Building a cabin in the woods

Wildflowers on Lodge Lake Trail a hike about an hour from Seattle in Snoqualmie Pass

A hike to Lodge Lake a trail about an hour away from Seattle that has easy parking and is nearby food

July 18, 2022

Every time we do the Lodge Lake hike I think it’s going to be a lot longer than it actually is. From the trailhead, it’s about 2-2.5 hours round trip if you don’t stop much. But Lodge Lake is one of my favorite Snoqualmie Pass trails especially for the first half an hour-I don’t even […]

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Laconia Market in Snoqualmie Pass

Laconia Market: a boutique grocery, food and coffee shop in Snoqualmie Pass

March 15, 2022

To say I was excited about Laconia Market opening in Snoqualmie Pass near the Summit at Snoqualmie is an understatement. We drove past the old firehouse that it’s housed in nearly every weekend as it was renovated to watch it become the beautiful space it is now. We’ve been part-time in the mountains for nearly […]

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Red Top Lookout Hike near Suncadia and Clean Elum with kids and a dog and looking for agates

Agate hunting on the Red Top Lookout Trail near Cle Elum with two kids and a dog and the cutest little outhouse we’ve ever seen

October 8, 2020

Ever since we went rockhounding a few weeks ago with the kids at Hansen Creek, hunting for rocks has been on everyone in my whole family’s minds. One of the guys even bought a rocktumbler at the beginning of summer so he’s been dying to find gems worthy of the two to three weeks dedication […]

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Biking through Snoqualmie Tunnel with Seattle Kids and Historical Sconza Chocolates to bring for the perfect treat

A bike-ride through the historic Snoqualmie Tunnel and the perfect treat from Sconza Chocolates to take along

July 26, 2019

(This is a sponsored post on behalf of Sconza Chocolates and as always the opinions in this post and on this blog are my own. We love riding through the Snoqualmie Tunnel) Around the same time the Snoqualmie Tunnel in Washington near where where we spend our weekends was in its planning stages, a boy […]

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Cabin life in the mountain with kids

Heading to the mountains with our new portable speaker

November 3, 2017

This post is sponsored by Verizon however the thoughts and opinions in this post are mine.  I’m watching snow flakes float out my window on the EARLIEST snowfall I’ve ever seen in Seattle in years-are you as excited as I am to start the weekend already?  And even though we’re only getting a dusting here, […]

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Tuft and Needle mattress showroom in Seattle

Why I need a whole new bedroom now thanks to my mattress

November 1, 2017

I am going to have to overhaul my bedroom.  This all started with an invite I received in my email from Tuft and Needle for the opening of its brand new Seattle store.  This online mattress company from Phoenix was coming to Seattle and wanted influencers to check out their new brick and mortar store in […]

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Hot Cocoa and snowy northwest weekends

Hot cocoa and snowy northwest weekends for the win!

October 16, 2017

I used to dread the period between October and February a little in the Pacific Northwest.  The days get shorter and we go for weeks on end with chilly, wet, dreary weather.  During stretches like this it’s easy to wonder if we’ll ever see sun-filled days again.  But then a few years ago we went […]

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Tiny Home Otto at Thousand Trails Leavenworth

A tiny home community where you can stay overnight in Leavenworth

October 11, 2017

One of my favorite parts of travel is that you get to stay somewhere that is NOT your home and through our travels we have stayed in many different types of accomodations. Before we had kids, we used to camp a lot.  If I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, […]

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Birthday cake for my kids' birthday

A bittersweet birthday cake anyone can make

August 16, 2017

I take baked goods very seriously.  I’m not always very good at chemistry, or measuring or even following directions very well, so I truly appreciate how magical it is when a bunch of ingredients come together in an oven and make something spectacular like a birthday cake. I know birthday cakes are special and every […]

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Chicken fajita recipe from Metropolitan Market

