Hello friends and family! I can't believe I started writing this over a month ago and am just now finishing it up. The last 5 months have been a blur with so many things, wonderful and not-so-much, happening, that I just didn't get down to the computer to update everyone. Now we are in my favorite season, and with all that we have been through, reflections start coming to me. Let's start with those:
This year has been one for the record books. It marks the 8th, going on 9th, year Mick and I have been happily married. The fifth year of Finn's life. I have spent more nights in my little teardrop than any year so far (and hope for more next year!). We have visited a new country and lots of new National and State Parks. We are experiencing things for the first time, although they are getting further and further apart. Mick has traveled more miles this year than the last 3 (or it seems that way!). He was promoted to Director too, which was a huge accomplishment for him, and one he worked very hard for (we are very proud of him). It was the first year I ended up back in the hospital in 5 years (had a pretty good run there!). But the thing that sticks out most to me, and our family, is the overwhelming support system we have and the wonderful people in our lives. We are so grateful you all are along with us through this crazy journey we call life. Thank you, thank you for putting up with us, loving us, supporting us and most of all accepting us as imperfect as we are. With that I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a very Happy Hanukkah, and all the best for the New Year! We love you!
Now, let's get you caught up with why I haven't been writing! We have been all over the place!
When we last left you, Finn and I had just returned from our 2 week trip through the Redwoods and up and down the Oregon Coast. We had such a great trip, and that was clear back in JUNE! WOW! We were home for a couple of weeks before setting out with my mom and dad on our annual boat trip in July. The boat trips in the summer haven't exactly been going to plan these last couple of years. This year we were trying to get up to Desolation Sound (Canada), but were stopped in our tracks at Garden Bay by weather. Lots of bad, icky, wet, windy, completely foul weather. Folks were coming south from the sound with cautionary tales. We sat tight hoping for better weather, and it came the day we had to start heading for home. Our week in Garden Bay was lovely. We had a really nice relaxing time with lots of walks and ice cream, a few beautiful sunsets, lots of eagle spottings, dad running us aground in the Dinghy, and lots of card game time (we honestly needed a hiatus from Skipbo and Uno for about 2 weeks after the trip before any adults wanted to play again). At the start of our trip we made a stop at San Juan Island and met up with my Aunt Rosalee and Uncle Jim. We went crabbing with them and had a nice time moored in the bay at English Camp (a favorite place for us). From there we went north, having a night in Ganges, and then heading to Garden Bay. On the way home we ran into engine troubles at Oven Island (transmission), which then cut the journey home even shorter. We got to Henry and then returned to Anacortes to pack up. That transmission issue sure made coming into customs exciting! Since we were back early, we decided to spend a couple of days exploring Seattle before heading home. To see pictures from our boat trip, click here.
August was full of fun with lots of camping. We knew our camping season would be cut short by a trip in September, so we got out at much as we could. Finn and I did a trip with our friends the Thirets to Stub Stewart State Park, we took Mick to the beach for a weekend, and had a week long camping trip with my cousin Angie and the Lamars. Finn got in lots of hiking and earned the badge I promised him, if he completed 3 hikes in the weekend. He was inspired by all the waterfalls he got to see. I was happy to be out, and the weather was perfect! We had a great time, and my cousin Angie, who claims not to be much of a camper, seemed to really enjoy our camping style. We have big plans in the works for next summer already! To see pictures from our Silver Falls trip, click here.
September was a big month for several reasons. One, we were headed to England to visit Mick's side of the family. Finn hadn't seen his cousins in 3 years, and they all got along like a house on fire. They were great! We got to go back to some of our favorite places (Science Muesum, Legoland, Pret A Manger, different parks), got to see some new things (Warwick Castle, the swimming pool with slides near Pat's house, the Marshalls new house), and got to spend lots of time with family in the 10 days there. We had a lovely day with Mick's dad and Hettie with walks around one of favorite parks in their area and got to see the RAF Museum before settling in for a visit. Mick and I even had a day to ourselves where we got to tour 2 places we had never been - St. Paul's Cathedral (and Mick dragged me to the top despite my senses telling me the rickety stairs were not safe) and Buckingham Palace (I even got to kiss MY prince there).
