I know, it's been ages since our last post. As Colette is getting bigger and more demanding of my time, my headspace to sit down and retell all of the stuff going in our lives is certainly getting a bit challenging. But I am happy to keep writing and documenting our lives. I love looking back on all the things we have done - it's incredible and wonderful. So many adventures, friendships and experiences. And maybe someday our little ones will go back in time and see what we were like before they were born, and as young parents. And maybe - just maybe - they'll think we were kinda cool. Only time will tell.
So we'll continue to travel, participate in Women's Marches, wonder what the hell is going on with the US, volunteer for Teia's field trips, assist as Class Parent, complete an Escape Room, enjoy boozy brunches with the Nelsons, get out for monthly drinks with ladies of the Dam, see friends move away (and meet new people), watch our little ladies grow up way too fast, and enjoy our special time in the Dam.
My mom came out to visit for 3 magical weeks. Most of our time was spent inside due to nasty weather but we made the most of it. The first Sunday that she was here we went to De Italiaan to celebrate what would have been my Uncle's 74th birthday. We miss you Uncle Daryl.
For winter break from Teia's school we drove to Austria for an epic ski trip. We stopped overnight in Flonheim, Germany on the way there. The car ride was ok but Colette unfortunately inherited her sisters distaste for driving and puked all over. Good times. This is the route we drove. With traffic it was almost 30 hours in the car!
The drive to Zell Am See, Austria continued the next day. We hit some major traffic setting us back hours in our drive time, so when we finally made it we were all a bit relieved. Near our apartment was the city center where we picked up some food for the night and settled in.
The next day Kirk, myself and Teia went to the Schmitten (Zell Am See - Kaprun) mountain. It was Teia's first time with ski lessons and our first time skiing in Austria. My mom stayed with Colette at the house (THANK YOU). We were happy to find that her ski instructor was Dutch so she could chat it up with Teia. After a brief intro we left Teia and made our way up the lifts. For lunch we picked up Teia and brought her up to the top of the mountain. She really enjoyed the Gondola ride. That evening we drove to the city center and window shopped before picking up some groceries and getting back to our apartment.
The following day, Teia spent the entire day with her ski school (including lunch) so that Kirk and I could have the day to try out the other side of the mountain. We found it to be not nearly as crowded, and lunch on the snowy hillside was the perfect way to have a break and a beer! We also hit the "Fun Run" skiing obstacle course - which was noted as the longest Fun Run in all of the world. Teia made friends with a Dutch girl named Fenna in her class - they had the best day together. This was Teia's last day in ski school and her instructors were super sad to see her go so soon. For our 3rd and final ski day my mom took both of the girls for us (since the conditions were not so great) and we headed about 30 minutes away to meet our friends Blake and Frances for some snowboarding/skiing on a nearby mountain. We met their friends Damian and his wife for lunch on the top of the mountain. The conditions were windy, with very poor visibility and some rain. But the lunch, company, and the few runs we did get in, made it worth it.
Kirk went to New York on another work trip and fortunately had a little spare time to hang out with Jesse & Molly while he was there. And he was lucky enough to meet their beautiful new son, Benjamin. After Chef Jesse whipped up a delicious Mexican brunch, the four of them cruised around the Upper West Side - consuming cookies and beer along the way.
For Easter time Teia's school was busy with making Easter Breakfast Boxes - each student designed a box and put their Easter breakfast in it - bread, bread and more bread - so Dutch. For actual Easter we spent the morning with the Keyrouses. They made us delicious breakfast and we had a true Easter Egg Hunt - city-style. The little ones loved running around and eventually sharing all the eggs and treasures they found. That afternoon Fran and family had us over for Easter dinner and Colin's early birthday celebration. The kids ran around and played while we enjoyed Fran's yummy Chamorro food. Thank you Fran!
