October Photo Dump

Hello friends,

So it's November and it's crazy. Trust me, I love October and I'm sad to see it go, but November 1st, bring on the Christmas music, peppermint mocha's, and holiday movies. Tis the season folks. But for all you "after-thanksgiving-people" (bless you), I'll spare you all my Christmas joy for a little bit and instead share some pictures from October. My last week was full of amazing friends and some really fun events and I just had to share them with you because I've been extremely blessed and I need to start showing that instead of complaining all the time. #truth 

First off, the pumpkin patch! I was able to go again with a few of my lovely friends, Alora, Kaylie, and Isaiah. These people have been a few of my best friends for years and I love them to death. I do a lot with them, so be prepared to be spammed with their beautiful faces. *evil grin* Their little sister had her birthday, but her party was cancelled because she was sick, so we brought her to the Pumpkin Patch instead to lift her spirits. It was a lot of fun, but crazy busy! I would not suggest going to your town's most popular pumpkin patch on a Saturday. Don't do it guys.

Then my youth group had a costume party! Technically it was a masquerade party, but as you can see, not everyone always wears a mask. So if your family was anything like mine growing up, you weren't allowed to dress up and go trick or treating on Halloween. Although the holiday still isn't a huge thing in our household, it's been fun to dress up and go to these kind of parties in my high-school years. I gotta make up for some at that lost childhood memories and dress up whenever I can.

My friend Chloe and Kirsten were super cute in their wolf and red riding hood costumes (they tried to convince me to be the woodsmen but I was like "psh, no!"). I decided to be a flapper, for it seemed easy enough. But do you know how many times I was asked who I was?? Do I not look like a flapper, or do people just not know what that is? Alora and Kaylie were also super adorable in their 1940s get up. Seriously guys, my gal friends are goals. I'm gonna be honest here and say I'm not exactly sure what Isaiah was, but he looked cute too ;)

Yay for crappy phone pictures! I know it's really bad, but I love my family and I just really wanted to share it. The weird looking one is my lil brother, and the guy with the cheesy smile is my big brother. Nicole, his fiancee, was horrified to find we've never really carved pumpkins, so this is what happened. I'm not showing you a picture of my finished product because #1 the outcome was not good and #2 I actually don't have one...so.

Just this last weekend, I was able to go on a retreat with my friend's youth group. It was hosted by the same camp we volunteer at every summer, and we've been going for the last three years. It's always a lot of fun and just so nice to be back there. Did I get any cool pictures? No, but I got some of us swinging so what else do you need, right? It was an awesome weekend, though, and it was really nice to see everyone and have some refreshment with God away from the rest of the world. The above picture is of the cabins we stay in during the summer. Luckily no one is put up in them during the retreat otherwise they'd probably freeze. They're really just boards nailed together. There are holes and cracks in the wood that you can see straight out of. The camp experience, though, am I right?

And that was the last week of my October! What exciting things happened in your life this last month? Let me know :)

With love,

Elizabeth

Follow Me Around: Whistle Lake

Hello Everyone,

Today I come to you with another follow me around post. I really enjoyed writing the last one (check it out here), and it's been awhile since I've posted another one. When my family told me of their plans to hike Whistle Lake, I knew that would be another great opportunity to take some pictures and show you around a bit.

The day we hiked was very humid and overcast. There was a slight breeze that made it tolerable though. Whistle lake was a really cool hike! At times you'd be walking along the lake, viewing the water and beautiful mountains, and at other times, you'd be strolling through the forest, surrounded by trees and the whistling of the birds. Some people prefer to be always walking with a view, but I love walking among the trees. Something about it is so relaxing. 

We came across this bench that looked out among the water. I wanted so badly to sit down and start reading a book. What a perfectly charming and calming place it would be to relax with a wonderful novel. Maybe someday I'll have to journey back to that spot and spend sometime there.

Another super cool thing about this lake is all its different activities you can do. There are trials for walking, biking, horseback riding, and some even for motorbikes. Whistle Lake is also very popular for its cliff jumping. There's a wide range of cliffs with different heights you can jump off of. There are also a few rope swings to use. Sadly, we weren't able to partake in swimming and wildly jumping of cliffs, but hopefully we'll come back another day and try it out.

Finally, we ended our hike by sitting by the water and taking in the lovely view. We snacked on some cheese and crackers, the classic packed lunch, and filled up on some water. Again, it was really peaceful. The hike itself wasn't very difficult, so we all had a really good time without smelling too badly in the end. On our way home, we stopped at The Donut House in Anacortes and rewarded ourselves. It was a wonderful ending to a great day.

With Love,

Elizabeth


Side note// Sorry my posts have been so spaced out and you've seen little action from on your blogs and my social media. I'm currently volunteering at Warm Beach Camp, as stated in my What I've Been up to post, and I have very little time to be on the internet. I am trying my best to read what all you wonderful people have posted, but if you've noticed my lack of activity, that is why. I continue to be busy for the next couple of weeks, but I will update you and comment when I can. Hope you all are doing well and having a wonderful summer :)

What is Family?

A family is love

That puts itself above

Everything else in this world.

A family is trust

That's fair and just

In its treatment of each other.

A family is pride

And will never hide

Its feelings for one another.

A family is dear

And won't disappear

When things are getting tough.

A family is hope

That learns to cope

With all that comes their way.

A family is sound

With their feet on the ground

On every brand new day.

A family is kind

And will always find

The time to be together.

A family is wise

And treasures its ties

For always and forever. 

Poem by Edwina Reizer

Harvest Season

Hello,

It's that time of the year again, can you believe it?! I don't know about you guys, but October sure sneaked up on me and slapped me in the face. It seems like just yesterday I was on summer vacation, but now I'm looking for the perfect pumpkin, getting pulled around in wagons by my brothers, and drinking my favorite apple cider. Next thing we know, we'll be putting up Christmas lights! Too far? Yeah I'm not ready to start thinking about Christmas either.

For now I'll try to navigate through Fall, wish me luck!

With Love, 

Elizabeth