Hardy Boys at The Cubs!

Kenneth, Greg and Awsumb at Wrigley Field

Kenneth really hoped to go to one last Cub's game with his father last year when he was diagnosed with cancer.  We checked schedules and talked about plans.  But Duane was anxious to start treatment. By the end of the season Kenneth started saying "maybe next spring" though we both realized that he probably wouldn't make it past Christmas.  After Duane's passing Kenneth's focus changed to going to a Cub's game and creating new father and son memories with his own son, Awsumb.

Soo when we started making plans to go to Omaha to spend time with Shirley and her parents, just like Duane would do whenever possible, Kenneth tacked on plans for us to catch a game.  The whole trip was so last minute.  And Kenneth didn't even finalize any kind of Chicago plans until a week before we were supposed to fly out.  When called to check in with his mother he was surprised to learn she was already in Omaha.  And that she had driven out with Greg and her sister Cindy.  Kenneth then told his mother of his plans to spend a few days in Chicago and invited Greg to come along with us.  Awsumb was very excited about sharing and making memories with Uncle Greg.

The drive through Iowa was uneventful.  And much longer than expected.  We stopped at the Amana Colonies which are nothing more than a tourist stop these days.  After a late dinner we finally checked into our hotel.

Saturday morning we all woke up early and took the L to Wrigley Field.  It was windy and the weather was threatening us with thunderstorms.  We spent an hour or so checking out the shops and vendors and were among the first few people in line when the stadium opened.  Wrigley is such an amazing stadium. Mostly because although the team never wins the stadium is filled for each game.  And without all the jumbotrons and modern screens the fan experience if focused more on the game.  We had OK seats on the left field down the 3rd baseline.  I think Kenneth and I have sat in that same section before. It's hard to buy tickets to a stadium you aren't totally familiar with.  Because the stands are deeper and lower as apposed to steep, if you sit on a front aisle it's often hard to see over all the people walking by.  But it was OK and everyone was just excited to be at the game.

As we were walking over to get Awsumb his "First Time at The Cubs" certificate he was invited to stand in the "kids corral"  right on the field!  Apparently often the Cubs will come over and sign a few balls to kids in that area.  The morning had been raining so their was no on field practice.  But a few of the Braves players came over and Awsumb scored a few autographs and a photo.  By the time the game started it was a beautiful blue sky day!  Although still super hot and muggy!

Greg and Awsumb found the new Cubs Mascot, Clark

Awsumb's first Chicago Dog!  He loved it!

After the game Awsumb scurried over to the dugout in hopes of catching a ball or scoring some autographs.  The security guard passed out official sunflower seeds from the dugout to the kids that were waiting.

Finally we shopped around the outside of the stadium and that night all slept snug in our little beds!

The next day we started even earlier. The boys woke up to find the Cubs Fairy (A.K.A. Wendy) had left them matching Cubs shirts.  Another quick trip on the L. in time to be among the first kids in the stadium to score an Etch-A-Sketch give away.  Awsumb was first in line at the main gate!  We also wanted to be part of the first 1000 kids to get a bracelet reserving a spot to run the bases after the game.  The usher from the day before remembered Awsumb and invited him again into the "kids corral."  Ernie Banks (an old time Cub player) came over to give the kids come instruction.  Just before he left the lady with him took Awsumb's marker so he could sign his ball and then he turned away to move onto the next group of media waiting for him.  So close to an autographed ball!  But fun anyway.

rigley Field is celebrating 100 years so each home stand they celebrate a different decade and wear throw back uniforms.  This weekend was the 60's.  Love those stripes! So fun to make it to Wrigley during the anniversary!  And before the proposed improvements to add a big screen and other such modern expectations of major league fields.

This time we sat on the first base line.  Not too many rows above the Braves dugout. Perfect seats!  And we even had shade for most of the game, which was great because I am pretty much turn into a lobster in any amount of direct sunlight.  After a super exciting game the Braves won (no surprise).

Both games the seat next to us was left empty.  For such a full stadium it was something to take note and everyone commented that Duane was present with us.

(insert Awsumb running bases video)

Awsumb and Greg went over to line up for the kids run the bases event.  Awsumb was among the last of the kids in line so we waited quite a while for him to come out.  Always the considerate boy he is, he got a slow start making sure not to knock over any of the little kids.  But he picked it up for the end!  Awsumb is so anxious to be grown up.  He has always been 3 going on 30.  But sometimes it's good to still be considered a little kid. How fun to get to participate in the kids run the bases event!

