School has officially started for our crew after a whirlwind finish to summer. So far, so good! I've been super impressed so far with the kids teachers and the school as a whole. We live close enough to the school that we have been walking to drop them off and pick them up, and I love conversations we get to have doing so, and that exciting prick of the beginnings and possibilities. Fall feels like its finally starting to see itself in, and we are all ready for it. Even jonesing for it I would say-enough sunshine, my dark soul can't take it anymore. 

After our trip home last month, we came home to Daddy's open arms and a few weeks to relax and enjoy WA, just the 4 of us. Lots of nature, food and fun with Daddy making smore's with the kids every night. One highlight being riding the Ferris wheel in Seattle late at night, with Daddy and Isla facing their fear of heights. So proud of them! 

Soon afterwards, we were excited to have Sam come for a visit. We made sure to do something fun every day, whether it was swimming in lakes and visiting waterfalls, or going to the city for food and cool sites. They loved playing with her, and she even gave us the gift of a night off, while they happily played with her, and Lester and I got to have some quick alone time for our 12th wedding anniversary. It was so nice to have her here, and we missed her when she was gone! 

A few days later though, we were back at the airport picking up my inlaws. Lester had a week off and so they decided to come explore and spend time with us during that. As per the norm, we got spoiled by them while they were here. Every day, we had an adventure-some bigger then others. Things like playing at the lake again, eating out and shopping, singing happy bday to Lola, etc. We rode the ferry and did tide pools and rocky beaches, garden lunches and historical forts, ate fresh mussels out of a pot on the pier on Whidbey Island. We fed and played with the alpacas, roamed the lavender fields, got baked goods and ate delicious seafood by a lighthouse at sunset at an oyster farm and San Juan Island, after another ferry ride. We spent a day in Seattle at our favorite cafe, Hood Famous, eating all the delicious filipino themed things, like calamansi bars and ube drinks, and shopping for flowers and fruits at Pike's place market. And a million other things.

But the biggest things we did while they were here was definitely Isla's baptism, and heading to Canada. Isla had chosen [as much as one can at 8 years old] a long time ago that she wanted to be baptized. We had told her it was her choice, and up to her, but we would support her however she needed us to. So, while Lolo and Lola were here, we worked with the local ward and our family at home to set it up, along with a zoom link, and our beautiful Isla girl got to have her moment. She beamed in her pretty dress she picked, and looked so happy and light, and we are happy she's happy. A few new friends from the local ward came, and we had cheesecake and chocolate cake afterwards, and loved celebrating her and all the awesomeness she brings the our life and the world. So it was a nice morning. And then from, there, we made a pit stop and home, changed and headed out. 

We don't live too terribly far from the border, and so for the first time in my life, I got to use my passport and visit another country! Something I've been wanting to do forever. And surprisingly, it lived up to the expectation! Once we made it through the Canadian border, we grabbed some dinner [DELICIOUS Vietnamese food] and headed to Whistler, a resort town where the Winter Olympics was held several years ago. Resort life was another first for me-it was in the middle of a little village, and we were surrounded by GORGEOUS mountains, trees, water and nature. All while we were able to shop and eat delicious food, relax in the pool or sauna, and explore the sights. The kids favorite things we did while there were the rainy farmers market, where we ate the most delicious French crepes and they had rides for the kids to go on [core memory-standing in the wafting crepe scented steam underneath Canadian mountain ranges and water and food, all while raining at the farmers market-beautiful, and I'll never forget it]. And also swimming in the indoor/outdoor pool with stars over head and twinkle lights. It was a relaxing, fun 2 days where we drank our weight in hot chocolate and enjoyed the beauty around us. 

The next morning, after breakfast we packed back in the van and headed back to Vancouver to catch the sights. On our way out, we took a pit stop at another lake which was clear and still and amazing. From here, we drove to the famous park and stopped for lemonade and a swim in the beachside pool with the skyline in the background by third beach. The little waterslides and the perfect weather made it even more magical. From here, we stopped by Brockton Point to admire and learn about all the totem poles there, and then later check out and walk by the seawall. From there, we stopped for dinner on Grangeville Island at Public Market. It was overwhelming and delicious and awesome, sitting there under the bridge eating food from all over the world and enjoying the live music. Then, we crossed the border back into the US and drove home to spend the rest of our time relaxing and saying goodbye to Lolo and Lola, who headed back the next morning. 

Since the whirlwind of fun, Lester has gone back to work, and like I said, the kids are now back in school and Tal and I are holding it down here, doing the constant clean, feed everyone, pick ups and drop offs, errands, emotional tired outbursts from the other kids, and getting ready for the holiday season to come. I am more ready for fall that I can describe. Life is good, and we are doing well. And I will take it!