If it were up to me...

I would be packing up everything we own, putting the house on the market, and hauling our cute little family to the Pacific Northwest.


{Print from Poppy & Pinecone}
Jason had the honor of officiating the wedding of one of our former students and his beautiful bride, and I was lucky enough to tag along.  It was located on Whidbey Island, off the coast of Seattle, and everything about the week completely stole my heart.
Washington has always been my most favorite state.  I have dreamt about living there for as long as I can remember.  I love rain.  I love the forest.  I need the beach.  Someday.... maybe.
{Print from Parada Creations}
For now I am going to relive the memories through the many, many 8mm videos I shot, and dream of new excuses to go back up there.
We have been so many amazing places together, three countries, fourty-nine states, but nothing, not one trip has even come close to our time this past week on the island.

It's great to be home, but it would be even better if Whidbey Island was home.

Sigh...


Posted in ,

49 Comments

  1. Catherine AnneJune 14, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Love this~ If it were up to me I could move off in a heartbeat. BUT, with jobs and other peoples wants I am sure we will stay here a bit longer~ Cute pics

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  2. AnonymousJune 14, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Your gonna make me cry! We just moved from Seattle to the Bay area...only a few months ago. I miss home. It is beautiful isnt it? So glad you enjoyed it! The islands are the best. I am however enjoying the Ca sun.

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  3. Katie @ minivan divaJune 14, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Washington and Oregon stole this Cali girl's heart when I went on a mission trip with my youth group (and my now hubby) 15 years ago. We always say we're going to pack up and move up there.

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  4. sjJune 14, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    i am a northwest girl to the core and all i can say is--it truly is a wonderful place to call home. it is staggeringly beautiful, always lush and green, laid back people, and we recycle like none other. i would fully support this decision. ;]

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  5. Charla LiedahlJune 14, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    We have family in the Seattle area and it's so so great to visit. What a lovely slice of creation! I haven't been to Whidbey Island though...another time!

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  6. Charla LiedahlJune 14, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Sorry to hijack, but LEAH (above comment) I tried to click your profile to get to your blog...no go. We're in the Bay Area, too! Email if you wnat to connect: toddandcharla@yahoo.com.

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  7. meg duerksenJune 14, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    well that must have been SOME trip!!!
    wow.
    never been there.

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  8. Leslie @ top of the pageJune 14, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    wait how is it that you've been to 49 states?? which one is the lone disgrace to our union that you have avoided? i love whidbey too. its sort of removed from the regular world in some way.

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  9. UnknownJune 14, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    And when you get sick of the rain you can come visit me on the east side of the state!

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  10. KellyJune 14, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    This NW is a wonderful place to live! We have some really good friends who live on Whidbey Island and some in Gig Harbor. It's beautiful country!

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  11. Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13June 14, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    No joke-- I loved Spokane and miss living there. Except for all the snow. And coldness. And lack of ethnic diversity. BUT, the rest is awesome. :)

    Can Jason come officiate my wedding in September? I'd entice you with an all inclusive stay at a fancy schmancy hotel in Nor Cal's wine country, Cookie Mondays Heather, and Larson Lingo Mel... but I think not even that is enough to convince you to bring the baby/belly (when are you due?) up here. :)

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  12. HelenJune 14, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Totally know what you mean. I lived in Seattle for 7 years of my life (I now live in northcentral Indiana...sigh...) and my dream would be to one day end up in the Pacific Northwest again. Whenever I had a chance, I would get on a ferry and spend weekends in those beautiful islands. Whidbey was fun! My favorite was the San Juan islands, landing on Friday Harbor and exploring the others around it. SOOO pretty! I also love the rain, the beach, the mild climate, the green around, and the true blue skies in the Spring and Summer! Oh, how I miss it!

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  13. AnonymousJune 14, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Oh Julie, I grew up on Whidbey! It is the best place on earth and all of my very favorite memories are there with my whole family. I live on the other side of the water now near Bellevue (east of Seattle) and visit Whidbey every time I have a chance. My husband and I just spent the day over there on Sunday this past weekend. I think it is great that you love the Northwest...it can get a bad rap :) Hope you get more chances to visit, and if you need suggestions on things to see and do, let me know!

