Happy Birthday Abby!

Happy 14th Birthday {Sunday} to this kind, empathetic, intelligent, gorgeous young lady!  Abby - I'm so proud to be your Auntie Stephie and I love seeing the wonderful person you are becoming.  Keep being you, sweet girl!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Slumber Party

This past weekend was one of the absolute best because after years of being mostly apart, I finally got to have a slumber party with my girls.  After months of planning and anticipation {and 4 negative Covid tests} we met up at G&G's condo at the country club for some uninterrupted girl time.  We had plenty of drinks and snacks and stayed up way too late catching up on everything in each other's lives - things you just can't get across in a text.  And of course, we had a photoshoot :)  It was the best weekend that I didn't want to end and I'm so grateful that after so many years these ladies are still one of the best parts of my life.  I love you girls!

see our past awesome photo shoots here, here, here, & here

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Family Day in the Valley

I took a few days off last week for a little R&R and to spend some time with the family.  Kelli was in town so her, Mom and I all headed up to Bellingham for a girl's day and to celebrate what would've been Nana's 90th birthday {hard to believe it was 10 years ago we were celebrating her 80th!}.  We met up with cousin Deb from Canada for lunch at The Black Cat and had a great time chatting and catching up {I haven't seen Deb in years} and toasting to Nana.  Afterwards, the 3 of us headed back to the valley where we decided to kill some time and bring a bottle of wine down to Marsha's for a little impromptu happy hour which made her super happy.  Finally, Kelli and I picked up some takeout at Tacos Tecalitlan and brought it up to Cardinal Craft Brew to share dinner and a pint with Mom & Dad before finally calling it a day.  It was a fun day with the family and one that I'm sure would've made Nana proud :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

{Some of} The Weekend {In Pictures}

{never met a bookstore i didn't love}

{breakfast by dad}

{facetime friday with the littlest one}

{friday afternoon happy hour}

{thai friday}

{negronis + better call saul}

{rooftop smoothies}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Birthday David!

Happy Birthday to my crossword slayin’, world travelin’, martini drinkin’, book readin’, restaurant lovin’, good lookin’ gem of a friend. David, you’re simply the best. May the Wordle be ever in your favor. Cheers to you!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was super low key, which is just the way I like it.  We enjoyed a slow, sunny morning at the farm Facetiming with the Wenatchee crew and saying hello to the cows.  In the afternoon we had a perfect Easter dinner {can't go wrong with ham and cheesy potatoes!} and some yummy dessert before C & I had to head back south to the city for the week.  It was a nice relaxing weekend and the pops of sunshine made me so ready for this rain to be gone for the season.  Someday!

FYI - I'm taking off the rest of the week for a much needed break from work, but I'll be back next week!  Cheers!

facetiming with jack

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Tulips at Sunset

Saturday evening, after a visit at the beach with G&G, I convinced Christian to go the long way home and drive through the tulip fields.  It was just before sunset and most of the tourists had gone home for the day, so we pulled over along the side of the road with some other locals to take in these gorgeous yellow and red fields.  Though I've been around these my whole life, it's always breathtaking to see them up close, stretching as far as the eye can see in bright shades of all the colors of the rainbow.  It was a perfect evening to check out the fields and if you're in the area, make sure to swing by!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Easter Weekend {Edison & The Street Fair}

Friday afternoon Christian and I skipped out of work a little early to head up north for the weekend.  We tried and failed to beat the holiday traffic, but managed to get there in time for dinner.  We headed out to The Old Edison, a Skagit Valley staple, where we had delicious, freshly made food {after all, the kitchen is a one man show so everything is fresh off the grill!} paired with yummy beers.  We then made a quick trip to Costco for provisions before snuggling up with the kitties back at home.  Saturday morning the sun was out so we decided to make our way down to the Mt. Vernon Street Fair {along with the rest of the valley} where we perused the local talent, the fresh produce at the Co-op, and met up with Aunt Gretchen for a quick hello.  Afterwards we were starving so we continued our tour of Valley dive bars at The Corner Pub where I had a fabulous burger and finally got to see what all the fuss was about at this tiny, almost 100 year old local bar.

testing out the toys at costco

xoxo,

stephanie marie