Insta-Update

True to the pattern of life in the spring, things are busy around the house with Church, home schooling, enjoying the spring flowers and wondering at the common wonders of life. However, we're also preparing to send Stan out on his ninth Navy deployment in just a few days. We were able to head out of town for a last minute trip to spend a little family time before he heads out for the next six months. 

Since I'm terribly behind on editing the photos from my "big camera" I'll post a litany of Instagram shots from our last couple of weeks.  

I am one lucky girl.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Our first stop on our trip was a few quiet days in Mt. Angel, Oregon. We stayed at the Monastery, visited St. Mary's for Mass and the Mt. Angel Abbey & Seminary.

St. Mary's Parish 
Mt. Angel, OR

Our Lady of the Angels Monastery

Our tour guide and friend, Brother Leonel

Mt. Angel Abbey & Seminary 

I enjoyed paroosing the library at the seminary. It was one of the places my dad had wanted to visit for years. Walking through three stories of books was a flood of thoughts and emotions. I especially enjoyed the several shelves of Chesterton books I found.

The redwood in front of the Monastery.

At the foot of the redwood tree.

Silver Falls

The girlies walking behind the waterfall

On the road again

Beach camping in sunny Southern California

Journaling our trip

Excuse me, I mustache you a question...

Shave it for later.

Chesterton on the beach

Campfire dinners

Castles in the sand

He is pretty amazing

San Juan Capistrano Mission

Lunch in a train car

Home Sweet Home

Came home to our rhodie in full bloom

"THE fact is that purification and austerity are even more necessary for the appreciation of life and laughter than for anything else. To let no bird fly past unnoticed, to spell patiently the stones and weeds, to have the mind a storehouse of sunsets, requires a discipline in pleasure and an education in gratitude." -G.K. Chesterton, Twelve Types