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)

Family snapshots and sunsets through a new view

One of my goals, since moving to the beautiful Washington State, has been to take up photography. We live in such a gorgeous location I mine as well take in the sights around me. Also, I know we will be living in many different locations so having a variety of pictures from our various "homes" is something I plan on passing down and sharing with future generations.

The past three weeks have been filled with prepping the classroom, planning for the classroom, teacher training's, and finally teaching. I have been blessed to have a class of 25 incredibly loving and adorable second grade students. I also have a brand new second grade team and my one team member, who teaches next door to me, happens to be a JMU alumni as well and was in Student Ambassadors at JMU with me. Funny how life works out.  For Robert he has been busy at the Naval Hospital with the end of a fiscal year approaching and a variety of goals still needed to be met.

In our small amount of free time we have taken to the boat for salmon fishing, crabbing, relaxing, and socializing. On our last salmon fishing trip we (Robert and our friends) managed to catch 5 salmon in under 2 hours;) So, salmon is what is for dinner at the Crawford household. I also have taken an interest in photography and am working on developing more photography skills throughout the year (I am not planning on being a professional by any means, but I enjoy the sunsets and scenery). Now, FOOTBALL season is upon us so that will be taking up more Sunday afternoon and evenings as well ;) Bentley has had many trips to the Patmore Pit, a huge and amazingly gorgeous dog park, and has managed to make many friends. Funny enough, we recently met Ruby, a female goldendoodle who shares the same dad as Bentley. She is a couple of months older, but looks very similar and has the same loving and playful personality as our bear.

Upcoming Events:
1. Visit to Mt. Rainier
2. Robert attending his first Washington State football game with our neighbor
3. Boating to La Conner for a fall dinner and boating around in general
4. Attending our first OHHS Football game (a big deal in this town)
5. Big gift for Bentley Bear and for us...arrives end of September (Let's just say Fannie most certainly had a hand in this)
6. I will be making a special trip home to see my soon-to-be-born niece, Sofie (Sofia) Michelini).
7. Salmon Fishing, salmon fishing, and more salmon fishing...possibly finally taking our fly-fishing course
8. Book Clubs and Knitting nights
9. Hoping to see the pumpkins we planted in the backyard soon ;)

"Autumn, the year's last loveliest smile." ~William Bryant 
...Cheers to hoping everyone can enjoy the approaching Autumn...

The closing of another beautiful sunset

He not only puts up with my new photography obsession, but
he looks amazing while doing it ;)

Best date night I have had in a long time

First of five salmon to be caught!

Fog over Deception Pass

One of my favorites

Ginger salmon caught fresh that day!

We have turned him into a fisherdog

Bentley and Ruby

I even brought him into my classroom for the day

The amazing family who looked after and loved Bentley
while we were back on the east coast