The Best of the Bailey's: 2015

We seriously had the most amazing time out on Friday Harbor for Kyle's birthday trip. Every single year we take a trip over winter break for Kyle's birthday, starting way back when we dated. We usually like to go by ourselves but decided that we wanted to include the kids this year now that they have become seasoned travelers. And I'm so glad we did!!

We took the ferry out of Anacortes. The ferry ride in itself was absolutely amazing. We looked at all the surrounding islands and homes on their own personal islands. We dreamed and thought how awesome it would be to have your own nice boat and live out there. The water was so much healthier that far north and reminded us of Alaska.

Although on the way there we did have to enjoy most of the trip from inside, it was a rainy and windy day. None the less we are from the northwest!

We got into Friday Harbor with some time before we were to check in to our cabin. We all had had smoothies for breakfast so we were pretty hungry at this point. We drove all around Friday Harbor I was driving and Kyle checking google while we debated where we wanted to eat. We finally agreed on my pick at this busy, homestyle-looking, cafe. I knew it had to be good since it was packed.

We got in with two hyped up kids. They stuck us in the middle of the room at a table, the only table available. If you have kids then you know a booth is better because then you can trap them inside, and really who doesn't prefer a booth? The waiter came up to us and offered us coloring books and crayons for two kids who couldn't stop wiggling, and really I don't blame them, it was an hour and a half ferry ride! John ordered bacon and fruit, Eliana ordered eggs and toast. Kyle got and amazing chicken wrap, and I ordered the veggie benedict. Our food was amazing and we managed to make it out with only a couple spills and a potty break.

From there we grabbed our lattes that we didn't have time for in the morning. We had to be at our ferry that morning by 9 am and our latte time was taken up by having to return home after forgetting something. So Kyle and I got our coffee and we made our way out to the cabin.

Leaving the small town you immediately hit nature. Trees everywhere, the road is a scenic bypass. We headed to our cabin resort in hopes we would be able to enter early. Not too soon after we left town were we at our destination. The resort was on a hill, all the cabins having a view, and the parking lot on the side, I was a little confused as to where the entrance was. I walked along the path passing beach side cabins and the water. The smell of the air fresh and the chill hitting my face. I walked inside and was greeted nicely. They allowed me to check in hours early before our scheduled check in and I was so incredibly grateful. While the management got my paperwork ready I looked around the store inside. They had t-shirts, some food items, nick-nacks, and a deal on sweaters and shirts. I began looking at these sweaters for kids, they looked to be handmade. They were such a deal that I grabbed one each for the kids and a shirt each for Kyle and I. They took a complementary (and very expensive, local) bottle of wine to our room for Kyle's birthday and gave me our key. I made it back to car, a pep in my step while walking along the same path that now felt familiar instead of uncertain. I was excited to start our vacation while I passed Kyle the bag full of clothes for us. Kyle was excited too that they were letting us check in so early. The kids are so blessed to be along for the journey without having to worry about the details.

We get to our cabin after parking the car. I take the kids inside with the wind at our backs. Kyle unloads everything himself. He is quite literally the best person ever to have on a trip. He takes care of everything, and does it quickly. We are such an efficient team together, we work together seamlessly, knowing what to do before having to speak it into action. Before I know it the cabin is filled with our stuff and the kids are playing with toys in their new room, excited and on an adventure together!

We hung out in the cabin for quite some time, unashamed. We were spending some good money on this cabin and didn't feel the slightest bit guilty for staying inside to enjoy it. It was big with cathedral ceilings, new appliances, a gas fireplace, cable, internet, and we all got our own rooms. It truly was such an incredible place. We had brought Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner and cooked that in the oven. We ate dinner and decided to get out of the cabin for a walk along the water. Not to mention we had wild children in the cabin that needed to burn off some energy.

The kids got awesome snow suits from their Auntie Lauren for Christmas and I was so thankful! They worked perfectly for a cold vacation to the beach!

It started to get dark so after we made the kids run in the small field that was available, we headed back to the beautiful cabin.

We headed back to celebrate Kyle's birthday, he was 30! We had bought a small cake in town after our trip to the cafe. The store had tons of organic and options we only find at health food stores or the coop. It was very impressive. This little cake was perfect.

We didn't have any candles so we used a match!

The kids waited patiently and sang to Daddy.

The kids went to bed so well that night. They really have become seasoned travelers, able to sleep in foreign beds and gain a new routine on the fly. I am so proud of them. Kyle and I spent the evening watching whale videos on youtube through the tv. Kyle loves orca whales and we were researching the area (The San Juan Islands) on where to find the whales. The videos we found were incredible and got us so excited for our adventures the next day.

We woke up after a great nights sleep. The kids did great and everyone was in good spirits. We made bacon and eggs to start our day out right. Kyle enjoyed black coffee complimentary to our stay and it was quite good, again from a local place. Kyle told me to go and take a walk, and take pictures with my (new) camera that has barely seen use. I'm still learning how to use it, that's why the date shows up in the pictures and I have it for a year off the true date!

Walking down from our cabin

These birds were very far away, I was playing with my zoom.

These trees are my favorite trees.

Our cabin

My family greeting me from the window!

Haha! I love it!

Little Ellie edger to join me outside.

The view from our deck.

