online holiday letter

Sam used to write a Christmas letter for us each year but he hasn't for a few years now. I wasn't thinking and made fun of what he said in one and I haven't seen one since.

Instead of mailing out a holiday letter I decided to post one online instead. See if I mailed it now I would be very late but instead by posting it here online I still beat 2009.

2008 has been a year of big highs and big lows but at the end of the year I can honestly say it has been the best year yet. It started out with Sam looking for a new job after his previous company downsized. While it certainly wasn't fun to look for a new job for him and to edit his follow-up letters and introductory letters for me in the end he ended up with a job he really enjoys.

It also meant that he suddenly had a ton of free time in which to play and travel with me for the first few months of the year. Sam is a bit of a workaholic so suddenly we were able to pick up and leave at the last minute together. We got in quite a bit of skiing though I still won't be starring in any Warren Miller films unless it is a blooper reel. We had some incredible snow days with fresh deep powder and even better relatively short lift lines.

We started our travels in January at Playa del Carmen with my sister Tanya, her husband Corey, my sister Carla, her husband Dave, Corey's brother Eric, and his wife Jodi. It is now my favorite place in Mexico. With the beautiful beaches, fabulous food, and clear warm water we didn't want to ever pack up and leave.

In March the Cougs once again made the March Madness tournament and Sam, Carla, Dave, and I headed to Denver to watch them play (and win) in person. Dave and Sam even managed to get some skiing in on one of the off days. Lets hope they make it again and we get this opportunity once more. I would say it is even better than going to a college bowl game.

By May our boat was finally back in the water just in time for Opening Day of boating season. I would say once again the Cougs represented well and made our presence known through the Montlake Cut. Unfortunately now Sam was once again employed so he wasn't able to spend his entire summer on the boat.

Throughout the summer months (though I wouldn't call them warm at all this year with the exception of a very few days) we spent most of our weekends on the boat. In late June we spent the weekend on our boat in Bremerton and then early Sunday morning headed out for Cave B by the Gorge. By Sunday afternoon we were checked into our cabin on the cliff for a few days of lazing by the pool with Tanya and her 2 boys. We called this maximizing our summer.

In July we took our boat to Anancortes so we could go up to the San Juans on the weekends before our week long vacation in August. We were able to visit Salt Spring Island in Canada along with numerous favorites in the San Juan Islands. It was hard to come back home. I decided I could definitely spend an entire summer just cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands - now just need to figure out how to make that happen.

When summer started to come to an end we received news that Sam's mom had been hit by a car while riding her bicycle. She was critically injured and the next few weeks were spent in New Mexico or worrying about her when we couldn't be there. Luckily her recovery surpassed all of our expectations and she was at her mom's house by Christmas. She is still recovering but we are so thankful for how quickly she has healed so far.

Family definitely pulls through during these times and we were the lucky benefits of this. Her friends rallied around as well. We met many of her friends and became even closer as a family with me inheriting a new grandma since Sam's grandma offered to be my grandma now since I lost mine earlier in the year.

In October Sam had a business trip to Amsterdam and I invited myself along. While he was teaching classes I was out exploring the city and figuring my way along the canals. In the evenings when he got back to the hotel I would then know where to go for dinner and what sights to see. We took a day trip to Brussels and now I know for a fact they do make the best chocolate there. To do a thorough quality inspection I sampled a few chocolates from each store and when we got home I realized I should have bought even more chocolates.

I am anxiously waiting to find out from Sam where his next international work trip will take him so I can tag along again.

We still managed to get out on the boat a few more times in October, November, and December. Sometimes the weather cooperated and other times it was a bit chilly but we have heat and I can always go down below while Sam gets out his foul weather gear. We even were able to go to San Francisco and get out on a 54' Hanse for a casual race and sail around the bay.

For Thanksgiving this year we had it at our house. I had a good time making the food with my mom and then having family over to our house. Brining a turkey is now my new way to prep the turkey before cooking. Christmas was at Westcott Bay at my parents. Once again we ate too much food and played a ton of Scrabble.

Throughout the year we had many adventures with friends and family both on and off the boat, though am sure Sam's favorite times were on or around his boat. I even learned how to dock the boat though only in very light wind.

I don't know how 2009 will come close to topping this past year with all that happened but we will give it our best shot. We are starting off January again with another trip to Playa del Carmen so we are on the right track. Our boat isn't in the shop either this winter so we will have even more boating adventures. We hope you can get out with us on the boat in 2009.

Happy Sailing to you and your families and may you always be downwind - much less leaning that way! Happy New Year.

Love,
Sam & Kayla

how to spend Christmas on an island

How do you spend Christmas on an island? Well I offer the following help.

