Carpinto Brother's Pumpkin Patch

Carpinto Brother's Pumpkin Patch

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

For the past four years we have made it an annual tradition to visit Carpinito Brother's Pumpkin Patch in Kent. We like the rows and rows of u-pick pumpkins, the bountiful produce stand and the large selection of gourds and mums. Everything is a bit more hectic with a busy toddler, but also a bit more of an adventure. During our visit there was lots of running, plenty of snack breaks and loads of smiles. I could tell Jasper felt like a pretty big deal riding around in the wheelbarrow with his sunglasses on. As he gets older and the world tries to diminish he sense of self, I hope he always remembers what a big deal he is to me. 

New Leaf Cafe

New Leaf Cafe

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Food

When we visit Orcas Island eating dinner at New Leaf Cafe is always at the top of our list. The food never disappoints, the presentation is always beautiful and the flavors are memorable. Whether it be a salad, an entree or a dessert, each item holds its own and leaves a lasting impression in your mind and on your taste buds. As most of you already know, my family and I are big fans of traveling during the off season. Easy to come by dinner reservations are just one of our favorite things about a slower season.

Our annual fall trip to the North Cascades

Our annual fall trip to the North Cascades

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Seattle

Each year in honor of Asher's birthday, we spend a long weekend in to the North Cascades. It is hard to put into words what a special place this has become for our little family, but the first word which comes to mind is refuge. Aside from the jaw dropping views and overall detachment from the outside world, it has become a place where we can remember and yet continue to make lasting memories together as a family.

Pebble Cove Farm

Pebble Cove Farm

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

During our time on Orcas Island we stayed at a lovely place called Pebble Cove Farm owned by Lydia and John Miller. Upon first glance at their website, the thing that struck me the most was how they referred to it as their "dream come true". In 2004, Lydia and John bought this long neglected acreage and worked hard to transform an abandoned barn into a contemporary farmhouse. There dream to raise their three boys by the sea was achieved and now their guests are the recipients of all their hard work.  Pebble Cove Farm is a respite from the world. There is a u-pick garden, a sweet horse named Buddy, goats, pigs, chickens, a swing set and most importantly room to breathe. Jasper loved spending his time in the garden and I was in love with their bountiful orchard and flower garden. 

Savor the San Juans: Orcas Island Farm Tour

Savor the San Juans: Orcas Island Farm Tour

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Food

Two weekends ago, we hopped on a ferry bound for Pebble Cove Farm on Orcas Island. It had been a long time since we last visited Orcas Island and we were excited to visit some familiar places, but more importantly participate in the Orcas Island Farm Tour, stay at Pebble Cove Farm and eat dinner at New Leaf Cafe. The Orcas Island Farm Tour is just one of the many events occurring during the Savor the San Juans which runs thru November 12th. Savor the San Juans is a nine year tradition which has grown to encompass three film festivals, art exhibits, a new sustainable seafood Salish Sea Festival, a farm parade, two vineyard harvest festivals, harvest dinners, farm tours and much more. I love the San Juan Islands and with the stunning ferry ride this is one instance where getting there is really half the fun. 

Volunteer Park Conservatory

Volunteer Park Conservatory

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

Summer seemed to slip through our fingers this year, because before we knew it it was over. It had been awhile since we last visited the Volunteer Park Conservatory and this time Jasper did a whole lot more than walk around with his hands behind his back. It never ceases to amaze me how a little boy's mind works. Jasper found every wheel to turn and button to push during our brief visit to the conservatory. I was there for the flowers, but he was there to keep me on my toes. After our trip to the conservatory Jasper loves to play at the adjacent park and we both enjoy lunch at the Volunteer Park Cafe afterwards. You really can never go wrong with crisp autumn air, sunshine, flowers and my favorite little sidekick. 

