Goodbye 5 Vista Drive

After almost eight years on the property Nate bought before we even started dating, we are saying goodbye to our home on 5 Vista Dr. It has sold which means we are moving into a rental while we plan and build the next home on 5 acres we own down the road a little way. As we've boxed and packed this week, we have taken special notice of the things we love: the views, the claw foot tub and shower in the master bath, the huge island in the kitchen, the trees we've planted and nurtured, the den filled with most of Nate's hunting and fishing photos and mounts, and the list could go on. Of course, the many memories we've made over the years with family and friends in this space will go with us! A few pics from over the years as the house has changed...

The house mostly as it looks today; the landscaping was definitely the biggest learning curve for us.
Nate built a deck, planters, fences, garden beds and more over the years.
Of course, this will always hold a special place in our hearts as we brought Claire home from the hospital here.
Hem was just a pup when we moved in, and now he spends most of his time sleeping on the front porch.
In the initial stages of construction...

We are excited for the next step, but I had to take a moment to reflect on what a wonderful place to live this has been and what an amazing job Nate did with planning and building it!

Grandpa Lagerwey's 70th Birthday

We spent the long 4th of July weekend in Washington to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday with the entire Lagerwey clan. Nate decided to come at the last minute, which saved me from having to make the 12 hour drive alone with Claire. (Thanks, Babe!) We like to leave early, i.e. 4 AM, to try to get some of the drive underway while she is still sleeping, and though Claire didn't go back to sleep at 4 AM, she did travel well both there and back! The sunrise through Montana was worth being up that early.

We went over to one of the San Juan Island, Orcas, with my parents to meet my sister Christine and her family who had rented a house there for a week. We were able to explore the island, bike a little, and enjoy the beautiful views.
The grandkids know Grandpa is always good for a bowl of ice cream!
Claire enjoyed the 4th of July parade in Eastsound, especially all the candy thrown to these two cuties!
Nate challenged my niece Alyssa to a dip in the Puget Sound, and she took him up on it! Brrr.
My sister Kari and her husband Jason hosted us at their restaurant in La Conner to watch the fireworks from the deck. It's one of the best seats I've ever had to see a fireworks display.
The big party on the 4th...Grandpa was a good sport with lots of gag gifts and quite a bit of a chaos that comes with 14 grandkids, 5 kids and spouses, and a few miscellaneous friends and other family members.
At the end of the night...a family pic around the campfire. It was a quick trip, but some great weather, wonderful meals, biking, and Claire was kept busy keeping up with all the cousins!