Another reason September was big, was it was Finn's birthday. It was the first time he was able to celebrate in England, and he thought that was pretty exciting. The family really made his 5th birthday extra special and one he hasn't stopped talking about. He had 2 parties, a day at Legoland, and was treated to Warwick Castle where he got to see a trebuchet in action and got to try his hand at archery. It was a really big deal!
We had a fantastic time in England, and on our way home, due to a layover, decided to make a stop in Reykjavik, Iceland for 5 days. It is an interesting place, very cold, very scenic, and full of contrast. It was everything Mick expected, and not quite what I expected, but we had a nice time regardless, and we were all happy to have had the experience. Next time, I am pushing for a warmer vacation though! :) To see pictures from our trip, click here.
September brought the official start of the school year, and Finn continued in the Pre-K class at his school. He is really liking his 3 full days a week at school and is learning a lot (and so are we!). This is his school picture for this year:
October brought around my birthday, and it was pretty low key, but Mick got me exactly what I had been wanting - a new bike! I found the perfect bike for me, and he made it happen, because he is the best husband in the whole world. It is a folding bike, that was built just for my body, and I can throw it in the teardrop and take it camping. It is awesome! Me getting a new bike inspired Finn (especially after a trip to the bike store), and we were able to get him up on two-wheels in October too. Very exciting! Hoping next summer we can do bike rides on our camping trips!
Finn was actually excited about halloween this year, and came up with his own costume idea. He wanted to be a skeleton, so we got to work on a costum. He didn't want his face painted and we couldn't find a mask we agreed on (they were just too scary for a 5-year-old), but he had lots of fun. We did the annual Multnomah Village trickor treating, and then went out to a few neighbors after dinner. He even help design the jackolantern this year and did a good job getting the seeds out!
November brought a rare opportunity for us. A national website called Trekaroo, which is devoted to traveling with kids, contacted me to see if I wanted to do a weekend at the beach (Astoria) and write lots of reviews and a blog for them. I didn't have to think too hard about that, and we quickly set up dates that would work. We were able to sneak it in, just before Mick's travel schedule really picked up, which was perfect. It was so nice to have that family time, and exploring a place we haven't really spent much time. We will be heading back for camping in the summer and checking more out for sure. You can see the pictures here.
Which then brings us to Thanksgiving, which we spent at Sean and Belinda's house with my parents, Angie, and David. We had a lovely dinner and a nice time visiting, which was followed by a terrible stomach ache (for me), a trip to the ER, and a week-long stay at OHSU. No, Sean was not trying to get back at me for that one Christmas he CLAIMS I gave him food poisoning through scrambled eggs (we are sure it was the flu, since everyone ate the same eggs and he was the only sick one). Turns out I had a "belly-bully" (in the form of inflamed tissue) that was pushing all the other kids around (aka my other organs) and trapping my bowl causing a nasty bowl blockage. After lots of tears (this trip was far more emotional than all of the other have been), hemming & haaaing, Xrays, CT Scans, blood tests, lots and lots and lots of fluids, and threats of not only pumping my empty stomach but surgery, the docs decided nuking my system with antibiotics was the best course of action, considering I promised Finn lots of skiing this winter (and I wouldn't be able to do that after having surgery). Here I am a week and a half later, and feeling better, 10lbs lighter, and grateful despite my limited diet. I go back in for a another CT Scan in January to make sure things are "back to normal" (by my standards). Fingers crossed there! By the way, it is pretty handy having a doctor in the family, at the hospital your frequent. He kept pretty close tabs on me, and made sure the docs I was being treated by "were the good ones". I was in VERY good hands all around!
Finn decorated the board in my room to help me feel better. Might we have another doctor in our future?
