Fall - out of the city

I've realized that I miss "getting back to nature" in the fall. Although Chicago has definitely got it going on, it's during this season that I most miss Minnesota's towering trees and rolling fields, and Door County's cool lakes and beautiful rocks, and the beauty of leaves falling, stalks waving in the wind, bright sun on a crisp cool day - what autumn feels like out of the city.

We've found several ways to get outside this season, including feeding ducks and kicking up leaves at Gomper's Park, visiting Peterson Nature Center, and enjoying bike rides, walks, etc. in our neighborhood park. We've also had fun hanging out at our ward's Fall Festival (which was held on an 80 degree Saturday!), and heading out to get pumpkins, see animals, and take a wagon ride with Danielsons this weekend.

Maybe my favorite escape from the city happened a few weekends ago, on a crisp sunny fall day when we trekked out to Rockford's Rock Cut State Park for a hike, paddle boat ride, picnic lunch, and trip to the kid's museum in town. It reminded me of childhood locales we used to visit like Quarry Hill and Oxbow Park, and we had a wonderful day. Eva is a pretty good hiker too - especially when we meet dogs on the trails. :)

We are planning to head out there again this season... soon!

August into... Fall!

The end of our summer was filled with so much fun - trips to the pool with friends, gardening and biking out in the sun, great softball games with the Ainslies (church league, we lost by one point in our playoffs!), and some other memorable events too.

Over Peter's birthday weekend at the end of July, we traveled to Cedar Point Amusement Park with almost the whole VerHage clan and with the Teranella family. So much fun! Highlights included road-tripping with Josh, Kara and Michael; Lego store trip for fun while in town; Eva finding fast friends in both Jaxson and Lincoln; Eva going on her first roller coaster, car rides, swings, boats, etc. etc. - and loving them all; playing games at night in our cool cabins; walking up the street to the pool with the kids, I think we made four trips there in two days; climbing up to the loft to play with Alicia and Dave; meeting Julia, and catching up with Lynn and Steve; birthday cake and big bbq dinner for the whole crew; sprinting the entire length of the park on the last night (with Josh, Michael, Alicia and Dave), to try to get to the last ride before we were told the line closed, and then realizing that we wouldn't have had to. :)

For Peter's birthday we also saw our first Chicago Fire game, which we had been meaning to do forever! We got fab front row seats, had fun watching all the action up close on a great cool night, and enjoyed ourselves even though they tied - again.

We also made a trip to Michigan in August to see Namma and Napa and had a great morning with Hannah and Jacob on their farm again (thanks Amy!) We fed the horse and rabbits, swam, picked peaches off the tree, and ran around their big property - ah, such fun in the country!

Other highlights as our summer drew to a close were visiting with Verdoorns who were in town for the weekend, finishing Eva's first ballet class with flying colors, going to Ravinia for my birthday, hanging out with friends, seeing Jazzin at the Shedd, and having my mom come babysit during the week while we all prepped for the school year starting up again and meetings getting into full swing again.

We also moved Eva into a big girl bed (thank you Craig's list!), because she was already too long for her well-loved toddler bed (thank you Danielsons!) She loves the extra reading and cuddling space and so far has not fallen out once. Between getting ready for preschool this fall, her new big bed, and wearing size 5 and 6 clothing, Eva seems oh so much bigger and ready to take on the world somehow. We're ready - bring on the fun! :)    

Seattle!

This summer is absolutely flying by... as most summers do! Part of the reason that this season is moving so quickly is that we've had many trips going on, where we are gone one week, then home one week, then gone again - since mid-May.  We have been lucky to see many friends and family this summer and make some great memories.

Our first big trip was in June to Seattle to visit my brother and sister in law. We three flew out from Minneapolis with my parents and left late in the evening; we then spent 5 days enjoying family time and celebrating my parent's anniversary together.  I finally got most of our photos from this trip online - and we had lots of fun moments that I want to be sure to remember, including: 