1. First you have to get an invitation. Invite yourself if you must.

2. Scramble for the ferry. Look at the ferry schedule and choose a ferry with a back-up ferry close behind. This means you won't have to wait as long unless you miss both ferries then just hope there is still another ferry coming sometime before tomorrow.

3. Drive as fast as you can towards the ferry. Try not to stop for food or bathroom breaks if at all possible. This is much easier if there aren't any little people or big people with small bladders.

4. Arrive at ferry and realize there are only 15 cars in line and you will definitely make your ferry of choice but you could have stopped for a snack or bathroom break.

5. Go to lane 4 and then tell your husband he has parked in the wrong lane because the snow is covering the numbers. Make him get into the other lane and then keep asking every 5 minutes if he is sure we are now in the correct lane but don't bother to ask anyone yourself.

6. Nephews arrive and make a beeline for your truck. They have to sit on your lap in the front seats since the back seat is very full. Now you realize you will be taking them and their stuff back with you and you are not sure how this is going to happen now.

7. On the ferry enjoy the ride and knowledge that you actually are on your intended ferry though it isn't quite as satisfying since the ferry isn't full.

8. Arrive at the parents house in time for the traditional Christmas Eve cheese and chocolate fondue. You made it just in time though am pretty sure they would have waited for you.

9. Reassure the nephews that Santa can still visit on an island even without a fireplace and that he knows they aren't at their house.

9. On Christmas morning wake to the sound of nephews talking and anxiously wanting to open their stocking and presents from Santa.

10. Watch nephews open presents and secretly (or not so secretly) envy their new Nintendo DS's. Wish Santa would have brought you one.

11. Open stockings and realize someone knew about your love for Glassybaby's. Hurray! Now you just need about 25 more (make that 50)!

12. Watch Dad BBQ a salmon - on an island we don't have routine food like turkey and hams for Christmas dinner.

13. Peel shrimp to go along with the salmon. These are shrimp caught by dad (over the summer of course in season so no need for the Fish and Game Dept to pay a visit) and frozen. We are using the last of the season's catch for Christmas - yum!

14. Eat salmon and shrimp for dinner knowing that this just happens on an island. Wish dad had caught even more shrimp (or I had eaten less over the summer) and ask when shrimping season opens again.

15. Play Scrabble and more scrabble. Annoy everyone not playing scrabble by making up random words and then realizing some are actually in the Scrabble dictionary.

16. The day after Christmas eat omelets and sausage for breakfast then head to Roche Harbor for the donut run because donuts taste better on an island. Walk so you have an excuse to eat more donuts.

17. After the donuts walk the long way to burn off at least 1/2 the calories in 1 donut and wish you had maybe eaten another one since they are so good. Wish you had been smart enough to put on boots instead of tennis shoes to walk through the snow and ice after you crash and realize big bruises will form.

18. See 3 bald eagles and crab pots along the beach on your walk because you are on an island where these things are common.

19. Head back to the house and play more Nintendo DS and Scrabble games during the big wind and rain storm. Be grateful you are in a warm cozy house where even granddogs get to come in outside out of the storm, though Dad still secretly thinks they should be outside.

20. Have turkey for dinner the day after Christmas because on an island at Christmas you have salmon instead but there is still a need for turkey sandwiches.

21. Get up the next morning and once again head down for donuts and your walk but take the short way since it will be soon time to catch the ferry again. Once again wish you had on your boots instead of tennis shoes - too bad there isn't another day on the island since maybe you would have learned your lesson by then.

22. Get a panicked call from your sister telling you they are on the lane up top for their ferry but they should still make it. Keep walking by your dad on the computer while he checks how many cars are in the lanes.

23. The phone rings again and it is the sister saying the ferry wasn't all the way full so no worries.

24. Pack up all our gear and the nephews gear for the trip back. Somehow it all fits but much of it is in the back with Calvin and luckily the little dudes don't need to have their feet on the floor.

25. Drive the truck on the ferry by yourself since Sam, Dad, and the nephews are still in the boat store and didn't leave in time to drive on the ferry. Frantically call them saying the ferry will leave without them.

26. Watch them show up with a minute to spare. Go up top and play some more DS games and wish we had more time on the island during Christmas.

27. Hope secretly mom and dad's house doesn't sell and we will get to spend another Christmas on an island sometime.

christmas roundup

Christmas is now over for another year and I can finally begin to put away my decorations though even I think the house looks a little lonely after they are all gone.
We spent Christmas at my parents house on San Juan Island. Turns out this may be the last Christmas on an island since it is for sale now in spite of all the protests of their children. How are you going to top living on the water on an island? I think that is going to be hard to beat myself and have done my best to convince them but my sales skills must be a bit rusty.

