As Jack continued to train for a marathon, we invited Jake to ride along behind him as we made a goat-shaped loop around East Portland.
Category: Clearing the Cache
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My Second Sabbatical
After my first sabbatical, Vernier changed the benefit so that employees receive a four-week sabbatical after seven years of employment. The timing was advantageous since my second sabbatical came sooner than the first, which came after ten years.
I was eligible for my second sabbatical last year, but since we were navigating a global pandemic, I deferred it for a year. I’m still amazed at how fast time went by from my first sabbatical that I arrived at my second sabbatical; and now, at the end of my second sabbatical.
So, what did I do for six weeks?
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Happy Father’s Day
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Happy 2nd Birthday Rosie!
From David
You make us smile every day. We love it when you climb up your bridge and come up to get a view of the living room. Your fur is so soft and your nose is always looking for a treat in our hands.
You’re a clever one. When we hand you a stalk of millet, you skip past all of the seeds and bite off the stem so you can grab the full cluster before we can take it away.
From Violet
You are a gift from God and the most adorable little fluff ever, You wink and lick your lips and squeak, melting the hearts of all who see. Whenever you eat banana no one can keep the awws in as you devour the sweet treat.
Thank you for the joy you’ve given me band I hope you enjoyed your birthday cake (you better because I spent 10 minutes on it).
We’ve been thrilled that Violet joined her middle school choir. The love of music is something Jenni and I hope to pass to our kids. So we were proud when Violet surprised us with a solo during the final song.
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Spring Break in Seattle
For the kids’ spring break, we planned a day trip up to Seattle and revisit several 10th birthday locations. For Kadie’s 10th birthday, we explored the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. And for Bruce’s 10th birthday, we enjoyed Olympia’s Hands On Children Museum.
Bruce loved sharing the dry ice fountain with his sisters. We met up with Jenni’s uncle Todd, who lives in Olympia. The kids were disappointed that the sock skating station was no longer there, but we did discover a bench xylophone.
Then we trekked north to see the Chihuly Garden and Glass before riding the elevator up the Space Needle.
Since it had been nearly five years since Kadie and I were last here, I had flashbacks to the trip as we walked through familiar sculptures and sights. I’m grateful for the special trips I get to take my kids when they turned ten.
The Space Needle got some upgrades in the form of glass barriers at the top to reduce wind and provide clearer views. And, they added a glass floor that rotated.
We visited Jenni’s college classmate Paul and his wife Jennifer for dinner before driving home.
I enjoyed created new memories with the entire family while reminiscing the trips I took with Kadie and Bruce prior.
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COVID Positives and Negatives
Two weeks ago, Kadie came home feeling unwell after school and she developed a fever that evening. We tested her for COVID and the test showed negative. We had a low-key weekend as she recovered, and when Monday came around, her second test revealed a positive result.
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Happy Chinese New Year!
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Twenty Twenty One in Photos
As we lit fireworks after midnight, I found myself mixed with emotions. I regard myself as aggressively balanced, so it surprised me to feel both deep sadness and hopeful expectation as twenty twenty-two began. It only became clear after looking back at twenty twenty-one in photos that I realized what I’ll be missing and be thankful for.
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Charlene and David’s Wedding
Charlene was chatting with my brother and me one late night two years ago. She was great about coming up to Portland to visit family between (or because of) adventures and I always try to get some time with her.
We were stewing around the dance of dating and relationships. It was a thoughtful discussion and I remember being confident that someday I would travel to California for her wedding.
