washington coast

oh where to begin. 
this post is so big it just might break the internet. 



It all started about two months ago.
A late night of conversation and dessert led to talk of adventure. 

Where to go. What to do. How to do it.

We decided we wanted to explore the Washington coast, you know, because it's so close to Utah (it's not. at all. oh well.)

We made travel plans, gathered gear, got time off

a sunset

We have spent the last few days backpacking on the Washington Coast....have you been to Washington? It's an incredible place. Are you from there? Lucky you!

Now I'm no world traveler, but I am most certain that the western half of United States is the absolute best place on Earth. We have it all--mountains, forests, deserts, plains, beaches.....I just love it out here and feel so lucky to call

beach babies

For the past 10 years, we have been lucky enough to have met up with Robby's family in Ventura for the perfect celebration of summer: the beach.

waves crashing

salty air

sand between toes. 

....and lots and lots of cousins. 



Ten years ago when it all started.....we'd been married for a year at our first visit to
"The Beach House".

It was my first time playing in the ocean and we spent

happy happiness

a few from la jolla over the weekend.....totally unrelated to this post.



Election Day.

So much to take in!

I am so thankful to live in this country, and so happy that I get to vote......

...but I am so tired of all the name calling and finger pointing and just plain nastiness to each other 

(coming from all sides, mind you)

How is this benefit to anyone? What are we teaching our children

(un)planning ahead

As many of you know, I have spent the last few years traveling back and forth from here to San Francisco to see a Lyme Disease specialist. Well it was that time of year yet again, and we always try to plan something fun to go along with the appointment......so it's not sooo......Dr-y. We've hit up the city the past few times so we decided to go in another direction this time to explore. 
*side

sunset on summer

The Beach House.This is our ninth end-of-summer here. It is a real. true. vacation. Salty air you can taste.Running from the waves (and then chasing them back into the ocean) Digging for sand crabs (and bringing them home in the laundry.....whoops)Reading and lounging and sleeping in the sunshine. Ten crazy little boys and three just-as-crazy little girls who go-go-go from sun up to sun down.Late

still picking the sand from between our toes.....

back soon.

the 4th

big lagoon, california happy birthday, america

fingernail moon

north north northern california




note: I am about to photo vomit. all over the place. at first it may be just one at a time....a little here and there. and then BOOM.photos everywhere.

love like a sunset

last hurrah

The Beach House. It's the official goodbye to our summer every year. Did I just say "goodbye", and "summer" in one sentence? ouch. I'm still struggling.
But this is the perfect send off--a few days on the beach with cousins (we're up to 13!), where we do nothing but play in the sun (or snuggle in sweatshirts driking hot cocoa, if that is what Mother Nature has in store for us)....but we'll take

we.

15 minute windy photo session. thanks ryan.

home.

back to blogging soon.