After getting back from my epic yoga week I hopped on a 4th of July party boat hosted by my friend Robin! Nothing like celebrating America while being abroad.
Teia had her annual Sportsdag at the Olympic Stadium. It's a half-day event with various games and ends with ice cream. She did her best but pretty sure she was more excited about the ice cream with her friends.
We celebrated Evelyn's 3rd birthday in Vondel Park with the magnificent Bubble Lady. Our little ladies loved running around like crazies.
So this is probably one of the craziest things that has ever happened to me in Amsterdam. I was on my way to pick up Teia at school and as I was leaving my neighborhood I ran into one of my friends/neighbors from Santa Monica. It was so surreal, and to top it off he was staying half a block away from our house. We couldn't believe it! We were able to meet up for a beer and quick chat. It was great seeing you GQ and hopefully we can see your show in Amsterdam some day!
Teia took her test for her swim diploma A. The Dutch really take their swimming seriously, which makes sense since Amsterdam is covered in water. So proud of our little lady - she really worked hard at it and is now a confident and strong swimmer!
The next day our family flew back to Seattle for yet another awesome summer trip visiting family and friends! This time Kirk was with us for 3 weeks and I stayed for an additional 2.5 weeks with the girls.
The day we landed Kirk went to Jake and Annie-Rose's beautiful new home and I dropped off the girls with my mom and hit up a prefunk with my oldest of friends before making our way to my 20-year high school reunion. It was so fun catching up, seeing people (familiar and not), checking out the Bellarmine campus (so much has changed) and ending our party on the football field drinking the night away.
Over the next couple weeks we visited with Vanessa and her family, plus Haeji and Jenny and their little family members (Kirk's old co-workers at Publicis).
Ryan + family and Sharon came out to the cabin for a night just in time for the longest lunar eclipse and a family of orcas swimming about. Then we made our way to Dane's 40th birthday party - happy bday Dane!
Amsterdam alumni and dear friends Courtney (in from London) and Johanna (just moved to Portland) spent a few hours with me - wish it could have been longer.
Kirk and I then did a quick trip to Portland (minus kids) to stay with our friends Lisa and River. We managed to get some quality time with Johanna, and Josh and Amber. I absolute love Portland and the special people that live there!
Back at the cabin we picked apples and made pie, and had many walks around the island. The girls went on mini adventures looking for creatures on the beach and lots of movies! My friend Melissa (also Amsterdam alumnus) came out for the day with her son Preston and Blaine. We sipped margaritas (just like old times) and reminisced about the good old Amsterdam days.
The last couple of weeks the air-quality in parts of Washington State was so bad we couldn't go outside for long periods of time. We each experienced symptoms like wheezing, light-headedness, sore throats. Officials stated the quality was worse than China and India - crazy.
The next day I took Teia on a mother-daughter trip to my Delta Gamma pledge class reunion in Seabrook for the Gnome and Fairy Festival. We stayed with Ashley and Emily's families in a beautiful home right in the city center - walking distance to a cute park, shops, the beach and community pool. We had so many kids there - over 20 and a huge DG squad. Our days were mapped out with fun activities with the kids (gnome trails), happy hour at a designated cottages, and long evenings drinking, playing games and pretending we were 20 years old again. It was perfect and I can't wait to get together with this bunch in the future. So blessed and lucky to have these ladies in my life.
Back in Tacoma I spent some time with the Cargol's - family I grew up with. It was such a trip to have our little kids play together outside. My friend Melissa drove down with her kiddos and we hit up the zoo and Karey and Jon took me out to dinner. Feeling so loved and blessed when ever I am in town.
After the PNW, my mom was kind enough to fly back with me to Amsterdam so I wouldn't have to do the 10 hour flight alone with kids - mom you are the best! The flight went smooth - Colette was a rockstar (no major meltdowns). Hopefully after this year I'll be able to handle it on my own; just got to get Colette through her unruly toddler years. My mom stayed for about a week before heading off to Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival. Before she headed out we did our special drinks at De Italian (always a must). Thank you for being my rock and helping me transition back into Amsterdam. The girls always enjoy their time with you!
Teia had her first day of school. She is officially in Groep 3 at DENISE which is the 1st grade equivalent here. Her teachers are Juf Dominique (Dutch teacher for 3 full days) and Juf Chantelle (English teacher for 1.5 days). Teia is speaking more and more Nederlands everyday - she is actually teaching me Dutch now! Teia is also busy with after-school swim, ballet, reading lessons and art class, and of course practicing her bike riding (got to get her up to Dutch standards). Colette also went back to voorschool learning all things Dutch.
