Family Reunion Photos

Family Portrait at Dungeness Spit - Olympic Peninsula

Daniel - Ever the Creative Engineer, Even on Vacation
Wheelies in the Waves with Cousin Kirk

We are really enjoying our time here on Bainbridge Island, in Washington State. We packed for hot weather, remembering the reports we had heard of record high tempuratures and were surprised during our first week with some unexpectedly cool days. Lets just say the heat is back. It feels good to keep the doors open for the breeze off Puget Sound and to get out on the water.

Yesterday, we went kayaking with G'mo (my dad). First, Joel, Brina, Maxim and I headed up the bay with G'mo, passing several spots where I remember such things as the site of my first successful waterski attempt, a dock where I remember jumping into the water with cousins at night and seeing the phosphorescence from the plankton, and just generally beautiful scenery. Dad and I were in the double with Maxim in an extra middle seat. I occasionally passed my paddle back to him so he good try paddling as well (fortunately the paddles float so if he dropped it we could easily retrieve it). After we came back to the beach in front of the house, Brina and Joel took their kayaks back to the house, along with Maxim, and Cyan got in the boat with Dad and I. Heading north this time, we enjoyed seeing three otters playing in the water a little ways further out.

The only thing that would make it better would be if Daniel were still here. He had to fly back home on Sunday morning to be ready for a business trip into Canada this week. What was supposed to be a 5:55 a.m. flight to Denver, followed by others to Chicago and Grand Rapids, turned into four hours sitting on the tarmac in Seattle because of mechanical issues with the plane, and not getting home until 12:40 a.m. Tuesday. Yuck.

The girls are over at my sister Heidi's place tonight for suspense movies and a sleepover. Joel spent part of this afternoon with his cousin Geordie and G'mo picking up firewood for G'mo and Bubeleh about a half hour south of the island. Geordie will spend the night here at my parents'. Maxim and I enjoyed stretching out on the living room playing his favorite games (Match Game, Bingo, and Go Fish). This morning, some of us helped Bubeleh pick fresh plums and blackberries.

Time flies too fast out here, but it is a treasure to have time with family.