This is a continuation from Part 1.  Click here to see the first post.

For the next part of our trip, we spent the 4th of July exploring Chambers Bay and Gig Harbor and got Duke's famous clam chowder at Point Ruston during the 4th of July Air Show.  We then finished out our trip with the site I had most anxiously awaited: Mt Rainier National Park.  It was absolutely stunning, and I can't wait until I can see it again and explore more parts of it. We hiked a trail which started at the Paradise Visitor Center, and trust me, there is a reason they call it Paradise!

This is a bit of a throwback, but in light of being stuck at home currently (#thatquarantinelife), I was reminiscing on this trip and decided to share some of the memories since I had plenty of time to put together a couple blog posts (I split it in to two parts because there is so much to see).  Phoebe and I visited her sister Kathryn and her husband Owen at their home in Tacoma, WA where Kathryn is stationed as an army nurse.  There was so much to see and do in this beautiful part of the country! We had a blast! Thank you so much Kathryn and Owen for always being the best hosts and adventure guides no matter where you are living at the current moment!

So here's the thing. Mitwa was due in March, so we figured, hey, let's do some maternity pictures at the end of January or beginning of February, so we'll be safe. She would have a big belly (because GIVE THE PEOPLE WANT THEY WANT!) but would still not be as uncomfortable as in her last month of pregnancy.  Well! I am certainly glad we did because little baby Ezra decided to join us a weeee bit early and came in February instead! (This woman was hiking at the ledges like a champ a mere 2ish weeks before giving birth, so major points for that!).  I have known Mitwa and Ralph for several years now from our time together in a small group, and it has been so joyful to watch them start their new job assignment as parents to a precious little boy.

Jackie and Joey wanted something small and relaxed for their wedding day, and they chose to hold their celebration at the Welshfield Inn in Burton, OH.  Jackie is one of my coworkers at the hospital, and for weeks, we were hoping for snow because she wanted a snowy wedding day so badly. And we were fortunate because that is what she got!  Jackie and Joey said "I do" in front of a small group of friends and family and enjoyed a sit-down dinner together with cheesecake for dessert.  I loved the details of Jackie and Joey's day that honored her father who passed away from cancer.  Joey wore her dad's old paisley tie, and Jackie had a necklace with his fingerprint draped around her bouquet.  I also loved the bond that Jackie had with her sweet mom and watching her mom's expression as she zipped Jackie up into her wedding dress.  I know Jackie's dad would have absolutely relished the opportunity to walk his little girl down the aisle, but Jackie's sister filled in for him and escorted Jackie by the arm as she walked toward her new groom.  Congratulations Jackie and Joey!  Many years of love and happiness for to you!

"THICKEL HAD A BABY!!" <-- This is literally the title of this photo folder on my desktop.  It only felt right.  Alex (now married and no longer with last name Thickel, this I acknowledge) is one of my coworkers at the hospital, and every time I see her coming down the hallway, I feel compelled to exclaim "Thickel"!  Well now, Thickel is a mom to the most precious baby boy, and it was so fun to meet him for a family photo session in their home. Introducing Mr. Miles!