Family update 2020

Today I was sitting thinking about how much has happened this year. I scrolled through a few pictures and thought I need to document some of the things we’ve done. Now usually I start making calendars with photos from they year past and give them out for Christmas. Then it struck me, I had a blog somewhere... turns out it still exists. Can’t believe we’ve not posted since 2014! So here goes nothing. 

2020 started out innocent enough. Aaron had a shoulder surgery scheduled for Feb/March. At the last minute we decided we would take the kids mid winter break and drive down to Arizona to visit family. Our original plan was to go during spring break in April but Aaron worried he would not be able to help with the driving if he was in a sling. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that we went when we did! Not soon after everything closed down and the whole world seemed to have changed overnight. Now going on a trip is almost impossible.

We were able to see family who we love and miss so much. We were also able to see Salt Lake, the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon.

Then things got quiet for a while. Both Aaron and I have been fortunate to be able to work from home. Cabin fever started setting in for me early on and once the nice weather hit I needed to get out. We started with some long drives into the mountains which only intensified my desire to get out and go somewhere. 

Our summer plan to do some hike in camping was delayed indefinitely so I started researching. The kids and I have done some amazing hikes so far this summer as well as one camping trip.

Squires Lake (Tyler took this one!)

Cherry Creek Falls

Of course they aren’t as in to it as I am and I usually end up dragging them along with promises of milkshakes on our way home. It usually works. 😆

Our first camping trip was to Colonial Creek Campground in the North Cascades.

We got up early the first day and hiked Blue Lake.

The views were stunning but the mosquitos were not messing around. You had to keep moving or else in some areas they would just swarm. We checked in to our camp site which was only partially roughing it since we did have the car to haul our gear and we had access to water. No cell service or electricity but the kids survived.

The next morning we work up early and hiked Thunder Knob trail. We missed seeing a bear by about 5 minutes but had an amazing view for lunch. We had some time before we could check in to our second campsite. We sat at the beach overlooking Diablo lake which was cold!

We then checked back in at the campsite for our second night and played games and roasted hot dogs. The next morning we made pancakes (another luxury since we had a cooler). It was hard to leave but the mist rolling in made it a little easier.

Unfortunately Aaron found out some of the hardware in his jaw failed so he was due for surgery. We decided to try to get him out on some walks since he missed out on all of our hikes. We went to Padilla Bay for a sunset hike that was so beautiful!

The next day we went to Old Robe Trail which was supposed to be a part of the railroad until multiple setbacks with avalanches and floods shut it down. It was really cool seeing the track they had laid and actually seeing where it got washed out or buried under slate.

That is all I have for now but we hope to share more soon-ish? Hope you all are staying safe and healthy out there!

Christmas 2014

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas 2013

 Merry Christmas!

2013

Wow! 2013 is almost over! We've had a great, but very busy, year.  We moved to Silver Lake in Everett earlier in the year.  The kids changed schools without a hitch.  Tyler turned 9 and is really getting into the whole MineCraft thing.

 Isabelle turned 7 this year! She also has been reading a whole grade level above her age!

 In July I got a chance to go to California with Michelle and my mom to visit some family.  Grant joined us and was such a good boy the whole trip.  I can't get over that smile!

Aaron has been working hard at Wells Fargo, keeping busy.  I started working this year in September.  I lucked out and ended up working at a Chiropractic office in Everett.  Close to home and great hours, but boy does it take up a lot of time.  Trying to balance all my usual stuff and work has been challenging, but Aaron has been awesome and very helpful getting the kids to school in the mornings.
We are super thankful to have mom and dad back in town.  Praying mom's surgery in January goes well.  We are not sure what 2014 will bring for our family.  But I know that there is a lot to look forward to!

We wish you and your family all the best on Christmas and in the New Year 2014!

Sincerely,
The Germaines

2012 Looking Back...

What a year 2012 has been. We started off with 2 surgeries within 1 month of each other and now we are ending it almost the same way. The first two surgeries were for me and I am healing a little bit more every day :) As for my mom we received some sad news a few weeks ago when mom discovered (after her first surgery) that she has cancer in her tongue. Fortunately they caught it early and it is treatable. We are truly blessed with lots of love and support.

This year has brought us a lot of surprises and firsts: Aaron surprised me and the kids in May with a trip to Disneyland!

Isabelle lost her first tooth!

After we got over the initial part of the year and it's bumps along the way, we were geared up for some summer fun! Unfortunately the weather was not cooperative. The kids had visions of camping with Nana and Papa all summer long but we only managed to go out on one trip to Leavenworth and one overnight to Monroe. But even though the kids haven't been able to sneak away with Nana and Papa we have been lucky to have my parents around for our Family Sunday dinners so they can spend time with us, and the kids, and the newest member of the family Grant! Now, from the looks of it, we will be able to enjoy their company for a bit longer before they take off again to travel and explore some more. In the mean time all 6 of us are packed into the house so we can help get mom through all of the treatments and get her back on her feet.

Before we knew it summer was over and we were back to school! The kids were excited to get the year started and so was I. Now that both Isabelle and Tyler are officially full day students this year it's been quite a change around here. Having the kids gone for 5 hours a day is nice and, needless to say, I somehow manage to fill the time :) It definitely makes me appreciate our weekends, and family time. I'm always so blown away with how much the children have grown up. They are both enrolled in Karate two days a week and are now members of Destination Imagination (an after school program). I was lucky enough to be picked to be a team manager for both their teams so I am able to spend more time with them. And then came an exciting new addition to the family.... Baby Grant Fox!

Now we prepare to move seamlessly into the new year. With our expanding family and ever growing changes we fully intend to live it up in 2013! We wish you all lots of love in the New Year!

This year we decided to make a Christmas card that will make you smile... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

When I met Aaron I was around 16 years old. His Grandmother had a 'cabin' on Camano Island that the whole family had been going to for many years. From what I remember it was green, charming, and filled with memories. I still love hearing Aaron retell stories from his childhood memories at the cabin. Unfortunately one year it burnt down. But thankfully the cabin, and the property, stayed in the family and was rebuilt by Aaron's Aunt and Uncle. How lucky we all are to be able to continue family memories by visiting this wonderful beach house.

Watching the children play on the beach and find no shortage of things to do, or rocks to toss into the Puget Sound, has been a joy.

Getting everyone together at the same time to visit has been tough, but when we get together we sure do have fun.

Aaron and I hope 5 maybe even 10 years from now we can take a similar picture with our kiddos (getting) full grown by this same boat/sign.

If you can believe it we were even graced by the presence of two grey whales (a mama and her baby,I think) that decided to swing by a few times. This is a picture of Tyler keeping his eye out, in case they came back by one more time.

All in all we have an amazing time, each time we go up there. We are so thankful we have time to spend with our family. Being right on the beach doesn't hurt either ;) Hopefully we will enjoy many more memories at 'The Cabin'.

Christmas Card (blog edition)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family!



We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lots of love,
The Germaine Family