- Nighttime flight out, arrived at Tim and Meghan's place at 2am (Seattle time, or 4am central!)
- Spent first day out and about, boat cruise through the locks and up the shipping canal by Ballard where they live. The hood where they ended up - a Norwegian fishing village that likes to stick it to the man. :) Funny how certain people are drawn to certain things....
- Went to U of Wash campus to enjoy fab weather, fountains, flowers, and see where Megs will be living - I mean studying - soon (hee hee!)
- Enjoyed lots of time on their big cedar deck in the back - grilling, blowing bubbles, having a dance party, resting, admiring their flowers and the view, grilling again, and blowing bubble again. :)
- Tim and Megs planned a bunch of fun for us, including a wine-tasting one night at their place, complete with score sheets and info on each variety and how to taste it well.
- Celebrated mom and dad's 40th anniversary as a family up on the Seattle Space Needle with a ritzy, scrumptious lunch at the rotating sky deck. Rosemary and maple butter, lush salmon pasta, crab cakes with a creative remoullaide - all very delish!   
- We went out one night as 'kids' to the micro-brewery and hang out joint within walking distance of their place, and helped shut the place down.
- Our family scouted out toddler-friendly parks nearby, walking/jogging trails that ran behind Fred Meyer and wound their way down by the waterside, made the most of our VW minivan rental, and had salmon/seafood lunch whenever possible!
- We spent one afternoon down at Pike Place Market, where we got lavender soaps, a crocheted hat for Eva, fresh poppies, cedar grilling planks and stellar quality salmon, and enjoyed the whole scene.
- Explored downtown another afternoon and ended up at the science center and enjoyed the museum for several hours. It included a live butterfly tent exhibit, displays for toddlers and water play areas, machines to push and levers to pull, live music out by the needle, and a tram ride downtown where we enjoyed another concert and some shopping/wandering.
- Saw where Tim works at University place and enjoyed bookstore time and lunch together at the mall. 
- Grateful for lots of great time chilling, reading bks together, talking, job hunting, what color is your parachute conversations, sharing dreams, painting toenails blue, and taking photos of us all 7 together. So, so glad to spend time with some of the best people on the planet and have them introduce us to their new digs.    
- As part of this trip, we were also very excited to catch up with friends in Mpls on our way out and back from the trip - including quality time with Josh and Kara, Jed, Steve/Beth/Grace, Satte, Verdoorns, friends at Jackson's 1/2 bday party, and Molly.  Total successful trip!

Cabin Quotes

We just got back into town after a long week traveling to MN, then WI, then MN again, and then back to Chicago. Whew! Eva traveled fairly well, slept amazingly great at every new place, and the weather mostly cooperated (aside from a near-tornado billowing through sleepy Cumberland, WI, where we were staying!) Today has already been consumed with unpacking, cleaning, making grocery plans and babysitter/work plans for the week; and it's only 9am! But we all got a great break this past week and I feel refreshed and re-focused for our dive back into summer!

There are a slew of great photos coming soon... but before I forget, here are a few of my favorite memories from this past week in the form of Eva quoteables.

"Hi Bo! I like your dress!"
To Tim, as he picked her up for a hug, while he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts:

"Want to play me? Want to go with me?"
To everyone, all day, most days.

"I hear a frog! I hear it! I hear it! Shhh. Quiet."
Said while running toward the lake shore, with her hands on her face to help her 'be quiet' to find the frog.

"Awwww. Hi kitty! Awwww. She's coot! She's coot! Awwww. Come here Meow, Meow. Come here. Up the stairs with me Meow, Meow."
Said while playing with a stray kitty Peter found and brought home; Eva named her Meow Meow and spent quite a while walking up and down the front stairs with her, clapping and explaining how cute she was.

"Good job Megs! Good job fishin'."
Said to the fishing queen, after she caught a crappie.

"I will miss you! But I will see you again soon. You come again? You come play me again?"
Said to Grammy and Gramps as we were leaving.

Thailand Part 4 - Koh Chang

Koh Chang: Island Chillin, Jamaican Pool, and "The Motorbiking Incident"
Left the north to head for the islands on the east coast via plane, bus and ferry from Trat to Koh Chang (elephant island.) Trekked up the hillside late at night and found "Little Eden" - great low-cost bungalows, main cathedral-ceiling hang-out house, yummy food and nice English/Thai host couple. Beautiful windy roads for motorbiking, up and down gravel roads, to end of the path stream, and late night billiards at Jamaican bar we had all to ourselves. Explored windy roads and switchback by motorbike again, found the end of the road/stream south of our town by bike, while researching new place to stay overnight, I had my bike-wipe out (super girl-style - flying over the handlebars and grazing the whole front right side of my torso). I hit wet sand that grabbed my rear wheel while turning. Got to pour rubbing alcohol on the bleeding flesh on my arm and hands. Then doused myself/wound in salty ocean water at our new beach front resort. Can't stop listening to Colbie Caillet here on the laid-back beach, a mix of grown-up hippies and artsy, Door County-like craftspeople. Love it.

Koh Chang: Snorkeling, Fishing and Boating
Explored port city and docks with restaurants, shopping and see-through into the ocean tables. Got adorable flowered skirt for Eva on the docks, reminded of how ready I am to see her again! Rented our own carved wooden Thai fishing boat for the day, left in pouring rain to get to the pier (although minus a very sick Jed :(. ) After drying out in the sun, snorkeled in aqua-perfect waters on top of magical coral and striped exotic fish; then later in the day deep-sea fishing started, at about the same time my sea-sickness started. Meghan - of course - caught fish, & guys caught some too, and I spent several hours in framed middle of ship watching for the horizon before performing an impressive second-story vomit into the water. Freshly-caught grilled fish for supper on the boat, or Tums - whatever works.

