Charlotte Lee Crawford, our little Slurpee due 7.11.14

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted. The past few months have been extremely busy, but incredibly exciting. In early November we found out we were pregnant but wanted to wait until we were past the "danger" zone to even mention it to family and friends. We already had a Christmas trip to Mt. Hood, Oregon planned, but decided to cut the trip early and book a surprise flight home New Years Day. After flying into Philly and renting a car (all of which was VERY hard to keep a secret from Mom as we talk each day and she is very good at asking questions) we showed up at my parents doorstep. Dad just stared at the door in disbelief and mom screamed in surprise. Little did they know, the only surprise wasn't that we just stopped in from WA State for the holidays, but that they had a grand baby on the way. I had created a calendar to give the parents as a gift and used Charlotte's ultrasound picture for the month of July. It took them some time to process who was in the photo and when they did you could hear screams of joy. The next day we jumped in the car and drove down to Richmond to surprise Robert's parents and family as well who were also very surprised and overjoyed with the news! Once we told family, we were able to call and visit with close friends. I told my students the news through a personal story that week and they can't wait to meet her. Everyday they say goodbye to me first and then give hugs to Charlotte Lee.


Robert has done a wonderful job painting and prepping Charlotte's room and we already set up her crib and changing table along with her rocker/glider so all that is left is small decorations. He has also changed out all the light fixtures, added new blinds (blackout ones)  and new window fixings. In addition to celebrating our birthdays in the month of February, we had a gender reveal party with close friends here and were shocked but overjoyed to find that Baby Crawford was a girl. I had multiple dreams about a little boy and only one about a little girl, but the one I had about a little girl was very vivid so I guess it was a sign! Luckily we already had a name for a boy, Thacher (my maiden name and one that we plan to eventually pass down) and a name for a girl, Charlotte Lee so either way we were prepared. I have always loved the name Charlotte as it is classic and reminds me of our southern roots and when I brought it up to Robert back in November he liked it because they had a family friend named Charlotte who happens to be a teacher. A huge plus was that I have never had a student named Charlotte, nonetheless a wild one, so it was a "GO" in my book. Charlotte's middle name, Lee, is my middle name as well as my mom's so I wanted to make sure we passed on the tradition. I know Robert will be an incredible father to a little girl and I have a feeling she will fall in love with him the same way I did. Charlotte already has a closet full of adorable little girls clothes and has a habit of kicking my bladder during the school day. Bentley and Crissi are also excited to have another little woman in the house soon. One of our goals is to teach her how to ride Bentley so we are working on creating a harness ;)


I am continuing to teach second grade, but have also started a second job with Pearson. The great thing is that my job with Pearson is all online and I am hoping to continue with this telecommuting opportunity over the next year. I, we, made the decision to not return to teaching next year for a multitude of reasons, but mainly because I want to be home with Charlotte. Also, being military, you never know when and where you will leaving and for us it is looking like we are moving sooner than later.

Being pregnant hasn't changed how active we are though! We had a fun-filled trip to Oregon where Robert learned how to snowboard, we went on hikes through the Mt. Hood forest areas, we took a carriage ride, and were supposed to midnight snowshoe but the weather did not allow it. We recently went snowshoeing at Mt. Baker and it was simply stunning, but certainly challenging with high winds and snow in your face the majority of the time. Robert has been skiing a couple of times with friends as well up at Whistler, BC and Mt. Baker so he continues to take advantage of our big and beautiful mountains.

On a random note,  we were recently asked to audition for Wheel of Fortune.  Auditions were in Seattle and we had NO idea what to expect. There were about 60 people at the beginning and after a simulated game and 5 minutes to solve HARD puzzles the group was cut down to about 19. We both made it through those cuts and were asked to go through another more intense game and we passed again. We had our photo taken as a couple and were told that in the next two weeks, if we receive a letter, we made it to the show and will need to book a flight to LA to be on Wheel of Fortune. Either way it was a very fun experience, but our fingers are crossed that we get that letter!

***Robert is NOT one to brag, and I have a feeling many members of his family and close friends do NOT know this, but he was awarded "Officer of the Quarter" by his command this past February. I was not the least bit surprised and am so incredibly proud of who is he as a Naval Officer and husband, how he manages his clinic and his strong work ethic. I love to walk through the hospital and visit him because he truly has come to life and has gained such confidence in his abilities and leadership skills since joining the Navy. He will be awarded at an upcoming awards ceremony and his picture will appear in his hometown newspaper so Richmond folks, PLEASE have your eyes out***

Our next big trip is coming home in early April to PA for my east coast family and friends baby shower. We hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the spring and we can't wait for y'all to meet baby Charlotte.

Much Love,
The Crawfords

Still taking pictures of our beautiful home, Whidbey Island

Had the chance to see our niece Sofie while at home for our surprise trip to PA.
Robert's first time meeting the little munchkin. She and Charlotte will only be about 10 months apart!

Had to get her a Seahawks onesie.
After all, she will be born in Washington State.

Bentley and Crissi still love to snuggle and can't wait to meet the new little lady.

18 week bump!

My new piano, a birthday gift from Robert. Charlotte loves when I play and sing. I have a feeling she will be musical, or perhaps I am hopeful!

