So, from the beginning, we left Seattle at 7am on Thursday for the 7 hour drive.  All was good except our navi took us the long way…we ended up putting on an extra hour in the end.  Anyway, the kids were awesome and the drive was beautiful, except for some extremely dense fog (the likes of which I’ve never seen) on Pennask Pass.  We arrived at our condo just before 4pm.  We stayed at Stonebridge which was literally a 3 to 4 minute walk (on snow) to the village center.  Very cool.  The condo was a 2 bedroom (one master suite and the other with 2 queens) with a kitchen and 2 baths – excellent place.  Oh, and a hot tub on the deck.  For the first night, we had dinner at one of the restaurants and went tubing afterwards.  We also met another family with 3 kids who we ended up skiing and tubing with for the next 4 days.

On the first day, we got the kids checked into daycare and off we went.  The weather was cloudy and foggy…traditional Big White (Out).  We cruised around some of the mountain for a few hours before taking a break.  I was thrilled that my running was paying off in the skiing department as well.  For the remainder of the day we skiid with Gary and Denise (friends we met the night before).  They are veterans to Big White – so they showed us around.  Steph stopped just before noon but I made it from 9 to 2:30 before finally finishing up (this would be my shortest day).  That night we had pizza and enjoyed the Olympics…LIVE!  Yes, it was cool…we didn’t have to depend on that shitty NBC network like in the states.

The second day started off similar to the first day…a few hours of skiing then we met up with our friends.  Steph made it past noon on this day.  I ended up skiing until past 4pm.  Probably the longest day I’ve done since college.  But the sun came out and I couldn’t just stop at that point.  As for our kids, Zach’s lesson’s were not going well so we decided Steph would go with him the next day.

The weather was perfect on the third day.  I started off on some double black diamond runs and cruised around a good portion of the mountain before meeting up with Steph.  With the sun out, it was a perfect day for picking up bumps and things.  Definitely a great day to be on the mountain.  I stopped at 1pm and then attended a 2 hour lesson with Zach and an instructor.  Zach does well at skiing straight but he doesn’t know how to slow down or stop.  Anyway, we had fun and I was very tired.  That night we went tubing again and the runs were ICY!  We were flying down the runs…much quicker than Friday night.  The runs were actually too fast…they ultimately closed our favorite run on Monday night since it was too fast and because a young woman broke a few bones on Sunday night on the run.

Now for the vomit part.  Sometime during the night I awoke to a door shutting.  I found Zach in the bathroom looking a little dazed.  After some investigation in his room, I quickly realized he had blown chucks all over his pillow, the floor and Nate’s comforter.  Yuck.  Steph and I spent the next half hour cleaning and getting him settled on the couch – where he vomitted again into Steph’s hands.  Fortunately that was the end of Zach’s sickness…mostly.  He did have some issues out the other end at daycare the next day.

As for skiing on Monday – fabulous.  Sunny to partly cloudy, warm, and excellent conditions.  I spent the day skiing with Gary and Denise.  We cruised over the whole mountain and I even took the t-bar (yes, I have minor phobia over t-bars).  We finished the night with another 90 minutes of tubing.  Zach ended the evening by going down by himself (rather than connecting his tube to mine)…that was a big step for him.

This morning we got an early start out…we pulled away from Big White at 7:30.  At around 8am as we were pulling into Kelowna, Nate was getting real fussy.  After a few minutes of begging him to be quiet, he threw up in his lap.  This is now becoming the vomit trip.  We pulled into a Starbucks and got him cleaned up.  Steph gave me a bag of dirty rags and I hucked into a garbage can outside of Starbucks.  I went in and picked up some coffeed and donuts.  Nate was begging for a donut believe it or not.  About a half mile down the road, I asked Steph what was in the bag – his clothes and blanket!  Screeeech!  His blanket I asked?  U-turn.  We drive back to Starbucks and I proceed to fish this bag of vomit covered clothes out of the garbage in front of about 10 people enjoying their morning coffee outside.  At this point, Steph and I proceed to get into an argument since she couldn’t figure out how to unlock the car door.  To make a long story short, I threatened to leave her in Kelowna.

After that the drive was relatively quick (now that I followed the better route) and uneventful.  The kids were definitely pushing buttons but we made it home.  Now Nate is definitely sick as he’s tossed his cookies about 5 times but is now sleeping.

As for Big White, I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.  It missed on the dinner accommodations for families.  It lacks variety in family restaurants – it is definitely better for non-kid crowds.  Otherwise, an excellent place and I’m sure we will be heading back.

Anyway, I had a blast of course.  For those who don’t know – I took flying lessons for about 6 months in 2002 but stopped after we moved back to the Bay Area and took on a bigger mortgage.  The experience this morning brought back several fun memories as well as some joy in knowing that I haven’t lost all of that training I got many years.

As for the plane, it was a Piper Archer II.  Sweet little plane for training…much easier (for me at least) than the Cessna 172 I trainer in before.  I recall always fighting to keep the 172 trim during flight whereas the Archer was much easier to stabilize.