The Farm at Swan's Trail

The Farm at Swan's Trail

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Last week, we were craving some Fall fun, so we packed up the car and made the trek to The Farm at Swan's Trail in Snohomish. Since I had not done much research before we went, I was impressed with the variety of activities to do and how much fun Jasper and I had. We had so much fun in fact, we made certain to take Cameron back earlier this week. At The Farm at Swan's Trail there are hay rides, gigantic slides, a sand box with trucks and diggers, a corn box (think ball pit but with corn kernels) a rubber duck race, pigs, goats, a cow, a miniature horse, a gigantic inflatable pillow (think trampoline), a corn maze in the shape of Washington state, a pumpkin patch and apple picking. Jasper and I easily spent the better part of the day at Swan Trails Farm.

Kidbox Part Two

Kidbox Part Two

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Parenting, Kid Style

Earlier last month, I introduced you to a new clothing delivery company called Kidbox. For under $100 they will send you a box of clothing (6-8 pieces) for your child based upon the preferences you preselect (ie. favorite colors, what types of styles to avoid, etc.) Once the box arrives you have seven days to decide what you would like to keep and which items need to be sent back. The best part of Kidbox aside from avoiding the mall, trying to wrangle children and unsuccessfully trying to coerce your child into trying on clothes is that every time you purchase a Kidbox, they will donate new clothes to a kid who needs it. Pretty awesome, right? Kidbox is one of the easiest and best ways I have found to start a conversation with your kid about social good.

Edmond's Saturday market

Edmond's Saturday market

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

A couple weekends ago we found ourselves up in Edmonds on a Saturday afternoon. Much to our delight we stumbled upon their farmer's market. Living in Seattle it is often difficult to find a farmer's market which isn't on a Sunday, so we were excited to peruse the fresh vegetables, flowers and handmade goods. We were excited to walk away with an assortment of locally made goods. We bought some amazing peanut butter chocolate fudge and milk chocolate toffee, handmade caramels, a head of garlic, a pound of fingerling potatoes, a bouquet of fresh flowers and a gardening tool. Sounds like we have a bit of sweet tooth doesn't it?!

A weekend in Leavenworth

A weekend in Leavenworth

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Last weekend, we headed to Leavenworth for some hiking, a little bit of relaxation, and a much needed change of scenery. Every once and awhile I crave a new landscape, so last weekend we packed up the car and headed east of the mountains. I am always amazed at how different the landscape is just a couple hundred miles away from our home. It reminds me there is so much still to explore in my own backyard. 

Photographing the every day moments

Photographing the every day moments

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting

Although I am constantly taking photos of Jasper I do not think there will ever come a time when he is grown that I will declare, "Geeh, I wished I wouldn't have taken so many photos of him" It is easy to remember to snap photos of him when we are out and about, but I am trying my best to make a conscious effort to capture him in his every day element. Like when he wakes up from a nap and is super playful and expressive. Also, there are so many things I want to remember about him in the here and now that taking a few photos will help jog my memory later on. For starters, I want to remember his gorgeous sun kissed skin and bleached blond hair from all our Summer adventures. I want to remember how tenderly kissed his animals good night when he thinks they should be resting or how he always wakes up happy and smiling. I even want to remember how he refuses to have his nails trimmed and ends up scratching his face by accident. The transformation from newborn to baby to toddler has been a remarkable and awe inspiring thing to watch. I can't wait to see what the next two years will bring. 

When life changes forever

When life changes forever

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Sometimes I find myself head down immersed in my own life when out of nowhere something happens and it causes me to pause and look up. Last week we lost a dear friend suddenly. Over the past week, I have spent an inordinate amount of time reflecting on my own life in a way I have not done for awhile. 

The Washington State Fair

The Washington State Fair

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Parenting

It has been an annual tradition to attend the Washington State Fair for as long as I can remember. First with my parents, then with my friends and now with my own little family. At the fair, there are so many things to see, do and eat. This year, the thing which captivated my attention the most was an adorable little boy in a pair of denim overalls. Jasper was such a joy to watch as he "carefully" petted baby animals, danced every time he heard music and rode his very first ride all by himself. There are endless pros to being tall (so I am told) and being able to ride all the rides in the little kid area is definitely one of them. 