After another long day we went back to the hotel for dinner and the Kenneth taught Greg and Awsumb a new card game.  I surprised the boys with some ice cream sundaes while they were playing and took some time to myself.

Magnificent Mile 

Monday morning the boys decided they were too exhausted to do much of anything.  Going to a movie sounded like a fun idea so after breakfast the boys headed to the theater while I packed us up.  Our flights didn't leave until later that evening so we drove through Chicago and ended up at the Field Museum and Alder Planetarium.  Kenneth and I had scoped it out before as an idea to spend the day there before the boys decided on a movie.  We decided not to do a run through since it was so late in the day at this point and had lunch at the cafeteria and took pictures of the Chicago Cityscape.  Awsumb and I always bring his little pocket kite alone with us on these sorts of adventures and had fun trying to get it in the air. The windy city wasn't so windy that day!

(Kite and Chicago pictures)

We had such an enjoyable trip to visit Kenneth's Grandparents and are thankful to Shirley for making this happen.  Spending time with Greg was an added bonus.  Awsumb has a special connection with Greg and we were happy to include him as part of our little family for the weekend.

At the airport we said our goodbyes and after delays with both flights we all made it home safe and sound.  Us to Seattle, Greg to SLC.



THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Wallace Family of Omaha

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting Kenneth's Wallace Grandparents in Omaha.  Years ago we used to catch up with them whenever we were in Utah at the same time. In recent years they have not been well enough for travel.  Shirley has been visiting them often and asked us to plan a trip soon as she would be going out again to accompany her mother to the doctor. My suggestion was October as summers are so short here in Seattle and traveling during the summer is shame when it's finally warm and sunny and great weather for being outdoors.  Instead we made last minute plans to fly out to Omaha within just a few short weeks.

Omaha, Nebraska is so much more green than I thought.  Sprawling suburbs much like Utah with wide roads and large parking lots and landscaping around businesses (no shortage of land here) and tons of trees!  I guess I always imagined all of Nebraska to be the color of golden wheat.  We arrived in Omaha earlier than we thought and stopped by to say hello to everyone at the Wallace Family home before we checked into our hotel.  Shirley had driven from Utah along with Greg and her sister Cindy.   Grandpa and Grandma have a sweet little home in a quiet neighborhood. Grandpa has cultivated the entire back, sides and even some of the front lawn in to a garden, which he cares for all day long every day.  Very impressive! 

Wednesday we all went out for a nice lunch.  The boys got to work on some heavy lifting projects Shirley had been saving for them.

Thursday morning Shirley took Grandma to her doctor appointment.  Afterwards she and Greg joined us on a visit to LDS Winter Quarters where the pioneers fleeing from Nauvoo stopped for two winters.  For 15 years Grandpa and Grandma Wallace were caretakers of the property around the cemetery where a modern LDS temple has since been built.

That afternoon Shirley's brother Sam joined us for dinner.  Grandpa Wallace and Shirley prepared Grandma's famous steak and gravy for the occasion.

The day before Kenneth and Greg realized there was a Triple-A stadium in town, home of the Storm Chases (Kansas City Royals) and that the Ohio Cubs (Chicago Cubs) were in town.  We dismissed the idea of catching a game.  But on our way back to the hotel Kenneth decided the game was probably only and inning or two in and we should just go for it.

The stadium is truly one of those 'field of dreams"' in the middle of cornfields outside of town.  While walking up to the gate it was obvious we had picked a busy night as it was $2 beer night.  The stadium was packed.  Someone must have heard us talking about where we needed to go to get tickets and a young man at the gate gave us 3 free tickets just a couple rows over the dugout.  A pretty fun little field. Kenneth caught a flip up from one of the Cubs players as they ran into the dugout after the inning. Triple-A baseball is always a lot of fun.  From the "second inning snack boy" who served cheese-it's and sunflower seeds to the players on the field to the mascot races... very cute, family fun entertainment.  Throughout the game the announcer played music and the crowd got excited waving their hats to "stir up the storm." 

Friday we said goodbye to Shirley, Cindy and Grandma and Grandpa Wallace and we Greg and his belongings in our rental car for the next leg of our journey....

Focus Week?

