Continuing out on with my family vacation recap to Washington… we spent the next three days in Port Angeles, Washington at my husbands brother’s farm. The drive from Bainbridge Island was a relatively quick and painless drive. The boys were quiet and we all enjoyed the downtime between fun-filled adventures.
When we arrived to the farm, Steffen Stampede, we were welcomed by the girl cousins who we haven’t seen in four years. Yes four stinking long years of not seeing family! It happens. The greeting was sweet, shy, full of love and excitement, and heart felt.
After the initial hugs, excitement and re-introductions we headed to the barn for some rope swinging, hay bail throwing/kicking, and more farm fun.
Throughout our visit the cousins lined up from shortest to tallest. This gave T-man first dibs on many (if not all) of the activities that happened over the course of the week. He liked the special attention.
One of the other things that the cousins, and my T-man especially, LOVED was petting the bunnies. This was a crowd favorite. My T-man was loving on this brown bunny all week and kept wanting to hold this one… I am glad we were able to sneak away without taking him home.
When the kiddos were not petting bunnies or swinging on the rope swing in the barn… or chasing chickens, picking blackberries, hiking in the woods, or playing jellyfish together… they rode horses.
They paired up and each took turns riding, leading, and doing a game with their assigned horse. I think the T-man had the best deal of the day as he got to ride the whole time as Uncle Josh led him on the horse the whole time.
The cousins played so well together all week. You can tell there is totally a bond and love among them. It was a great experience to watch them grow in their relationships with each other and make lasting memories together. I was able to snap this photo of them all on the slide in birth order (youngest to oldest: 20 months, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9).
We did all of our eating outside. It was pleasantly cool, and even gasp warm when the sun came out. This was perfect for the kiddos as they are not always the neatest eaters, and the adults were able to eat, serve, and hear the kiddos when they ran off to play again.
Another memorable experience my city slicker boys were able to experience was to milk a goat. They were also given the opportunity to taste fresh warm goats milk. They were not a huge fan.
We enjoyed playing fun games with a large hoola-hoop together. Chase, jump, run, skip and even hoola. Competition was fierce.
My boys loved playing and practicing their sling shot skills. Thankfully we only had one minor mishap where a rock was aimed towards the cars. Crisis averted and no harm done. Although there were many rocks flung out into the field.
We hiked an insanely beautiful trail. Not sure of the mileage or elevation climb because my GPS alerted me that I was in Canada. I didn’t want to take any chances of overseas charges, so I just hiked. I ended up packing the T-man who was too tired the majority of the way UP UP UP. My heart and legs were burning in a good way.
The following morning we went to the beach and explored and learned about the vast marine/ocean life on the coast line. My sister-in-law is a wealth of knowledge of sea critters and teaching the boys (and all the kiddos and adults) about the name, purpose, and more!
We hiked out at low tide to make it to the big rock (you can see below). We found clams, crabs, star fish, sun fish, and more! When we were returning, the tide had come in and we were no longer given ample walking space. Wow, the tide sure does come in quick!
We enjoyed the breathtaking views, fresh air, cool temperatures, and great company making memories with our family. It has been far too long since we have gotten together (that is what happens when you have babies, live 800+ miles away, have responsibilities and life happens). We enjoyed our visit to the farm.
Our boys are still talking about all the fun they had while at the farm last week. Being out in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of life, reminds my husband and I what our end game is… to not live the city life. Too bad jobs (or the line of work my husband is in) require city work.
We enjoyed our time visiting family in Port Angeles, Washington. We hiked, ran, played basketball, rode goats, rode horses, petted bunnies, milked goats, swang on ropes, chased chickens, met Cousin Country Chaos, made memories and more!
Port Angeles is a beautiful part of the country. I look forward to the many more memories I will be able to make with our boys and the family in the years to come.
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
What a great pic of all of the cousins! Haven’t really been in that area of the country since I was a child. Enjoy!
Kerri O says
I grew up on a farm and we still have a mini farm here. We’re hoping for 10-ish acres when we move to CA so that we can expand a little. It’s definitely where our heart is.
Rachel says
Oh how fun! 10 acres would be amazing! 🙂
Penelope says
What a fun time! I always had the best time with cousins growing up. Love the pictures!
Rachel says
Thanks. Yes, me too! I loved my memories with my cousins. 🙂
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Omg I want that bunny! How cute!!
Rachel says
Haha! YES! I am thankful that that cute little bunny did NOT make it home with us 😉 It was iffy there at the end. 🙂
Patty says
Goat’s milk is generally better cold….as is most milk.
It looks like the kids enjoyed their farm visit. I can tell you this city girl has certainly taken to her farm retirement life so perhaps your boys will learn to love that goat’s milk some day.
Rachel says
I agree. That is what they said (cold is better). It was all about the farm experience to drink it straight from the goat. 🙂
Rebecca Jo says
I have some cousins I haven’t seen in probably 20 years… that’s sad.
A family member with a farm? I’d be there all the time 🙂
Rachel says
I am the same way with my cousins. I haven’t seen many of them in years. I would LOVE to see them more… but living on teh complete opposite side of the country does make it challenging.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
What a great place! My kids would love going here. I love the picture with all of the cousins. I try to take pics like this when my sisters kids are over.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
Wow. Amazing trip. So much fun to see family after time away. I saw my Oma in CA for the first time in about a year and a half last week.
Lisa J. Jones says
Such A Beautiful Place To Visit I Must Take The Family Thank You For Sharing!
MCM Mama says
What a lovely time! I wish my kids had cousins close in age to hang out with, but unfortunately my husband’s siblings all had their kids young and we waited so there’s an 8 year age difference between the youngest cousin and my oldest (and in my family, my brother just had his first, so yeah, 8 years between my youngest and his son…)
Rachel says
I totally understand! On *my* side of the family, my YOUNGEST is the OLDER than my sisters children. So there is always THAT interesting combination.