A week of fun... and now I need a nap

Last Sunday, the kids and I headed up to Whidbey for the annual 3-day kids' golf camp at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club. Our kids adore going up to the island for this camp. They get an extended stay at Bestemor and Bestefar's house (win!), they get to go swimming (win!), they get to have fun playing some golf (win!), and they get to play with Bestemor and Bestfar's dogs for a few days (win!), Conor went trout fishing with Bestefar (win!), we celebrated Annika's birthday (win!), and I went salmon fishing/crabbing with Bestefar (win and win!).

This was (I think) the kids' 4th year at golf camp. Each year, they have so much fun, get to meet new kids, and they grow as golfers. This year was no exception. On Monday, they swam for almost 2 hours and then did golf camp for 2 hours. Whew! Tuesday's weather wasn't as cooperative, so they opted to skip the pool that day. (I was grateful for the overcast sky because it meant sunburns weren't an issue.) On Wednesday, the sun was back, so out came the sunblock again! Conor is a huge fan of hitting balls at the driving range. Annika liked being out on the actual golf course for the first time ... it made her feel like a real golfer!

Entertaining themselves with the "Coca Cola Went to Town" song

Pool fun

Conor at the driving range

Our little golfin' dude 

Annika at the driving range

Great swing!

He hit a 150 yard drive!!!

Bestmor and Bestefar gave Annika an incredible birthday gift ... a scrapbook from their trip to Ireland! For each day, Bestemor wrote a short summary of the day's events, included photos, and a few mementos. Annika LOVED the book and we love seeing her smile from ear to ear as she looks through it and remember her amazing trip with her amazing grandparents. She giggles are things remembered in the book, and tells us so many stories that the photos and write-ups remind her of.

Annika reading her bday card

Looking at her scrapbook

On Tuesday morning, Bestefar and Conor hit Deer Lake to go trout fishing. From what I was told. things started off reallllllly slowly. Not a nibble or a bite for a long time. They wound up catching 2 trout the last half hour (or so) that they were on the lake, though, so all was not lost! (Thanks for catching a future dinner for us, guys!!)

Conor and Bestefar say "WOO HOO!"

 I worked from the island Mon-Wed and took Thur-Fri off to go salmon fishing with Eric's dad. I'm pretty sure it was his life's goal to have me catch a salmon. He's taken me out a number of times over the past few years and the only thing we ever caught were dogfish, a flounder, and rocks. This year, he was determined to change my salmon fishing record.... and we did!! We were up very early both mornings and at the boat launch no later than 5 AM. The only thing we caught on Thursday was a crab (yum, but not exactly what we'd hoped for in the big scheme of things). Friday was our day! We wound up with 9 keeper crabs in the traps. I also caught a pink salmon (hooked and reeled it in myself - boo yah!), and Jack hooked a king salmon that he had me reel in. In addition, Jack caught one heck of a ling cod (40-ish pounds!) that we threw back after taking a few photos.  Talk about a fish putting up a fight!!!

Early mornings

Jack navigating to good fishing spots

That's one BIG ling cod!!!

My king!!

:Look at my pink!

On the ferry heading back home ... with our annual "post golf camp" ice cream treats

After fishing and cleaning up the boat on Friday, the kids and I repacked the car and headed home. We were tired, but in a good way! (I'm sure as soon as we headed up the driveway, Eric's parents were in their chairs with half-closed eyes!) Unbeknownst to the kids and me, Eric sneaked down to Tacoma the day before to bring home our new pup (Huck). The original plan was I'd pick him up on Saturday after Annika's Irish dance competition, but Eric had an even better plan in mind! Talk about a surprise!!!! The kids had NO idea that we were adopting a new dog ... I had no idea he'd be at the house waiting for us! 

Annika and Conor meeting Huck

Isn't he cute??

Huck checking out the back yard

As if spending 6 days on Whidbey and bringing home a new pup weren't enough, Annika had her first feis (Irish dance competition) on Saturday in Tacoma .... AT BELLARMINE!! So, we were (once again) up bright and early so we could check in at 8 AM. Annika had quite the cheering section - Fr. Fred, Troy/Staci/Kat/Ian, Drew/Sandy, and my best friend Kate were all there to watch her dance! She walked away with 2 bronze medals and a trophy for 2nd place. Not too shabby, if you ask me!

All ready to dance!

Annika all ready to jig

After the feis and lunch at The Spar with Troy/Staci/Kat/Ian, Annika and I made a quick stop at Johnson's Candy (DUH!) before driving back home. I'm pretty sure I would have been a lump on the floor upon arriving at home had I not been welcomed home by a very waggy little puppy who likes to nibble on ears that are within reach. :)

2018 Summer Getaway on Whidbey

Last night, a bit after 7 PM, the kids and I rolled up to the house after our 5-day stay on Whidbey. We were tired beyond belief, but due to having had so much fun and lots of activities the entire time. 

