Epic Summer Trips and Getting Back Into the School Year

This post is a doozy......I'm a bit behind and so much has happened over the past few months. It all starts with a lovely visit from my dear friend Mari and her family (Chris, Peyton and Emerson) back in late June. Mari was out for her in-laws anniversary (they are from the Netherlands). We loved having the Bentvelzen's stay with us and really enjoyed the canal cruise around our city.

Before the end of the school year we managed to get away for a week and head to Porto, Portugal with the Nelsons and Hulens. The Hulens flew all the way from Singapore. It had been years since we were all together so it was an absolute blast. Our flight to Porto was a disaster - actually the worst experience we have had with Teia and Colette. We were definitely that family that everyone wanted to boot off the plane. Teia had to go pee right as the plane was taking off - so that was AWFUL and resulted in tears and screaming. And Colette is not the best when it comes to sitting on your lap. We survived and finally made it to Vila Verde which is a beautiful agriturismo estate—surrounded by kiwi groves—outside Braga, North of Porto. Everyone had their own room and bathroom and the people who run the estate live on the property. The family prepared delicious traditional Portuguese dishes for us.  We also had a pool, tennis court, and billiards room - so lots to do on the property.

While there we popped out for some mini excursions, one being Bom Jesus. This area had a stunning church and park. Another day we went to the King's Castle and spent the day in Porto, taking the funicular down along the water and ate lunch at Raberniha. I really enjoyed walking across the bridge to the other side and seeing the darling shops - such a great atmosphere and lovely people. Near our place we visited a river/park area so the kids could play and we could picnic! During the week we celebrated Evelyn's 2nd birthday and 4th of July! The boys also managed to get in some golfing while us ladies tried to lounge around with the littles. We had an absolute blast with the families. I thoroughly enjoyed watching our crazy kids run up and down the long hallway before bed time; the epic storm that caused a huge leak in the house; how no one wanted to sleep in the room attached to the secret sacred room; eating chicken from the chicken coop - no joke - prepared for us daily; how Kirk somehow cut his hand and didn't notice it bleeding all over the bed making it look like someone was murdered......so many good laughs and sitting in each night with a delicious home cooked meal and cherry liquor. I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Before our flight home we hit up the local zoo to get some energy out. The lion den was top notch - you could walk through a glass tunnel and lions would be sitting on top staring down at you. Our flight home was a success - no tears this time!

Teia finished her school year at the Oud Valkeveen (themepark). She had an absolute blast and really enjoyed her year at DENISE. After school was out we had a couple days to pack and prepare ourselves for our trip to visit family in Washington State. I was a bit nervous - ok a lot nervous.  This was my first time flying with the girls by myself. So for a couple weeks leading up to it I was a bit of a mess, but luckily my friend Robin talked me off the ledge and I got my confidence back and knew I could do this. Even when Colette started to projectile vomit 2 days before our trip, I wasn't going to let that freak me out (ok a little but there was nothing I could to change that). Big thanks to Sarah Murray for helping me get to Security and for Eric helping me get all the bags down our crazy stairs.  The flight was a HUGE success. Teia was spot on and listened and just watched movies the whole time. I did threaten that Grandma will not give her her a gift when we land if she acts up so that seemed to do that trick, plus I had special treats to entice her. And Colette......what can I say, she probably sat in her car seat for about 1 hour of the whole freaking flight. Everyone knew her on the plane (even Macklemore was on the flight), but she wasn't crying or screaming and managed to nap for 30 minutes and watched Moana on repeat. We made it in one piece to my mom with open arms!  Thanks mom for buying the girls tickets and for taking care of us!

Most of my time home was spent at the cabin. I didn't rent a car or get a phone......we just planted ourselves out at my favorite place in the world with my family! The girls love the beach. They do all the things I used to do, walk around looking for gooey ducks, and picking up shells, playing on the large rock, walks around the island, splashing around in the crisp water, and boating around.  We couldn't ask for better weather - I think it only rained once the whole time.

Finally I was able to host Courtney and Michael and their littles at our cabin. The Haleys currently live in London but before that lived in Amsterdam. I know Courtney from my sorority and we had always talked about if we were both in WA that they would have to come out to the cabin. And they did and were also joined by Melissa and Grant (Amsterdam Alum). The kids played like old times and we toured around the area by boat while sipping on wine.  The night was full of catching up and reminiscing about the old times in the Dam. Thanks for coming out!