And here we are! Mick is still traveling, right up to Christmas, but then we get him for 2 whole weeks! We are really looking forward to that! Finn is still doing well with his violin and his swimming and has been studying space, and specifically Mars. He is a big fan of Curiosity (the Mars Rover)!
That pretty much sums up what has been going on here. We wish you all a very Happy Holidays and hope to see you all soon! Love, Peace and Joy!
6.25.2012 - Let Summer begin!
It has been a while since we last updated you, so let's just jump in and see where this goes!
After our trip skiing with Nancy, I continued to take Finn skiing on Fridays. By the end of the season, he was really improving and enjoying it. He was gradually skiing more challenging trails and getting his feet more and more under him, building more and more confidence. He was doing great and we had some wonderful days on the mountain.
A pre-skiing snack on a beautiful day!
March brought around the 8th anniversary of Mick and my wedding. We had a nice night out, while Finn got to spend the evening with Dammo. Mick's travel schedule has been very busy these last few months, so we fit things in where they can. It was nice to have a date night out, and we celebrated at one of our favorite places (Morton's Steak House)!
A quick picture, and one of the best we have had there!
In between trips, Mick and Finn had lots of little trips out to spend time together too. The zoo, the children's museum and the Forestry Center were the favorites!
Finn with the Cheetahs
The tree-top ride at the Forestry Center
April brought on more work for Mick, and I started getting the yard ready for summer. We cleared out a garden I have been wanting to plant with more native plants, creating a shade garden. I also started getting more of the vegetable garden planted and other pots ready for warmer weather. April brought some lovely, sunny days and our temps surprisingly hit the 80s! Wow! Hadn't seen that in 2 years! It gave us lots of time to get outside and play, and Finn got to wear "short pants", which made him so happy!
Enjoying a rare, warm, sunny, April day!
After a week of such wonderful weather, the rains set back in, but Finn and I found a break in the weather to head south for the Tulip Festival. Finn got involved this year with taking some of the pictures. To see more pictures from the festival, click here.
The next Ansel Adams? We'll see!
Mick had a lot of travel all over the US in May, as well as a super quick trip to England that didn't allow much time for visiting family. Hopefully we will get to have a nice visit with everyone, when we come over in the fall! Plus, they get all 3 of us, which is way more fun!
May also brought a trip to Eugene for Finn and me, with a great family visit, plus a nice, long, weekend for all 3 of us to get away with folks who have little trailers like ours. This long weekend brought a couple of firsts. It was our first weekend back out camping for the year, and Finn not only went fishing for the first time, but also caught his first fish! They all told us it was a coho, but we are pretty sure it was a trout. Regardless, he was so thrilled and it was such a positive experience for Finn! All of the people on the lake's edge who were also fishing were all cheering as Finn reeled in his fish. It was so great! To see more pictures from our weekend away and the fish Finn landed, click here.
A patient fisherman!
May also brought some home improvement projects. We finally got rid of our unofficial 'green roof', and settled for a regular shingle instead. We had our leaky kitchen skylight replaced, and added a light tube into our hallway as well. It is almost shocking, every time I look down the hall, I keep thinking someone has left a light on. It is amazing!
Our new skylight tube! Look at all of that light!
We were only home for a week after the camping trip, before Mick flew to San Francisco for a week of work and Finn and I left for a 2 week camping trip down the Oregon Coast and through the Redwoods. The week Mick was in San Fran, we were heading south. On Friday, all 3 of us met up in Petaluma (just north of San Fran) at my cousin's house and had a wonderful weekend with the California McCully's! It had been way too long since we had all caught up with one another, and it was so great to spend time with the folks.
The McCully Clan!
On Sunday, Mick flew back to Portland and Finn and I started back North. The whole camping trip was really great and I am really looking forward to getting back out again. We made some wonderful memories and had some interesting learning experiences. All in all, I would do it again (in fact I am starting to brain storm on other trips I want to do!). To see more pictures from our trip, and read more of the story, click here.
