Our Recent Whidbey Weekend

 Last weekend, we celebrated Eric's mom's birthday WITH HER! (Thanks, COVID vaccines!!) 

We got up bright and early Saturday morning (much to Annika's chagrin) and headed north to the ferry terminal. Lo and behold - the ferry dock moved and there was a new terminal. What the what???? Obviously, it has been quite some time since we've been to Whidbey! (Side note - the new terminal is beautiful. Lots of lumber and a lovely incorporation of Native American artwork.)

We didn't make the original ferry we aimed for, but there are worse things in the world. Fortunately, the ferries run every 30 minutes and we easily got on the next one.

Soon after arriving, Eric's dad and Conor headed out to play golf and soak up a bit of sun together. They played 5 holes and came back with a few great stories about their time on the course together. Apparently Conor's first ball on the 1st tee went rogue. As did the second ball... however it followed the first rogue ball's path, so there was consistency there! A few tees later, from what we were told Conor hit a couple of nice shots that were worthy of praise and mentioning to the rest of us back at the house. (Way to go, Conor!)

Annika is one who enjoys organizing and seeing the results of those efforts. While we were on Whidbey, she decided it was time to clean Bestemor's birdbath. She grabbed a scrub brush and bucket full of water and went to work. By time she was done, she was exhausted and the bird bath looked almost new again. (Nicely done, Annika!)

Often, we celebrate extended family birthdays in the general timeframe of the birthday, but not necessarily ON the actual birthday. Fortunately for us, the stars (and days of the week) aligned, so we were able to celebrate Karen's birthday on her actual birthday. Win! Jack made amazing lamb chops on the grill for dinner. I mean A-MAZ-ING. I could have eaten twice as many as I did ... if I wasn't being kind and sharing with everyone else. For dessert, we made a strawberry/rhubarb crisp. Nom nom nom.

We gave Karen two photo-themed gifts for her birthday. The first is a digital frame that we can add photos to from afar. It's kind of perfect for a family that is scattered all over the country, if you ask me! We also gave Karen a canvas print of our recent "in the box photography" project. (She had asked for an updated family photo, so I took the idea and ran with it.)

Bestemor looking at her gift

Her gift!

Speaking of running, Finn decided to take a jaunt through the forest when a door was accidentally left open. That dog can RUN when he wants to. Of course, he thought it was all fun and games. The rest of us were in a panic that he'd get lost or hurt. Fortunately, we were able to wrangle him with the help of some bribery (aka dog treats). Unfortunately, our path to getting him back on a leash went straight through stinging nettles (SURPRISE!). Side note: Stinging nettles are no joke!

On Sunday, Jack took both of the kids fishing (1 at a time) on Lone Lake. It is a catch-and-release lake, so no fish came home, but there were definitely lots of nibbles on their hooks. Jack and Conor headed out first (so Annika could sleep in) and were on the water shortly after 7 AM. Karen and I took Annika to the lake around 9:00 for her turn on the lake with Bestefar and to retrieve Conor. Lone Lake is truly gorgeous! 

Conor and Bestefar on Lone Lake

Annika and Besefar on Lone Lake

In addition to birthday celebration fun, fishing, and golfing, we also played a new card games and even learned a new one called Rook. Talk about a fun weekend!!

A special thanks to Eric's parents for hosting us. Being able to spend time together again is truly wonderful. We can't wait to see you again (hopefully) soon!.

We have a teenager!

Yesterday, Annika officially became a teenager. Eric and I tried to dissuade her from making that change from pre-teen to teen, but she ignored our pleas and jumped from 12 to 13 with both feet.

Per Annika, it was a great day and, aside from the whole global pandemic/quarantine aspect to life, it was a very fun birthday. Annika was very hopeful for a rainy day and Mother Nature granted that wish. (Talk about a Seattle kid! Who else would ask for rain on her birthday???) Annika, Conor, and their nanny (Emma) went on a long bike ride up to Echo Lake to see what was there and to burn off some energy. They also did some fun projects at home, including their latest obsession with creating creatures out of pinecones, paper, and hot glue. 

Annika chose schnitzel and spaetzle for her birthday dinner (I snuck in some peas to ensure we had a veggie) and oreo cheesecake for dessert. So. Much. Rich. Food.

The moment she realized Eric pranked her. He put an Amazon gift card printout in an AirPods box, knowing she wanted AirPods. (Don't worry - we did give her the AirPods, too!)

She's an official "Quaranteen" now!

One of the items on Annika's birthday wish list was "fashionable sunglasses".
Thank you to the Frisch side of the family for fulfilling that wish!

Oreo cheesecake

Big smile, lots of candles

Annual birthday sign photo
(Huck just wanted the treat I was holding!)

