Good Morning from Orcas Island

We arrived! We are on beautiful Orcas Island for our neighbors' wedding. Julie Hendricks and Chris Myers have been our neighbors for almost 2 years now - since we moved in to our Seattle home. They are both wonderful, and we've enjoyed getting to know them. We were excited to be invited to thier intimate wedding here on Orcas Island, the biggest of the San Juan Islands about 1 1/2 hour hours ferry ride from Anacortes, WA.

Yesterday, we hit the road for our first official family vacation. Even though we arrived at the ferry terminal 1 hour early, we were too far back in line for the 3:30 ferry. Oh well, we just hung out and each took a couple naps in the car. Then we were off! We saw the gorgeous sunset when we arrived at West Beach Resort. http://www.westbeachresort.com/ We are in a quaint cabin with large picture windows overlooking the ocean and surrounding islands. There are pine trees, campfire pits, a hot tub, and gorgeous views. We got here late, so the owners left our cabin door open, and a note at the front door to welcome us. They left a nice crib in the cabin for Abby to sleep in, and boy! did she sleep well....really deeply! Brian lit a camp fire, and he and I ate delicious burgers and fries by the fire, while Abby slept inside, saranaded by the croaking frogs.

This morning, as I fed Abby in the early morning light, I was filled with joy and happiness, looking out the windows at the water. Abby woke up happy and rested and was looking out the windows with a quiet joy spread across her face. We are so impressed by this little slice of heaven, we are planning week long vacations here in the future. Today we plan to try clamming for the first time...maybe next time we'll go crabbing. At 4 today, we'll go to the wedding on the beach and get to know our friends' family and friends. Tomorrow, we plan to go on a 8 mile hike up Mt Constitution - http://sanjuanislands.kulshan.com/Washington/East_Sound/Outdoors/Mt._Constitution.htm

We'll have some videos and pictures up as soon as we can next week, but it might be a little tough. Brian is starting back to work this Tuesday. I know he'll be sad to leave Abby. He'll know the heart sickness I feel when I leave her in the morning and the utter joy of returning home in the evening to see her again. I think it will be a little hard for both of us to leave her with someone else, but this is a necessary step for her and us. We trust our nanny Jerri, and we are happy she will be spending her days with her little friend Tatum.

-Diana