All four of us (five, including Buca), drove up to the island Saturday morning and got ourselves moved in for our short-term stay. By the looks of the amount of stuff in our cars, you'd probably think we planned on staying from now until the end of time, but alas, twas not the case. 

On Saturday, we hung around the house and generally kicked back. We played lots of games, threw a ball for the dogs countless times, rode bikes, and caught up with each other. Eric, his mom, and I also got a head start on Conor's class project for the school auction, ta da!! Eric's dad was off fishing when we arrived, but his absence meant he got to bring home an insanely gorgeous salmon (some of which is now in our freezer, soon to become dinner)! Conor and I also spent a little time walking up and down the driveway picking blackberries that were turned into freezer jam (yum!) for us to take home at the end of our stay. And if all of THAT wasn't enough, after Jack got home from fishing, he took Eric, the kids, and me to the rifle range to get in some target shooting. I'd like to point out (brag alert!) that I hit the bullseye multiple times.... and two of my hits were right on top of each other. The kids did a great job, both with respecting the safety rules and with their rifle skills. We wrapped up the day with a mini birthday celebration for Annika, knowing that Eric's parents wouldn't be able to join us the following weekend, when we will have family over to celebrate. 

In PJs on the ferry ... our kids' to-Whidbey tradition

Painting party

Eric working on his ombre technique

Conor with Bestefar and the 20-lb salmon

Annika modeling Bestefar's salmon

Conor, the berry-picking master

Buca "helping" us pick berries

Our blackberry haul

Safety first at the rifle range

Eric taking aim

Conor receiving instructions from Bestefar

Annika getting ready to take her shot

Why, yes, I DID hit the bullseye multiple times

On Sunday, Eric's dad and I got up before the crack of dawn to go fishing at mid-channel between Keystone (Whidbey Island) and Pt. Townsend. The sunrise was truly picturesque. While we didn't have any luck snagging salmon (a few ate our bait, so we were close to catching some!), we did catch a number of dogfish (boo!), a flounder, and 5 rocks (I caught 4 of them!). Even though we returned to shore with an empty bucket, it was still an incredible day. I got to spend 1:1 time with my amazing father-in-law. It's rare that we get time like that, and he taught me so much about fishing. By the end, I was able to tie a hook on my line, put 2 hooks in a herring, and find the bottom of the Sound (hence, all of the rocks!!). After we pulled out of the water at the end of our fishing excursion, our fun came to an abrupt halt when another driver hit the boat's motor (ugh!!). Come to find out, the witness to the accident was an off-duty Sheriff's Deputy (woot!). It was a hassle that included the at-fault driver not having his drivers license and his insurance card was newly out of date, which resulted in us having to call the police (both the Sheriff and State Patrol responded - wow!!) who took care of getting everything sorted out. While we were still on the water, Eric had to head back to Seattle so he could go to work the next day, leaving Eric's mom on kid patrol for most of the day. (Best Bestemor Award winner right there!!) 

Sunrise

Heading out to mid-channel

My 4th rock of the day

Boat snack!!

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were all about golf, golf, golf. OK, there were also swimming, a park trip, and a little hike in there, too. On Monday and Tuesday before golf camp, the kids opted to swim in the club's pool. Monday was a hot day, so cooling off in the pool was a big deal. On Tuesday, it was a bit cooler, but the kids still had fun. By the time Wednesday rolled around, it was downright cool and the kids opted (with some nudging from yours truly) to visit a local park instead. Our visit to the park was a little sad for me because I realized our kids are outgrowing the play structure there.... it is the end of an era. After some time at the play area, we decided to check out a hiking train in hopes that we might see the mama deer and her fawn that we saw about a half hour before (no luck, but we did see a bunny!). 

Our little fish

Conor practicing his driving

Annika at the driving range

On a hike with Bestemor

Reading chair carved out of wood, complete with book and cat (under the chair)

As soon as the golf camp wrapped up, the kids enjoyed a little BBQ meal with their golf buddies before being whisked back to the house so we could gather up Buca and the last of our un-packed belongings (mainly things in the fridge/freezer and the kids' bikes) and we high-tailed it to the ferry terminal. We missed the boat we were aiming for by about 10 cars (bummer), but in the big scheme of things, it wasn't a big deal. We still got our annual "heading home from golf camp ice cream" on the ferry (I even worked a little magic and procured some ice cream for the CKS auction thanks to the fact the ice cream company's guy was in line behind us... bonus!)

On the ferry.... we're on our way home, Daddy!