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  14. Sarah LouiseJune 14, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    I moved to WA a few years ago and love it! My fiancé and I are actually getting married on Whidbey in October! I'm so excited - I just love Whidbey. I keep telling him that someday I want to move there and get out of the city... :) hunterandsarah.wordpress.com

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  15. JessicaJune 14, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    I live in Portland and it is absolutely beautiful and green, BUT it's hard to enjoy when 9 months of the year are spent in rain :(. Maybe it's just that we are almost at the end of the rainy season and I'm just ready for sun talking! If you love the rain though, this might be a great place for you! It's def the coffee, funky culture, hard core outdoorsman capital of the world! :)

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  16. RachelJune 14, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Look at all the PNW fans you have in your comments section! GO WASHINGTON! :)

    I adore Whidbey... no place like it on earth. So glad you had a marvelous time!

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  17. Heather @ Life Made LovelyJune 14, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    i love how in love you two are.
    xoxo

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  18. VanessaJune 14, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    I ♥ the Pac West. I spent some time in Oregon and it was amazing. The rain and me are good friends. Now I am in Arizona..the total opposite of where I would like to be. If it's His will I hope to move someday :)

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  19. - KellieJune 14, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    I'm a San Diego girl, born & raised (and now in Murrieta) but I lovelovelovelovelove Portland & the PNW. There is something about the trees and green that just soothes me. My husband (who loathes it - he's a SoCal beach guy who doesn't like rain) does admit that I smile more there than anywhere else.

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  20. LJune 15, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Whidbey Island is such a lovely place to live. I was stationed there back in the mid '90s.

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  21. Handbags*and*PigtailsJune 15, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    Ive never been further west than Arizona. That will change when I come out to Cali in September. Hubby and I have a large camper and plan to travel the country over our summer breaks from teaching, showing our girls the beautiful country we call home. Im always amazed at God's creation. He gave us a beautiful land for sure!

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  22. VickiJune 15, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    We took a trip to the Pacfic Northwest last summer and I fell in love - what a beautiful area!! I loved Astoria, Oregon :)

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  23. jen christiansJune 15, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    My husband could have a job in Everett with a phone call. I am trying to convince him that life there is NOT depressing. (raining all the time) but rather joyful and full of life. He is holding out for a job in Colorado. (our true love)....But that picture with the mountains and water! Oh sweet Lord, it makes me want to be there now! Kansas just doesn't compare!!!! Kansas or Washington...UMMMMMMMMM????????????

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  24. jen christiansJune 15, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Also, My oldest son (10) wants to be an Oregon Duck and run for them like Steve Prefontaine! His idol... That would make me all that closer to him.

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  25. kaylee@life chasersJune 15, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    We live just north of Seattle and it really is a beautiful place. Next year we are moving to North Dakota (where I'm from) but Washington will always hold a special place in my heart...and will be visited frequently.

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  26. LoriJune 15, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Washingtonians sure love you, too! :) We live on the other side of the state, near Idaho. No ocean or island wonders, but still pretty darn cool. If you ever make a trek to this side I'm your girl!

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  27. TrishJune 15, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    sounded fun. guess what. i'm pregnant!

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  28. Nika M.June 15, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    That picture was taken just a mile or so from my house!

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  29. pattiJune 15, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    i am from seattle and moved to california about 12 years ago. i get very very home sick quite a bit. it is a wonderful place to live!
    patti - urbanbunble.com

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  30. Nicole EgererJune 15, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    I have to admit, the Pacific Northwest is beautiful but I wish we got more sun! Glad you had a fun time while you were here :)

    Ever since you mentioned your little one loving Star Wars, any time I see star wars stuff online, I think of you. I thought you might be interested in these fun printables. Enjoy!

    http://sandytoesandpopsicles.blogspot.com/2011/06/fathers-day-star-wars-kit.html

    Kind Regards,
    Nicole

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  31. JennyJune 15, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Yay for the Pacific Northwest! I have lived in Oregon my entire life and every time I travel anywhere else I always think to myself that nothing compares to it. Although I have admitted to the hubby that the only other state that I might be able to live in is Washington. Thanks for the post- it made me smile :)

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  32. The Salinas FamilyJune 15, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    How funny! My dad got orders for us to go there when I was in high school. He ended up retiring from the Marines because he didn't want to up root us!

