Apple Picking at Gordon Skagit

Apple Picking at Gordon Skagit

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Although I already mentioned Gordon Skagit Farm in a previous post last week, I also wanted to mention how much I really love their little apple orchard. Their apples are reasonably priced and are some of the crunchiest, most delicious apples I have ever eaten. In keeping with tradition with came here again this year on Asher's birthday. After we picked our apples. we decided to snap a couple photos of the three of us in the orchard. Initially, I had mixed emotions about focusing my attention on anyone other than Asher, but after some thought I came to the realization that no one is probably more excited than Asher for us to be growing our family. 

Chuckanut Drive and Bow, Washington

Chuckanut Drive and Bow, Washington

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel

After enjoying a sunny morning picking apples at Bellewood Acre Farms we decided to take the long way home and drive along Chuckanut Drive. The sun was shining, the car windows were down and we were enjoying one our last warms days before autumn and its cooler temperatures settled in. We enjoyed a quick stop at Taylor Shellfish Farm and then once we realized how close we were to Bow, WA we knew we just had to stop. Bow, WA is home to one of our favorite bakeries called Breadfarm in addition to several adorable shops like Hedgerow. 

Gordon Skagit

Gordon Skagit

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

My favorite place to go for beautiful and unique pumpkins is Gordon Skagit Farm. They carry everything from French Red to Porcelain Provence, Australian Blue and several other varieties of pumpkins. One of the best things about Gordon Skagit Farm is how everything is thoughtfully and beautifully laid out. I always walk away with a wheelbarrow full of autumn goodness along with something extra like a handmade wreath or Indian Corn. Between the lovely apple orchard, fresh cider and beautiful paintings interspersed amongst the pumpkins, this place is something out of my dreams. 

Honoring Asher

Honoring Asher

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Asher, Parenting

Each year on my son's birthday I simultaneously feel sad and look forward to the date. My thoughts often turn toward how old he would have been, what kind of party I might have thrown for him and what our life would have looked like if he were around. Inevitably, on the day of his birth I have moments of tears and sadness, but my general feelings have been of gratitude and happiness. I know without a shadow of a doubt my son would want me to be happy. 

Friend baby shower

Friend baby shower

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Last weekend some of my nearest and dearest friends hosted the loveliest baby shower for me and baby #2. Initially, I was a bit of nervous about being the guest of honor at the party. My typical role is hostess and I wasn't certain how I would feel being on the other end. However, I can honestly say once I was there I felt comfortable, loved and supremely spoiled. It might be all these pregnancy hormones running through my body, but upon reflection I felt overwhelmed by my friend's kindness and outpouring of love for me and our new baby. 

Carpinito Brother's Pumpkin Patch

Carpinito Brother's Pumpkin Patch

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

We like to visit the Pumpkin Patch early before the weekend crowds start piling up and before the weather turns the fields into a muddy mess. This past weekend the sun was shining and we set out to find the perfect pumpkins. There are several pumpkin patches we like to visit, but Carpinito Brothers is always a sure bet for a variety of good looking pumpkins and a cornucopia of delicious produce at reasonable prices. Since our visit I have turned a majority of our produce into one of our favorite fall meals, Garden Minestrone. 

Sinclair Beach Cottage

Sinclair Beach Cottage

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

A few weekends ago we stayed at a brand new rental property called Sinclair Beach Cottage. Sinclair Cottage is a quiet, beach front, one bedroom house located in Port Orchard, Washington. The house resides on the Sinclair inlet across the way from the Bremerton ferry terminal. This means day or night you are able to sit inside the house or on the back deck and watch the ferries and other boats cruise by. 

Bellewood Acre Farms

Bellewood Acre Farms

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Several people I follow on Instagram have posted photos of apple picking in Bellewood Acres. I was curious to check it out for myself and once we arrived I was surprised by two things: one, how touristy it was and two, what an abundance of apples they had. Because of the latter, I could easily overlook the fact we were not alone amongst acres and acres of apples. I had never seen so many apples, row after row of apples just ripe for the picking. For instance the Honey Crisps were so large we had to hunt for the smaller ones and by smaller ones I mean apples which don't require three people to consume. 

Photographing kids

Photographing kids

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Kids are just about my favorite thing to photograph. They are funny, unpredictable and oozing with both sass and charm. The other day I had the privilege of photographing my good friend's children. As I was taking their photographs I reflected upon how I want big things for these two, but more importantly how lucky I am they have turned into my friends too.

A look back at Summer

A look back at Summer

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

As Fall has officially arrived I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the highlights of this past Summer. With weekly doctor appointments and counting down to our baby's arrival it is easy to ask where did Summer go? It was a good one. 