Koh Chang: Memorable Last Days
Cards at night, pineapple smoothies, and big french doors wih geckos on the ceiling here at this resort. Enjoy our own little beach, porch swing, and conversations about going back to real life after a vacation. Talk about not being afraid - fearless - how to hang onto the space and rest of this vacation away. Enjoy amazing crab, mussels, prawns, scallops, and more at fresh fish house out on the dock - talk with fun waitress there. 4 of us went with Tim to get his bamboo tattoo at Yo's - one of the coolest nights for me by far. Seeing how my brother was so excited, present, and gracious while having ink jammed into his upper arm - and learning about the Thai phrase he chose to have done: it means "finish well," or if its hard you can do it, work hard and you will complete it. :) Very appropriate and powerful. Oh - and saw cute little street puppies all over - decided Megs should get one.  Last thing I experienced in Thailand was a traditional massage by this spry older woman who did amazing work on every muscle in my body. A-Ma-Zing. Then saw Peter get a shortened massage and somehow she was picking his entire body up on her knees using just the torque of her (80 lb) body leaning back on her heels. Unreal.

Home
Leaving Tim and Megs after spending two weeks together felt strange - but knowing they were heading to our country shortly definitely helped. We all were at various stages of being wiped out/not feeling great on the flights home (three flights, to be exact), but played cards in the airport, packed my trusty Mentos (to fight off travel sickness), and I finished reading several books that felt right at home in the east (The Monkey and the Fish - by Gibbons, and The Centered Life - by Fortin.) Journaled much of my way back home, while listening to Fearless and Imogen Heap on repeat most of the way home.  Felt very aware of how when you travel, you see your own life - your own normal - differently, and it's a gift. Also was very aware that while breaks from stress and routine are so necessary, they do not solve the stress or questions waiting for me. Ready to jump back in, tackle and see things for what they are, for who I am, and work at taking some lessons learned from Tim/Megs/Thai culture back into my 'normal.' Am freshly aware of what expectations and rules are in my life - want to look at those more closely now. Also need to research buying a motorbike and what kind of tattoo to get. Stat. :)   

Thailand Part 3 - Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai: Motorbiking Up the Mountain Day

Loved our time in Chiang Mai - felt like a relatively big city with cool blend of industry/culture surrounded by countryside. Rented motorbikes for the first time and LOVED the first day speeding around the 8-lane city loop, climbing the mountainside on switchbacks to Wat Doi Sep, then motoring to a series of waterfalls and finally taking my own morning spin (24 hours for a 100cc motorbike cost just 200 baht = $6.00!) The mountain-top Wat was amazing - many people worshipping here. Torrential rain storm forced another afternoon break and slower pace while descending the wet curvy roads.Could feel a noticeable temperature drop as we leaned into turns heading down the mountain through fresh green countryside... beautiful, even though my helmet was an aquarium! Got Eva and other kiddo gifts at this temple bazaar. Also biked outside the city and into the evening to the state park with 10 waterfalls and damp, slippery rock trails. Good, good day.  

Chaing Mai: Flight of the Gibbon & Cooking Class Day
Peter, Josh, Tim and Megs spent the day flying through the jungle canopy - 100 ft or so above the ground! Saw gibbons, heard 'feet up' all day, and got back exhausted after all the zip-lines! I discovered the beauty of skyping Eva from our guesthouse's garden breakfast terrace and sleeping in :). Jed and I met Kenny from Bethel for lunch - small world thanks to fb! That night Jed, Peter and I took our cooking class at Asia Scenic Thai Cooking school - who knew we could make curry and stir-fried dishes! Learned about a 'bomb in your mouth' from our funny teacher and heard about RSA current politics from classmates. Shopped legendary night market - started the beauty of bargaining.

Chiang Mai: Up on an Elephant Day & My Down Day

I purposely carved out a day of "not doing" for myself - the rest of the crew took another jungle trek, this time riding on elephants up and down muddy hillsides, taking a bamboo raft, and visiting a native hill tribe village. I enjoyed the bliss of doing nothing, thinking, writing, reading, and spending a loung-ie afternoon at 'Love at First Bite' cafe - misty fans blowing in the palm trees as American 60's musak played around me and Thai couples of all ages ate quiche and cheesecake. :)

Thailand Part 2 - Sukhothai Highlights

Sukhothai: Train Rides and At Home
I loved the long travel days on the train from Bangkok to Sukhothai, and then from Sukhothai farther north to Chiang Mai. Saw the view of big cities change to outlying slums, then grasslands change to fields, then on to hills and mountains with lush vines all over and a misty sunset. Caught up with people while chugging further and further north, learned to not eat the sweet rolls served (they had a surprise black-bean-something in the middle), and read "The Shack" and talked through it forever with Megs. Listened to Imogen's "First Train Home" song, appropriately, and realized I had gone several hours in a row without thinking about Eva, for the first time on the trip. :)

We also found an amazing guesthouse, rightly named 'At Home' - and settled into teak-studded rooms with screens and shutters over big open windows, then had amazing dinners downstairs in Swiss Family Robinson-like open air family room. Singha, cards, Dreamgirls on the big screen TV, and my first taste of Massaman curry... what a place!