Awsumb's new school sends the kids away for a week in the spring.  Focus Week, they call it.  The trips are sponsored by a teacher or two and generally related to current studies in class.  The school fills the trips based on priority.  So the older kids get first dibs on trips to Europe of other high adventure trips. We thought 6th grade would be perfect for a D.C. trip.  But when the art teacher sponsored that one and said the kids would be doing a lot of sitting around sketching we decided that was NOT the trip for Awsumb.  Next best thing was a California trip.  6 parks in 6 days, Roller coasters, studying physics and statistics... say no more, Kenneth was signed up!  I was a little miffed, seriously?  I thought some of the local hiking trips were better options.  But Kenneth wasn't going to pass this one up.  The trip was actually 9 days with a couple beach days and a museum thrown in there.  Oh and to top it off, they were gone over our 19th Wedding Anniversary.   So I packed Kenneth a space pen with a note that said "write me" (inside joke).  An I made Awsumb a mini Disney survival kit in a mickey mouse tin (which he loved, and remember I've been overboard on the emergency prep every since my surgery).  I sure missed them.  Especially since all the solitary time during my recovery after surgery. I was just ready to be out and about.   The boys have gone away together loads of times for the week for school, scouts, etc.  But this one was the longest week of my life.

Boys will be boys and they took only a few photos...

(coming soon)

Totally Awsumb Disney

We made the decision to send Awsumb on our little Spring Break trip solo.  After all sitting around all week worrying about me and my recovery wouldn't be much fun for him.  I also really needed to rest.  So we made some calls and prepared to send him on his way.  That's right, his first solo flight. I was a bit nervous for him, but he felt pretty confident.

To our surprise Southwest Airlines considered and up an adult.  SO he really was on his own.  There was a stop in San Jose, no plane change, but a stop and I was texting with him the entire time he was on the ground!  He did great and I send a new little friend along for him to find in his backpack.

(Pickles)

Auntie and Uncle were at the John Wayne Airport waiting for him at the gate and I am sure he was thrilled to see them!  After a couple days with the Allen's he met up with some old friends at Disneyland.  The Erickson's moved to Minnesota a few years back.  Awsumb makes friends easily, but has also considered Caleb to be his best friend.  I was so sad to miss catching up with Kimberly.  But thankful she was willing to spend a few days with him so he could take his mind off things!

Here are a few fun pictures from his trip....

(coming soon)

Dapper Day 2014

Crazy INSANE busy Dapper Weekend at Disneyland this year!

although we had gone from 6am to midnight the night before we rope dropped Early Entrance at The Grand Californian Entrance to Disney's California Adventure at 7am.  We dressed casual and comfortable in the morning.  Below are a couple quick iPhone shots of Awsumb with Mickey and Goofy.  By noon we were exhausted and went back to The Grand to swim and hang out in the hot tub. 

It was so busy Kenneth waited 20 minutes at White Water Snacks (the pool snack shop, which park goers can also get access to as it is usually a quite place out of the parks to rest) and when he finally got to the front of the line was then told whatever he ordered would be another 45 minutes they were soooo backed up!  We decided to go up to our room and shower and change into our Dapper outfits and order room service.  We couldn't even get room service to answer the line. We got ready quick and headed back to DCA to find a complete madhouse.  The lounge at Carthay Circle was so insane they blocked the doors and wouldn't let anyone else in.  We were really hoping to get a small bite to eat.  We did have reservations at Napa Rose with Auntie and Uncle for dinner. But it was frustrating to not be able to get a little something after bring up since dawn!

Awsumb and Mickey above, Goofy below

Awsumb wore his vintage Mickey Ears and a bowtie.

I wore a polka dot sweater and my Sunday pearls.



Awsumb was excited to take photos on Buena Vista Street at DCA.

Popcorn?

Mickey!

Awsumb begged the photo pass guy to get a photo of him in this pose.

UP, UP and Away!

The Boys at Napa Rose

Auntie Laurel and Wendy at Napa Rose

More later...

Red Ranger Came Calling - Vashon Island Treed Bicycle

from 2011...

Years ago a friend of mine who has an equal love for beautiful children's books brought this book to me.  Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed.  Yes that Berkeley Breathed best known for Bloom County, from the Sunday Comics.  Not only is the art stunning.  The story is such a wonderful tale about a little boy that no longer believes in Santa, if he ever did. Until he calls on well, Santa. Set in the depression about a little boy on Vashon Island. You may recognize the author Berkeley Breathed from the funny papers. The book is hysterical and if the performance by Book-IT theater in Seattle even better!  If this production is ever at a small theater near you - GO!

 

I simply love this story and am sort of giving away part of the ending...

 

When my father comes to town we love to go on little adventures.  Usually in between sales calls or meetings.  We often find a little antique store or some where interesting to explore. I love these visits with my father.  He comes to town on business several times of year and a day or two riding along with him in the car talking and laughing keeps me going to rest of the year when I miss him so!

