The First of Many Firsts for ME!!!!

So, a last minute change of plans occurred yesterday, saving from the odious chore of doing a TON of laundry. So, that was fun. Since going back to school I have learned not to procrastinate, but this time, I made an exception. After all, missionaries were involved so it was for a righteous cause (and yes, that is MAJOR justification). It's the honest truth!

While Dad was out walking the dog, he came across a couple young men that we've become very familiar with over the past week. The Elders approached Dad, asking if we were available to assist them in a transportation need. Now, under normal circumstances, this is a no brainer. Our response is "Sure, we'd love to!!!" However, being in a completely unfamiliar area, we were a little more reticent, though still excited to help them. The answer of "Sure, where to?" soon followed.

When the time came for us to leave, these fabulous young men enlightened us as to a fun place to visit. And, it is a place that would give me an opportunity for a first ever adventure---to leave the country! Okay, so it was only Canada, but still...that's a different country-so it totally counts! Even if i did only go about 100 yeards into Canada, it still totally counts!

So, we had fun at Peace Arch State Park, which is literally smack dab on the international border. Here, in an extremely limited range, Americans and Canadians can cross the border without any type of passport, Enhanced Driver's License, Birth Certificate, etc. Soooo stinkin' awesome. We loved it. So, hope you are able to enjoy another first of mine-an attempt at a slide show! We had so much fun, but in the end, I ran back across the border, glad to return to my native land!

The Adventure of Lake Padden (Park)

So, we went on yet another mini adventure yesterday. The lake we visited is the farthest we've had to travel to on one of our little "acclimatization trips." It was a whole twelve miles away, and it was so fun! Lake Padden is a local favorite for fishing rainbow trout. So, hence, one of Dad's local favorite spots now too. It was fun to hike around it for a couple miles and see views such as this.


And, just so you can see, Dad is already thrilled with the place, and he hasn't even fished it yet!














While on our little hiking escapade in what seemed to be the Forrest Primeval, we came across this little bridge that spanned a mountain stream









that became this on the other side.














Our only regret was that we didn't bring any breadcrumbs for these fearless critters.













So they wound up deserting us for this.













So, we learned a couple lessons on this little adventure. Next time we come, bring

1.)A LOT of breadcrumbs for the masses of ducks, and
2.)Fishing poles!

It was a fun little trip, and we still can't believe that places like this are real. I wish we'd remembered to take our cameras, because then you could have seen how vibrant everything was, even in Winter. As it was though, I was once again thankful for my phone since it allowed me to capture what you've seen. Hope one day, you can all see it in person!!!!

We Live Here Now---Adventure #1

DISCLAIMER: This is a long post because I don't know how to do the slide shows! One day I'll learn and then these will be more manageable to read. But until then-please accept my apology for being a blogging dunce.

So, remember the awe I mentioned in the previous post-this place captures it in its entirety. The RS President of Mom and Dad's ward mentioned the little treasure trove to us when she stopped by to visit yesterday, and we decided to take an unpacking break and head out to see it. With the help of Pam Dickie (???) and my handy dandy phone (it has GPS), we hit the road.

When we arrived at this place, all of us had teers in our eyes. Dad may say he hates the water, but I've come to the conclusion that is true only if he has to be IN it. Even he welled up as we took our first glance at the wonder that is Boulevard Park. This place is literally about 15 minutes from the apartment. UNBELIEVEABLE.

Welcome to the San Juan Islands. Visible here is Lummi Island with Orcas behind it. These are the islands where I hope to work once my degree is obtained. I cannot describe the feelings I had as I looked head on at what has been my dream since I was ten years old. But I can promise, I was not dry-eyed.

Aren't they soooo cute???? It is neat to see Dad as happy as I've seen him in a REALLY long time. And Mom, while freezing, is completely enchanted as well. I LOVE it. This was the first time since we left that we weren't teery because we missed our Drapers.

"My island" to quote Braveheart. Well, a couple of them anyway. One day soon that will be our adventure. No more distance pictures. We'll take a little ferry ride over there. CANNOT wait!

The water is really clear. Believe it or not, there's about eight or nine feet of water on top of those rocks.

I couldn't be that close and not let all of my senses be indulged (okay---I didn't taste it, but I did see, hear, and smell, so touching had to happen too)!

LOVE this picture of Dad. The pier I enjoyed walking. It was such a beautiful day! I couldn't resist. After all, I can walk long distances and still be able to breathe here. I so don't take that miracle for granted and am determined to enjoy every opportunity available.

As Dad said, "Super cool barnacled rock!"

Man I loved this place. And for those of you who aren't near an ocean or have never heard the sound that I constantly lamented missing...this video is for you. Ignore the supreme nerd narrating, and just listen to the music of Puget Sound.

What's THAT?????

The morning started off with a jubilant Mom exclaiming, "Rachael, wake up wake up WAKE UP! You've got to see this." And she comes rushing into my box littered room to open the blinds of my bedroom window to THIS----

Having been deprived of such beauty for entirely too long, I jumped out of bed and started bounding around nearly as ecstatically as Mom. Being the new resident/tourist of this Winter Wonderland, of course I had to snap photos. It was just too beautiful. And thus the phrase, "We live here now" was born. And whenever we see something awe inspiring or staggering to our deprived TX senses, the phrase is uttered. Ah, it is a wonderful life indeed. Hope you all can enjoy our novelty but what probably resembles your boredom in the photos below.

Our "backyard."

Ceaser paws---he kind of likes the snow. It's silly.

Our magnolia tree. Can't wait until it blooms just outside our dining room window!

So, there you have it. I had to remind myself that snow really isn't the anomaly it's become over the past two decades of my life.

In Transit Vacation

So, we are now in our new apartment in Bellingham...2,400 miles later. And what an amazing and special (in its many contexts) trek it was. But, our greatest treasure along the way was taking a little two day break in Orem with Aaron, Eliza, and their precious kids. While there, we were treated like royalty, so...while there are no words to express our gratitude to the Cothrans for letting us have a brief reprieve from the moving truck...THANKS A MILLION! We truly loved it and look forward to making many more fun memories together.

Among the highlights of that trip, I was able to catch up with some old friends (including some FABULOUS former TSAMers-it was great to see Clark and his girlie, Stefan---a.k.a. Elder Gardner, now affectionately dubbed "Guns"---and Kel, a.k.a Sister Brown). Seeing my wonderful Haley after three years was AMAZING and spending a couple hours with Alex was also delightful.

But to put the icing on that rather large cake (literally and figuratively), Eliza baked this divine cake for Mom to celebrate her birthday. So, we enjoyed that along with a little party. Thanks again Cothrans. We love you all tons!
HAPPY 62nd Birthday MOM!!!!!!