Here is a photo of Mt Baker taken from over Whidbey Island:

The Backstory

Starting Tuesday evening Zach was had a mild fever and congestion.  We kept Zach home on Wednesday and Thursday, and only Nate went to school.  Nate seemed to be holding up strong although he did have some congestion.

Tonight at around 8pm I heard Nate coughing and crying in our bed.  I walked in there and he was curled up crying.  I, of course, thought Zach kicked him.  That was not the case.  He was throwing up in our bed and he was pretty red.  I got a towel and thermometer.  Our crappy thermometer gave readings from 102 to 104…when I stick it in my ear it says 96…so I was pretty sure Nate’s temp was at least 104.  Yikes!

Steph and I quickly got our stuff together and drove over to Swedish.  We only had to wait about 5 minutes (good thing as a young woman was violently – and I do mean violently – vomitting in the bathroom around the corner.  Yes we could here it loud and clear).  Once in the room the nurses went to work on him – checking pulse, oxygen level, and temperature.  He came in at 104.0.  They gave him a ton of motrin and tylenol (way more than we would ever do).  1 hour later he was happy Nate with a temp of 100.7.

So what is it?  Just a virus.  There is some congestion but everything looks good.  The doctor did say that he’s in the early stages so we need to watch out for the other common things like ear infection or high fever lasting until Saturday.  The doctor told us they haven’t seen any flu cases in a few weeks and he didn’t appear to have croup (although still too early to tell).

Anyway, he’s back to his chatty self and watching a movie before he falls asleep.

View of Mt Rainier from Seward Park.

Nate and Zach being good.

Nate posing on the trail.  There were lots of puddles for him to jump in.

One giant Zach smile.

The gratuitous heavy machinery at sunrise photo!

Ok…and the sunrise.

These last two photos were not take at Seward Park obviously – rather they were a day or two earlier at Seacrest Park (I stopped on my way to work to get these shots).

Lots of rain this week – well above normal for the month.  Big White Ski Area is getting a decent amount of snow (that is our destination for the end of February).  Forecast is for more rain this week than changing to a more showery/cooler regime as the warmer storms head into California.

Steph is getting her oil change today so I’ll be watching the boys for a few hours.  Then I’ll probably head out for a run.  Tonight I’m making a beef tenerloin roast – and yes, it will be cooked on the Big Green Egg (haven’t used it in a while).  Other than that, I’m busy with work.

Boys were good last night but really wound up…I’m guessing the chocolate milk did that.  They slept in late and have been good this morning (little arguing and whining, but still some).

Paul got the kids from daycare and took Zach to speech.  We are probably going to add a second session on Thursday afternoons.  It won’t start til after Dublin next week.  Paul said that Zach was very motivated at speech and good at doing the exercises. We got more homework that we need to be better about doing with him. Maybe we need to assign Auntie Jan 20 minutes a night of speech therapy with Zach or something?

Once I got home from work, Paul had started making the kids dinner and then left to go running.  Jan had finished making the dinner and was very impressed with her culinary skills.  (Pasta, carrots and celery, and pineapple).  Nate wanted plate after plate after plate of pasta.  Jan finally told him he had to eat a carrot before she would give him more.  Nate popped a carrot in his mouth.  Jan gave him more pasta.  Nate then spit out the half-chewed carrot and ate the pasta. (Lesson learned, make him swallow first).

Both boys were in good moods.  I guess adjusting back to the regular schedule is working out.  I called the spa Jan got me a gift cert for my B-day.  Jan and I planned to each do 90 minute massages on Saturday.  There is an hour between us, so we can get home and switch off watching the kids with Paul away.  As I am leaving the voice mail for the spa, Zach is on me saying “mommy, mommy, mommy!”  It was funny because I am sure the spa people laughed at the message I left and desperate need for massage.  Jan and I also plan to get Pat to babysit Saturday night so we can go to the movies.  I am checking with him when I pick up the kids.

Zach and Nate were begging for the new movie, Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs.  I have no idea how they knew it came out on DVD today (someone at school?) but they were BEGGING for it.  Paul eventually was able to order it on-line and download it to the TV upstairs.  I am sure this made them happy.

Paul made yummy steak for dinner.  (No veggies for Jan, though).  Jan and I were able to get in two episodes of Six Feet Under last night.  PEPS is at Matthew’s tonight.  Jan may come.

Nate bit me HARD on the upper thigh.  Skin was broken but no blood flowed.  It hurt like hell.

I am sure I am forgetting lots of stuff so Jan and Paul can supplement.

We were driving home and Nate wanted me to go straight instead of turning right.  This started a major Nate melt-down that lastest the whole way home and for about 20 additional minutes once home. That kid sure can throw a tantrum.  Not sure who he gets that skill from.  Eventually got him calmed down and fed them dinner.  They had quesadilla, pineapple, peas and carrots.  They both ate well.  Zach had some veggies, so he got yogurt and ice cream.  Nate did not.