Mick continues to travel a bunch, and has a really big trip coming up to Asia next week. In between trips and spending time with us, he is getting some time on the track, with several more days on the books.
Finn is doing great and continues with swimming and violin. This is his final week in the Preschool Class. He is really having mixed feelings about it, and told me today that he doesn't want to get big because he wants to stay with Teacher Pat. She is pretty special, so I can understand his feelings. Getting big is what kids do though! A week from tomorrow he starts in the Pre-K class and will also start his new schedule of 3 full days of school a week. Speaking of getting big, he is now over 43" tall, and has just moved up a whole shoe size. Again. Size 12, wow. This is all happening so fast!
I am keeping busy, keeping up with the boys. Being home for a month or so will give me some time to get things settled and ready before the next trip. Hopefully we will see some dry weather so I can work in the yard too!
Staying true to form, we are going to be plenty busy the next few months, so we should have a nice long blog next time too. We hope you all are getting ready for summer and are doing well! Until next time! Hugs!
2.26.2012 - Alert the media! We have a skier!
I know I say it every time, but....where has the time gone?! I ask Finn this on occasion and tell him I can't believe how big he is getting, and he tries to reassure me. He says, "don't worry Mama, I will stay 4 for you." Then the next morning he says, "I really want to be 5, but I will stay 5 for you." Very sweet, and some days, I wish he could!
Since the last update, we have been all over the place. Or it seems that way! We had a nice, early Christmas here at the house. Luckily the 4-year-old has no real concept of time, so Santa can come earlier without anyone knowing the difference! Finn had some very nice presents from people and proclaimed "I am a very lucky, special boy." That you are, lad! He now needs an intervention from his truck play as he no longer wants to leave the house. Not sure if they offer such a thing for the pre-school set, but I might be looking into it!
He had one dump truck, but had to have this one as it is a sideloader. He is over the moon! (Click picture to see more from Christmas and our trip to Whistler)
We dashed out of the house Christmas day (reports were telling us, Santa was still making deliveries and hadn't made it back to the North Pole at the hour we left the house) for our annual trip to Whistler. It was a great trip for me this year, as I was healthy for once...can I get a woot woot? I was able to ski this year, which was awesome! Mick, dad and I all got some good days in and were sufficiently sore on the following days. Finn got in on the action and had 2 days of ski school. We won't be doing that next year as I am thinking he spent most of our money sitting around, waiting to ski and for cookies that had been promised. After 2 days, he wasn't any further along than when we put him in there. Plus, he will be on the hill with us next year! More to come on that! The week was great and it was nice to be out of Portland and in the mountains.
The one awesome sunset we had...gorgeous!
After the trip to Whistler we came back to Portland and got back into our regular routine. Finn's truck dependency made drop offs at school a bit difficult, but he is really loving school. His class put on a special performance for the Chinese New Year that was really fun to watch. Finn was thrilled to be playing the "Big Drums" (aka big black buckets). He did really great. This year he has been able to go to the dance classes at school, which he is really enjoying. He is making a few new friends in his class (his entire class from last year moved up at the beginning of the school year, and he was left behind, which we were expecting due to his birthdate, but it was hard for him to have his best friend go to another class). He is doing great in school and the most recent reports we have, are that he will be the first one to move up to the older class when there is room (probably this summer). He is testing at high levels and is advanced for his current class. They are keeping him busy with extra work when needed. He has been spending some time visiting the Pre-K classroom, and he just loves that (it is a great special treat being able to go to the bigger kids class and seeing his friends again!). Next year is going to be great for him I think.
Finn playing the "Big Drum"
Finn is still swimming and doing great there. He is swimming across the pool (the long way...granted it is a small pool, but that is something new) all on his own, with only a little occasional assistance. He still sinks like a lead weight, but he is compensating, and his good kicks are really helping. Violin is also going well, although he declared boredom at class the other day, so she gave him some new, more challenging songs. That made him happy.