Kirk had a long and arduous shoot for work in London. It kept him away for about 10 days. He doesn't want to talk about it :)
After Teia's first week of school we celebrated her 6th birthday yet again at Candy Castle. She had the best time running around like crazy with her friends.
One weekend Katie, Becky, Leslie and myself did a quick trip to Copenhagen. It was my first time there. Known for its food and shopping we spent most of the time window shopping and walking to our next meal. Our first day we explored the area, sipped on coffee and ate delicious danish treats! We stopped at a hidden gem for charcuterie and wine before ending our night at the best Mexican in all of Europe - Hija Sanchez.
The next day we walked across the town exploring a bit more before making a pit stop at Gasoline Grill. It's a really great burger joint literally planted inside a Gas Station. I ordered the Butter Burger - it's a burger with a massive chunk of butter melted on the top. Topped off with fries and truffle salt - delicious. And then finally the night ended at Pluto for their Chef's menu. We were back at our place by 9pm for a little Neflix and chill and in bed by 10pm - crazy weekend!
For our final day we had breakfast at Granola and said goodbye to Leslie and Becky. Katie and I stuck around for a couple more hours to have lunch at Ol and Brod. Here we sipped on local beer and home-made Snaps. We each ordered the chefs menu - 5 little open-faced sandwiches on rye bread with a variety of herring, salmon, shrimp, potato, and chicken salad. So full!!! I had the best time - Copenhagen you are a stud!
Shortly after we got back from our trip this summer Teia got her Diploma B for swimming. So happy to see our little lady earning another certificate after all her hard work and practice! We celebrated at McDonalds with her friends (her choice). Now onto Diploma C!
In October Kirk spoke at OnBrand—a branding conference in Amsterdam—on the topic of 'New Realities'.
To end the season, Kirk did one more golfing weekend with friends. This time he met Dave (flew in from Seattle) and Matt (flew in from Singapore) in St Andrews to play a few rounds and hang. On Saturday they played Balcomie Links at Crail Golf Society where it poured rain the entire round but they bundled up and had a lot of fun. Sunday they played St. Andrews Eden course, and Monday the Fairmont's Torrance Course, both under beautiful blue skies. In between the golf they ate, watched UW lose to Oregon, and by a stroke of luck were invited into the St Andrews Members Club where they toured around the ancient rooms and had a beer with maybe the luckiest man in golf. Sounded like they had a blast...except for when Matt lost his passport and extended his trip by a bit, whoops!
This year we celebrated Kirk's birthday with some friends at Jappanner for dinner. Afterward, in true Kirk fashion, we brought our friends back to our place to watch the Huskies defeat Oregon State—a little bday gift from the Dawgs.
We are so sad to send off our sweet friends Sarah and Camillo. They are ending their chapter in Amsterdam and starting up a new life together in Boston. Sarah has always been a huge support to me. I could always count on her to help me out with the girls when Kirk was out of town or just to keep me company with some wine and take-out. Sweet, funny and kind - she will sorely be missed. And not going to lie I will miss Camillo's cooking. Congrats on your recent marriage and big move. Hope to visit someday in Boston and celebrate your union, hopefully in Italy!
Teia and Coco also had to say goodbye to their little friends Nicea, Alicia and Luke. Their parents Heather and Alex moved their family from LA about a year ago and now are onto a new adventure in Virginia. It was a pleasure to get to know you and your cute family this year!
For Halloween this year Teia dressed as Alice (from Alice in Wonderland) and Colette was supposed to be Elsa (begged to be), and then changed her mind to be a cat. We took the girls to a little Mini Disco for an early Halloween party at a local bar. It was packed and actually a lot of fun. And a few days later we went trick-or-treating around the Oud Zuid neighborhood.
Our dear friend Melissa was here for a quick visit to scope out neighborhoods and schools for kids since she is moving back to Amsterdam! Her husband Grant arrives shortly and the rest of the family will be here before Christmas! Can't wait to have to have this special family back!
After 8 incredible and fulfilling years at Wieden+Kennedy, Kirk took a new job at another agency in Amsterdam—called 72andSunny. It was an emotional departure for Kirk with so many good friends and memories at W+K, but they gave him many going away parties to celebrate (including one capped off by a stretch Hummer ride around the city); and at least we're not leaving town which makes it easier to still see all our W+K friends. Thank you W+K fam for all the great times!
Recently we were lucky enough to attend Theo's Baptism. He was an absolute doll - lots of smiles, coos and giggles and he handled all the attention like a champ. Our girls enjoyed holding their candles and participating in the baptism. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were so happy to be a part of it!
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