Paul got home so I gave the boys a bath while he made dinner.  Jan helped me with that.  As I was getting them undressed, Zach was naked first.  Out of the blue, Zach turns to Nate and says, “Nate, say ‘dirty pants.’”  Nate obliged and said it in his partially demon voice.  Jan and I were cracking up and had no idea where that came from.

Paul made Jan happy by buying her light Cranberry juice.  This brought on the discussion that cranberry juice is good for your urine.  Thus, I came up with the Ad Campaign – “Ocean Spray Cranberry juice.  It is a catheter for your mouth.”  Ha.  I crack myself up.

Paul put the boys to bed.  Jan went to bed early. I watched Mike’s favorite show (Make it or Break it).

This morning, the boys were slow in waking up.  Nate kept saying that he wanted to sleep more.  Eventually, both got up and got dressed and got out the door without a huge screaming fit.  Paul is taking Zach to speech this afternoon.  Paul – we need to order the kids “Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs” now that it is out on DVD.

Last night was spent with our PEPS friends enjoying beer, wine, champagne, espresso, chili, meatballs, lasagne, fruit, and the kids (of course).  Fortunately for us, our NY gatherings happen around the corner from our house – nice, easy walk home.  Except for Nate who cried the whole way.

Yesterday I took the boys to breakfast at the Alki Cafe – Nate had eggs and bacon and Zach had bacon and french toast.  We followed that up with a trip to QFC for some fruit and champagne.  But the big event was another trip to the Museum of Flight (one of my favorite places to visit in Seattle).  The boys were good.  We got there right when it opened and Zach and Nate were the first kids to run through the gallery floor.  They also got to play in the kids zone by themselves.

PEPS boys hanging out on NY Eve.

Nate playing Buzz Lightyear on NY Eve.  To infinity and beyond!

Sunset at Lincoln Park.

Zach contemplating his next move at the park.

Nate flying a helicopter.  BTW, this is not a model – it’s actually an experimental helicopter that really did fly in the past.

The main gallery at the Museum of Flight.

Last week I purchased the photos from the marathon I did in June.  I was very happy to find out I could still purchase them as I didn’t have any good photos.  Here is one where I’m about to cross the finish line.

Why?  I needed 196 miles to bump up my status on Delta to Silver Medallion.  :-)

Lin arrived on Tuesday morning so at that point we had a full house with Jan, Mike, and Lin.  Wednesday evening was our first meal – NY Strip Roast done on the Big Green Egg, potatoes, and vegetables.  I had two friends from work over and he had an excellent dinner with lots of martinis and champagne.  Yep, I had a headache the next morning.

Thursday was meal number 2 which consisted of meatballs, honeybaked ham, pea salad, lasagne, and carrots.  Another great feast and we had plenty of left-overs.  Steph spent 40 minutes in line at the honey baked ham store waiting for our main course. So far so good.

Finally, Christmas Day.  The boys were very excited when they woke up to a bunch of gifts from Santa and family.  They loved opening the gifts more than what they got – at least that’s how it seemed.  We spent the better part of the day playing with toys and eating left overs.  Oh, and a few drinks were had here and there.

I’ve had the boys at home this week while Steph and Jan work.  Lin was here through Tuesday.  We took them to the aquarium on Monday – that really tired them out.  Today I took them to mom’s work where we got a tour of the offices, the police department, and the judge’s chambers.  They even got to see a real live criminal in holding cell.  Fortunately they didn’t do anything obnoxious like stick their tongue out.  For the remainder of the day it’s been up and down…some crying, some laughing, some playing.  Tomorrow I’m taking them to the museum of flight – oh boy.

Posing with Santa.  They were both good for Santa.

Local West Seattle home with tons of lights.

A happy Zach.

A happy Nate.

Once home, Paul went running.  Jan walked to Rite Aid.  I played with the boys for only a bit before they wanted dinner.  Dinner was interesting.  We had quesadilla, carrots (for Zach) celery (for Nate) and string cheese.  Zach ate well except for his carrots.  He was still chewing when he held up his plate to say all done.  I said he had to eat another carrot to get yogurt.  So he just shoved it in his already full mouth.  This caused him to gag and he eventually threw up his dinner onto his plate.  Yuck.  Of course, once I got him settled down from crying and cleaned up, he wanted yogurt.  Nate got one too at that point since he was in the way as I was trying to soothe Zach.

Paul got home and he made us steak and potatoes for dinner.  YUM.  While he cooked, I took the ornaments off our completely dead tree.  Zach and Nate tried to help, but failed miserably.  As I put an ornament in the box, they would take it out and look at it.  They got in the way a lot. I yelled a lot.  Eventually, Jan came up to help by distracting them so I could finish up.  So the tree is down but we haven’t done the rest of the decorations in the house.

After dinner, I read and the boys settled fairly easily.  Nate went to bed around 8:15.  Zach went to bed a little after 9.  Both were still sound asleep in their beds when I left this morning.

Paul is thinking of bringing the kids to work for lunch today.  That would be fun.  Paul is hopeful that we can tour the police department and get the kids a ride in a squad car (with Paul, of course).  That may be arranged depending on who is around in the police dept.

Note from Paul: Christmas photos and post will be up soon.