Levi and Justin both got Nintendo DS's. Justin got his stocking first and got a game but didn't have his DS yet - talk about Santa playing a mean trick. Luckily the big guy came through and they both got their own. The problem was that I didn't get one as well and the little dudes weren't so into sharing with me as often as I would have liked. I didn't have Dave's talent of getting through the levels so they knew I wasn't the one to ask when they got stuck after they saw me play the first time.

I had a serious case of DS envy and desperately needed my own. I would say Sam was just a bit hooked on Super Mario as well. Whenever the adults got a chance at all we grabbed it to try and play before it got taken away from us again. Luckily Levi didn't need to play his for 10 hours straight. It was even more of a reason to get the kids to bed so we could pounce on their games.

I had to wait until Saturday evening to finally get one of my own. Actually that was the first opportunity as we left on Saturday afternoon. I am now the owner of my own DS and I now just have to share with Sam. Luckily we got him a Wii car racing game so that has been occupying his time.

For me Santa just came a few days late. Hope everyone else got all that they asked Santa for. Next time I will know that if my nephews are getting any type of electronics I will need to purchase my own in advance so I don't have to share or figure out a way to con the little dudes out of their new toy.

Now if only Spanish coach would be back in stock. I somehow think this game will suddenly teach me enough Spanish is 2 1/2 weeks that I will be fluent in Mexico.

merry christmas eve

Merry Christmas Eve! It actually looks like it will be a white one even though the rain is threatening to melt some of the snow. But since we have over 10" I am thinking it will take a bit and it will still be white.

I am sad that it is raining instead of snowing right now but we have had snow for the past week so I have had it stay around. Right now it is starting to fall off the roof in big chunks making some pretty entertaining noises now that I am out of bed. Early this morning it didn't sound quite so good.

It is definitely still on the streets of Seattle. Yesterday I drove Sam to work since I wanted to run some errands and of course get in a bit of shopping, with snow like this in the streets I actually found parking spots this time of year. Even more reason to love this white stuff.

The streets were a mess - tons of hills were shut down. I had to have Sam walk up to meet me as I couldn't find a hill to drive down that was open without driving around the whole city and coming up on a different highway.

Those 27 snow plows aren't keeping pace at all. In Issaquah the roads have been plowed - which meant we couldn't sled down the big hill since there wasn't enough snow left - even our street but not in Seattle. It was a four wheeling adventure since sometimes one side of the truck was on pavement and the other side on 12" of snow and ice. Just think of huge potholes made with snow.

So it seems our snow adventure is coming to a close. We are leaving for San Juan Island this afternoon to head up to my parents. Not taking the boat - well not our boat - but there is a boat involved with the ferry if that counts at all. We wouldn't arrive until after the presents had been opened and the meal eaten if we took our boat so this time we will have another captain drive us there this time.

We are coming back with 2 little dudes with us for a few days. Levi told us that what he really wanted for Christmas was for his mom to clean his room every day for a week. Tanya said Santa couldn't make her do something but he replied that Santa is magic and he certainly could. Somehow I think this is one Christmas wish that won't come true no matter how hard he wishes.

Now for legos and Nintendo DS that is another story - I think Santa can make that happen even without a fireplace at Nana's house. Am hoping Santa thinks I have been good enough for my Christmas wish to come true - a week in sunny Playa del Carmen. Thanks Santa Sam!

let it snow

Snow has arrived in the Seattle area. The big storm warning was for yesterday and in anticipation all the area schools closed. That is what happens in the Puget Sound where just the threat of snow will close all the school districts, we have snow phobia around here. Yes it makes no sense unless you have ever been in Seattle when it snowed then it all becomes very clear.

Then I waited and waited and waited some more - no new snow. In fact my snow in the back yard started to melt. But still I had hope that we would get our promised snow delivery. I went to the gym last night and all the classes were cancelled seems they took their lead from the school closures. Yet not a flake in sight.

I guess everyone reads the internet and listens to the news and they don't actually look outside to see what is really happening. Guess what - no snow (unless they saw some that had fallen Saturday evening) just a bit of wind but no one bothered to actually verify the weather report through the window.

I must have gotten sucked in as well since I kept waiting for the elusive snowflakes. This morning it finally happened though it was a day late. We had snow - well not much but it still counted. I turned to the internet (yes but I actually looked outside the window first) to see what had happened everywhere else. Turns out we had the smallest amount of snow in the area and it would continue throughout the day with many areas receiving 6 inches or more. I was feeling a bit left out with our piddly amount. I didn't have enough for even a miniature snowman.

