Let's Go Ride A Horse | Grandmama's House | Our Washington Visit

Apparently I only visit Washington when I'm pregnant.  We stopped over for a visit while I was 7 months along with Wilder, I came back when I was 4 months pregnant with Waverley.  It's been 5 years since and I'm 7 months along with our new little one.  We'll see if we can't have another kid sooner.

Ha...

In that 5 years, Mom has transitioned to a new home.  A literal cabin in the woods, complete with a rushing stream along one side, nestled in a pine forest, surrounded by rocky hills.  It's literally "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go."  And in the winter, I hear, there certainly is drifting snow -though I'm not sure if the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh.  Speaking of horses, now Mama has a life-long dream fulfilled.  Two horses of her very own that graze on her property.  They're beautiful.  Quarterhorses of advanced years, but still with plenty of strength and spunk.  My sister Leandra is their primary care giver when she's around and she assisted in a pony ride with the gentler of the two, Burt.

Grandpa Mark and his side-kick, Taku, supervised.

Needless to say, she LOVED to experience. 

Sister Irene snapped a few pictures while enjoying the company.

Wilder was a fan at first.  But...after a few short minutes of being jostled about, he wasn't quite as entertained as his sister.

Leandra hopped on Burt to let him really stretch his legs.  It was beautiful seeing the two gallop across the pasture.

And then she got some fresh milk for the next morning's coffee.

Just jokin'.

Though we're packing up right now and headed back to Seattle for our morning flight tomorrow, we've had some great highlights of our trip.  I think last night took the cake as all of us sat around the fire pit roasting marshmallows in the evening light.  It was the first time, besides a meal, where we were all together.  I don't want to wash off our new perfume, "eau de fire" -Sissy's hair is so sweetly scented of burnt wood and sugar.  I'm thankful for the time my kids have gotten to play at Grandmama's cabin, snuggle her massive Bernese Mt. dogs, pet the horses, watch old Disney VHS tapes from my growing up years, and discover Nutella.  It's been a good visit.  Thank you, Mama!

A Quick Whidbey Island Visit | Deception Pass | Our Washington Adventures

There are two ways to get on the island.  Deception Pass bridge and the Mukilteo Ferry.  I always liked that name, Mukilteo.  And I'm not sure what's so deceptive about that pass, but I trust it has good reason for it's name.  And getting on the island -Whidbey Island, that is- is very important to this here girl.  It's where my mom's parents retired and I began spending yearly visits since the age of 6.  So for the last 28 years (look, Mom, I did math with no hands!) this has been a place of peace, comfort and endless beach combing.  It was on my list of top highlights for our Washington visit, having my children look for shells on my grandparents' neighborhood beach where I collected gallons upon gallons myself over the years.  

As we drove the last stretch to their house, Grandma's passing hit me freshly, though it's been over 10 years ago.  A peppy Kansas farm girl with more gumption than most men, more creativity than most women and a talent for making the best pies on earth -and playing endless hands of cards with her grandkids.  Her sewing room that was always cool on bare feet, the apple trees where she'd collect a fresh crop for her legendary apple pies, her boxes of jewelry she'd let us girls go through and be dazzled by, never tired of their sparkles.  All reminders of what an amazing woman I was blessed to have as a grandmother.  Lora Lee Swetnam.  What a woman.

Shells were scarce that day, so we garnered quite a collection of "special" rocks.  100 times from Wilder, "This is the MOST SPECIAL rock EVER!"  100 rocks plus Waverley's contribution, which was, thankfully,  a more discerning assortment.

My mama took the camera and snapped a few of the motley crew.

And no trip to the Island would be complete without a ride on the Mukilteo Ferry.  Wilder was always prepared for the horn to blow (which it unfortunately did upon departure right after I assured him he could uncover his ears.  He wasn't taking any chances after that.)