A HUGE thanks to Eric's parents for hosting our crazy group for such a long time. We are eternally grateful for your hospitality and generosity. 

Whidbey Summer Fun: Fishing, Golf Camp, and More!

Apparently, I am way behind in some of my blogging!!! It has already been almost a month since we were on Whidbey for a family weekend followed by golf camp for the kids and I have yet to write about it. Eeep!

This was one of those "lots of moving pieces" kind of family adventure, to say the least. All four of us (five, including Buca!) went up to the island Saturday morning and after waiting in the ferry line (ugh -- good reminder to leave earlier than we did!), we made it on the Kittitas and made our way across the beautiful blue Puget Sound. The kids thought the best part of the ferry crossing is watching for "swirl pools" caused by the ferry's engines... I was so focused on taking in the gorgeous endless water, lapping waves, Olympic Mountains, and puffy clouds that I barely noticed the "swirl pools", but the kids sure did!

On the Kittitas

Looking for "swirl pools"

"Look, Sister! I found one!"

Saturday was mostly a family day because that was the only full day we'd have Eric (and Buca) there with us. I was fortunate enough to have gotten the green light to work from the island, but Eric's workload didn't grant him that same flexibility. So, Saturday, we hung out together, played games, went to a local park/skate park with Bestemore, and just enjoyed being under one roof. The kids also used this time to practice casting their fishing poles in preparation for Sunday's fishing excursion with Bestefar.

Anti-gravity girl

Our little climbing monkeys

Fishing from the trailer

Bestefar giving Conor some fishing tips

Annika getting some coaching from Eric

All of this fun left Buca longing for a nap

Fishing licenses in hand, all ready for tomorrow

Daddy and Annika during game night

Mama and Conor during our family dice game

On Sunday, we bid farewell to Eric and Buca after breakfast and started prepping for our time out on the boat with Bestefar. The kids could hardly wait!!!! We had absolutely incredible weather for the fishing .... unfortunately, not a single salmon was interested in biting. We had plenty of dog fish on our hooks, much to Bestefar's annoyance and the kids' delight, so no salmon for dinner. Oh well! The important part was getting out on the water and spending time with Eric's dad and building some memories.

Gearing up to fish

Bestefar watching the line
(a little irked that the salmon were alluding us)

Pretty girl on a sunny day out on the water

Annika and Mama

Bait boy

Bait girl

Conor and Mama

One of many dog fish we caught

We were pretty beat after being out on the water, but that didn't stop the kids from wanting to play and show off a some of their artistic skills!

Blowin' bubbles

Conor working on his chipping

Annika recreating our fishing trip in watercolors

One of Annika's favorite spots is Bestemor's artist's table

Before we knew it, Monday was upon us! I had to take a conference call but don't get reliable cell reception at the house AND I needed to pop down to the ferry terminal to pick up our nephew (Ian), who was going to join Annika and Conor for the golf camp. So, I took the call from by the ferry dock and decided it was the best view I'd ever had during one of our weekly staff meetings to date! :)

Conference call eye candy

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, all three kids spent 2-4 PM at golf camp. Not only did they have a fabulous time, they also did really well!! There were just shy of 20 kids in the camp, and they were sub-divided by age. Each group then rotated through the various stations located around the country club's lawns and ranges. They worked on putting, chipping, driving, and how to read the lay of the land. I was really impressed with the people who ran the camp and based on the fact our kids are already planning on going back next summer, so were the kids! :)

Conor at the driving range

Nice swing

Lining up her shot

Fore!

Cousins!

Our cute golfin' girl

Ready to take on the PGA

Ian working on the putting obstacles

Annika and Ian enjoying their water break and a little shade

In addition to the fun of golf camp, the kids also spent time in the club's pool before golf camp two of the three days they were on the island. Could this trip possibly get any better for them????

Conor and his pool noodle water canon

Ian the fish

Swimmin' cousins

Our little diver

Annika's happy place ... in the water

Our boy, just like his sister, is happiest when in the water

It wouldn't be a trip to Bestemor and Bestefar's without a few fun runs up and down the hill on the ATV. (I'm pretty sure our kids see visiting their house as just about the best thing ever! Lots of land to run around, ATV rides, boat rides, card and dice games, dog running everywhere, golf, and family. Can't be beat!!

Annika and Bestefar about to head out on their adventure

Hold on tight, Conor! Bestefar is an ATV speedster!

Before we knew it, we were on the ferry, done with our five fun-filled days on the island with Eric's parents. We packed in a lot of activity during our time on the island and made countless memories.

Heading home -- ice cream in hand!

It was a marvelous trip and we are so grateful for their hospitality and willingness to take on our crazy, loud, chaotic bunch for such a long time.