My final three days of summer break were spent with granddaughter Ada. I met Jenny in Marysville where she handed off 'Goof ball' to the grandparents for a few days. Since Esther is already back to work, it was my privilege to spend the days with Ada. We spent time on the beach and at school where I built some shelves while Ada explored the classroom. We read a lot of books and made some puzzles. She's off to Yakima tomorrow to visit a friend-- the traveling three year old!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
He's off again
He is off again. Today Calvin left for another year in Tokyo. It was a short but good summer, filled with a lot of work, family time and adventures with friends. He is going back a little early so that he can travel some in Japan before school starts. Calvin will be living in the same dorm (Canada House) that has been his home the last two years. The dorm situation there seems to operate much like a fraternity. This will be his last year at ICU International Christian University; and he is exploring options for graduate school either in Tokyo or Seattle. We are excited to witness his graduation in person next June.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
tubing on Tapps
There are some days and nooks in Western Washington where it is easy to forget that it is a temperate rainforest. Lake Tapps on a hot August afternoon is one of those times/nooks. Yesterday we joined the annual Eide lakeside BBQ at George and Sharon's house on Lake Tapps. It was a privilege and pleasure to share in the fun with the George Eide offspring. Mike, Marti, and Marika joined us in representing the Soren clan. We enjoyed visiting with the first, second and third cousins. There was plenty of lakeside fun. Calvin and Marika enjoyed the jet ski and tubing; while I did take my turn on the jet ski and the more tranquil kayak. Thanks George and Sharon for a wonderful afternoon.
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Peninsula Peddling
Esther wanted to go to the lavender farms in Sequim on Saturday, so I tagged along with my bike to check out the Olympic Bike Trail. While Esther browsed the purple fields, I made my way west from Sequim toward Port Angeles. The trail meanders through town and field with the constant backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. Approaching Port Angeles it gets woodsy and hilly. My plan was to make it to the end of Ediz Hook and back to Sequim (50 miles) Unfortunately, I got a flat tire which I was unsuccessful at patching. I had to walk the bike back to a Port Angeles bike shop (2 miles) for a new tube. Esther came to pick me up and we checked out another farm and the bluffs along the strait. We ended with dinner at the Three Crabs in Dungeness.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
San Juan getaway part 2
Sunday morning we went out to English Camp for an historical reenactment of life in the late nineteenth century. We strolled by tents and a lady made a doll for Ada. Ruby nursed an apple for about an hour. On the way home for lunch, we stopped at a winery. In the afternoon, the women went to the lavender farm while Bjorn and Calvin watched the Olympics and Markus and I rode bicycle to Cattle Point Lighthouse. We enjoyed Jenny’s pulled-pork carne asada on the deck. The kids went to a production of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Roche Harbor while Esther and I stayed home with the girls. Calvin was up early to make a Japanese breakfast of miso soup and tuna/plumb rice balls, a truly cultural experience for some of us morning cereal lovers. After a quick pack up, we went out to Cattle Point Lighthouse before getting in the ferry line and shopping/eating in Friday Harbor. Ada and Bjorn were presented their Junior Ranger badges for the scavenger hunt on the ferry ride. In the evening we went up to Cain Lake to have dinner with the Eides as Zachary was up from Arizona for a few days. We enjoyed Kay’s pasta dinner and Marti’s gourmet cup cakes in honor of Calvin and Esther’s birthdays and Bjorn and Jenny’s and John and Kay’s anniversaries.