nomadic tipi's and snoqualmie falls...

Our weekend was a success! Such a beautiful place. Bobby picked me up after school on Saturday and from there we headed to North Bend to the Log Cabin Bed & Breakfast
where we reserved a majestic tipi that's nestled next to the Snoqualmie River. 

We drove down a long gravel road to get to the main house, a log cabin, where we were anxiously awaited by the family who owns the bed & breakfast. They were just as excited for us to be there as we were and apparently we were the first tipi reservation of the season. We were handed a welcome basket full of coffee, water bottles, hot chocolate and other small necessities. From there on we were pretty much on our own to make ourselves at home. We were okay with that! 

Our tipi was the red one that sat first on the property and the one I was praying for! Beside our tipi was a picnic bench set up to be our little kitchen area complete with a stove/oven and all the pot & pans we needed for cooking. The fire pit was between our tipi and the river so we faced our camping chairs so that we were looking out onto the flowing clear blue water. Firewood was at our disposal with axes laid out for us to us. Bobby enjoyed pretending to be a lumberjack, chopping away at the logs. Our first night we spent sitting by the fire and enjoying the soothing sounds of nature and even played a game of Scrabble. 

The inside of our tipi was simple which made it so peaceful to be in. Inside was a full sized log bed, handmade by the gentleman who owns the bed & breakfast, a table and another fire pit! That's right we were able to have a rolling fire to warm us during the night while we slept. In case you're wondering the top of the tipi open just enough to make it so that we could have a fire yet keep the rain out just enough. I loved it! We were a little smoked by the end of the weekend and our things had a slight layer of ash on them but it was part of the experience and I really wouldn't of changed it for anything. Having a blazing fire as we snuggled in bed put us right to sleep and we both slept like babies. 

Sunday morning we woke up early, well, I woke up early to make breakfast and make a cup of coffee in my french press and as soon as our tummies were full we heading up to Snoqualmie Falls. Snoqualmie Falls is dear to our hearts since it was the place we said "I Do". At the time of our wedding the trails were closed down due to renovations so were weren't able to climb to the bottom of the falls. Since then it has reopened and we wanted to make a point to adventure down to the bottom of the falls. It was a beautiful little hike. 

It was an amazing weekend and we highly recommend the bed & breakfast to anyone who is looking for a tranquil experience. They offer actual log cabins as well as big tents. The tipi's are fun and I hope to do it again but maybe bring Sebastian along! 

xoxo. 

on my soul mate...

This day three years ago, I stood just a short distance away from a beautiful waterfall underneath a typical Pacific Northwest sort of sky and married my soul mate. 

Marriage is such a complex thing, so much more than I would have ever imagined. It's more than love and trust. It's deeper, a more internal connection that runs down into the center of our hearts. Even though Bobby and I have only been married three years we've been together almost eight so there was a good chunk of time spent working on ourselves individually but at the same time becoming one. Whenever I have conversations with others about marriage, typically people who aren't married, I always end up telling them that it's a lot of work. It's not easy and the sooner that you realize it the quicker you can start flourishing into better people. 

Teamwork is probably the most key quality in a marriage. If you don't have teamwork then things fall apart. I'm lucky because Bobby and I have been able to really utilize teamwork. It's been something that in our relationship that has grown the most. It makes things easier when the person you share your life with is right there with you helping and planning the next move.

We're no where near perfect but I can say that we've grown since day one and our growth has made us better people and parents. It's truly amazing to have someone who completes me in every way. Sharing my dreams with him as well as him sharing his with me and us working together to do whatever it takes to make those happen is without a doubt the best feeling in the world, it makes me literally feel like I can do anything.

Don't get me wrong we drive each other crazy but that's just nature keeping things in balance! 

This year for our anniversary we wanted to get away for a few days. With me being in school and living at my father's we rarely have anytime together (if you know what I'm saying!). Saturday after school we'll be heading to spend a few days camping and hiking near Snoqualmie Falls. When you think of camping you probably think-- tent with sleeping bags. Fair thought, however we won't be pitching a tent because actually we'll be sleeping inside a real TIPI right next to the Snoqualmie river!! I found the coolest Bed & Breakfast where they have authentic tipi's set up along their property fully furnished with a bed along with cooking supplies and firewood. We couldn't say no. It's going to be a fun experience and something different, and we all know I love to do things out of the ordinary. 

Happy Anniversary to us! xoxo

on seven years...

Today, seven years ago I met my husband. I flew from Seattle to Philadelphia and bumped into him at the airport for the first time. Love at first sight is a real thing! I experienced it back on that day and every since, our love has been stronger than ever. Many people doubted what we had and I know both of us had people in our lives at the time that didn't think we would last (both family & friends) but we proved everyone wrong. I'm a big believer in fate and I still to this day believe that the Universe brought Bobby and I together for a reason. We were put on this earth to be together so that we do great things. I love him to death and can't wait for another seven years! CHEERS to us :) 

xoxo.

on a celebration in NYC...

