Memory of Memorial Day 2010...

As long last, we're taking you back to Memorial
Day weekend, during which we made our annual
trek to Beach Haven on Orcas Island. (See 2009
trip's post here.) Orcas is one of the San Juan
Islands located in the Puget Sound off Washington's
coast--the exact island where Dennis and Tam got
married in 2003.

We're fortunate to revisit the island every
Memorial Day weekend with our friends Carrie
and Ted Schneider (plus boys Owen and
George) and Sara and Bryan Woods (plus
daughter Willa). This year brought on much
change -- Owen, George, and Benton are
bigger, and babies Willa and Iron added two
more heads. With the need for more space,
we passed on separate small cabins and rented
a large A-frame cabin that housed all of us.
With a bit of extra room, Tam's sister Tracy
and her husband Ross flew from Kentucky to
join us. What a blast!


The only time Tracy and Ross had been to Orcas
was for Dennis and Tam's wedding. Here they
are getting acquainted with the grounds.


Here they're spying on an old whale vertebrae that
was on our cabin's property.


The cabin was right on the water...here
are Tracy and Ross snuggling on the deck.


Every morning started just like it should...
in jammies!


Dennis and Tam's wedding ceremony was
on the grounds of Orcas Island Pottery.
Here Tracy and Ross stand just inches from
where Dennis and Tam shared vows.


Benton cuddling with Mama...


Hills family photo...


Iron can't take his eyes off Willa! Here's
Tam and Iron with Sara and Willa...



Then Iron and Tam pose with Aunt Deeky...


Most of us made kayak voyages to the nearby
island. Here Ross explores the island once he
and Dennis paddled their way there.


The tide was pretty low then, exposing some
interesting sea life and plants.


With a chill in the air, we spent a good deal of
time indoors, and here's Tam and Benton
getting cozy.


Uncle Ross and Iron shared some giggles!


Look at Willa's adorable little nose!


Later, Daddy and Benton camped out on
the rocky beach at the water's edge.


Ross also organized a Ling Cod fishing trip
that he, Tracy, and Dennis braved. Dennis
caught the first fish...


...Ross caught the most fish...


...and Tracy caught the biggest fish!


Tracy's fish was the only one big enough to take
home. Within three hours of catch, Ross made
us all the yummiest (and freshest!) fish 'n' chips
we've ever had!

The weather was less sunny than in years
past, but we were finally treated to some
sunset rays during our last evening. Here's a
view of the shoreline from our deck.


And sun falls behind the mountains.


Until next year...


Thanks again to the Schneiders and the
Woods for organizing such a great getaway!
(We wish we had more photos of you to add
to this post so people could better put faces
with the names we talk about often!) Tracy
and Ross, it was great to have you with us this
year! We feel so blessed to have friends like
you, and we look forward to future adventures
with you all!