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)

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