Kyle had cleaned all the dishes by hand and straightened up the cabin, this man knows how to love me, I adore him.

From there everyone was ready to have an adventure. We spent a good part of our morning inside and enjoying the cabin. We left close to nap time, in hopes that the kids would fall asleep in the car at some point. Loading up the car we headed back out to the scenic bypass. We hit up just about every single park we saw!

John is way out in the distance, already making me nervous!

The tree was their boundary.

Kyle loves the open ocean

Looking out to the mountains in the distance.

Eliana testing her boundary

The kids' happy place is outside in nature...

John especially!

Oh Ellie back up!!

He could have stayed there all day if given the opportunity.

I was so nervous by Eliana getting close to the edge I was a frantic mess at this point. So we headed down a flight of stairs to the beach, Eliana safely holding Daddy's hand.

I can imagine how wonderful it would be to be here in the summer or spring!

The love of my life!

John and Ellie getting close to the water

It was beginning to rain...

He's a cool Dad:)

Then Kyle took the camera so I could get in a couple of shots.

We headed back up the stairs and to the car. As we pulled away the rain started to pour! It was nice to be in the car with heated seats. We didn't enjoy the heat to long before we were out again and to another park!

Not the most flattering picture, but here we are together! Getting our coats out of the back of the car.

The rain had stopped for us and we were out once more. This turned out to be my absolute favorite walk. It was a mini hike, a whale observation park with a lighthouse. We literally had the best time! It was the perfect hike for us and little legs!

I couldn't get enough of these trees!

We walked among the trees

Little Ellie in hand

We came to a clearing

Kyle explained everything to me, he is a location genius.

I admire him as he teaches me something new.

Oh yeah... the kids!

Playing with my zoom again.

John as he entered stick heaven!

All the sticks he could ever dream of!

We saw the sun!

Walking with Daddy... and John wacking things with a stick

This was treacherous in person!

Again my favorite trees.

I seriously loved this hike!

We were having the best time with the kids. It was easy enough to enjoy talking and laughing, scenic and beautiful, and long enough that it felt like we got some exercise. We love enjoying God's amazing creation together.

The lighthouse came into view!

Love my baby! K-i-s-s-i-n-g in a tree!

My sweet baby not old enough to not want to kiss his mommy.

John was making me nervous again!

So cool!

Gorgeous day!

I promise you this was more dangerous in person! I literally had to walk away from her to let her do this otherwise I was going to give us both a panic attack!

Swinging on this tree was a little better :)

They absolutely love the outdoors!

And so do Kyle and I!

We made the full loop of our wonderful hike/walk and back to the car. Getting warm in the car feels so good after a winter's stroll. We were really hoping the kids would fall asleep at this point, to which they did! We drove all around the island, through Roach Harbor and through neighborhoods, once again daydreaming of what it must be like to live there. Taking unknown roads, the road less traveled if you will, through the trees.

Until... until we stopped at another park and noticed orca whales in the distance! I had prayed that we would see whales! And it was just another reminder how God cares about our cares, even if they are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We jumped out of the car and ran up to the lookout. The kids all flustered and woken up from a very short nap. We hurried and slapped their coats and shoes on.

Out in the distance was a pod of orca whales, popping out on occasion, only to be seen by their blow holes and backs coming out of the water. It was amazing. I was freaking out. It was my first time ever seeing a pod of whales. John and I saw one, one morning in Alaska on the cruise boat, but this was something awesome. Kyle was not as impressed because his first whale encounter on the cruise boat was intense, seeing the whole belly and everything right up close, he was literally on top of it, in Alaska. Regardless it was amazing, there is truly something special about whales. Their intelligence, maybe?

After they swam far away into the distance we finally loaded back up once again. This time I went back in the direction we came to try and chase them down. Only to never see them again. Sad I know. But so grateful that we did get the chance to see them! I think this is only the beginning of Kyle and I's love for whales!

We made our way back to the cabin to enjoy it for one last evening. We all watched Free Willy together (seemed fitting after our adventure) and it was a really nice evening. An evening that ended up John puking all night! The kids were such troopers that it really wasn't as horrible as a night of puking sounds. He was really nonchalant and not sick-like. I think it was something that he ate. I'm not sure what it was but I think it just needed to get out, none of us got sick though, just John. Ellie stayed asleep even though we turned on lights and were cleaning every single time. But it finally did stop and everyone got good sleep.

We slept so good that we ended up rushing out the door the next morning to get out of the house on time for our ferry! After all the Christmas hustle, sickness and outdoors, we all just needed some good sleep. We slept in and it felt great. We ended up getting in our ferry line on time to walk around and go back to the restaurant we had on the first day.

Kyle wanted that chicken wrap again and I wanted to try it! This time we got a booth, it was a little less crowded this time, assuming, because it was a week day rather than a Sunday morning. It really wasn't as good as the first time, unfortunately. But on our way out I got the cutest pictures of Kyle and Eliana!

Daddy's girl :)

The joy on her face reflects the joy we all had on this trip!

We walked back and Kyle and I admired a wall of real estate ads. Taking note that you basically had to be a millionaire to own a shack on the island. So for now we will remain as visitors :) Back to the boat it was, the sun came out and it was a glorious day! The trip home was even better than we could have asked for, it really was like taking a mini Alaskan adventure! Just look at the pictures, I'm not kidding!