Annika's Birthday Interview

How would you describe yourself?

    I am caring, enthusiastic, and creative.

What are you thankful for?

    My life

What do you want to be when you grow up?

    Maybe a vet

What is important to you?

    My family and my friends

What is your favorite song?

    "Past Life"

What is your favorite color?

    Seafoam green

What is your favorite TV show?

    SonicX

What do you like most about yourself?

    I'm optimistic.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

    I would go to Hawaii because we didn't get to do that in April

Who do you admire and why?

    I admire people who motivate others.

What do you want to learn more about?

    Animal health

How do you like to spend your free time?

    Watching TV

What were some of the best things about being 12?

    Getting to see my friends in person

    Going to Ireland with Bestemor and Bestefar

    Going to the Babysitters class at Children's Hospital

    Getting our dog Huckleberry

Hanging out with Alan Alda

So, did I tell you that I met Alan Alda last month?? No? Oh!! Well, sit down and I'll fill you in.

I don't think it is any sort of secret that I grew up in a MASH-loving home. Even long after the show was off the air, my brother and I would sit together watching episodes. I'm not talking right after the show was off the air. I mean going on 15 years after the show was done, we were still watching the show together. If we happened to turn on the TV and found a rerun playing (and, let's face it, there was a time in our not-too-distant past that there was ALWAYS a MASH rerun on!) we'd compete to figure out who could name the episode the fastest once it began or by watching the still images shown during the closing credits (if we missed the actual episode). 

My admiration of Alan Alda's work isn't strictly for his work on MASH (although, that was the beginning of it). I've admired his portrayal of countless characters, both on the big screen and on TV. Heck, I learned how to core a head of iceberg lettuce from him in the movie "Sweet Liberty". I kid you not!!

A number of years ago, Alan Alda was in town while promoting his memoir "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: and Other Things I've Learned". Naturally, I went to the reading and was nothing but incredibly impressed with his way of interacting with the audience and his personable nature. At the end of the reading portion, he signed copies of his book. I bought 2 copies -- one for me and one for my brother Troy and asked for the inscription to read "Merry Christmas, Troy. Alan Alda". 

Fast forward to last month. I got a call out of the blue from Troy saying that we were going to a VIP reception with (and for) Alan Alda, who was in town to promote another book he wrote. I was floored and (yes, I'll admit it) giddy! After the reception, we'd get to hear Alan Alda speak to the audience about his book that discusses effective communication.

The next day, Troy and I met at a small Mercer Island restaurant, had a quick bite to eat, and headed to the reception. After wandering around a bit looking for the right building, we got to go right in and bypass the non-VIP people (tee hee hee... we were VIPs!) and join the other VIPs at the reception. We walk in and BAM! There was Alan Alda sitting at a table signing books. Troy and I giggled about how many times he must write his name during one of these events and how tired (bored?) he looked.... not to mention what his internal monologue must have been.

Waiting in line to meet Alan Alda

Hey, look!! It's Alan Alda!

We received our copies of his book and joined the line of others waiting for their turn to get their books signed. As we neared the table, I have to admit my giddy-o-meter when from "holy moly" to off the charts. 

Before too long (the line was kept moving at a really good pace), it was our turn to have our books signed. I told Alan (yea, we are totally on a first name basis now) that being there was my brother's birthday present to me. He (Alan, not Troy) very sweetly wished me a happy birthday. (YES! Alan Alda wished me a happy birthday.... booyah!) I also told him this was the second time I was at one of his readings, which (according to Troy) put a genuine smile on Alan's face. Pet Troy, he seemed touched that I was a repeat audience member! We shook hands, and then moved along... me with my feet a good 6-8 inches off of the ground.

Signed books selfie

Following the reception, we were ushered to the larger area where the presentation/interview would take place. Troy secured us some great seats earlier while I held our place in the book signing line, so we were probably no more than 10-15 feet away from the stage and dead center. During the interview, a local Seattle Times reporter and Alan talked about his work with scientists and researchers to help medical professional and other scientists improve their communication skills, especially when conversing with non-scientists and patients. 

Hey, look! It's Alan Alda

Mid-interview

Sharing a story with the sudience

Thank you, Troy, for a truly wonderful evening. Yes, it was amazing to interact with Alan Alda (squee!) and listen to him speak (in person), but beyond that, sharing the experience with you means the world. You know me well enough to know that event would make me beyond happy and it would give us yet another moment to reflect back on with fondness and smiles. Also, thank you to Eric and Staci for being willing to take care of our respective kids solo so Troy and I could have a night out. 

Conor is 7!

Last night, we put our 6-year-old little boy to bed. This morning, he woke up as a 7-year-old!

