Out Washington Way

Help!  I don't know how to begin to catch up on this blog.  This pandemic has created a strange time warp.  In some ways it feels like we have nothing but time.  In another sense it is even more chaotic with everyone home all the time.   We never leave, so school and work never end.  My mental health certainly fluctuates.  When I'm in a funk, I don't feel like writing.  When I feel strong, it feels strange to post about pre-pandemic life: an odd combination of irrelevant bordering on irreverent.  The celebration of our amazing get-togethers seems to mock social distancing.  But what the hey, let's celebrate anyway!  

At the end of February/beginning of March, Annika and I traveled to Washington to spend some time with our favorite Wilhoits.  While we were there, the pandemic started to unfold with Seattle as a hotspot.  COVID-19 was beginning to infiltrate our conversations, but had no inkling as to how our lives soon would be flipped upside down.  In many ways, I'm grateful.  Instead of worrying, we focused on enjoying the happy moments with our adorable cousins.  You can read about the first part of our trip here.

Eila and Annika--the big bows are multiplying.

Bedtime stories with Uncle Adam.

Design your own pancakes for breakast!  Also, thanks to NomiAnn for sewing Annika and Eila's cute jammies.


Only Anders could cajole Auntie Kara into the ball pit.

Totally worth it for that cute face!

Dancing with a robot.


We traveled into Seattle for a day to visit the MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry.)  So fun!

I think the kids like watching the mini-regatta as much as the actual museum.

Another bucket-list moment--searching for clams at Dash Point State Park.  Annika was in heaven.  

Her only disappointment was that we weren't taking the clams home to make into chowder.

Eila froze in the chilly water, but was a super-good sport.

Cutest Wilhoits around.  Gosh, how I love this family.

 Another excursion: The Hands on Children's Museum in Olympia, Washington.  Whoa, a children's museum--remember those?  I suspect it's going to be a good long while before they re-open.  Between it being a weekday and talk of coronavirus farther north, we had the place nearly to ourselves.  It was lovely.

Anders enjoyed dressing up and performing center stage.

This place certainly makes you want to be a kid again.

Annika found her niche in the vet station.

The overcast weather didn't stop our sturdy sailors from playing outside too.

My favorite part was when Anders grabbed onto the hook and Eila took him for a ride.  Imagine my surprise when I glanced over to discover he was flying!

Such a fun day for all.

For our last supper, we headed to Steamers on Titlow beach so that Annika could enjoy one more bowl of clam chowder.  There's a girl after my own heart.

Some final snuggles with Zoe.

Callie, Adam, Anders, and Eila--thank you so very much for welcoming us!  We had an amazing visit and miss you ever so much.  We can't wait to hang out with you all in person again.