North to Alaska (and Canada)

This summer the Heinen Family, including grandpa and grandma traveled on a seven day cruise to Alaska and Canada. We left from Seattle on July 2 and began sailing north to Juneau where we celebrated the Fourth of July. The day started with a parade in downtown Juneau. After the parade, Clare, Molly, Tad, and his parents went to a salmon bake and whale watching. They were fortunate enough to see Orcas and Humpback Whales (plus a few bald eagles). Tad and the girls also tried to swim in the outdoor pool, but it was a bit chilly.

Upon leaving Juneau, we made a short trip to Skagway, Alaska. This was a quaint little tourist town with many shops. We spent the time just exploring around the town. Once back on the ship, we traveled to Tracy Arm Fjord and the Sawyer Glacier. Waterfalls and a beautiful vista were the highlight of this part of the trip along with a few whale sightings.

As we began our return south, the weather began to clear up and we arrived in Victoria, BC to 85 degree weather. The day in port was spent at Butchart Gardens and time in the pool. The pool was much busier and lively than when we were in Alaska.

Beyond the different ports, the trip had many highlights. First, Clare and Molly enjoyed just being able to explore the vast cruise ship. Adventures included many trips up and down the stairs to the 9th floor. The pool, buffet, and soft serve ice cream were located here. Second, the food was amazing. While we enjoyed just hanging out at the Windjammer Buffet, each night (and a few breakfasts and lunches) were spent in the formal dining room. The girls loved the food, especially the desserts. Third, the towel animal for the day was highly anticipated upon returning from dinner. We even watched a demonstration on how to create your own towel animals at home. Clare has been practicing this skill for our future house guests, so please schedule your next overnight visit. Fourth, Gretchen started to crawl using her arms more actively. Finally, the nightly shows in theatre provided enjoyable entertainment. Besides the Rhapsody of the Seas singers and dancers, the girls saw juggling, comedy, and impressionists.

Clare Graduates from Preschool

On Friday Clare officially graduated from Rainier Christan Preschool. Nana flew over to join us and Clare said that this was such a special day because Nana was here. It was a fun affair. The kids sang and the teachers gave each one a diploma and made a prediction about their future. Ms. Carolyn, Clare's teacher, said that she is the girl who loves to perform and that she is often singing and dancing in front of the mirror. She thinks Clare is headed to Broadway. Who knows...anything is possible.

Memorial Day in Chelan

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Chelan with Nana. The weather was pretty good...and from what I hear it was amazing compared to Seattle and Spokane. It was dry, mostly sunny and about 68 degrees. We stayed at Campbell's Resort and had a great ground floor room that opened right to the grass and the beach. The big girls spent hours playing in the sand. They each played in their own style. Clare made a restaurant and served us food and drinks. She had tables and chairs and an oven and a payment system of leaves. It was quite well developed pretend play. Molly sat in the sand, threw sand, tried to do forward rolls in the sand....I think she even ate the sand. She was covered from head to toe and it took a while to get it all out of her hair, but she was happy so we were happy. Gretchen mostly watched from afar and enjoyed the warm sun and the lake breeze. We all swam in the pool and both girls were quite proud that they could hold their breath and put their faces in the water.

I have decided this is my new favorite water destination. As much as I love the ocean the Washington (and Oregon) coasts are so cold and damp that it is hard to always enjoy the water. Chelan was sunny and beautiful. I am certain we will return and if I can talk Tad into it we will go again this year.

***One note for others who might like to visit....Memorial Day weekend in Chelan is VERY busy with "young" people. Everywhere was crowded and there were security measures in place at the hotel, but we didn't have any trouble and all the people didn't bother us. There were lots of other families, too and the kids played and played.

Clare plays tennis

Clare has been going to a tennis class through Auburn Parks. She really swings her racket hard and has made contact with a few balls. I am not sure if she loves tennis or just the idea that it is a sport you get to wear a skirt to play...anyway, it is a lot of fun to watch her.

A Trip to Spokane

While I still have time off the girls and I headed to Spokane for a long weekend. We had a great time. It was Chloe's 14th birthday so we got to celebrate with a BBQ at Papa's house. Chloe was very gracious and allowed the Clare and Molly to "help" unwrap the gifts and blow out the candles. Nana, the girls and I made the cake and we had a great time baking it (see the sampling below). Nana bought Gretchen a new walker and she was all smiles watching us in the kitchen. We also had a nice breakfast and visit to Manito with Grandma and Grandpa Heinen. Besides the last hour of the car ride home.........it was a fun trip.

Spring is busy and fun!

This spring we traveled "over the mountains" 3 weekends in a row. We spent Easter in Yakima...here are pictures of the egg hunt at Great Grandpa's. We then went to Spokane the next 2 weekends and had a lot of fun playing with cousins and grandparents. At home the girls and dad have been playing lots of Rock Band....here are the girls playing their cardboard guitars their dad made for them. So fun!

Gretchen's Surgery

In March Gretchen had surgery on her lip. Overall it went very well. She didn't sleep so well in the hospital so we were all glad to get home, but she was a real trooper and it turned out great. Everywhere we go people admire her and I told her surgeon that people all over the state are commenting on his excellent work. We are full of gratitude for everyone that has taken care of her and us through this time. Below are pictures of her in the hospital, her with stitches and then after the stitches have been removed.

A new adventure - cake decorating

This spring I have been taking cake decorating classes with my friend Megan. We have made some lovely and tasty cakes, had some mishaps, and lots of fun. Here are some of my first cakes. I have branched out to making cake balls and cupcake pops but we ate them all before I could take a picture so I will take some of the next batch. My next cake will be for my mom's birthday....we are going to Chelan for the weekend to celebrate. Should be fun!

Fun with Nana at Gene Coulon Park

Nana was here last weekend...originally she was coming to help when Gretchen had surgery but Gretchen had a cough and was not able to have surgery so we just spent a fun weekend together. On Saturday we went to Coulon Beach on Lake Washington in Renton. We started first with lunch at Kidd Valley which was so yummy and then we went to play. They have a great play structure there and the big girls played and ran around and went on the slides and had a fun time. Nana and Gretchen mostly stood in the sun and watched. After that fun we went to throw rocks in the water which was a big hit. There were lots of ducks swimming around and you could see the Olympic Mountains in the distance. It was a beautiful sunny day (a bit cold by the lake but still so pretty). Tad had lots of chances to take pictures with our new camera and they turned out so great.

A New Camera

For an early Valentine's gift we got a new camera. We love it! I haven't actually used it very much, but Tad is sure enjoying it and I am enjoying the pictures he has taken so I think it is a perfect gift. Below are some pictures of the girls he has taken.

Clare

Our Clare is growing so fast. She loves to play with girly things and help in the kitchen. Here she is enjoying posing for the camera.