On top of all of that, we took a long weekend for President's Day and went down to Willamette Pass to ski with my family. Nancy had Finn skiing all on his own in about an hour. This is why I feel like we might have wasted our money in Whistler! Although, he and Nancy have a special bond, and she can get him to do almost anything! I was giddy with excitement, and by the end of the weekend he had almost hit a tower and a tree looking for fresh snow...looks like I have a powder-hound on my hands, thank goodness he is fine wearing a helmet! He was also arcing turns like never before to hits the 'lumps and bumps' (his version of 'jumps') and he skied through his first race course (it was a training course one of the teams had set and we jumped in). It was awesome! I won't promise video on the website (they have been empty promises), so if you want to see it, let me know and I will email you. We also got some sledding in and snow play. It was so much fun! I got Finn up skiing again this Friday, and plan to ski with him every Friday as long as the weather isn't too awful (I hate skiing in rain, and it isn't fun for him either). Hopefully Mick will be able to starting joining us too, because...
Finn making tracks! (Click picture to see more from our ski trip and to see Mick's new scar!)
Mick at the top of Eagle Peak (Willamette Pass Ski Resort)
The day after Valentines Day, he had a little surgery on his foot to remove a cyst. We aren't sure why it keeps coming back (although in recent research Mick has done, they say cysts can appear in places that have experienced trauma...flash back to surgery #1 on his hip in 2007!). It was an in-and-out procedure, but he is in a boot for 6 weeks, which is going to be fun with the trip he is currently on in Japan! His foot was feeling well enough to snowshoe around Willamette Pass (although, even he, at the end of the day, said he over-did...I kept my "I told you so's" to myself as they don't help anything, but I did tell him to take it easy!). His snow boots are similar to the boot he has to wear, in regards to support, so he thought he would be fine. He is healing up pretty good, but it looks like the blister he got on his hike from the boot is worse than the incision site...Yee-ouch!
Outside of this trip to Japan, he has several more international trips coming up for work, which means I will probably be making a few trips to Eugene. I would love to take Finn skiing more down there. All par for the the course these days, but it allows Finn to learn more about geography, and has been super excited on Sundays that "Rick Steve's Europe" is on the TV. He loves that show, and I am happy to let him watch it! Today he was thrilled they were in Germany, and the other week, when they were talking about England, he couldn't believe they had castles there. This next trip to the UK should be more fun for us than the first...he will be more into it I think!
The weather on our front has been mild enough to have me out in the yard for the first time in months. Finn helped me tidy up some of the mess from winter, and we have planted our first batch of peas. Can't wait to start seeing them poke their little heads above the soil. I will start planting lettuce, radishes, and beets next month (depending on the weather). I do find it odd that the temps outside dropped 25 degrees as soon as I put the peas in. Maybe I have a bigger impact on weather than I originally thought. I know if I rake the wind picks up! Mick has also made the chickens happy, by building them a proper roof (getting rid of the shower curtains I had up there originally...they were trashed in one of our storms and we have had such heavy rain the roof couldn't support the water collecting, which meant I had to go out every hour or so to drain the water off...he made me happy too!). He has also been working on a few projects for Finn's school, which they have been so so grateful for!
I had the pleasure of taking Finn to see the Harlem Globetrotters yesterday. He has been in a basketball class since the start of the year and is doing really well (he is sinking baskets left, right and center and has his dribbling down), and I thought he would enjoy it. We invited my mom along as a special 'early birthday' weekend for her. We got to the show for a special early event where the kids get to play with a few of the Globetrotters and learn a few tricks. Finn really loved that, and we were both really giggling through certain bits of the main program.
Ready for the pre-show show (click picture to see the rest of the pictures)
Finn with Flip (who really lived up to his name!)
I think that catches us up for now. We hope this finds you well, and the start of the new year has been good to you. Stay warm and safe out there! Hugs and kisses! Here is one last picture, just to make you smile. Take care!
