Family Fun

In late May, we enjoyed a visit from family. It was somewhat ironic that the best place they could find to rent was at the pass, just down the road from the house we sold one month previous.

K with his cousins, all captivated by a cartoon

Headed on a walk to the lake

We have rarely felt compelled to swim in this lake, except maybe on the hottest day in August.

This year, it was comfortable before June. This should've been our warning that 

this summer was going to be ridiculous.

While everyone was in town, we had the chance to celebrate 

cousin M's 1st birthday at the splash park. Happy Birthday Cousin M!!!

K and C, soaked and happy

There was also time for a quick trip to the ocean for a picnic.

All At Once

What do most people do when they find out they are expecting a 2nd baby? (Yes, if you didn't already know, little girl debuting in August!).

Most people start preparing second baby's new room, moving out office supplies or, in our case, climbing gear, to make room for a crib and tons of clothes & toys. Most people settle in and get ready for the addition of another child, the ratio of rational adults to often insane littles rapidly approaching 1:1.

This is not what has been happening in our household. Our house went on the market in December and suddenly sold this month. It was a whole lot of nobody looking and forgetting our house was for sale, followed by a phone call at 12pm for a 2pm showing one day...and another showing the next day, an easy sale transaction right away, an effortless inspection the following week, and now we are out of our home of 10+ years.

[Last day, saying goodbye to our home]

Where are you going, you ask? Where will you live? What are your plans? About a year ago, we started thinking of how we want our lives to be different. We want to work less and be home with kiddo (soon to be kiddos) more. We want less home maintenance and fewer debts. We want more time to travel and live. Note here that we are aware we are seriously blessed to have the jobs we have, the time off, and the travel/recreational time we already have. Still, we wanted more.

We started hatching a plan to change things. Like most big dreams, this plan is a bit unconventional. Here is our new 'home sweet home'.

Yep, two adults and a toddler in one luxurious, but small (30 feet) space. Oh, don't forget, we'll add the screaming infant to the small space this summer! We know this sounds a little crazy, but we are excited. We plan to park the Airstream on the lot we purchased 8 years ago (after we get it ready). Or maybe we will just travel for awhile. Not sure yet.

Our goals are to live simply but comfortably, travel more, pay off debts, build a savings, and reduce work hours (H is going to 1/2 time after baby). We're not really sure how long we will do this lifestyle, but our goal is 1-2 years, after which time we will build on our lot up here at the pass. Wish us luck on our new adventure and we will keep you posted.

Welcome June!

Here in Washington, the temperatures are similar to June, the snowpack more like July. We enjoyed a lovely almost-summer weekend with long and short hikes in the mountains.

Anne and I on our way to Melaka Lake

Reuben enjoying the view

Kye and his buddy Eli hiked to Franklin Falls; 

they did great, hiking 2 miles by themselves.

K actually goes really fast and requires me to jog on the way down...

he calls this 'turbo' mode.

The new 'smile' from Kye

Gold Creek Pond, no snow left

Yep, 'smiling'. :)

We'll Be Okay

We've been a bit depressed in our household this past 2 months. That word might be a slight exaggeration, but maybe not. First, the long-lasting plague. Then, the rain. No snow. And more rain. It turns out that living -with a kid- in the mountains during a winter with no snow is very isolating and cabin-fever inducing. Before kid, when this type of weather hit, we would head east to the sunshine or go into the city to watch a movie. Back then, it was much easier to be spontaneous.

So, last weekend, when I saw the forecast was for rain on Saturday, I made plans for K and I to go to the climbing gym with friends (B had to work). We had a great time climbing and chasing toddlers; it was the perfect solution to the rainy, dreary weather.

[Isaac and Isabel]

Then Sunday came, and it was a glorious "spring skiing" day, the kind where you are comfortable in a thin shirt and no gloves. I took K out skiing on the magic carpet. It was so awesome to watch him out there, a smile on his face, falling and giggling and sometimes, somehow, turning. At one point, he wanted to sit in the snow and watch everything. We admired the peaks around us, the moon rising, and enjoyed watching all the people careening down the bunny slope. We finished the morning off with hot cocoa in the sun. It was pretty great.