Yesterday, Bobby and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary! Okay, so it feels way longer than 2 year because, well, we've been together way longer and have accomplished even more but it's still a fun thing to celebrate. We took a bus up to NYC for the day and walked around Times Square and Central Park. It was a whopping 80 degrees with a slight breeze but you know it always feels so much hotter when walking on blacktop. 

We had a nice relaxing walk, hand in hand, around Central Park and just sat around enjoying the day. I don't know how long it's been since we had a day like this, just us of two being together. Nothing else. Boy, was it good for the soul. 

After walking a bit more with some site seeing and window shopping we had a nice late lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Bobby was totally into it with all the instruments and music/music videos that were playing the whole time we ate. It was fun to hear such a wide variety of music in one place. Super cool! 

All in all, it was a great day. Love my husband and excited for the next two years :) 

on one year...

Can't believe it's been ONE year already! We had a lovely time in Maryland this past weekend. The weather was beautiful and our stay at The Sandaway B & B was top notch. I would love to go again. 

We arrived on Friday a bit early and decided to take a trip on the ferry over to St. Michaels to have a look around plus grab a bit to eat. 

We ended up eating at a place called Big Pickle. Such a cute little restaurant which were famous for their fried pickles! I had a genuine Maryland cream of crab soup for lunch. Speaking of crab, I think Bobby and I ate crab in most every meal we had in Maryland. Crab dip. Crab cakes. Cake soup. Crab pasta!! You can call me "crabby anny". Just kidding. Don't. 

The B & B was much more than I had expect. My in laws were the ones who recommended Sandaway after staying there last year and for some reason the vision in my mind did not do justice! 

We ended up getting one of the bigger rooms and so it wasn't right in the main house. Even though we chose to have that sort of experience it was still nice to sort of be spread out and not all be the same house. If you get what I'm hinting at ;) 

 The second photo up was the main house. The photo above is where we stayed which was just right next to the main house. We were on the lower level with a screened in porch. It was so lovely to sit out there in the evening and watching the sun go down. You could even see the bay just by laying in bed! To. Die. For.

 My favorite part of our stay was the sailboats. There were so many on the water that weekend and it was so beautiful watching them glide on the sparkly water.

Saturday we splurged on a kayak rental for 24 hours. We packed a picnic and heading out on the bay in the afternoon. We spent a good four hours out exploring the water. Have you ever been kayaking?? Not as easy as it may look! It was a work out man! Oh and let's not forget about the sun burn...ouch!

I was even able to wake Bobby up early on Sunday (our last day) to take one last kayak ride on the bay. It was hard but I did it! Sipping on some coffee on a kayak in the bay...not something you do everyday :D 

All in all, the weekend away with my husband of one year was nothing short of amazing! It was peaceful and relaxing and fun! We did miss our little boy but it help knowing he was in good hand. Thanks to my wonderful in laws :)

ps: fun fact-- our room had it's own guess book and after going through it one night guess who I found? Mother-in-law and father-in-law. Yep we stayed in the same room. How funny is that. haha.

♥A. 

on five years...

Here is the photo of the day. It's a crack up :)

Yes, this is our joyous leap into five years. Today was fun but most of all it was just a nice day to our selves. We started the day out at Cafe L'aube. A small hole in the wall on South Street. I actually found this little cafe on yelp.com, which by the way is an awesome source to use when searching for restaurants & their reviews. Bobby and I were sold when we read that they serve fancy french crepes! 

 Coffee was first to be ordered! After pondering the menu we both got right to ordering our crepes from a very pretty middle-aged french lady named Alexandra :) She was a gem, made our crepes with love and also wasn't shy when I asked to take a picture of her. Both of us picked a savory crepe. Bobby ordered the Classique: ham, cheese & mushrooms. and I had the Prefere: bacon, swiss cheese & leeks. Although on the plate it looked like nothing at all I assure you the aroma and taste was nothing you would of imagined. It filled both of us to the brim. I hope to visit again and soon!!


Next we head over to the Philadelphia Art Museum. We were bummed to find out earlier this week that the museum is closed on Mondays. Even so we still wanted to walk up those famous steps and just have a gander at the area. In the end we had more fun than we intended :) 

 Before lunch I dragged Bobby to the one place I absolutely had to stop into-- Anthropologie! It's as marvelous as I imagined. I was drooling over so many beautiful things. That store is even better than online.

Lunch was a recommendation from a co-worker of the MIL's. Parc in Rittenhouse Square. It turned out it was a very happenin' place!

 The menu had an assortment of fancy & casual foods. Today we went with casual and simple sandwiches. I got the Chicken Cobb and Bobby got the Cheeseburger. Food was great. People were nice. The structure itself had me giddy with all it's vintage french furniture and lighting. Very chic.
That was our day. I have a happy heart. And so thankful for this day five years ago for it turned into something that I can't imagine being without. A man who means the world to me, treats me like a queen and most of all the best father.

♥A