Yeah we still had snow even if it wasn't the amount I had hoped for. Then I remembered Sam had to fly out to the airport this morning and I had baked feverishly for the last 2 days to give out to my team and co-workers. This wasn't good timing. My baked goods would be going stale and Sam wouldn't be enjoying the snow with me.

My excitement quickly dissipated even more when I realized I would have to make the trek outside and drive with those horrible Seattle drivers who absolutely cannot drive in the snow. I don't count - I was born in Wenatchee which means I consider myself a good winter driver (well I was once and somehow I still believe until I have to drive in the snow). Plus I usually have Sam to drive me around.

There is no way I was going to let him take his sports car out - I took it out last winter when he had taken my truck - it suddenly gets very popular with Sam when it snows - and I thought the snow was almost gone. I slid all the way down the street and then figured I might as well keep going since I didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

He would drive there but then I would have to get back home all by myself - suddenly this snow thing didn't seem like a good idea I hadn't thought it all the way through. But it was to late to ask for a reschedule it was here. Obviously I made it back from the airport almost 3 hours later.

I will say the upside is that all the parking lots looked empty so anyone who needs to go shopping or to the post office should make a slow drive to the stores and get your Christmas wrapped up - there won't be any competition for you.

Right now it is still snowing and I don't have Sam with me to go sledding at midnight with me down the hills. I might round up a neighborhood kid or 2 to see if they want to take a run with me. If you have seen our hill one knows that just a few runs will alleviate any guilt from not going to the gym.

In the meantime I am going to check my schedule to determine when the next good day would be for snow and see if it can't be planned just a bit better.

a welcome email

This morning while reading through my emails after getting out of bed I saw an email from Stevens Pass. Yes it is one of the first things I do in the morning - don't even ask. This means the ski season is ready to officially begin tomorrow. Unfortunately I will be working on the 1st and 2nd day of ski season but day 3 and 4 are open.

It isn't too often that the emails I see first thing in the morning leave a big grin on my face but this one certainly did. Ski season has arrived - late - but is here.

Finally all of our extremely cold weather is paying off and snow has arrived in the mountains. We have had very cold temperatures here in the Seattle area since Saturday evening - in the 20's and not getting above freezing. My water feature is still frozen solid for the 4th day in a row. And it doesn't look like it will be thawing anytime soon if those weather forecasters can be trusted.

I know that doesn't seem cold to many but I live in the Puget Sound area which claims a mild temperate climate. I certainly didn't get the high 90's or even 80's for my summer so I shouldn't have to deal with the 20's. If I get really cold weather I should have received extra summer days as compensation but that certainly did not happen this summer.

After all I live in this area for a reason - and I shouldn't have to scrape the ice off my car or worry about wearing my ski clothes except when I am actually in for a day of skiing.

But now I will be wearing ski clothes to actually ski. I am looking forward to my first run of the 2008/2009 ski season. Lets just hope my thighs are ready for the 10th and 11th runs. Somehow I doubt it but that is why they have lodges.

a coug weekend

The Christmas season must be here since the weekends are busier than usual. This weekend it was an all Coug weekend. It started with the Cougar Yacht Club Party on Friday evening. It was an adult only party but Levi saw a dog there when he stopped by to say hi. He asked if the dog was an adult dog since kids weren't allowed and that went for dogs as well.

I am just surprised they made it since it took 6 hours from Wenatchee. I probabaly would have given up but fortunately they survived the trek. Sam wouldn't have made it since his drive time limit is 5 hours door to door. This just works since is how long it takes to get to Pullman with bathroom breaks included.

Friday it was definitely stormy - the weather forecasters called this one accurately. While I was on the boat it was leaning sideways as it was being blown into the dock. Fortunately Sam ties a pretty good lines so the boat stayed in place it just was a bit lopsided. Since we stayed the night on the boat the guys at the marina asked if we were having a hurricane party and thought we were a bit crazy.

Saturday was the Cougar basketball game at Key Arena. It was the nephews first basketball game and they said it is much better to watch in person. I would have to agree with their assessment. We were all decked out in our Cougar gear except for Carla - turns out she doesn't have any pregnant Cougar shirts. This could me a new line of clothing as I would think there would be some demand.

As we left the game it was snowing big huge flakes. That is the way to end a Saturday evening - a Coug victory (where I wasn't nervous at all since we won easily) and snow on your way home.

Sunday was the morning was the Jingle Bell Run! It was chilly with wind. Tanya and I were excited for the Elf Run of 1K with Levi and Justin but they would have rather stayed at Starbucks. After we were cruel and made them participate they got to hang out in a warm toasty Starbucks again with Uncle Sam.

