Reel Irish Girls Dance

Yes, I do know that isn't the correct spelling of "real" ... I did that on purpose as a nod to Annika's Irish dancing.

One of the text updates from Bestefar included this little video snippet of Annika participating in an Irish dancing event, which is part of their Dublin stay. Posting it here so Annika can pop back now and then (if she wants to) to spark her memories of this amazing trip!

Before Annika left, I found myself re-reading the itinerary for their tour and when I saw the reference to the Irish dancing, a tear came to my eye. Not because we'd miss her (which we do, of course!), but because I got such a strong mental image of her dancing and smiling from ear to ear... in Ireland. It made my heart so happy to know she'd be dancing in the land this style originated ... with people who still live there and carry on the culture. My grandmother's parents were born in Ireland in the 1800s, and Annika being there seems to connect her to our family's past generations.

Weekend on Whidbey

The Olson Four did something we don't typically do on a 3-day weekend ... we traveled.

Before you compliment us for being brave souls (or shake your head for us being fools), know that we mitigated as much travel pain as possible by staying home on Friday and heading to the island fairly early Saturday morning. That said, it wasn't quite early enough, because we wound up missing the ferry we hoped to catch, but just barely. So, we waited for the next one, not the end of the world. It just let us know other people shared our "NO WAY am I going on a ferry Friday night" mentality. 

Eventually, we made it to the island and could feel ourselves switch gears almost immediately. There's just something about going to Eric's parents' house. It's just calmer there. It's quiet. We can let the kids just play outside and not worry about speeding cars zooming by. 

After we got settled and breathed deeply a few times, we decided to do our belated birthday celebrations. When we were on the island for the March birthdays, the plan was for Eric's sister and brother-in-law to be there for the fun. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans and dumped snow on Snoqualmie Pass, making it too dangerous for Kajsa and Jeff to make the trek. They came over the following weekend and left gifts for Eric and Conor on the island. On top of that, Eric's mom's b-day was a couple of weeks ago and we had gifts for her. 

"Pokemon cards! COOOOL!!!"

Eric modeling his new UW shirt

By Saturday afternoon, Conor was getting antsy, so he and I went for a walk while Annika slept off her allergy meds. As we headed up the driveway, Conor's "I'm gonna scooter all the way to the top!" zeal faded and we wound up hoofing it up the hill the old fashioned way. At the top of the driveway, we spotted a deer nibbling on the grass, so we stopped to watch it for a bit. It watched us, too, but because we were pretty quiet and slow moving, it mostly ignored us. Conor and I eventually headed to the meadow to see if we could spot more deer (nope) and so he could ride his scooter around the adjacent paved loop. I never get tired of the view from the top of the driveway/meadow. Even on a cloudy day, it still takes my breath away.

Scooter Boy

What a view!

Conor enjoying the calm of the meadow

Calm done ... time to scale rocks

"Mama, will you please take a picture of me sitting right here?"

The rest of the day was just as mellow. After dinner (both nights!), we pulled out decks of cards and played Deuces Wild, Hearts, and Gin Rummy; dice to play Greed; and  Dixit, a board game we gave to Conor for his birthday in March. Game nights on the island have evolved from "the kids are asleep, let's play a game" to "the kids can be on my team" to "the kids can play" events. Watching Annika and Conor grow into being self-sufficient players has been a really neat evolution to observe. They employ strategy, math skills, and an understanding of rules to now be part of the bigger game-loving group that is our family. (#ParentingWin)

Bestemor and Annika deep in conversation

Conor mastering the wooden block puzzle

Annika learning how to play Deuces Wild

Eric and Bestemor working on her new KenKen math puzzle pages

Deuces Wild
(hands 1-4 deal 10 cards, hands 5-7 deal 12 cards, run = 4 cards in same suit, set = 3 matching cards) 

For weeks, the kids had been hoping that Bestefar would take them fishing soon. Well, first it was winter, not exactly trout fishing season. Then, they had to wait for the lake to be stocked. FINALLY, the planets aligned and Bestefar could take the kids to Deer Lake to do some trout fishing. Bestefar is a real trooper; first he spent a couple of hours rowing Conor around the lake, then he spent a couple more hours rowing Annika around the lake. Both kids had success, which is always a plus. Apparently, Conor had a huge trout get away and learned the lesson of waiting for someone to net the fish instead of trying to hoist the fish out of the water. (Lessons learned!) 

