Summer is Winding Down...

There are a lot of words and emotions that describe how we are feeling about leaving (again!). In some ways, this time is easier. We know what it's like to live across the world from our family & friends in the states, we have our home, our helper, our furniture, our jobs, we know Singapore and we have good friendships to return to. The anxiety that was there last summer is non-existent this year. That feels good. Going back to the humidity; not so good.

We have LOVED our summer here. We have been blessed with quality time with our family & friends. The time here has been filled with some emotion too. It's a very bizarre experience to live outside of the country for a year, then return. You plop down into a world that really hasn't changed at all. But you have. And that's okay. In many ways it's comforting. There are people we wished we could have seen more of and relationships that changed. That said, there are relationships that have undoubtedly been strengthened by this experience. I feel eternally grateful to the people who spent time with us this summer, laughing, loving on our boys and/or reconnecting with us. Those moments were meaningful, purposeful and will take us through another year abroad. We definitely packed our summer full of perfect, full-of-love, happy, blissful memories.

Ahhh Kate! Love those Kuitert's. All of them!

Lots of laughter with Kelly & Linds 

A great day at the beach with Ma 

Backyard game of family baseball. Dogs and all!  

Washing cars AND bathing :)

Enjoyed several breakfasts with Aunt Pat 

I miss my Bonny Slope family SO much! 

The love they share is simply the sweetest 

Sushi date with Auntie!  

Visiting Bon Bon and family in Albany

Drew enjoying some peaceful summer reading :)

Can't get enough BOYS! Fun with the Stedman's

A date night with my favorite

Feeling blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. In 5 days we'll board the plane for Singapore with happy hearts. We look forward to reuniting for good in 10 months! xo

*A special and reserved thank you to our parents. You guys are ALL rockstars. Simply put, you continue to give us the love, support, advice, hugs and laughter that we need. You are our rock. And you're not too shabby of grandparents to Luke & Drew either. :)

Hawaii - Celebrating 10 Years!

A week ago yesterday we jetted off to Maui with some friends to celebrate our 10th anniversary. When Adam and I got married, I really wanted to honeymoon in Hawaii considering I'd never been there. We settled on Puerto Vallarta with the promise that we'd go for our 10th anniversary if life hadn't taken us there before then. While life took us to some pretty amazing places, Hawaii wasn't one of them. Hence our trip to Maui!

It is simply crazy when I look back on the last 10 years and the ride we've been on. The last decade for us, has included: finishing college degrees, owning two homes, living in two states, having two dogs, expanding our family by two incredible little boys, teaching multiple grades and moving to a different country. It seems the Mitchell's like to do things in two's. :) We feel incredibly blessed to live the lives we have and we look forward to continuing our journey into the next decade.

Our week in Maui was filled with sun, relaxation, calmness, freedom, laughter and love.

View from the back of our condo

Beautiful Lahaina. I loved the old town feel.

Jeff & Tavia - who celebrated their 8th anniversary while we were there. Dinner at Fleetwood's. Just one of the many amazing meals we had while we were there!

Two tables back is Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac. He's the one who looks like Santa.  All-Star baseball player, Randy Johnson was also dining there. Yes, I had to Google them both. 

The boys got in three rounds of golf while we were there. 

Tavia & I were treated to a spa day while the boys played a round at Kapalua Golf Course. 

We spent time at both Kaanapali & Kapalua beaches...GORGEOUS!  

Our view one night at dinner...the beach doesn't get much closer!

Fantastic dinner at Aloha Mixed Grill

Another great meal at Spanky's Bar & Grill. Spanky is an adorable black lab that hangs out at the bar. :)

Our final day was spent hiking (more like rock climbing) to get up close and personal with the ocean. 

I wish sound could be captured here. We are standing in the middle where there is a small "pool" estimated to be about 30ft deep. It is swimmable and as you stand or swim there, you can hear the waves crashing against the rock formations on every side. A few times the waves crashed high enough to spray up and over. 

Adam jumping into the "pool"

A great trip with great friends! Here's to many more years of happiness, good health, daily laughter and two little boys who we're crazy in love with. Three more weeks until we head back across the world. (Can't think about it yet.) 

Fishing!

Luke is one happy little boy here in "America!" He has the freedom to run, drive his jeep all over, take lawn mower rides, ride his bike, golf and drive the gator around the barn at the ranch. He was also lucky enough to go on a guided fishing trip with his Dad & Grandpa on Sunday. They caught over 100 bass! He is so proud of his new tackle box and can't wait to fish again.

After living in Singapore for a year, I find that I am more appreciative of the beautiful surroundings in Oregon. Not only seeing it, but truly being able to enjoy it outside without being HOT.

Tonight was a S'more kind of night around here. Adam and I head out tomorrow for our Anniversary vacation, so we enjoyed the evening together with the boys. And Ella of course. What a great first half of our summer vacation!