An Easy Chicken Fajita recipe with Metropolitan Market and my mom

January 26, 2017

Am I right when I say that when you grow up, a grocery store isn’t just a grocery store anymore?  Adulting with kids is SO hard some days that just escaping SOLO to the grocery store and slowly, purposefully, SILENTLY picking out delightful bits and bites at whim can be such a peaceful way to feel […]

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Slowing down in the New Year

Warm socks, an Apple Watch and slowing down in the New Year

January 5, 2017

How many days have whizzed by this New Year? I’m trying not to count. This year, I’m making an effort to take each day as it comes. I’ve spent the last couple weeks (yes all of Christmas!) totally under the weather and it made the holiday season a little quieter and slower, but it also made […]

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Osh Kosh holiday outfit ideas

Holiday Traditions with Osh Kosh B’gosh and a giveaway

November 29, 2016

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Can you feel the snow in the air yet?  Apparently this year is our best chance in years for lowland snow in the northwest and I do love a white Christmas.  It just seems to […]

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Puget Sound Energy Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg a wind farm you can visit in Washington State

A windfarm you can visit in Washington State (Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility, Ellensburg)

November 9, 2016

Before you drive out to Ellensburg to visit one of the only windfarm visitor centers in the United States, realize that the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Visitor Center is only open from April 1st-November 15th.  If you are visiting during this time, there are usually some pretty awesome free tours and other events going on in […]

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Rumpl blanket review

The summer travels of our new favorite blanket

July 6, 2016

As a blogger, I’m always on the hunt for fun new products and it makes my life a zillion times easier when something fabulous literally ends up in my lap.  Enter the Rumpl blanket, a downy soft sleeping-bag-like blanket I was sent to review. At first I imagined it would be the perfect cabin blanket […]

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Alpental in spring

Sustainable Clothing from PrAna review and would you like to be my twin?

April 27, 2016

When I think of clothing that is good for the environment it doesn’t always conjure stylish images in my head.  But I think this kind of thinking needs to change.  Why shouldn’t clothing that is good for the planet make you feel good while you wear it?  And why shouldn’t all clothing be made this […]

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Spring Skiing in Snoqualmie Pass with kids

Snowy Spring adventures near Seattle (Snoqualmie Pass)

March 31, 2016

Maybe it’s starting to feel like winter is over in the city, but Snoqualmie Pass set a record for snow this year and there is still a snowy wonderland just a short drive from Seattle.  We’ve been loving cabin life in the mountains and the Summit is such a great mountain for families. Spring skiing […]

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summit at snoqualmie pass

When you’d rather be in the mountains on a Monday

February 1, 2016

How on earth is there SO MUCH SNOW just an hour’s drive away from Seattle?  It’s crazy what a difference a short drive to the mountains makes. The snow at the Summit at Snoqualmie has just been dreamy and I’m actually starting to love to ski again.  I didn’t realize how much terrain there is […]

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playing in the snow near seattle in snoqualmie pass

If you can’t beat them, join them on a Monday

January 12, 2016

In another life, I must have been a rock and the boys in my family must have been rivers, or waterfalls or oceans.  I know this because as much as they all love to move and adventure, I like to sit still and be at peace.  While my husband and seven-year-olds wouldn’t be able to […]

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family snowshoeing in the pacific northwest

Adventuring in the New Year

January 4, 2016

Who else is going to grab 2016 by the reins this year and see what adventures unfold?  I am so excited for this year and normally I like to temper the excitement with a little apprehension to even it out, but I’m learning that life is too short for that.  Let’s just bring it this […]

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these costumes did not come with the light sabers but it was fun to wear them at boo at the zoo

Hiding the candy and trying not to shop on a Monday

November 2, 2015

Oh, what a weekend!  Are you also buried under a pile of candy today too?  My guys had a great time this Halloween and were so proud of their Star Wars costumes and I think the light sabres were their favorite part. We were going to go as a family costume again this year, but […]

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