New Name.... New Style!!!

Welcome to the new version of my blog! Since I am no longer in Seattle, I have revamped my blog to better express myself. Enjoy!

Final Days in Edmonds

I'm not going to do a long post with lots of words to tell you how my last few days in Edmonds were.... instead I'm going to show you with some awesome pictures!

 

 

Edmonds Sunsets

Edmonds has some of the most glorious sunsets I have ever seen.... here are a few of my favorites from throughout the summer!

Name Change!!!

Hello, everyone! In spite of my dismal update record this summer, I have decided to continue this blog past the internship experience. However, since I will not be remaining in Seattle, I am going to have to change the name. This is where I need your help. I am REALLY bad at coming up with catchy blog names. I have a few ideas bouncing around, but if you could give some input or suggestions, that would be very helpful. I would like the name to include something to do with music, Jesus, Lutherans, pro-life-ness, etc. One idea I had was "Joyful Noises," but I wasn't entirely sure. So anyway, leave a comment here or on facebook with your ideas and I will love you forever!

Thanks and much love!
Laura

Davis Family Reunion

While I was up here working, the rest of the Davis clan decided it was once again time for a good old fashioned Davis family reunion. My family came up the day before I left for Shoshone and my dad's sister and the rest of the Mansfields got here a couple days later. After my family went to the mountains for a couple of days (I had to stay and work) and the Manfields took a trip to Victoria, we all got together, along with the Taziolis, for a trip down memory lane and headed to Big Four Mountain.

The goal of the trip was to recreate a picture we had taken of the kids (that would be my siblings, cousins, and me) about fifteen years ago. However, after hiking the entire trail, we realized that the picture was NOT even taken at Big Four, but in California at Sequoia National Park. FAIL! Oh, well, we still managed to have a lot of fun, as we always do when we are all together. The scenery was beautiful, even if it was a dreary day, and I think the trip was well worth it.

Family minus one

My cousin's two month old, Adah

After eating lunch at Big Four, we headed down to Granite Falls, and visited the fish ladder. I was a little scared of the grates that we had to walk on, but it was worth it! :)

Hannah and I with our cousin, Emily

We love each other

The next day, we took a tour of Seattle on one of the "ducks," an amphibious vehicle driven by crazy tour guides. We saw a lot of thing I had already seen, and a few things I hadn't. My favorite part was the trip out on to Lake Union and learning all about the houseboats and "floating houses" along the lake (apparently there's a difference).

 

John and my Aunt Andrea

The "real" Seattle Grace Hospital... not a hospital at all!

After the tour, the Mansfields moved on to the rest of their vacation and the Davises settled down to enjoy a few more days together. Hannah and I had several late night talks out in the camper we were sleeping in. On the last day of their visit, Hannah, John, and I took a trip over to Kingston on the ferry.

After we enjoyed some ice cream and John worked on his stalker skills (its a long story), we started our return to Edmonds. Halfway there however, Hannah and I both got text messages that said simply one word.... Christina!!!

Our sister had just given birth way over in Wisconsin to my beautiful niece, Christina Faith! The announcement was the perfect way to end a wonderful vacation!

Reunited and it Feels SO Good!! SBC 2011

Finally, after three, long, agonizing years, I got to return to my favorite place on earth, Shoshone Base Camp, in Prichard, ID. For those of you who don't know, I worked as program staff at Shoshone, a Lutheran summer camp that specializes in youth servant events, the summer after my freshman year of college. Until this summer, no three months had ever made such a difference in my life. The staff I worked with (Clint, Alissa, Meghan, Kimmy, Bear, Kyle, Jordan, and Dallas) truly became my family and each one taught me something extremely significant about myself and the person I want to be. Not only was that summer one of the most spiritually uplifting times in my life, but just look at the place! How can you not feel close to God in such a gorgeous environment!

Shoshone at sunrise

While I was there, I participated in a servant event painting fences (painting projects were a staple of my time at Shoshone), went to a few campfires, ate meals in the chow hall, had dinner at the Snake Pit, rode a horse (first time!) and went on a bike ride, my first one since all of my health problems began. The bike ride was especially wonderful. We rode down the Shoshone Creek Road, one of my favorite rides, for about five miles. It was such a gorgeous day and I got some great pictures! And, the best part, my knees and back handled it just fine! What a difference from just last year!

 

One of my favorite spots along the road

Seriously! Best bike ride EVER

The highlight of my trip, however, was finally getting to meet Clint and Alissa's girls. Addison and Ella were both born since I left and I have been looking forward to meeting them face to face for a long time! They were both such wonderful and sweet girls!

Addison is the blonde and Ella is the brunette

Addison

Addison and Alissa

Ella and me.... we had a special bond :)

My Shoshone family!

The weekend was full of old memories, new experiences, reunions, and fun. I can't wait to go back again!

Walk with Bear to Riverside Chapel

Bear and me!

Meghan and me!

Good old Shoshone Base Camp, how I will miss you!