While we were thrilling on the magic carpet, B did some "backcountry touring" with his buddy Lowell. They skied up West and got onto the PCT, where they found no snow, then headed out to Rockdale Lake and back again.

At nap-time, I went up Hyak, down to the nordic trails, out to Grand Junction, beyond to Silver Fir and down. Then I caught the shuttle home. The whole day was a much-needed reminder of why we love living here.

[sorry for the selfie but that's what you get these days]

[note: smile]

[also noteworthy: sunshine]

Magic Carpet Kid!

We haven't done much this past month. About three weeks of it were spent with the plague. Seriously, this bug we all got had multiple rounds of grossness. At least it wasn't dumping snow while we suffered on the couch b/c that would've made it unbearable.

Anyway, Kye got out for his first ski in real boots and on real skis (last year he had the flexi model).

He took along his two snow groomer toys, one in each hand. They also love skiing of course.

After a few runs, he decided to take a nap.

"Nappy, daddy, nappy."

Lowering Our Standards...A Lot

Our friends have been heading out skinning the past few weeks, but B & I have just said, "We're not desperate; we'll wait for more snow."

So we waited. And waited some more. Then we began to get depressed. Maybe that word is a slight exaggeration but when you live at a ski area, you do get out of sorts when winter is not really coming. We weren't sure what to do with ourselves. Stay home and watch it rain? Go running again?!?

This morning, B headed out with some friends and lapped Summit West in the mist and fog. He enjoyed it and it felt good to be outside exercising. So I headed out during nap time and did some laps too. It was enjoyable, actually.

We will wait for more snow, but, until then, we'll enjoy this...skiing between dirt and rocks and sticks.

p.s. this is the worst spot on the hill; 

the rest is much more skiable than this, but still...

Send snow!

Merry Christmas!

We hit the Snoqualmie Pass Christmas party last weekend, a local tradition for many families at the pass but our first go. Wow, what a cool party for kids! Santa came to the party on a fire truck, so that's awesome. 

Then, he read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the kids. What a cool memory for those kids!

K rehearsed what he was going to say to Santa before-hand, but then got scared. I convinced him to sit on Santa's lap but he wasn't going to look at him. No way.

Somehow, they made friends and K was even willing to snuggle Santa. :)

On the eve of Christmas Eve, we headed to my brother Jon's place for family dinner. Thanks to them for hosting as it was relaxing and enjoyable. 

K enjoying a book from Grandma Jane and Auntie Carly

Today, Christmas, involved a good deal of overstimulation, thrill, and 'some' assembly required.

K's present from Santa

He probably could've been happy with just a candy cane. Easy customer.

but then he got cars from cousin Sam. Pretty cool.

 ...and um yeah, this from my brother and family. 44 steps and screws for this awesome toy!

When we had K, my brother took it upon himself to buy us the most annoying noisy toys ever. Many of these toys have 'broken'. Really though, the noisy toys didn't bother me that much and I think he knew it. This year, he took a step in a different, much worse direction. A semi-permanent, hideous, and large structure that my kid loves. Wow, thanks bro! It might break quickly.

We're finally getting some white stuff, more expected tomorrow. Keep dancing everyone!

K trying out his snow-plow on the driveway.

Snow & Hot Cocoa

We need more of both, frankly. :) We are grateful for the little bit we have received, but kindly ask for more. Oh wait, it's snowing now as I type...thank you!!!!

Sitting on the chairlift...hoping it will start soon.

Mr. Fashionable

Out to get our tree...Kye 'smiling' :)

A perfect tree.

K's favorite part of Christmas tree hunting

Cool things are starting up at the pass. Everyone has said, for years, that restaurants and shops would be hugely successful up here. This past summer, developers started The Pass Life, which consists of beautiful condos and a commercial building to house a brewery and cafe. I still didn't really believe it until last night, which was the grand opening of Dru Bru and Commonwealth Cafe. K and I went to enjoy the party, good food, and to welcome the new establishment. We are thrilled!!!!