While our family was in Washington, Kirk had many work trips. When we were flying to the States he was in Sayulita for some 'meetings' on the beach. That was preceded by New York, Berlin and Barcelona travel. And proceeded by Antwerp and Boom (for Tomorrowland) before heading to New York, Mexico City, back to New York, then back to Mexico City again. A lot of miles in the air. He tells me it was fun and exhausting. Highlights were: filming a $2.7M Ferrari, the huge Corona VR experience he helped put on in Mexico City; four-year-old Mole Sauce at Pujol; golf cart life in Sayulita; ZZ Clams and the Comedy Cellar in New York; and Tomorrowland in Boom.

Meanwhile, at the cabin, more family and friends came out to visit. Ryan and Nicole came out with Peyton and Harper (this was my first time meeting baby Harper). And my cousin Jacob and best friend Lisa swung out to the cabin for a nice visit. Most nights involved Bubba's Burgers and stand up paddle boarding around the island. And Tyler and Erin from time to time would pop out to hang!

I met up with Sharon to head over to Ellensburg for a night at the farm before driving to Chelan for a week with Kirk's family. It was lovely spending time with Grandpa Paul and playing around on the farm. The girls frolicked around outside, picked veggies from the garden, and got in some much needed donkey time with Aunt Jan's miniature donkeys.

The next day we went to Lake Chelan. It was a hazy week. Smoke from rampant forest fires in Canada made its way down. The air quality was a bit harsh but the sunsets made up for it! The water was incredibly warm and the temps didn't drop below 90. We had a magical week of spending time with family, wine tasting, wake surfing, boating, swimming and sitting down every night with family eating and drinking the night away! The girls especially loved getting all the quality time with their cousins - it is always a joyous occasion when they get together!

Back in Amsterdam, Kirk celebrated Gay Pride with a bunch of our friends. This is always a big day in Amsterdam and this year didn't disappoint!

Once we were back on the West side of Washington I managed to get in a couple nights in Tacoma.  I met up with friends from home, college and from my childhood. It was most certainly a highlight to see various people from my past. We shared lots of great memories - catching up over a few beers is simply the best!

After Tacoma we returned back to the cabin. My friend Johanna and Angie (and her sweet daughter) came out for a a few nights for some quality time! And Kirk was able to come meet us after wrapping up his time in Mexico City. The reunion was sweet - the girls loved having their papa back after a month of being away. My cousin Joseph, and Maria and Enzo, also joined, as well as Kristi and Adam (and their little one Quinn) - we were so spoiled by all the visitors! Kirk and I celebrated our 12-year anniversary over margaritas and Mexican food!

Kirk and I left the girls and went to Ryan and Nicole's for the night to spend some time with the family. The next day we visited Scott and Johanna before heading out to meet up with Emily and Kai. We enjoyed drinks at Westward before going to Ballard Station Public House to meet up with other friends and family. We followed it up with a lovely breakfast at the Fat Hen the next morning with our great friend, Noah.

Back at the cabin for one final time. We got in plenty of boating, beaching, golfing, bbq'ing and spending time with family and friends. We had the best time - nothing beats Washington summers. Thank you mom and dad for hosting us this whole summer and for all the friends and family who went out of their way to spend time with us. Our flight home was great especially having Kirk with us this time!

Right off the bat when we arrived home Kirk jumped back into work and the girls got back into their routine. I took Teia to see The Gruffalo play at the Bos Theater - it was darling. And then next thing you know we celebrated Teia's 5th birthday. This year we held her bday at Candy Castle and for once in my life I actually made the cake - Moana theme, of course. We all had a blast and it was such a nice way to see her friends before school started.

After returning from London for work, Kirk found out that his Grandfather - Paul Harrel - had passed away. Grandpa Paul was truly an incredible human. May we all live such a long and fulfilled life. Ninety three years of family, farming, community, travel, and loving. His life was an example we can all learn from. Kirk made a quick trip back to Washington to attend his funeral and memorial.

In the spring Kirk started his scuba diving certification - doing pool dives in the evening here in Amsterdam. But travel kept him from doing the open water dives this summer to complete the certification. Cut to October and 57 degree water at a dive site in Vinkeveen outside Amsterdam. It was cold, and took most of the weekend, but Kirk finally finished his training and is a certified scuba diver. His father, an avid scuba diver himself, would be proud!

And finally we had some guests over in mid-October, Dave and Chad. It was so nice getting to spend time together especially for Kirk's birthday. Who would have thought celebrating 38 would involve video games and hanging with some of your best buds. Happy Birthday Kirk and thanks for coming out Dave and Chad!