Four years, five moves, three pets. Whoa.

I can hardly believe it's been 4 years since Ryan and I were crazy kids who fell in love and moved in together in a matter of two months.

I know, crazy.

But, it has most definitely worked out! These past four years have not always been a walk in the park, but they've been so worth it. I've been in a few relationships previous to Ryan, and none of them have compared to this one.

Not by a long shot.

Ok, enough of getting all mushy.

Each year, we go on an anniversary trip. The first and second year, we went to Cambria, one of our favorite California beach towns (besides Carmel & Santa Cruz, duh!) Our third year, we had recently moved to Washington, we were busy, and we were trying to save money, so we stayed home. This year, we wanted to take advantage of our Washington residency and explore more of the state. We decided on Walla Walla, 5 hours east of us here in Issaquah. It sits very close to both the Oregon and Idaho borders nestled in a small valley, and yes people, it's wine country.

Our favorite. :)

We set off in the morning, and stopped for lunch in Ellensberg, close to where we adopted Moose. Ryan found a "healthy drive thru" near downtown, and it was AMAZING! I can't wait to go back. The owner was such a sweetheart, and the food was healthy and wonderful. 

Further into the drive, it became desolate, tumbleweeds and all. There was nothing nearby. I started thinking to myself

"what did we get ourselves into?!"

"Are we going somewhere...boring?"

Eventually, we arrived, and even though this little town is in the middle of nowhere, it is beautiful, charming, and there's quite a lot to do.

40 wine tasting rooms in downtown alone.
Beautiful historic homes and buildings everywhere.

It's safe to say we had a wonderful time.

We stayed at a bed and breakfast, which was a first for the both of us. It was called The Maxwell House, a home that was built in the early 1900's and was restored gorgeously. The breakfasts were great, the room was quiet & cozy, and our inn keeper was a doll. 

Took a break on our drive to eat at Canyon River Bakers Lunchbox Cafe

in Ellensberg

The Maxwell House. Was a great location walking distance to downtown. This was the day we arrived, warm but cloudy outside.

Flowers of course. :)

Enjoying the garden with some vino

This is across the street from where we stayed, it's Whitman College campus housing

Our walk to downtown everyday took us through Whitman Campus, where there was plenty of lush green areas, streams, and public art

Leaving the house for our second dinner, at T. Maccarone's

Each of us enjoying drinks & dinner at T. Macarone's downtown

We went to a local meat & cheese shop downtown, grabbed a few items and drove to have a picnic at Basel Cellars just outside of town.

Can you believe Basel Cellars used to be a single family dwelling? Geez!

Taking a break in the day to sit & enjoy the porch at Maxwell House

Our last dinner at White House Crawford, an old planing mill. Had a gorgeous interior with a fully exposed kitchen. 

We definitely needed more time there, we didn't hit as many wine tasting rooms as we had hoped and there were so many amazing restaurants we didn't even get to try. We will definitely be going back, soon!

It's been too long...

So much has happened since I lasted posted! Life has been busy, which put both of my blogs on the back burner. 

Since last year, we have moved apartments, gotten rid of a vehicle, and adopted a dog. 

We were previously living in Discovery Heights in the highlands of Issaquah. When we moved in, the place was brand spankin' new, and HUGE. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, 14 foot ceilings, and 8 foot windows everywhere. It was gorgeous and spacious, but after experiencing one winter in that place we realized it was far too expensive to heat, and was far too large for two people. 

Yes, we had a lovely office, yes, we had a beautiful big & bright master bedroom, but we looked around and there were families of 4 living in smaller apartments than us. When we got a notice that our rent would be raised, that was the push we needed. 

Lets move.

We moved a few blocks away into a much smaller townhouse. We lost the space, the expansive closets, & wood floors, but gained a warmer, cozier, apartment more appropriate for a young couple with no kids. We now live in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse with an attached garage. The attached garage alone won me over the first time we saw this place. During these winters here, it's wonderful to have. The new apartment also has many other things our last place didn't: a wood burning fireplace, a larger kitchen, and a larger deck! The only thing I really miss about Discovery Heights is the closets/storage space. We don't have a coat closet anymore and we don't even have a place to put our broom & vacuum! 

Ryan got rid of his car shortly after we moved to our second apartment. Since he takes the bus to work everyday, he hadn't driven his car in months. When it came time to move the car to our new place, I got in, and WHOA! There was mold everywhere, and I mean everywhere. The seats, the steering wheel, the cup holders, the ceiling. The trunk had leaked! Ryan decided to donate it, and away that little red honda civic went. He took me out on our first date in that car...I was a little sad to see it go. 

On to more important things...

We got a dog! 

This event was years in the making. Ryan knew when he met me what he was in for. I'm a dog person, a serious one at that. I love my cats, but I was born a dog lady. I was raised in a family that bred Dalmatians. 

Enough said.

The runt of one of our litters became our family dog when I was 9. Her name was Patch; she was my sister & my best friend. She slept in bed with me every night growing up, we were attached at the hip. After we moved to Washington, I would make my mom send me pictures of her on a regular basis, because I missed her like crazy. This last Christmas, when we left to head back to Washington, I knew it would be the last time I saw her. She was sleeping most of the day, she would stumble and fall, and was at the point where she was wearing diapers in the house. Though she still seemed happy, I knew it probably wouldn't be long.

When I got that call on March 30, my heart broke, but some part of me felt now was the time for Ryan and I to get a dog. I'm sure it was just me wanting to comfort myself, but something came over me and I felt 100% ready to take on a dog. 

A few weeks later, I found Moose online. He was at a rescue center in Eastern Washington. His Mom was brought to them, pregnant & homeless. I showed Ryan, and we agreed we wanted to at least meet him. So on April 12, we drove over the Cascade mountains in a snow storm, to go meet this little one. I had to use the bathroom badly after that long drive, so before I met the pup I used the bathroom. By the time I came out, Ryan was already holding him, and giving me that look, like he was saying, "this is the one." I think we were there a total of 15 minutes mostly filling out paperwork, then we took him home.

His name was Moose, and the name stuck. He had huge paws with these lanky legs, it just fit him & his personality. He's 6 months now, has grown into his paws, he's very well trained, and hasn't chewed on one single pair of my shoes. 

We adore him.

On the car ride home

His first time napping in the crate

Our little beagle-lab mix.

 Puppies mean early mornings. This picture captures Moose's first few nights with us, we were tired puppy parents. :) 

He's grown A LOT since those pictures.

Here he is now, at 6 months!

The cats weren't sure of him at first, but they're coming around. :)

-Sierra