The 4th.

It was a bittersweet day on Sunday. Katie was up a good two hours before me. Funny how trips can be exhausting and refreshing all at the same time. The thought of only one more day in the great Northwest was enough to convince me to get out of bed. I was ready to soak up whatever we did that day. It's been a long time since i've been reluctant to leave a vacation spot. Usually I'm ready to get back to my everyday routine. The thought of returning to Southern California was at the back of my mind.

We had more homemade ice cream.
I don't recall ever having a party with two camp fires.Table tennis filled the cracks of our schedule. We consistently played 15-20 games a day. Jay, Katie's dad, and I even cleaned the garage to make more foot and swing space.
Gourmet dogs with chili, potato salad, macaroni salad and all the other foods you have on the 4th. The masterminds of the whole operation. Grillin' hotdogs together for 52 years.The clouds made for beautiful scenery and the scattered showers in the area (that were of no threat to us) brought the anticipation of a memorable sunset.A memorable sunset we got!Light rain brought out lots of colors that reflected off the surrounding clouds and water.The bay began to boom just after sundown.I was thinking of how to capture the view of the bay with the camera. It's always an incredible site to see-all the fireworks going off down the coast. This picture is a little small but you could try to double click it to enlarge it. I was able to leave the shutter on my camera open for 30 seconds while having it on the highest ISO. I'm not a student of the camera but I have managed to figure out what works I guess.Cousin Matthew let off a string of fireworks right behind me that lit up our group long enough to snap a couple shots. Before we left on Monday we went for a walk. Well, a couple of us opted for bikes so we could fit in a couple games of ping pong. The walk took us to a cliff that overlooked the San Juan Islands. The fields were filled with purple and white flowers.
Katie and I learned plenty on this trip. We still aren't 100% as to where we will call home at the end of next summer but it's no surprise where we are leaning.

What's next? Four internships and lots of fun.

Welcome Back to Birch Bay

The last leg of our trip took us up to the Northwest of the Northwest. Tucked into a small cove is a land that houses "the commune". Katies family live within throwing distance of each other and it is a wonderful time everytime we visit. There is so much to do and even if you do nothing it is still a great time. Here is a little (with more photos than I've ever posted before) of what we've done to this point.

Give a man a BB gun and hope for small low flying birds. These men asked to not have their faces in the picture for obvious reasons. Thanks to Tim, Katie's brother, we were able to hit a five gallon bucket of golf balls into the water. The tide will go out a ways and the kids walking the beach will get to collect all of Jays shots cause he can't hit the ball far. Haha.

Notice in the bottom right corner of the photo. Katie's cousins, Peter, Matt and Isaac created a grenade launcher thingy for our fireworks on the 4th.

Friday night we enjoyed fresh fish tacos with all the fixins'

And it wouldn't be forth of July weekend without the homemade icecream.

More driving range practice. This time down by the water.

We went for a walk during low tide and made it out to the point.

This picture doesn't show it well but the barnacles gripping to the rock bring character to the bay.

Almost to the point.

Aunt Theresa and Katie soaking up some sun and rest and probably talking about their hot husbands.

Driftwood.

Dinner at Leonard and Kathy's. The Unruh's know how to put a meal together.

No dinner is complete without Vivian's buns. I titled this photo: Viv's Buns.

BBQ ribs, homemade green beens, salad= yummy.

Thought of you mom. Frozen Yogurt cream pie.

Grandpa and grandson.

I stepped away to snap some shots after dinner. I saw this flag, snapped some shots and then the wind blew and I realized there was another flag behind. I was reminded of my brother. Everytime I see a flag I am reminded of him and pray for him.

Grandma's Hydrandeas

If this statue were real he would be wise. To sit all day and stare out into the ocean everyday one could learn a lot. I sat and stared at him and became jealous. I know, I know, ridiculous.

The San Juan Islands from the family beach. One day I am going to kayak there and camp.

She is already beautiful but put her by the ocean and man-o-man!

Birch Bay is safe with this guy. Isaac is always on the lookout for ninjas, pirates, and canadians.

I've never been known for my verticle.

The fireworks came out a day early.

I managed to set my camera up right to capture Matthew and Jay's rock skipping abilities.

It wasn't a weinie roast but we did manage to have a fire and enjoy to sunset.

Tonight is our last night on the Bay. It has been a good time for us as we discuss our future and plans for where we want to settle down, have babies, and build community. In all the thinking and talking i'm reminded of a Proverb from the Bible:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Well, I hear fireworks before dark. That means the boys are getting restless. And the thought of more summer food is making my stomach rumble. Ahh, an enjoyable evening it will be.

Yakima, Wa...the ol' West

We left Spokane Tuesday morning and headed southwest for Yakima. Katie went to highschool there and spent most of her younger years there.

We are always blown away by the beauty of Washington. Katie snapped these shots at 70mph on our way.

Look! A real crop duster! Not the butt of all jokes!

Katie can really steady a camera from the car.

One of the best parts of Yakima are the hops. The smell fills the valley and reminds you of beer.

We stopped at a fruit stand and got some Bing Cherries. While Katie was shopping I couldn't take my eyes off Mount Adams.

We stopped in Toppenish for lunch with Greg, Sally, Dave and Carol. The town is very western and kinda scary.

Ranier and Bing cherries and fresh Washington apples.

I always get in trouble for not taking enough pictures of people. I failed once again in Yakima. I did manage to get Jack chompin' on a banana.

More to come from Birch Bay!!