Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver, Visit from Polsons

Chris arriving at the Airport after 5 weeks apart.

Olympic Peninsula

We headed down to the Washington Coast… for another Olympic Peninsula vacation. It’s beautiful there … almost magical. We hiked up and down the coastline exploring tidal pools, walking on logs, throwing rocks and just watching the waves roll in. In the evenings we’d head back to camp, build a fire, eat dinner and play games! One overcast afternoon, we built ourselves a card table right on the beach and played a couple games of Oh Heck with the sound of the ocean waves crashing behind us.

We had beautiful weather for playing around at the beach. We got there when the tides were low and stayed as they came in. It was fun to get splashed by the big waves crashing on the huge rocks. Chris and Mike had fun provoking the waves and getting splashed.

We had to have our picture taken by the famous ‘hole in the wall’ … passable only when the tide is low. What fun memories!

So many fun pictures to remember this trip!

The HOH National Rain Forest

On one of the days of our Olympic Peninsula Vacation, we headed over to the HOH National Forest. (We still laugh about the name.) We hiked several trails and enjoyed the scenery and the HUGE trees. As you can see, we had a great time playing around and taking fun pictures.

Biking the Sea Wall

Biking around the Sea Wall in Stanley Park and enjoying the view of the Vancouver Harbor

Finally Home in Maryland

It is SO good to be home. We traveled home all day Monday. The flights weren’t so bad... especially with Chris there. We got in at about 10:20 and then took a rented minivan home cuz Chris’ mom was renting one for her visit. We got home and unpacked and stayed up till 1:30 am. Tuesday we cleaned, unpacked, went and got our mail and went grocery shopping. Busy but fun to enjoy it together. Wednesday we cleaned and then went to the pool with the Chuggs. It was fun to see them again. Their little boy, Carter is sure getting big!!

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Polson and Grandma Johnson

Hello. We’ve had a great weekend. Chris’ mom, Shelley, and Grandma and Grandpa Polson flew in on Wednesday night, August 11th. We picked them up at BWI. They were SO excited to see Ryan. It was fun to talk to them on the way home and fun to show them our place... since they hadn’t seen it before.

G&G Polson slept in our bed so Chris and I slept on the air mattress in the living room. Thursday we ate blueberry muffins and went down to the Art Gallery downtown DC. Grandpa Polson was eager to see it. It was fun to look around. We took them to some of the other sights too.

That night Shelley took us out to dinner at O’Donnells... the yummy fancy seafood restaurant. I had Orange Ruffy from New Zealand... YUM! We all got such a kick out of watching Ryan. He was so well behaved and does really cute things. It’s fun to watch Shelley and Grandma ooooh and aaaahh over him. They are so impressed that he drinks out of a straw, likes to eat EVERYTHING, is so smart, has great hand eye coordination, has a long attention span and plays by himself so well. Yes, he’s a good kid. It just makes me laugh how they coo over him. It’s cute.

Mount Vernon

Friday we went to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. It was a hot day but we enjoyed the tour of the house and walked around the property. We topped it off with lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn.

Then we enjoyed OLD NAVY. Shelley bought Ryan a cute little tech vest. It’s great. I made sweet n sour meatballs and then we played lots of PHASE 10. They love it... I think we’re all addicted. Grandma had never played before and SHE WON!

Saturday we went shopping... birthday shopping for Chris. Shelley bought him a very very nice basketball that Chris has been whining about for ages. Then we went and saw RUNAWAY BRIDE again. I loved it even more the second time although Ryan was kind of wiggly and I stood in the back with him. He’ll get a babysitter next time!!

We went to CHEVY’s last night. It was good too. Boy, we sure do go out a lot with them here... especially cuz they are both trying to fight about who’s going to pay. We’ve gotten away with paying for almost nothing.

Today we went to church for the first time since we’ve both been back. and it was so fun. So many people came up and said HI and welcomed us back. It was fun to talk with so many friends. It was my first lesson in Beehives too and it went really well. I think I’m really going to enjoy it. We played some ROOK this afternoon and had a roast and potatoes and carrots etc. Grandpa said Chris has made some very good decisions in his life and one was marrying such a good cook. He’s a cutie. Everyone will leave tomorrow morning and then it will be back to just Chris and I.. I’m excited. I love our little family.

Back to Normal Life

It’s Chris’ first day of school today. It’s always kind of exciting to start a new year and yet I know it’s going to be a lot of work for Chris. We really enjoyed all the time we were able to spend together. Last week after Chris’ mom and grandparents left we had a good couple days to organize, clean and play.

Grandpa Polley Died

On Wednesday morning I found out my Grandpa, Foster Ward Polley died. (August 18, 1999) He has had cancer for a while now. A tumor... in his brain. It affected his memory and speech. He couldn’t remember what a pencil was or how to tell time. Pretty soon he couldn’t remember my grandma’s name. It was hard to think of my grandpa like that. I remember him sitting in his big armchair watching TV or reading a novel, wearing overalls or work clothes, and working in the shop. He was so nice. ...I cried for a long time and my mom cried telling me. The funeral is today. My family is there in Las Vegas - they left as quickly as they could. I really wish I could be there with everyone. My poor grandma... this must be so hard for her. As for my grandpa, I’m sure he is happy. His mind is clear now. Probably clearer than it ever was. I’m sure he is watching down on his family as they remember him today. Perhaps he has even seen my little boy Ryan. Maybe he has even met my unborn children. I’m so grateful for my eternal family... and pray that we will live righteously in order to be with each other after we leave this world.

Back to Normal Life

It’s Chris’ first day of school today. It’s always kind of exciting to start a new year and yet I know it’s going to be a lot of work for Chris. We really enjoyed all the time we were able to spend together. Last week after Chris’ mom and grandparents left we had a good couple days to organize, clean and play.

On Thursday was Chris’ welcome back/orientation. I met him at lunchtime and we took our sponsorees out for lunch to a Japanese restaurant where they cook right in front of you. It was so yummy. We went with the DiMartini’s and Jared Chugg and Mark Childress and their sponsorees. After lunch Chris got his second year med school books... even more than last year... while I visited with Deanne and Riley O’Brien. They moved to Bethesda... we’re going to miss them in our ward. Ryan and I stuck around to watch the welcoming ceremony and then went to the little ‘reception’ and ate.

Camping with the Chuggs, Jacksons, Carlsons and DeMartinis

Friday morning we took off to go camping at the Navy Recreation Center south of DC. Chris and I love to be the hosts. We organized the whole thing and made all the dutch oven food. We swam and played by the ocean, played games and did lots of visiting. It was really fun!. I love just sitting outside in the dark talking to friends. We feel lucky to have so many good friends around here.

I am very very anxious to have another baby. Chris and I have started trying. I think I will be devastated if I’m not pregnant this month. I know I need to be patient and understanding and that everything will happen when it’s supposed to, but it just seems like it will be perfect timing. I guess we’ll just wait and see. I really want a girl but I will be happy if it’s a boy so Ryan and he will become good friends.

Dinner with Derek and Mary Seaquist

Last night we had Derek and Mary Seaquist over for dinner. They are just moving into our ward. They seem really nice. They were impressed with the house and my cooking... and the fact that I do scrapbooks. She’s totally into it as well.

Time with the Chuggs

Then we called Chuggs over to watch Goonies and do a puzzle together. Ryan is so cute with Carter. He always bends down to see him in his carseat and then wants to give him hugs. Last night Jared let him hold Carter and he looked like he felt so ‘older brothery’. It was SO precious... we took pictures.