Family Vacation: Seattle + Whidbey Island

Before Dallin turned one, we wanted to sneak in a family vacation by using the last week of paternity leave that Austin had left. We decided to do a local one as we still have a young baby and this would be our first trip together (besides seeing family on holidays) and so we decided to start out small and build from there.

First it started with Austin doing too much for me on Mother's Day from a card complete with Dallin's footprints (yes Austin painted his foot while I was talking on the phone no less!) and flowers and the most delicious meal. It was roasted slivered almonds, kale, and cauliflower topped with lemony pasta. From the Love Real Food Cookbook. It's now Austin's signature dish and I might be asking it more often.

Monday we headed to Discovery Park in Seattle. This reminded us a lot of St. Edward's where it's just endless trails. We found our way to the beach overlooking the Puget Sound. Dallin had his fair share of sand and we saw it later in his diaper. The park also had a great playground where we had fun on the zipline.

That night, Austin treated himself by going to the newest Avengers movie. I am not up to date on those Marvel movies but he gladly told me all about it once he got home.

Tuesday we went to the Pacific Science Center. Austin gets a free pass for him a three guests because he works for PSE so we only had to pay for parking. The virtual reality was the new exhibit which was very cool.

Wednesday we left early in the morning so we could go to Anacortes and see Washington State Park.  It was an absolute gorgeous day (we really got lucky with nice cool weather all week) and we just basked in the beauty surrounding us. I love the PNW so much.

I think my favorite part of these trail walks is that's when Austin and I have our best conversations. Sometimes deep, sometimes surface level but I always come away feeling so lucky to being married to him.

We grabbed lunch at Coconut Kenny's for their delicious pizzas and then headed to Deception Pass. We got to hike to the bridge and even though we started walking on it, I definitely chickened out. I do not do heights well! Afterwards we headed down to the beach area where Dallin discovered rocks and attempted to eat all of them.

We arrived in Coupeville late afternoon and settled into our cute airbnb.

Thursday we headed out semi early to see Ebey's Landing. One of my favorite places. It was secluded and just as you get to the top of the hill, you're met with this incredible view of the water and wildflowers and you felt you walked in Anne of Green Gables' world.

Fort Casey was not too far and we got to see where military personnel in 1940's practiced shooting targets and depending the Puget Sound. We got to climb all over the 'fortress' and it felt like you were in this prison. We learned a little bit more of the history when we went to the lighthouse on the corner of the fort.

Before we ended the day we had to go to Greenbank to get their famous pies-we got a loganberry one. It did not disappoint!

Oh and when we got back to Coupeville we also ventured downtown and got ice cream before dinner. #winningatlife I heard it was famous as well but honestly it tasted just like Tillamook (which is a good thing!)



But we did get some thai food after the ice cream sort of settled and it was delicious as well. I loved the small town feel and just strolling all over.

What I'm going to remember is usually what I didn't quite capture in pictures which were Austin getting Dallin in all his tickle spots and getting him riled up before bedtime. Reading each evening for hours (pure bliss!), spotting more deer than I could count, Austin getting excited for every bald eagle we saw, and the military jets that would test flight at 10PM but then finding it cool when we got to see them soft land and shoot back up and do practice circles in the air while we were driving.

Funny/crazy moment was when we were heading back home about to catch the ferry in Clinton. Dallin has been teething all week and had rough time taking naps all week so he was not happy in his car seat on the way to Clinton. I just figured he was super tired but then all of sudden we smell his nasty poopy diaper. We pull over to get gas and we thought and hoped it would be a quick change but it was probably the poopiest diaper we've seen yet. Of course! And we ran out of wipes because I thought we could make it home before they ran out and so I run into the gas station and buy toilet paper. And then Austin has to wait till we get to the ferry to wash his hands because the gas station only has a port a potty. It was comical afterwards! Probably not the best way Austin wanted to spend his birthday but he is such a trooper. He pretty much takes over when he's home by changing diapers and getting him ready for bed and cleaning him off after dinner. I seriously married the best of the best!