Robert is ready for walks with Charlotte!

Our baby announcement.

Gender Reveal night...as you can see most of us thought she was a he.
Our little trickster turned out to be a girl!

Views from snowshoeing at Mt. Baker

24 week bump! 

I have to admit, I can't wait to dress her up!
Little girls clothes are so stinking cute.

We have some fabulous friends who helped move the piano!

12 week bump!

Hiking around Mirror Lake

Our profile picture of Charlotte Lee.  She was moving around quite a bit so we are
lucky we finally got a clear photo! I love her button nose.

We still have our little boy Bentley and I have a feeling he will love Charlotte!

Still in shock that Baby C is a SHE

All of the Old Wives Tales--- Charlotte proved them wrong!

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. 

'Tis The Season...to visit with friends and go on vacation!

The Crawford Family has been quite busy these past two months from having friends visit, taking weekend trips, and prepping for Christmas. Oh, and work ;)

We spent the Thanksgiving Holiday with close friends (who visited from miles away) and then spent the weekend in Whistler with more great friends. I was able to travel home to be at my best friend's wedding in Philadelphia and a huge bonus was having some extra time with my niece. The pups have been active and are currently enjoying eating the dead branches from our Christmas tree. Each day the pups become closer and Crissi has certainly found a place in our family. In many ways, she reminds of us Fannie and we feel lucky to have her as part of our family. Bentley certainly enjoys having a sister again and someone to blame things on when there is a "whoops" in the house.

Robert and I have not been out on the boat since September due to the cold, cold weather. However, as soon as the spring hits we will be out fishing and boating around. We finally had time this weekend to set up the house for Christmas and are happy to note it looks great and is completed. Now, we have a lot of prepping and cooking to do for the 35 people we are hosting tomorrow night from Robert's clinic.

Only two more weeks until we leave for our Christmas vacation to Mt. Hood, Oregon and we are very ready for a vacation. On our agenda is: Christmas Eve private sleigh-ride through the mountains and town, midnight snowshoeing, snowboarding lessons (for Robert), a day at the spa for me, snow tubing, hiking, exploring the towns and various waterfalls, and relaxing.

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and finds some time to relax. See y'all in 2014!

Delicious Thanksgiving meal

Sums up our amazing Thanksgiving with great friends!

Finally, we have our Christmas tree

His new favorite toy

They love the truck!

Mt. Baker

Mi Familia (Robert was there in spirit)

I wouldn't be where I am today without my amazing parents.
Definitely makes you realize how important family is when
you don't live next door to them ;)

Blessed to have amazing girlfriends

The beautiful bride and her handsome husband!

Sofie!

Mt. Rainier

Biscuit Bitch in Seattle with these two beautiful women (best biscuits in Seattle)

Bringing HOLIDAY cheer to my classroom

JMU Dukes!

Babies, Navy Ball, and Big Pups

Navy Ball 10.11.13

The month of October quickly crept up on the Crawford Family. We have many new things to celebrate and many exciting things to look forward to. My sister, Lindsey, had her daughter Sofia Caleigh (my new and beautiful niece) and I was lucky to find a cheap flight home and spend a whole 48 hours with her. We also have a new pup in our household, Crissi Crawford, and she happens to be Fannie's only remaining sister. To make a long story short, we informed the breeder of Fannie's passing and they happened to be retiring her sister. We were not looking to adopt another dog, but Fannie had other plans and her sister soon became a Crawford. She is settling in very nicely, but is still getting used to living in a house and not a barn. Crissi reminds us so much of Fannie and she always lays in the same spots that Fannie did. Funny how life works out ;) For the first time in years we actually got dressed up and attended our first Navy Ball. The Navy Fall Ball was created to celebrate the Navy's 238th Birthday! We both enjoyed listening and witnessing the Navy traditions and toasts and being part of something neither of us had experienced before.

Upcoming Attractions for the Crawford Family:
1. NHOH Command Pumpkin Patch (Our house could use some BIG pumpkins)
2. BookClub at our house (Finally have the house in order and boxes put away)
3. Halloween Party (We have yet to find costumes)
4. OHE Reading Night/Robert Poker Night (I get to use my SMARTboard)!!!
5. Knitting, knitting, and knitting (hoping to create something by the New Year)
6. Boating to La Conner for dinner
7. Visit from amazing friends, Amanda and Irina, at Thanksgiving!!!
8. Week at Mount Hood, Oregon (time for snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobiling and relaxing)
9. Heading back to Leavenworth for the Christmas Lighting Festival

The pictures same more than my words at this point so feel free to browse below. Happy Fall Y'all!!!!

Now, we are a family of 12 feet ;)

Best date = my husband and he rocks his
Dinner Dress Blues

I have to admit, I loved being able to dress-up and I loved this dress. I used Rent The Runway, which means I was able to rent a very nice dress for 1/10 of what it cost!

Bentley quickly warmed to Crissi.

Sofia Caleigh Michelini = My beautiful niece

Adoring grandparents (I think they were made for this)!

Mom and daughter

Bentley and Fannie (the week she passed)

She has a very special place in my heart!

Crissi Crawford: Fannie's sister (the resemblance is amazing)