Our week in Arizona

Our week in Arizona

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

Arizona can be a VERY hot place in the Summer, but when you know you are only going to be there for a short time it is easy to embrace the heat and enjoy the beauty of the desert landscape. On our recent visit to Arizona our biggest criteria in finding a rental house was that it had a pool. Not only did we find a house with a pool, but it had two outdoor fireplaces, an outdoor television, a pool table and two outdoor seating areas. One of my favorite parts about Arizona aside from all the different varieties of cacti is the fact that people who live here actually own a whole wardrobe of bathing suits. As a Pacific Northwest native, the very idea of wearing a bathing suit more than once a year is a pretty exhilarating prospect.

The Saguaro in Scottsdale

The Saguaro in Scottsdale

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

Last week, we spent some time visiting Cameron's parents in Arizona. It had been several years since we last visited Arizona and we were excited for a change of scenery, warm weather, amazing Mexican food, and lots of swimming. We took an evening flight from Seattle and knew we would be arriving late, so we booked one night at The Saguaro Scottsdale to start our trip off. Aside from the sometimes stifling mid day heat, it was the perfect time of year to visit Arizona. The thermometer easily hovered a little over one hundred degrees each day and we found if we were outside, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. 

Kidbox (Part One)

Kidbox (Part One)

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting, Kid Style

When you are a child, a box is not just a box. A box can be a boat, a car, a ramp, a coloring book and can provide hours upon hours of fun. Especially, when you are a toddler you are more interested in the box that comes in the mail rather than what comes inside. So when our Kidbox Back to School box arrived I was excited about the clothes inside and Jasper was excited about the box. 

Apple Picking at Jones Creek Farm

Apple Picking at Jones Creek Farm

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle

This past weekend we drove up to Jones Creek Farm for a little apple picking and a scenic drive of sorts. We stopped at Calico Cupboard for lunch and made certain to pick up a couple of toffee bars for the drive home. Once at Jones Creek Farm we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We walked up and down the rows of apples and pears and were almost overwhelmed by the abundance before our eyes. We live in a place where we have access to some of the freshest, most beautiful produce in the country and I believe it is paramount that my son learns where his food comes from. 

What a 90 degree day calls for......

What a 90 degree day calls for......

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Outdoor adventures, Summer, Seattle

Whenever we get a late start, lack the energy required for an eight mile hikes or are stumped as to where to go we end up at Snow Lake. Although it can be a busy and crowded trail, it is a beautiful hike. Also, the reward of ending up at an alpine lake is as big a reward as you'll ever have when you are day hiking in Washington. A couple weeks ago, when the forecast called for a ninety degree Saturday we knew we liked the idea of swimming in the cool waters of an alpine lake. 

Hiking around Mount Rainier

Hiking around Mount Rainier

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Seattle, Weekend

In the Summer, there is one Saturday I look forward to more than all the others- it is the day we go hiking around Mount Rainier. Typically, we visit Paradise in August when the wildflowers are in full force and our chance of having a clear day is at its greatest. So far this ultra scientific method for picking what day to visit has worked out. Over the past several years we have enjoyed a spectacular day on the mountain. 

South Lake Union Block Party

South Lake Union Block Party

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Food, Seattle

For the past several years we have made it a point to stop by the South Lake Union Block Party for burgers, sunshine and an all around good time. This year we had an eager toddler in tow who was ready to get in on the action himself. Most notably during the block party, he played a little chess, chased bubbles, grabbed more than a few bananas from the free Banana stand, chowed down on burgers and picked up his first library card accompanied by a temporary tattoo of the downtown Seattle library. After the Block Party we made our way down to South Lake Union Park for a little splashing around in the water to cap off our night.

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