Memorial Day Weekend in Port Townsend

Remember when we used to spend every Memorial Day weekend in Sunland? 

I'm surprised we remember anything at all from those years, we probably fried so many brain cells. Our holiday always revolved around drinking, sunbathing, boating, swimming, endless volleyball and tailgate toss tournaments, and of course dressing up in ridiculously-themed outfits while wandering around the neighborhood looking for the latest and greatest party house.

Yeah... we don't do that anymore.

As much as I'd like to, my 35-year-old self looks back on those years and I shake my head, wondering where the heck we got and maintained all that energy.

Things have really calmed down in the recent past, and this year we decided to spend Memorial Day weekend celebrating my dad's birthday in one of our favorite getaway spots: Port Townsend.

Rather than cram into my parents' trailer at the Point Hudson RV Park, we decided to stay right across the harbor at the Swan Hotel. Our room was super adorable, just a short walk away from the beach or the downtown shops and restaurants. 

Ryder had just gotten a brand new balance bike for his birthday, so he was content to spend as much time as possible trying it out around the campground -- unless he was throwing rocks into the water; his other very favorite pastime. 

Riding on the BIG bike with Daddy.

As for us, we love just bumming around town -- shopping, eating, wandering at the Farmer's Market, exploring Fort Worden, and trying out various local bars and breweries. On this trip, after playing ping pong at a local haunt for a while with my brother and his fiance, we actually ran into a minor celebrity -- Pat Monahan, lead singer of the band Train! Very exciting.

And as an additional bonus, my aunt and uncle actually have a beautiful home on the water right outside of town, where we were able to spend some time with them.

My aunt and uncle's home is built up on a cliff, so you have to take a super steep (kind of scary!) gondola ride to get down to the beach.

Seriously, this kid could throw rocks into the water ALL. DAY. LONG. And I don't think Daddy minds one bit.

This photo doesn't even slightly do the beautiful sunset justice... It was breathtaking!

Even though sometimes I miss our Sunland Shenanigans, we had a super fun weekend, and it was nice to get to celebrate my dad's birthday with him.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Baby Brunch

Our dear friends Alissa and Matt are having a baby!

We weren't able to attend their official baby shower due to childcare issues, so instead my friend Amanda and I threw them a more intimate little baby brunch shindig on a beautiful spring morning last weekend.

Seriously, this girl is GLOWING!

I only wish I could claim to have looked that good in the third trimester.

The whole experience of my friends and I having kids has really caused me to reflect a lot. I swear my life is beginning to flash before my eyes, going so fast that I'm unable to keep up or slow down. I mean, look at Hazel! It seems like only yesterday that Alissa and I first met her, and now she's a sweet little (almost) one-year old. 

June, 2014

And don't even get me started on Baby Ryder... that kid just turned TWO!

(Unfortunately I don't have a similar super-cute photo of the three of us from around the time Ryder was born, but I don't look as gorgeous pregnant and postpartum as those two lovelies). 

Honestly though, it seems like just yesterday that we were all partying it up at Priest Lake for Labor Day weekend, and now here we are...

PARENTS.

Dun dun dun.

In any case, I sure am lucky to have such great friends along for the ride with me!

Congratulations, Matt & Alissa, we can't wait to meet your beautiful little bundle of joy!

Ryder's Second Birthday

Ryder is two years old today!

It's hard to believe that we've already taken two trips around the sun together. It seems like just yesterday that we first stared into each other's eyes, marveling at the miracle of our existence in the world together. 

The original scars of that day have faded, but in the years since you have left footprints on my heart that have changed me in ways I'll never possibly be able to explain or understand.

I just know that I am a better person because you are with me.

Happy birthday to our sweet baby boy!

For his actual birthday, we spent a quiet evening at home, just the three of us. Ryder got a special birthday cake all to himself (seriously, it was work trying to get this photo before he dug in), and then we finally let him unpack his brand new birthday train set from Nana and Papa to play with... it's still debatable who had more fun: Stewart or Ryder.

We also hosted some special events for the birthday boy the weekend prior. 

It was hard to top his first birthday fiesta, but I think we did a pretty good job. 

We started the day with a party for Ryder and his friends at a cool local indoor playground (because there was no way on earth I was about to invite 20 toddlers into my house). The kids had a blast literally bouncing off the walls before stuffing themselves with pizza and cake. It doesn't take much to please these little rug rats. 

Afterward, Ryder had just enough time to fit in a short nap while we prepped for party #2... a backyard barbecue at our house for family and close friends. 

One of my favorite parts of Ryder's birthday each year is that my sister comes up from Oregon with her whole family to stay the weekend with us, which means that Ryder gets some serious quality time with his cousins. I was super close with my cousins when I was growing up, so it's important to me that they get to know each other and spend time together despite not living super close. 

Ryder with Nana and his cousin Aubrey.

Stew with Ryder and his cousins, Sophia and Aubrey.

 It ended up being a beautiful day, which means the kiddos had a great time playing outside while the adults got to sit around in the sun and drink beer chat. 

Ryder got even more cake and opened a mountain of presents (thank you, everyone), and we had such a good time just relaxing with all our favorite people.

Seriously you guys, we couldn't have made it through the past two years without you. Thank you so much for being there for us, and for Ryder. It has meant the world to us, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Happy birthday, sweet Ryder Steven!

You are very, very loved.