Deer Lake

Conor and Bestefar

Conor's haul

Annika ready to go!

Annika's catch

Bestefar helping her untangle the fish 

To give Bestemor and Bestefar a little break and to give the kids a chance to burn off some energy, Eric and I took the kids to Possession Beach, which is a stone's throw from the house. It offers great views of the ferries sailing between Mukilteo and Whidbey, as well as the Cascades (ahhh, Mt. Rainier), and Everett. The sun was out and the sky was blue. We spent most of our time perfecting our rock skipping skills. The beauty of this beach is it rarely very busy. Yes, we'll cross paths with people now and then, but it isn't like the Seattle beaches on a sunny day. I think more people go there to use the boat launch than to lounge around on the beach.

In order to avoid a long wait in the ferry line on our way home, we opted to (again) hit the road fairly early on Monday. Bestefar took Conor back out to Deer Lake for another round of fishing (Annika opted to stay home citing sleeping in was preferred to waking up early) and brought home  a couple more trout for us. Thanks, guys!!

Conor's day 2 catch

Eric teaching Annika how to clean fish. 

Cousin Frank's Wedding

Last month, my cousin Frank got remarried and we were invited to be part of the celebration. So, the morning of the wedding, we piled into the van and made the trek down to Portland.

Knowing that we'd be traveling on Memorial Day weekend, we were keen to avoid as much holiday traffic as possible, we we timed our time on I-5 very strategically. For the most part, we had an easy drive. We did encounter some slow downs in/around downtown Seattle (no surprise there) and near the bases south of Tacoma (again, no surprise). We got to our hotel in time to get settled and take a few breaths before changing into our wedding clothes and heading out to the church. It was rather hot that and we were quite grateful for the AC in the car... and later, the pool at the hotel.

The ceremony was sweet. My cousin basically cried the entire time. The priest was quite a character, and even brought Joy dish soap in to the mix. Troy did the readings, many of my cousins were in the wedding party (y'all clean up real good!), Troy/Staci helped performed the lasso portion of the wedding, and I was the Eucharistic minister. WHEW! I'm pretty sure Eric and Conor were most excited when I suggested they avoid wearing their blazers because of the heat. (Yeah, increasing my chances for winning wife/mom of the year right there!) :)

The reception was held at the Elks Club that very kindly had AC. A few of us (me included) were plagued by sore feet, but at least no one had to melt in the heat. (My van's display registered 102F when we left the church!!!) We were asked to offer marriage advice to the newlyweds, which we all did ... including our kids (see below). The band was quite good and many a twirl, boogie, and twist was performed over the course of the evening. At one point, I tried to get my cousin Ron's little girl (4) to dance with Conor, to which she replied, "EW! I don't dance with BOYS!" (Oh how she'll change her mind on that in another 10 years of so!)

I had a great time catching up with my extended family members, many of whom I haven't seen in years. The kids had fun meeting new (to them) cousins and dancing until they were exhausted. Annika and Conor were most tickled, however, when my Aunt Marie gave them $2 bills. Who carries those around with them?!?!?! Our kids didn't even realize $2 bills existed until she handed them to the kids.

After the reception, we make the short trek back to the hotel. The kids and I hopped into the pool while Eric lounged by the side of the pool. Eventually, we hit our pruny fingers and toes limit and headed back to our room, only to be invited by Troy/Staci to come over to their room for pizza (Bonus!!). We quickly changed into dry clothes and had a little post-reception reception. We recounted funny stories and shared memories from the day and our previous excursion to visit this side of the family during our childhood years. We fondly told stories about visiting our grandma "back in the day" and (perhaps) made her a bit of a known entity for our kids, who never had the chance to know her.

We practically fell into bed that night, to say the least! Lots of fun, but so tired. :)

Marriage blessing

The Olson Four

Conor loved the wedding bells

Conor's marriage advise (pt 1)

Conor's marriage advice (pt 2)

Aunt Marie and me

Annika escorting Aunt Marie back to her table

My cousin Terri, Annika, and me

Uncle Jim (also my godfather) and me

Terri and me

Doesn't Conor look THRILLED to be surrounded by us gals??

My little cousin Tonya is so darned lovable!

Conor showing off his dance moves

The men of the family

Staci is the BEST photobomber EVER

Troy, Annika, and me

My cousin Terri, her husband John, and me

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.