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!
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| On the Kittitas |
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| Looking for "swirl pools" |
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| "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.
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| Anti-gravity girl |
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| Our little climbing monkeys |
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| Fishing from the trailer |
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| Bestefar giving Conor some fishing tips |
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| Annika getting some coaching from Eric |
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| All of this fun left Buca longing for a nap |
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| Fishing licenses in hand, all ready for tomorrow |
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| Daddy and Annika during game night |
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| 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.
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| Gearing up to fish |
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Bestefar watching the line
(a little irked that the salmon were alluding us) |
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| Pretty girl on a sunny day out on the water |
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| Annika and Mama |
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| Bait boy |
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| Bait girl |
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| Conor and Mama |
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| 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!
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| Blowin' bubbles |
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| Conor working on his chipping |
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| Annika recreating our fishing trip in watercolors |
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| 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! :)
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| 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! :)
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| Conor at the driving range |
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| Nice swing |
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| Lining up her shot |
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| Fore! |
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| Cousins! |
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| Our cute golfin' girl |
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| Ready to take on the PGA |
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| Ian working on the putting obstacles |
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| 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????
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| Conor and his pool noodle water canon |
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| Ian the fish |
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| Swimmin' cousins |
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| Our little diver |
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| Annika's happy place ... in the water |
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| 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!!
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| Annika and Bestefar about to head out on their adventure |
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| 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.
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| 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.
