Feels Like Summer

This weather has been absolutely amazing and it really has felt like it's August, not April and Early May here in the PNW.  I am not complaining though.  We have been going to the beach often and loving all of the fun in the sun!

Puget Sound Honor Flight

I am honored to be able to be a part of the PUGET SOUND HONOR FLIGHT excursion this weekend!  This is an organization that takes war veterans back to Washington DC to visit the memorials and thank them for all of their hard work, sacrifices and service. 

In Honor of Our Veterans

Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.

• OUR MISSION : To transport our heroes on “One Last Mission” – a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built in their honor. This trip is free to the veteran, and made possible solely through individual donations and corporate support – NO Federal funds are allocated to this program. With the hard work and dedication of Honor Flight hubs throughout the U.S., and their communities, over 100,000 veterans have made this cathartic journey.

Since America felt it was important to build a memorial to honor the service and the ultimate sacrifice of her veterans, the Puget Sound Honor Flight believes it is equally important that they actually get to visit and experience their memorial.

 I will be posting more pics  of everything we did and everything that we will see as well.  Until then, please visit their website to learn more, PUGET SOUND HONOR FLIGHT.   

Love Where You Live

I have lived in multiple states and in a third world country.  Although I was born and raised in the same city and state, I feel like I have a pretty good background of living in new places and liking each and everyone of them.  To me, it's simple.  Just love where you live, end of story.  Sure some places might be prettier than others, or the weather might be warmer.  But, in all sincerity there is beauty all around and you can always find something to love where you live.

I loved growing up in Utah.  I loved being able to ski every winter and enjoy hiking, camping, motorcycling, boating, etc.....  When I lived in CA for  a while, I loved being able to get to the beach in just under an hour and when I lived in Colorado I loved all of the outdoorsy trails, rivers, lakes and mountains.  Now that we have been living in the Pacific Northwest for almost 4 years I love it here as well.  My to do list keeps getting longer and longer .  Sure it's a little wet here, but there is so much to see and do and the summer months are the best ever!  We love getting out and about and exploring new parts of the state and seeing what else is good for the kiddos and my family.

So, no matter where you live, go out and explore.  There is more to see, to do and to explore than you would think.  Every place has something unique and cool and it may just need to be discovered.  The more you go out and explore the more you will see. 

Chambers Bay

Some days after work it's nice to run home, grab the kiddos and head down to Chambers Bay.  It's a quick little get away and the views are always amazing, even on the cloudy, overcast days. As we arrived on this particular day, the views were scenic with the crisp clue skies.

When we visit Chambers Bay  we will either stay at the top of the bay and play at the awesome playground, or we will drive down to the meadows and walk along the trail all the way to the bridge that goes down to the water.   Either spot you choose, you can't go wrong.  This particular day we went down below, we ran along the trail and raced each other while I pushed baby R in the stroller and would occasionally stop to take a photo with the camera that was strapped around my neck.   The closer we got to the water the colder is became.  The fresh cold air felt good though and we continue to run to the end of the bridge.  We looked at all of the locks, checked the tide of the water, soaked up the amazing views and then stared the race back on the bridge.  We were quickly distracted as a train came by and we had to stop and count all of the cars and see what they were carrying.

After the train passed, we continued on the path all the way back to the car where we could get in and warm up from the cold air.  This particular happened to be a quick and simple adventure, yet an adventure that we will remember.  It's these small moments that mean a lot to me as a father, and hopefully to my children as well.  I will cherish these moments now because in the future years they may not want to escape the house for a brief moment because of school, sports, church or some other type of activity.  Until then, I will make the most of what I have. 

Winter Hiking @ Sequalitchew Creek Trail

We had some sunny days last weekend so we spent Sunday afternoon out and about hiking around the Sequalitchew Creek Trail and along the shores of the mighty Puget Sound.  This was the second time hiking here and it was nice.  They actually paved the first few hundred yards of the trail now and then it turns to dirt.  It's just over 1 mile in to the tunnel and the coast.  One you get there there is plenty of beach to explore, especially when the tide is low.  The views are amazing and we always have a great time hiking around town. 

Lighthouse Climb

While on Whidbey Island we also stopped at Admirality Head Lighthouse and were able to climb to the top!  It was cool and the view was awesome!  Also, they had a little haunted house all set up that the kiddos walked around as well, it was fun!  I think I want to get a list of all the light houses in the Pacific Northwest and try to visit all of them.  I think we have been to about 5 already.  It might be a good long term challenge to see them all.  They had a haunted house set up at the lighthouse too, so we got to walk through it all too.  It was a good preview of Halloween.