Cellars Winery); the small-scale lazy river and whirlpool in the Nelson Farm Pool; making s’mores around our firepit using Reese’s Thins; the amazing pumpkin varietals for purchase at the Suncadia Harvest Festival; and watching the Seahawks win at Dru Bru Brewery in Cle Elum. We kicked off our Suncadia weekend with Jack-O-Lantern pizza making for a fun, seasonally appropriate, festive…
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Apple Picking, Apple Cider Mimosas & Apple Sauce
We took the kids apple picking at Swan Trail Farm in Snohomish this weekend. Can someone tell apple orchards they need to serve apple cider mimosas? They would make a killing! I’m sure they can’t serve booze but really… a killing. If you haven’t tried an apple cider mimosa yet I highly recommend it. All you need is some yummy fresh apple cider (we picked some up at Swan Trail) and champagne or Prosecco. So after a few hours of wrangling children and masks at the apple orchard we came home and a mimosa had never tasted so good. But really, the apple picking process at Swan Trail is super…
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Our Favorite Things to do in SUNCADIA
Pre kids, I didn’t find Suncadia all that exciting. Post kids, it’s the best place ever. It is such a kid friendly, easy destination with so many things to do as a family. We’ve been fortunate to spend a ton of time there with my in-laws and are eager to spend more time! Over the past few years we’ve discovered more great kid friendly activities and given that we spent this last weekend there and stumbled upon a few more fun things, I thought we should share! And I’m not even talking about ALL of the events Suncadia itself puts on… like bringing in a Build a Bear workshop, Santa…
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A Blessed Baptism Brunch for Jack
Jack was baptized yesterday, and while the event was originally supposed to take place in April and it was a little strange being at mass with a mask on, it was a lovely Sunday celebrating out sweet babe with family. We hosted a brunch at my house after mass and it felt just perfect; a very special thank you to Megan and mom for all of their help! The first thing that made this brunch all come together was Seattle Farm Tables. These beautiful tables are hand made and family owned by one of my sister’s oldest friends, Azure. Our moms met in an infant swim class when they both…
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COVID Wedding Details
Planning a COVID wedding? I’m sorry! We celebrated our brother and new sister-in-law Betsy last weekend in Chelan in what was originally supposed to be a beautiful 300 person wedding, plus a weekend of events and celebrating. After much heartache, they decided to proceed with a small family wedding ceremony and dinner. We picked up on a few details that worked well for keeping everyone safe during these scary times and thought someone else might appreciate the tips if they find themselves in a similar predicament. First things first, my parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at Karma Vineyards (where I got married!) and offered individual boxes of Fran’s Chocolate Salted…
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Celebrate the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with a Vine Street Cocktail
TGIF! We made it! And we have the perfect Friday night COVID activity for you to celebrate with! Make yourself a Nordstrom Vine Street Cocktail, get comfy on the couch, and browse Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale items that are available to preview starting today (July 24). For the first time due to COVID-19 and in lieu of a print catalog, Nordstrom is giving giving everyone the ability to preview all sale items online. This way, you have plenty of time to save your favorites to your Wish List and check out faster when it’s time to shop. Plus you cannot get into any trouble because the Anniversary Sale items are not…
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Our Favorite Outdoor Toddler Items (And what I wear while I’m chasing them around)
We buy ALL the things as parents; some are a hit and some are a miss. These are our biggest hits and the things that we truly use multiple times a day anytime it isn’t pouring rain outside: Bounce House – My mom told me I was insane when we bought this for Joey for his 3rd birthday but I think it’s been our best parent purchase ever. We use it both indoors and outdoors so the kids can get all their crazy energy out rain or shine! Scooter – We take a scooter ride every. single. day. Joey recently upgraded to the razor scooter but started on a 3…
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Camping With Kids
This past weekend we took Sam & Emma camping with some close family friends at Birch Bay State Park just outside of Bellingham, Washington. When I mentioned my weekend plans to an office colleague, her response was “You are going camping? In a tent? I took you as more of a five star resort sort of gal.” Truth be told, yes, given the choice of vacations, I would rather be lounging poolside, cocktail-in-hand than camping in a state park with mosquitoes and no running water. Sam and Emma, however, absolutely love to camp and we do our absolute best to make our meals campfire gourmet. So with the tips below…
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Chocolate Banana Pops
Looking for a fun kitchen activity with kids this summer? We recommend making chocolate banana pops! An easy, fun to make, tasty and entertaining idea that the whole family will enjoy. Let the kids explore the pantry to pick out toppings. We promise there will be lots of smiles, giggles and chocolate everywhere! Here’s what you need: 1 cup chocolate chips (we used both white and dark chocolate) 2 tablespoons coconut oil Firmer bananas Popsicle Sticks Sprinkles, mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, chopped peanuts, butterfinger, coconut – and whatever else you want! Directions: Cut firm banana in half crosswise and put on a popsicle stick Put on…