 

And in November 2011 we found it!  We decided to take the $25 ferry ride to Vashon Island. We met Aunt Vi's at the Country Store and she even signed some books for us!  Then we found it!  The treed bicycle!  Near 20312 Vashon Hwy. SW, Vashon Island, WA  The bike tree is off of Vashon Highway (which runs between the Seattle and Tacoma ferry ports on either end of the island) on the northeast corner of the Vashon Highway and SW 204 St. intersection, about 50-60 ft (very rough guesstimate) into the woods on the north side of Sound Food Cafe.

 

 

There are so many stories about this hidden gem.  Sometimes this picture is forwarded around with a story about a young man that went off to war and never returned. The bike is very small, for a small child and this is certainly not true.  I found this tidbit online trying to find the true history of the treed bicycle.  Above is a picture that is often passed around on the internet.

 

The tree is believed to have belonged to Claire Hartvigsson (her married name, her husband also grew up on Vashon) by her twin brother, Bud. He was a real prankster. These families settled on Vashon in the early days of Washington and more than a few generations of Norwegians were born and raised there. Bud never would admit he had done it, but he chewed the end of his cigar and snickered when people tried to get him to admit it. Both of them are long gone now, but I know Claire's daughter and the family has always called it "Claire's bicycle."

Posted by Wendy Sutich on Mon Dec 06, 2010 at 09:54 PM

 

This spot has been vandalized many times.  The handle bars are often removed and mysteriously replaced.  Please be respectful of any current residents and both human and non in the area.  Keep this for another generation to find!

 Grandpa Awsumb and Awsumb 

 

Current condition 11-30-11 missing handlebars 

 

one of the pedals...

 

Point Robinson Lighthouse

 

The coolest beach ever with HUGE clam shells!

 

Mt Rainier as seen from Vashon Island

 

 

One More Disney Trip

One last trip before these passes expire...


We decided to try our Disney's Paradise Pier Resort. We were anxious to see what this hotel would be all about as we already knew we loved the Disneyland Hotel and The Grand Californian.  Unfortunately the pool was being renovated, which we didn't find out until after check in (how we missed that fact is beyond me - Kenneth does so much Disney research and planning).  So we were given a pool side concierge room free.  And given access to the waterslide and pool at the Disneyland Hotel.

Concierge rooms give your party access to the concierge lounge.  The lounge has snacks and drinks and different tidbits available all day.  At breakfast time there is fruit and cereal, toast and bagels.  Appetizers and desserts are provided in the evening.  It was fun to grab a handful of snacks or some bottled water on our way out of the park.  We made the best of the morning fruit display and even made mini meals out of the crudité, cheese and crackers and hot appetizers in the evening. Because Paradise Piers Concierge Lounge hours are short we did find ourselves running back from the parks a couple times to take advantage. This made the whole thing not worth it in my opinion. I would not pay for this service again.  In our opinion unless you or someone in your party plans to spend a lot of time in your room, the pool and hanging out at the resort, the extra expense of the lounge just isn't worth it.  And because there was no protein options for breakfast we still found we needed to get something more before we really started our day.

We were there from February 20th to the 26th.  So we did it all, and more!  We even went to visit Auntie and Uncle one day. 

 

The Disneyland Hotel Monorail Waterslides

 

 

Tinkerbell

 

 

Rivers of America
 

 

Awsumb always runs to get the heart tea cup just for me!

 

Dole Whip! 

 

 Tigger 

 

 

Eeyore

 

Pooh!

 

 

 

Autopia!

 

 

 

Indy Pinball

 

 

 

Back of the Monorail

 

 

 

Duffy!

 

 

Oswald Ears!

 

 

Carsland

Awsumb and Kenneth often go to Flo's for breakfast on early entry days

 

Gas Pumps

Radiator Springs

 

Racers!

 

 

Grizzly River Rapids!

 

Newsboy Mickey

 

Stich!

 

Phineas and Ferb!

 

 

Tigger!

 

Donald!

 

Minnie!

 

Father/Son Early Morning Entry Days

 

 

Walt

 

California Adventure

 

First Mickey Watch

Carthay Circle

 

 

 

 We vowed to take a year off after this last hurrah!  This made the trip bitter sweet because we knew the next time we visited Disneyland would never be the same. That Awsumb would no longer be a little kid and be our guide to experiencing the magic through a child's eyes.

 

We only made it 7 months before planning a surprise birthday trip for Awsumb.