Rob and Kimmi's wedding

Rob and Kimmi's wedding

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Cameron's good friend, Rob, was married a couple weeks ago at Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo, WA. Kiana Lodge is a beautiful waterfront property located on Agate Pass which separates Bainbridge Island from the North Kitsap Peninsula. Upon arrival, I was struck by the overall beauty of the grounds and the enormous variety of hanging baskets, planters and flower beds dotting the property. The wedding ceremony took place in the evening on the Event lawn, the dinner was in the Garden Atrium followed by dancing and cake cutting in the Main Lodge. It was an intimate affair and reminded me of how much more enjoyable and personal small weddings can be. 

A Garden Party

A Garden Party

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Every year the women in my church congregation get together and have a Garden Party. This has been a tradition for as long as I can remember and this year I had the privilege of hosting it at my home. In years past, it has been held at some pretty beautiful homes with equally stunning gardens so I felt a lot of pressure to make it special.

Cutthroat Lake

Cutthroat Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Cutthroat Lake is a relatively easy hike located in the North Cascades with a beautiful lake as your end point. We ventured out early in the morning and as our reward we had the trail and then lake to ourselves. The North Cascades is one of my favorite places to hike because there are so many different hikes, the trails never seem to be overrun like they sometimes are along the I-90 corridor. 

Our little man's nursery

Our little man's nursery

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

One of the most heartbreaking acts I performed after our son passed away was to dismantle his nursery. Several friends and family members suggested they take over this task for me, but it only seemed appropriate I would be the one to take it down. Ten days after he passed, I decided it was time to pack up all of our son's belongings. Unfortunately, this decision coincided with my birthday. Looking back I believe I tried to inflict the most amount of pain I could upon myself in hopes my heart would stop feeling. After the initial surge of love and support from loved ones, I struggled with feeling guilty for having moments of happiness. The act of packing up his belongings was punctuated with heavy sobs and feelings of anger. The life I was looking forward to was over and instead was replaced with large clear plastic containers of memories. Life felt unfair. Life felt hard, but the very act of keeping all those baby items was a testament to my faith in the future. 

Hiking Snow Lake

Hiking Snow Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

This pregnancy has been very similar to my last one, but as I have gotten farther along I have tried my best to take it easy and be kind to myself. The decision to stop running sooner during this pregnancy was a big one for me, but my joints and bladder have thanked me for it. Running has always been such an integral part of my workout and something I look forward to each morning. Running also allows me the ability to cover more territory in a less amount of time, so walking just takes longer. On particularly warm days when I think about going on my daily walk, in the back of my mind a nap sounds just about right too. This time around I have allowed myself the freedom and flexibility to do both. Some days I am better at pushing myself than others. Even though the thought of hiking is sometimes an exhausting one when all is said and done I have never regretted a day spent in the fresh air. 

Puyallup Fair

Puyallup Fair

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

I have visited the Puyallup Fair every year for as long as I can remember. Even though it recently rebranded itself as the Washington State Fair, to me it will always be the Puyallup Fair. When I was young I would oftentimes get picked up early from school and we would make the long drive to the fair grounds. I think part of being a kid is thinking every car ride over ten minutes is long. Ha! When I think of the fair my thoughts immediately turn toward the food, animals, rides and vendor booths. I have spent many hours walking up and down those vendor stalls enjoying the Kitchen Craft or Vitamix shows. Although I am never really compelled to buy any of these products, it is still fun to see what their latest gimmick or sales tactic is this year. 

Maternity photo shoot

Maternity photo shoot

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

The weekend we spent up in the North Cascades we were walking around Sun Mountain Lodge when Cameron snapped a couple pictures of me. Before I knew it, I had turned it into a mini maternity photo shoot. Over the course of this pregnancy, I have gone back and forth between wanting professional photos taken and not. I will be the first to admit I would rather be behind the camera instead of in front of. When I am getting my picture taken solo I tend to feel awkward and don't know exactly what to do with my body.

Mylio.com

Mylio.com

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

I just wrote my second article for Mylio.com. In this article, I discuss some of my tips for taking fewer photos which will allow you to remain present in your own life. Go here to read the full article. 

Blue Lake

Blue Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Blue Lake is a stunning Summer hike, but short enough it will not take up your entire day.  Blue Lake sits around 6200 feet and you could easily spend an entire afternoon sunning on its shoreline, picnicking or documenting the changing water color. On the way up the views are spectacular and feel reminiscent of hiking around Glacier National Park. 

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