We Made It!

Matt and I were married in December 2007. Two days after returning from our honeymoon, we packed up and moved to the Great White North. Now, after four and a half years of marriage and two kids in beautiful Squamish, BC, we're back in the States as foreigners in our homeland.

Last Wednesday, Matt's mother arrived to bring me and the kids to her home in Granite Falls, Washington while Matt stayed back to pack the truck with help from some friends. The kids were great on the four-hour drive, and the border was a breeze.

We packed this car, AKA BOB (the Bright Orange Beacon), like a can of sardines! 

Matt's mom, Marty, and her husband, Dale (affectionately known as Mimi and Papa) have a cabin home on Canyon Creek. This will be our temporary home as we transition to Oregon, and we are in love with this powerful gush in our backyard-- so incredible!

Kiel has been in boy heaven playing on the riverbank and we take him out every chance we get!

Matt arrived in Granite on Saturday and we were all head-over-heels delighted to be reunited! Three days apart felt like an eternity. Many hours down by the river commenced!

"Pretty please throw my ball?" 

On Sunday morning, we went to the Foursquare Church in Granite. The kids behaved excellently! We then headed home for a hot dog and marshmallow roast in the backyard. It was sunny with a high of 75F and we couldn't have asked for a better spot to enjoy it!

Eva, 7.5 months, soaking up some spring sun.

Afterwards, Matt and I did some shopping around Kirkland, so excited to see our old stomping grounds. I literally cried driving by our first home in Juanita. Then we all met up at Gigi's (Great Grandma Miriam) house in Bothell for family dinner. Matt's sister Janna and her fiancé Andrew came up. And Aunt Joanie and Uncle Lee came by for a visit and to meet their great grand nephew and niece for the very first time. It was a great evening with a dash of crazy thrown in, with kids running every which way and stories flying. We are so thankful to be surrounded by family again and are very much looking forward to spending time with them and getting some much needed rest here in Washington! 

Lastly, here's a pic of the private cabin where Matt and I are honeymooning during our stay in Granite, while our kids sleep in the main house. 

Pretty sweet, right?!? It's a snug fit, but we are so enjoying our private little abode. 

Kiel and one of his Squamish besties, Catriona. 

That's all for now! We already miss Squamish and our friends there tremendously but are thankful for all the good gifts we are finding here in WA and are excited to see where God is taking us!