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  33. amesleJune 15, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    But Bass Lake would be soooo far...

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  34. Jessica JohnsonJune 15, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    yes. love the pacific northwest. seattle = #1 then victoria, BC. we went on their for our babymoon before ashlyn and i want to go back sooooooooooooSOOOOOOO bad. also, priest lake right over the border into idaho might beat bass lake. it's my favorite lake in all the world. although i've never been to bass lake. halfway restaurants would be better. that, i could pretty much guarantee. ;)

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  35. AmyJune 15, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    What's the state that you haven't visited? :)

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  36. MelissaJune 15, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Your post speaks to my heart. We must be kindred spirits when it comes to the beautiful state of Washington. When the mister has a business trip up there, I try my hardest to escape with him. Literally, it is my all time favorite spot...ever! If it was not for the loss of our immediate family, we would have relocated for the misters business ages ago! So stoked that you had such an amazing time!

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  37. Keri RonkJune 15, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    You were here! Awesome! I love my state!

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  38. JenJune 15, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Me too! My family is from whidbey. My mom born and raised there. I lived there for a few months while I was young. I do get to go visit and I love it! Fall is my favoriate time of year. But I'm a southern Cali girl. And my hubby transplated us to Maui! But whidbey is always in my heart.

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  39. Amy KJune 15, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    There are so many wonderful things to love about washington!! Seattle is by far my favorite city ever. They have everything going for them, amazing market place, city & water together, and the best chick flick of all time was filmed there! But, if I were to live there I'd choose Bainbridge Island. Adorable!!! They have the cutest little stores on their main street, and the ferry ride is pretty awesome.

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  40. the mcclenahansJune 15, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Awww...my parents lived there when my dad was in the Navy. It is one of their favorite places too. They took our family there when I was in high school and it was so beautiful. I would love to go back someday.

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  41. LauraJune 16, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    I feel this way about Oregon. And Colorado. But I'm trying to be content with Nebraska. Ho hum ;o)

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  42. likeschocolateJune 16, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    My husband and I met on Whitbey Island. We love the Northwest and sadly just had to turn down an offer to move back.

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  43. bethanyJune 16, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I live in Oregon and spend lots of time in Washington (family). I love this area...I agree with you!! It is just so pretty and the climate is lovely!!

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  44. Cynthia GeddisJune 16, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    My son & daughter-in-law are stationed there! It is so beautiful I love it up there. We live in Portland which is quite beautiful as well, but I am a Southern California beach girl all the way. To be able to actually swim in the ocean and sunbath on the beach is pure heaven to me! I guess grass is always greener....

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  45. Vintage Dutch GirlJune 16, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    All this Washington love is CRACKING me up :)

    PNW, born and raised, away for college and came right on back to raise our family....a wee little Dutch town just a stones throw away from the Canadian border.

    N is Vancouver
    E is Mt Baker
    S is Seattle
    W is the San Juan Islands

    Doesn't get much better than that....and everywhere you cast your eye looks like a calender picture :)

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  46. AnonymousJune 16, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Thanks for visiting our lovely state! You were here during a sunny period I take it? It's not always so beautiful. Like in winter...when I crave anywhere but here and anywhere dry. Thanks for the shout out!

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  47. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    I'm born and raised in Washington state and was in the military and lived all over the place, but I ALWAYS end up back here! Its a great place to live!

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  48. DeetzJuly 1, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    I came across your blog very randomly through some picture on pinterest (my addiction). I love your blog, your style, and I also wish to pack up my family and move them to the Pacific Northwest :) Specifically, Portland, OR.

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  49. RogerNovember 23, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Brilliant post, thanks so much for sharing this with us.
    canvas art print

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