T and I didn't stay cold for long. After jogging a bit (am using this term loosely since for the first kilometer you could hardly jog at all) I was definitely warm and 1/2 way through the gloves were off. I think I ran more than Tanya thought I would since the last time I ran at all was last year during the Jingle Bell Run.

I refrained from saying this year that next year I would run the whole thing. After all I had said that the previous 5 years and it has never happened. Maybe this next year I will actually do it. Well probably not but it sounds good. I have to say running just really isn't my thing and I don't think I have ever achieved the runner's high, just the runner's side cramps.

We made it without falling on the ice though it was pretty slick in places. Seeing all the costumes is worth getting up for early on a Sunday. Since it was a Coug weekend we continued by dressing as Cougar elves. It meant it was an excuse to buy more Coug wear and show off our school spirit. There were quite a few Go Cougs shouted in our direction. Plus a Coug hat is just more festive with jingle bells on it. I don't think Levi is going to take his off anytime soon.

In order to undo any good we might have done ourselves we headed off to a big brunch. Somehow food tastes even better after exercise and being in the cold.

The weekend finished in the hot tub. That is where I belong after a 6K (I get to count the 1K with the little dudes) and a chilly, snowy, weekend - in a big tub of hot water wishing it wasn't Sunday evening and wondering once again where my weekend went.

cruise for 2

Well for the most part the weather cooperated for our cruise to Port Orchard. There were supposed to be other boats joining us there but it seems like Sam and I were the only ones hardy enough (or foolish enough) to make the trip.

Saturday evening they had a Christmas boat lighting contest on the guest dock. I went with just plain small white lights but everyone else went all out. There was even a boat with an old fashioned popcorn maker on it. Boats had lights by the 100's, Xmas wreaths, decorated trees, garland, stockings, and even a boat with a large Santa, sleigh, and Rudolph. Guess we will have to work on our decorating for next year. I just decided we would be simple though now we will have to amp it up a bit.

They even had a fireworks show that was quite impressive - Carla, Dave, Sam and I were all very impressed. So what if it was December I think there is always a reason for fireworks on a barge over the water.

Later on Saturday the wind started to pick up and swing our lights about wildly. Sam was smart enough to take down the mast lights but then he left them on the deck and in the middle of the night had to go get them. It definitely got to blowing but fortunately he didn't wake me up and ask to go assist, excellent decision on his part. I will have to admit I could actually get into this winter cruising thing though I am even more grateful for the espresso machine.

fair weather boaters?

Black Friday is a shopping day for most but to Sam a day off especially on a Friday is an excuse to take his boat out. Why fight the shopping crowds when you can have the Sound pretty much to yourself is his way of thought. He would never pass up an opportunity to go sailing for shopping.

I invited other family members to join him on the water. I didn't even have to ask my dad I assumed he would definitely be there with Sam. After all he was the first mate on the maiden voyage from Bellingham with less than desirable conditions and thought it was a blast. I was just happy I wasn't along and was instead shopping with my mom - there seems to be a theme here.

A few other brave souls wanted to go as well. Friday didn't dawn with sunny clear skies but instead with rain but Sam was undeterred. They all headed out for a sail. Turns out on Elliott Bay it was also a bit windy. Sam definitely had to put up the sails since he had a hardy crew though he did tell me the sails were down by the time the wind hit 28 MPH. Yep that is right he told me about it later since I needed to accompany my mom and some cousins shopping.

Honestly I don't care how much it was blowing and if the sails were up or down as long as I am not on the boat in those conditions. After all one of the best sails they have had I wasn't on the boat and it was in 20+ MPH wind. But then if I was on the boat they wouldn't have been sailing if I had anything to say about it. I am the family sailing wimp. A bit ironic but then someone has to be the voice of reason at least in my opinion.

My mom didn't want to drive with all the traffic to take my cousins shopping so I offered. I passed up an opportunity to go out in rainy windy conditions on the boat to shop with everyone else. That is just the kind of daughter I am - offering to spend quality time with my mom and get a bit of retail therapy in.

Did I mention Sam and dad didn't even set the crab pot on Friday - turns out it was a bit rough to take the dinghy out in. Whenever those 2 decide to not go out in a boat (even if it is only 9') I don't want to be out in our boat.

Of course to prove I am not a total wimp I will be going to Port Orchard on our boat this weekend. But if it is blowing 20+ and choppy I might just be sleeping on the boat in Elliott Bay. Hey it still counts - the boat is being used. There is always Seattle shopping if it gets too cold.