Merry Christmas From Our Island Home to You!

When thinking back on the past year, a lot of changes have taken place in our family. I, in particular, used to be very afraid of change but have learned through experience that it is a wonderful and necessary part of life. Had someone told me two years ago at Christmas that our family would be moving across the country, buying a boat, getting a dog or two, buying a house, becoming a family in the Navy, learning to crab (huge dungeness crabs I might add), changing jobs and in turn changing grade levels, living so close to British Columbia that we see their license plates everywhere, making new and amazing friendships, learning to knit, having the Seattle Seahawks as one of our top favorite football teams, learning how to use a gun (Robert becoming a very good marksman), and considering an ISLAND home...I would have laughed at how insane it sounded. Now, I can't imagine our life without these changes and love the marriage that we have because we made these big changes together. 

Looking back over the past year, our family has gone through some amazing adventures as well as some challenging times. We started off 2013 by adopting our Fannie, an eight year old female goldendoodle. She quickly became Bentley's first love and best friend. She fit perfectly with our family and loved rough housing with Bentley. You would have never guessed she had breast cancer and after being a fighter, would pass within the year. Throughout the winter we had close friends visit, we celebrated our birthdays, I started taking adult ballet lessons and Robert gained more experience at the shooting range. 

In the spring, we had more visitors followed by a skiing trip to Whistler, BC. Robert was eager to ski the mountains and I was just trying not to fall. You would think I would have more confidence given that I started skiing at the age of 3 in Buffalo, NY but after a bad accident my fear got the best of me. Nonetheless, it was a great chance for me to conquer my fears and for Robert to have actual snow and huge mountains to ski down. When May hit we toured the Western Washington Tulip Festival, started taking the boat out, I visited the Woodland Park Zoo with my second graders, we traveled to many wineries, went on some hikes with the pups, and started to look at new places to live. 

By June we had found a house, the same day we saw it we put an offer in and bought it, and by the end of the month we had moved in. Within two weeks we (Robert and I) did a complete renovation and remodel of the guest bathroom and after long hours and hard labor it looks amazing! In July Fannie's cancer took a turn for the worst and we had to let her go. She went on one last boat ride, gave Bentley one last kiss, cuddled with us one last time, and left us with beautiful memories. Luckily, mom and dad were here to entertain Bentley and we had a fabulous time taking them out on the boat and crabbing. Even mom, Jewell Lee Thacher, was brave enough to catch and touch the dungeness crabs. 

In August we had our first trip back to the east coast in over a year to visit with family and friends, took the boat out for more salmon fishing and crabbing and school resumed. In early September Robert caught his first salmon on Whidbey and continued to catch more. In October I visited my beautiful baby niece Sofie who was only two weeks old, Robert and I attended our first Navy Ball, and we adopted a second female goldendoodle. Crissi Crawford was Fannie's only remaining sister and was in need of a new home so without much hesitation we decided to adopt her. We knew she was meant for us and has quickly become Bentley's best friend and confidant. Funny enough, she lays in the same places Fannie did and has the same little quirks that our Fannie had. 

The rest of the fall was spent taking the boat out, attending my best friend's wedding at home in PA, being busy at work, taking another trip to Whistler, BC with friends, having close friends from JMU visit for Thanksgiving, keeping up with my book club, knitting, trying to improve my photography skills and wake up early enough for the beautiful sunrises we have on the island, and Robert continuing to improve at his shooting competitions.

Now, we are preparing for our upcoming Christmas vacation to Mt. Hood, Oregon. We plan to take snowboarding lessons, ski, explore Mt. Hood and the Dalles, enjoy our Christmas Eve Sleigh ride, and moonlight snowshoe while taking lots of photos. Mainly, we plan to relax and enjoy our time together.

While we don't know what the year 2014 will bring, we can predict that for our family, a lot of exciting adventures lay ahead.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your 2014 be filled with love, health, and happiness.