When I stop to think about all that has occurred over the past 7 years, I find myself trying to figure out how so much time has flown by and how it is possible that Conor hasn't always been a part of our daily lives .... such an integral part of our family.

Seven years ago today, contractions woke me up just a bit after 3 AM. Soon after 4, I woke up Eric to let him know we'd need to get to the hospital fairly soon. At 4:30, we called our dear friend Dave (God bless you, dear man!) asking him to come over and stay with Annika (who was sound asleep through all of this) until my mom could drive up from Tacoma. We arrived at the hospital around 5 and welcomed our baby boy at 6:13 AM.

From that moment on, we know our family was made whole. This little boy has been a bundle of energy from the first moments. He is cuddily, frighteningly smart, witty, musical, and competitive to his core. Each day, he amazes us. He wears his feelings right on his sleeve and believes no day is complete until he's had a snuggle with either Eric or me. (And we wouldn't have it any other way.)

The past 7 years have been a wonderful adventure and we cannot wait to see how life unfolds for our little man. He has countless adventures ahead of him and we know he will take them head on with verve and busy feet.

We love you, Conor!! Yesterday, today, and always!

Annika's 6th Birthday (pt 2)

It's a fact, but that doesn't stop Eric and me from scratching our heads in disbelief... Annika turned 6 years old yesterday! It seems impossible that it has been six years since she made her debut and changed our lives forever. She has grown and changed so much in these 6 years; it boggles our minds to ponder what she'll do in the next 6. (please excuse me while I wipe away a few tears...)

Sniff, sniff, sniff... OK, I think I've regained my composure enough to continue.

To celebrate her special day, Annika took a book for her class' birthday book collection. (This is the new thing instead of bringing cupcakes, etc.) Last year, we took "Where the Wild Things Are"; this year, we brought a copy of "Harry the Dirty Dog" (or as Annika commonly refers to it, "Dirty Harry") and her teacher read it to the kids before their nap/quiet time. Her teachers also made a birthday crown for Annika (see below) that she proudly wore the rest of the day.

Annika's dinner request was to go to "the parrot restaurant", which everyone else calls Luisa's... a Mexican restaurant that's close to our house. The kids love it because there's a fountain in the foyer (often with a plastic lobster somewhere inside) and wooden parrots on perches that hang from the ceiling. As we drove to the restaurant, Annika gasped when she realized we didn't have her presents with us. We reassured her that presents would be at home after we ate; she skeptically trusted us to follow through on that promise. After a dinner of fish tacos (me) and tacos (Eric, Annika, and Conor), we announced it was time to head back to the house, much to Annika's relief, because that's where her illusive presents were waiting!

After we got home (mind you, the entire drive home was a chorus of lyrics about birthday presents), Annika FINALLY got to open her presents. First, she opened the pink baseball glove and the t-ball set from Conor. She was really excited about the present, but even more excited to open another one. I don't think a little girl has ever been more excite than when she realized the present from Eric and me was a scooter. She has been wanting one with all of her heart for MONTHS and we, being the rock star parents that we are, came through for her. She gushed thanks to us all night long and repeatedly said this was the best birthday EVER because she got the scooter. Enthusiasm galore!

Needless to say, Eric had to become the world's fastest scooter-puter-togetherer so she could give the scooter a try before bedtime. The timing for her maiden scooter voyage was perfect because last night was the annual block party, so the street was closed to vehicles. There was no learning curve; Annika had it figured out immediately and as soon as she got the green light, she was OFF!

While Annika zipped up and down the sidewalk, Eric and Conor set up the t-ball set and had a little practice time. Conor is a natural and might even be a switch hitter if we play our cards right (come on, college scholarship!) Then again, he also adopted a one-handed batting style for awhile, so my hopes for that scholarship might be a bit much. :)

All-in-all, it was a perfect day for an amazing little girl.

Happy birthday, Annika!! We love you!

One excited birthday girl

Annika showing us her fielding abilities

Opening the t-ball set

Wha??? A SCOOTER!!!

There's a little disbelief going on here...

So happy that she fell to the floor not knowing what else to do

Conor's expression here cracks me up!!

Ahhh... sibling love

Our big 6-year-old girl

Annika and her scooter

Off she goes!

A little coaching from Daddy

Home run!!

"Hey Conor, whatcha doin?"

Annika checking out Conor's batting techniques

Annika's turn for batting help from Daddy

Another home run!

Conor decided to check out the scooter while Annika batted

And back to scootering!

Conor happily returned to playing ball and knocking the balls out
f the park (aka into the neighbor's vegetable garden)

Here she comes!
(Wasn't it nice of our neighbors to grow such pretty flowers so we have nice photo opps?)

Conor's one-handed batting technique

Switch hitter!

One happy birthday girl!