Trip to the Pacific North West!

Last week we traveled up to Seattle for a quick trip for many reasons:

• see family
• see friends
• show Ben the Pacific Northwest
• AND MY 10 YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

It was jam packed full of visiting, sightseeing, eating great seafood and not a lot of sleep.

We started off in Seattle where we were supposed to meet Ben's parents for the day and night... however their plane was cancelled from Billings. So instead of flying and getting in at 2pm, they drove all night to see us (Bella) and arrived at 6am for a quick 3 hour visit with us, before we headed up to Victoria. Even though our visit was short, it was nice to see Steve & Ann and watch them with our sweet little girl.

We took the Baimbridge Island ferry from Seattle and drove to Port Angeles, where we had the BEST fish and chip I have ever had (this place could take on England and day... and win by a long shot), Missy Bella even loved the fish! We arrived in Victoria on Friday afternoon to Grandma Susie and Grandpa Don waiting to greet us. That night we had the best seafood at my favorite restaurant in Victoria... The Warfside! It was a fabulous evening with my parents.

Saturday morning we headed up to Shawnigan Lake School (the Boarding School I attended for grades 11 and 12) for my 10 year HS reunion. As we were driving up I can still remember the feeling I had as we approached the school the very first time back in 1997 when I was 16 years old. Going to Shwanigan was a great experience and going back 10 years after graduation went just as well. Ben even hit it off and had good conversations with a few of my old boyfriends.

We had lots of old grads come back for the reunion. And it was so nice to see everyone, not to mention a ton of fun! It was so wonderful to reconnect with people and see where people are at these days. Bella was of course a Huge hit and everyone thought she was just the cutest...

We started the day off with a chapel service, building dedication, school tours and a rugby game. The weather wasn't the best, so the pictures aren't the greatest... The school is so beautiful when it is nice out.

The place has really changed in the last 10 years. Almost all the original buildings have been torn down and replaced with state of the art buildings. It looks like a place you would find in a Harry Potter book! Go here to check out the school website if you would like.

My parents took Bella back to Victoria with them for the evening so she could have a nap and get to bed at a decent time. I think it was the highlight of their trip. And of course very nice for Ben and I to enjoy the rest of the reunion... just the two of us. Thanks Mom and Dad for making that possible for us. It was much appreciated.

That night we had a fabulous dinner in the fabulous dining hall and then headed to my good friend Kate Hamilton) Snihur's house for the after party. What a great place to bring back old stories and party into the night. When Ben and I left @ 1:15am I didn't realize I was leaving EARLY, as the party went on until 5am! I guess some things never change... the class of '99 still knows how to party!

Pics at Shawnigan:

On Sunday we drove the scenic route around Victoria (love and miss that drive) to have brunch with good friends the Abbott's! It was so nice to see them and be able to catch up and visit! After brunch, I had a quick visit with my good friend Meghan and then it was off to catch the ferry to Vancouver.

That night we met up with my friends from Trinity for dinner at Earls (another favorite restaurant) for some good time of reminiscing and chatting. It was so good to see you Shelby, Rache and Sarah!

On Sunday we took a quick trip to the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park as a family. And then headed to a friend from Elementary School, Veronica and her family for lunch. Veronica's little guy Talan and Bella are a month apart and she is also pregnant with #2 due a month after us! Crazy!

Our last stop before heading back to Seattle was Ft. Langley and Trinity Western University (where I graduated from). Our last visit was with Andy, my friend and mentor while I was at Trinity. It was so nice to see Andy and spend a little time with her.

And then we were on our way back to Seattle Monday night to fly out the next morning. Whirlwind trip. By the end of it, Ben was done with meeting people. He did very well considering all the people he had to meet and have small talk with. Overall it was a great trip! Can't wait to go back to that part of the country. I really do love it up there!