Washington Part 2 of 3

Washington is an agricultural state (over 60% of the population lives in Seattle) and while famous for its apples, few know what a huge berry producing state it is. Washington is often ranked first in the nation in production of red raspberries (90.0% of total U.S. production) and about fifth in strawberry production. This is berry season and our girls love them. Smoothies are very popular in our home. So Justin and I deceived to save money and have some fun by taking the girls berry picking.

Morgan loves rasberries

Addy and I on the tractor out to the picking fields

Justin and Morgan picking/eating berries

So sweet!

Morgan in the strawberry fields

Addy picking flowers

Washington Part 1 of 3

If you like the outdoors, Washington is an amazing state. Even our local parks are truly beautiful. Justin and I make it our point to take the family to lots of natural places and the summer is the time to do it. For at least three months, the gray and gloom gives way to sun,degrees in the seventies, no humidity and no bugs. That’s right no bugs, a hikers dream. These next three posts are devoted to some of our most recent adventures. 

 Morgan loves to play in the summer grass

Recently my dear friend Anna came to visit us. 

She had never met the girls and she is really a loving Auntie. 

One Saturday Justin played with the girls while I took Anna to the Mt. Baker national forest. This area is about an hour from our house and overlap with parts of the north cascades national park. Mt Baker. “After Mount Rainier, Mount Baker is the most heavily glaciated of the Cascade volcanoes; the volume of snow and ice on Mount Baker (0.43 cubic miles or 1.8 cubic kilometers) is greater than that of all the other Cascades volcanoes (except Rainier) combined. It is also one of the snowiest places in the world; in 1999, Mount Baker Ski Area, located 14 km (8.4 mi) to the northeast, set the world record for snowfall in a single season—1,140 inches (95 feet or 2,896 cm) (wiki).” Yes you should visit and go skiing! Anyway, Anna and I took a great hike. I was unable to hike last summer so it had been a while since I had been, it was just as amazing as I remember. 

 The Road up to Aster Butte trail head

Looking out at Mt. Baker from the trail 

Anna cooling off in the fresh spring 

The snow line is pretty low this time of year so most of our hike was on snow. It is great when its 80 degrees you are hiking in the snow. 

 A view of goat mountain.

Anna was brave enough to swim in the glacial water of the Nooksack River

Old growth cedar

Nooksack Falls

A Northwest Summer

Since we have been home we have been enjoying the northwest summer. It took a while for the warm sun to arrive but that did not keep us from the beach. Three years ago we took our Vern and Scout to a beach on Whidbey Island call Double Bluffs. It is about 2.5 hours south of us but well worth the drive. It is beautiful, has great wild life, and is a dog off leash zone. Vern feel in love and eat fresh crab all day. We always promised her we would return. So last week we did.

While we much more than last time (little people require alot of big stuff), we had a great day.

    Justin carried Morgie and the metaphorical weight of our crew.

Morgan and Addy looking up unknown birds in the Northwest Audubon Guide

The girls and I after a bottle on the beach 

Scout showing off the big stick he found floating in the ocean.

Vern as happy as can be--unlimited seafood and swimming

The DuPre Family 

Daddy and Addy sharing a moment

The beach was filled with tons of great driftwood. Vern, Addy, and I explored this old tree.

And as we left, so did the Great Blue Heron we had been watching all day.

The East Side

We had a blast on the east coast. The girls were great travelers and the it was actually summer. It was wonderful to see everyone and introduce them to Morgan and Addy Baye. Here are some of the many highlights:

We began in Atlantic Beach, NC. The water was warm, the sky Carolina blue, and the girls spoiled by their grandmother Judy and Aunt Jill.

Morgan did some great playing with Macy Ford (Justin's friend Trey's daughter). 

 They both loved their wagon!

They found the sand was alittle scaring but boy did did they look cute.

Justin's friends came from all over to hang on the beach.

Addy rocking with Aunt Jill 

Morgie hangin on the beach 

Just rocking on the front porch 

We loved the summer sun 

Justin's good friend Mark took these great pictures 

Addy was singing a great song 

Then we traveled south to see Justin's Dad in Myrtle Beach, SC

Granddaddy and Addy having a heart to heart 

More beach life 

Then we went up to NJ where Addy hung out with cousin Ella

Morgan and Daddy

Great Aunt Donna doing nails

Morgan and Great Great Aunt Linda gossiping 

Addy hanging at the pool with Great Nana

Great Nana, Rae and Morgan 

Cousin Alex and Mom doing the Addy bop

Loving Great Uncle Steven's mustache

Morgan and Auntie Mica

The best part of the presents

Addy and cousin Amy

Big Family Picture

Pool Party

Addy wondering if she will be as tall as Great Papa

Nana reading Morgan a book 

Thank you to everyone for a great visit. We can not wait to do it again next year.