Family is one of the greatest parts of our lives — and we’re lucky to have a whole lot of it. Rae comes from a large, blended family with lots of siblings, step-siblings, and extended relatives. There’s always someone to laugh with, lean on, or gather around the table with. Birthdays, holidays, and even casual weekends often turn into joyful celebrations full of food, fun, and connection. Dustin also comes from a big extended family, with many cousins he’s close to and has fond memories of growing up alongside. Between both sides, there’s a rich sense of tradition, belonging, and family history that we truly value.
Beyond our relatives, we are fortunate to have a close circle of friends who truly feel like family. These are the people we call in both everyday moments and big milestones — the ones who show up with casseroles, carpools, and unconditional love. This little one will grow up not only with grandparents and siblings but also with aunties and uncles by choice — a village full of people who already can’t wait to meet them.
Traditions
Our Favorite Getaway
Every year, we take at least one trip to Leavenworth, Washington — a charming Bavarian-style village nestled in the mountains of central Washington. It holds a special place in our hearts. Our very first trip together was to this storybook town, and it’s been a favorite ever since. It became even more meaningful when Dustin chose it as the place to propose.
Leavenworth is magical in every season. In the summer, we love hiking, swimming, and floating the river. In the fall, the colorful scenery and Oktoberfest festivities make for the perfect cozy getaway. And in the winter, the entire village transforms into a snowy wonderland — complete with twinkling lights, weekend lighting ceremonies, visits from Santa and other characters, carriage rides, and even sledding down the hill in the center of town.
It’s a place filled with joy, tradition, and memories — and we can’t wait to share it with a little one someday.
Beach Day's
We love spending time at the beach! These days, we’re lucky to live close to a few beautiful local beaches that we visit often — whether it’s for a quick walk, a sunset view, or some time in the sand with Daisy. A few times a year, we also make a longer trip out to the coast for a few days of rest, adventure, and salty air.
The beach holds a particularly special place in Dustin’s heart. As a child, his grandparents lived in Westport, Washington, and he has fond memories of visiting them and spending time by the ocean. Those moments are still some of his favorites, and we’re excited to make new beach memories as a family.
Halloween
Fall is Dustin’s favorite season, and Halloween is his favorite holiday. Every year, we take a scenic drive to enjoy the changing leaves and spend time outdoors hiking through the crisp autumn air. One of our favorite traditions is visiting a local pumpkin patch — picking out the perfect pumpkins, navigating corn mazes, playing games, and soaking in the seasonal fun. We also make it a point to visit a few haunted houses each year — it’s a spooky tradition we look forward to every October!
Dustin is especially excited for the day he can take a little one trick-or-treating around the neighborhood — something he used to do with Rae’s younger siblings. Rae looks forward to carving pumpkins and roasting seeds with a future child, creating cozy memories and traditions that will last a lifetime.
Christmas
Christmas is Rae’s favorite time of year, and our home is full of holiday spirit and festive traditions. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, we hang lights on the house to kick off the season. The following day, we visit a local Christmas tree farm to pick out and cut down our tree, then spend the evening decorating it together. That same weekend, we also attend one of the local tree lighting ceremonies to soak in the magic of the season.
Throughout December, we love taking evening drives with hot cocoa in hand to admire holiday lights around town. One of our favorite outings is heading to Bellevue Square to watch the Snowflake Lane parade — a festive show with music, lights, and “snow” that never fails to delight.
The weekend before Christmas, we host a big holiday party at our home for friends and extended family. It’s always filled with laughter, food, and joy — one of our favorite nights of the year. On Christmas morning, we wake up early to open stockings and exchange gifts with each other before heading to Rae’s mom’s house to celebrate with the rest of the family.
Our holiday season is full of love, joy, and togetherness — and we can’t wait to one day share these magical traditions with a child.