Great Wolf Lodge and other odds and ends

 Great Wolf Lodge is just plain awesome. Ryan, Kathryn and I spent just about 24 hours there and easily could have stayed 24 more.  Watching Ryan explore, try new things and fully soak up his surroundings was such a gift to me.  Living life again through his 5 year old eyes.  Kathryn was limited to what she could do, based on age and height.  We spent the time with a wonderful family we met through the YMCA. Ryan and their middle daughter Breanna have become good buddies.  Their older daughter, Carly loves to love on Kathryn - and Kathryn loves to accept. Win win! 

 At 8 pm there was a show, in the lobby.  Upon completion of the snow (winter/holiday theme) it "snowed".  Bubble snow. Ryan, after realizing what was really happening exclaimed, "Snow! Snow!  This is the greatest day ever!!"  With his wonderful 5 year old giggle, and spinning around, arms held up under the "snowflakes".  Priceless.

Odds and ends:

 I found some more pictures from our trip to Tokeland. I like them too much, had to post.

 Above:  My Joey - 9 years 5 months old

 Mom, Dad, Pre

 Love this one of Kelsey, Ryan and Kathryn

 Found a friend in the marsh.  Kathryn had no problems holding that cute little crab.

Late but very worth the mention. . . .

 Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

This is a belated post, Dad's birthday was November 28th.

I wanted to post about it because it's an occasion to be celebrated and remembered.

On a weekend before his birthday we surprised Dad at restaurant - Aqua, downtown Seattle.  Cleverly put together by Kerri with all her contacts/co-workers there.  The surprise was a success and the evening was fabulous. Check out my dinner below. We named him Rocky.

The weekend after his birthday Mom threw an open house gathering for Dad.  Co-workers, friends, family - all people who love Dad showed up to say hi, share some food/drink/cupcakes.  

My Dad is supportive, loving, caring and a role model.  

I am grateful he passed on his love of exercise to me (and sibs) and I just hope I can be as gracious as he is, as I get older.

Love you Dad.

Thanksgiving in Tokeland

We journeyed to the Washington coast for Thanksgiving this year.  Our first time, but we joined family and friends that had been there before.  I would LOVE to do it again in the future.  It's a great place to relax and enjoy the holiday.
A few key moments that I will remember:

 Paul pulling out the hide-a-bed and hearing/seeing a small black handgun fall out.  It was a BB gun - looked and felt legit. 

From Ryan, "What's my friends name again?"

There was an adorable 7 year old girl there. A family friend named Morin. We were in Tokeland about 48 hours.  It took Ryan about 36 of those hours to remember her name.  Funny part is, that he kept asking us that question.  "What's my friends name again?"

Kite surfer screw up.  The second day we were there, it was very windy and rainy.  Some guy decided to go kite surfing in the water behind the condo's we were staying in.  He gets the kite up, tried to get situated and we hear a "vaaaawwwoooommp"  the wind sucked the kite into the nearest tree.  Gotta give the guy credit.  He spent the next few hours, climbing this tree, crawling out on limbs (making us all cringe as we watched him, hoping no limb would snap under him) and got his now ripped kite down.  He must have had a spare, because he was out again, after the kite rescue with another kite and this time was successful.

Otherwise: fantastic food.  Great people, fun place. All in all a great time.

Some of my favorite pictures, from my favorite photographer. You know who you are : )

 The kids: Kathryn, Morin, Ryan, Cullen and another Katherine

Halloween 2012

Thankfully the rain slowed enough for the kids to get their fill of trick or treating.  Kathryn: a witch. Ryan: a fireman (same as last year). 

 A visit to work, Auntie Korrynee all dressed up too!

Pike & Eel

Swim lesson success!

 Ryan's 4th or 5th time in the "Pike" class - basically beginner class for 3-5 year old kids.  Kathryn's 1st time as a Pike.  Ryan found his fins and his comfort level and did very well.

Kathryn was more hesitant than I expected, but still did very well for her age.

The final class was last Thursday and Ryan graduated to the next level!

  He's an Eel now, Kathryn will remain a Pike.  We will tackle the next session come spring.

My little Dawgs

 

 The kids 2nd annual Dawg Dash!

Korryn, Kelsey, Kels' friend Diana and me ran the 5k, through campus.  It was supposed to rain, thankfully the sun came out.

The kids get to run a "dash" of their own after the 5k - they both loved it and get a ribbon at the end.

I have to think that they love this so much because of the countless cross country and track meets they went to, for Michael and Kelsey.

Often, the kids will play "Michael and Kelsey - the Runners"

I hope they keep a love for running.  :)

 This picture belongs in the previous post for the Portland Marathon. I got this picture after I posted, but love this picture so much it needed to be shown.

I love love love my sisters.  

When we get a good picture of the 3 of us together, it's priceless. 

Portland Trip 2012

 The Portland Marathon trip this year, once again did not disappoint.  I don't know if it's the marathon atmosphere, the city, being there with family & seeing other family that we rarely see.  Whatever, I enjoy this trip immensely The first time I went, Ryan was 2 1/2 months old!

 

 Grandma bought ice cream cones.  They were good sports for the all the walking and shopping we did.

Had to wear Husky colors to represent.  Huskies played the dreaded Oregon Ducks that night.

 

 Being a little stinker and grabbing the rail as Grandma tried to walk with her. It quickly became quite the fun game, per Kathryn.

 Love Ryan's face!  And once again, Little Miss Stinker comes out.

 Marathon morning!

Their shirts say Team Grandad & Team Auntie Korrynee.

The back of the shirt said 26.2

 Watching the amazing drummers just past the start line. 

 Also waiting for Korryn and Dad to pass by.

 Waiting at mile 25!

With Aunt Kerri, Cousin Kelsey and Grandma

 

And then dinner after, at cousin Heather's house in Portland.

Ryan-5  Hannah-5

Kathryn-3 Nathan-3

in between them, being held by Aunt Bobbi is Micah - 4 months

Emily & Ellery - 4 yrs.

The kids were all great and it was fun visiting.

Sorry Bobbi for cutting your head off!