Sukhothai: Biking the Ruins
Had a GREAT day in the old capital of Thailand/Siam that is now home to vast acres of temple ruins and remaining statuesque buddhas. Took turns taking pictures of amazing sights - and taking pictures of each other taking pictures. :) Started being able to interact a little more with the local population, saw other people visiting the ruins from all over Asia, admiring families who gathered to worship and give offerings. Laughed at - I mean helped - Meghan when her tire on our already-low old bikes blew out.

Thailand Part I - Bangkok

In honor of Tim and Megs being back home, and since the time is already flying by... I wanted to make sure to capture some of my own mental highlights from our fab trip to Thailand last month. I know I can't remember all the details about our adventure, but between notes we took, photos, my ipod playlist and lingering impressions, I feel like I can hold on to some of the highlights from each stage of the journey. The following posts are just a few photos/experiences/songs that summed up the our trip for me, done in segments. This first post starts off with the first leg of our two-week trip:

Bangkok: Arrival
Arrived at 1 am, got off the plane on the tarmack while listening to "I Gotta Feeling" and grinning, then took crazy cab ride straight to Ko Sahn Road. "Angels" from West Wing soundtrack was playing as we 'descended' into the main streets of Bangkok and got off the highway - so appropriate. Reminded me of Burnout Revenge East Coast driving map...in some ways. :)  Learned to throw toilet paper in the garbage can and shower with everything else outside the bathroom door. Learned that one is capable of sweating even more than previously thought was possible. (Above photo is of our crew together our first night on the town in Bangkok: L-R is Tim, Jed, Peter, Liz, Josh, and Meghan - which includes two sets of siblings, two best friends, two serious camera geekheads, two married couples, five Minnesotans at heart, one Iowan for now, one Michigander, and two Chicagoans!)

Bangkok: Daytime
Saw the familiar stomping grounds for Tim and Meghan's weekends; ate at 'their' breakfast place. Whirlwind day seeing the Grand Palace/related museums/few big Wats downtown, then sitting & talking during an afternoon rainstorm about life and our futures and relationships and expectations and... life. Got street vendor Pad Thai, our first bucket, and shopped along the side streets with Megs. Bargained for fisherman pants before hitting "The Club" and soaking up the air-conditioned internet cafe that charged 1 baht per minute (roughly $2.00 an hour.)

Bangkok: Departure
Packed up for our train ride north to Sukhothai. Had real coffee in upstairs of train station while watching crazy Thai sitcom. Ran back and forth finding right train but had super helpful attendants help us out. Leaving Bangkok I realized I was feeling kind of sad - about the three year olds I had seen running around everywhere at 1:00am, the street people covering the corners just down the block from the clubs, and the fairly visible sex-trade industry that defines the party side of Bangkok. Beautiful country so far - but also complicated.        

   

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

We're off to Thailand for TWO WHOLE WEEKS tomorrow morning... and it feels surreal! I already miss our little girl more then I thought I would, and got teary-eyed making a little calendar for her that shows the days we'll be gone and ends with a picture of us holding her. Sigh.

I also cannot WAIT to see my brother and sister in law in just 24 hours, and have them show us around their world over there. We have such a fun group of people we will be traveling with, and I think it will be a perfect mix of adventure, relaxing, seeing sites and chilling on the beach - it all sounds so great... once we get going and on the plane all the running around the past week or so will fade away.

Here is the cute girl we are leaving behind (with loving grandparents!)

Below is a great recent video of Eva dancing and giggling with me. ( I also have a stellar clip of Eva reading with daddy, but it's not loading properly tonight... I'll try another time.) This clip is for her - and us - to have online while we are out galavanting around Thailand! I know Eva will have a fantastic time with her grandparents in MN, probably learning new skills, words, and songs every day - but I know I will miss her and will now have to work to remember how to be without her. She's at the age where she is a total information sponge and so fun to watch learn; my parents have planned so many activities for her visit that I wonder if she'll even notice we're gone? :) How blessed we are to have people who love our daughter so much and help keep her safe and supported while we are gone - and we are also grateful for the financial ways my parents also helped make this trip possible. Big thanks grammie and gramps! And thanks Tim and Megs for being our in-country guides! As Eva would say, "wow!" What an adventure we get to embark on! :) See you in two weeks.