The Whitelaws

We celebrated my birthday a day early with a fun filled Saturday. (And, really I started celebrating even earlier, when Mom took her March/April birthday "kids" to dinner in Seattle.) Kevin and Jenna brought these beautiful roses home to me after Jenna's piano lesson.
Then, we were off to Denver. What I wanted most was to have a fun filled day of really enjoying my family. The Butterfly Pavilion had $5 admission day on Saturday and I had been wanting to take the kids, so that was a perfect way to start. Jenna stepped right up and was the first of us to hold "Rosie" the tarantula.
And this is something I NEVER thought would happen. He typically gets the shivers when he sees a PICTURE of a spider. And, sometime last year, a spider "came up the water spout" out of the bathtub drain when Kellen was in the tub - more shivers. He still mentions that at least once a week at bath time and we usually have to get him out of the tub really fast so "the spider doesn't get me." Even when we were waiting in line he said he didn't want to hold the spider and I had no intention of even suggesting that he try. But, he saw Jenna do it and completely surprised us by hopping right up in the seat for his turn. This is a really brave thing that he did and I'm so proud of him!
The signs say that you're not supposed to touch the butterflies, but this one was about to get trampled on the ground. Kevin scooped it up to try to get it to fly to safety and it stayed on his hand. Jenna was really hoping that one would land on her. So, he transferred it to her hand.

We went to lunch at one of my favorite Mexican food restaruants - Hacienda Colorado. And then we took the kids to a park to play. Now that the dandelions are out, every time Kellen sees them, he wants to pick some for me. There were quite a few at this park, so more flowers for me!

After the park, we went to Sonic for happy hour treats. I got my favorite - Diet Coke with Vanilla. Kevin got a slush with pop rocks, Jenna got a lemon pie shake, and Kellen got a slush with nerds. After this point, Kellen was acting a little cranky so we had some quiet time in a random parking lot. Jenna and I enjoyed some reading time and while we wanted Kellen to take a nap, it was Kevin that actually took one.

Then we were off to the Rockies game. Jenna and Kellen's first time to attend a major league game.
We walked all the way around the field before finding our seats - we had to see everything. This pretty spot is behind center field.
The kids were troopers even with the late night. We left around 9:30pm, shortly after the 7th inning stretch. We had to stay and give the kids the experience of singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!" And, of course, as soon as we exit the stadium, Kellen says he has to go to the bathroom. So, we walk to the car and then have to get out of downtown before we can begin to look for a place to stop. Meanwhile, he falls asleep. We decided to go to Target for a bathroom stop and avoid an accident in the carseat. It was both hilarious and sad trying to wake him up to go to the bathroom and keeping him from falling asleep on the toilet.
The next day, April 26th, my actual birthday, we spent going to church, eating at one of my favorite Chinese food restaurants, spending a birthday shopping coupon, napping, and reading while the kids watched a movie. It was a cold, rainy day, good for staying inside for a nap and good book. That evening, when Matt and Leslie called to wish me happy birthday, I was recounting what we had done and she said, "You haven't had ice cream yet." She was right!! With Blue Bell currently off the market, she suggested Ben & Jerry's. I intended to go right out and get some, but when I came downstairs, Kellen was complaining of a headache and Kevin was taking his temperature. Sure enough, fever. And also sure enough, soon after, he threw up - his way of heralding a fever. EVERY TIME. Fortunately, we got him to an easy place to clean up! So, that was a bummer way to end the day. But, we got the kids to bed and then I did go out to get my ice cream. I couldn't find "The Tonight Dough" flavor that I was looking for, but I found these two instead. (Couldn't decide which one, so I got both!) Then, Kevin and I ate ice cream and watched "The Princess Bride." A few days later, I was at a different store and did find "The Tonight Dough,'' so I got it. I must say, Ben & Jerry's is a pretty good substitute for Blue Bell. And, I'm glad I found "The Tonight Dough"- best of the three flavors! Overall, a good start to year 39. Or, I guess it's actually the start of year 40.

Thursday, April 23, Jenna's class had a field trip to Rock Ledge Ranch. I was unable to go, but grateful to my good friend who sent these fun pictures.
The Ranch is made up of several buildings from Pioneer days as well as a Native American village. They have a fall festival every year and we've been a few times as a family. One time, we were able to see an apple cider making demonstration and a blacksmith demonstration.
They learned about how the pioneers would pack mud between the logs of their homes to make them insulated. This is Jenna with mud on her hand, about to pack it between the logs.

Friday, April 24th, was Immigration Day at school. Each grade has several curriculum days where the kids dress up and learn "hands on" about certain subjects. So far this year's themes have been my favorite: Pioneer Day and now Immigration Day.
Each teacher transformed their classroom into an aspect of what an Immigrant would experience traveling through Ellis Island in the late 1800s. Jenna's classroom was the Medical Inspection. I was able to be one of the medical inspectors. Of the 4 Mom volunteers from Jenna's class, 2 were former nurses and 1 is currently working as a nurse. You just never know when you'll need to use your nurse skills again. I had fun making paper nurse hats for us to wear. Too bad I didn't have a vintage nurse uniform!
We had a fun time listening to heart and lungs, and inspecting skin, mouth, eyes, ears, mobility. Occasionally, we would make up a diagnosis and deport a child.
I deported Jenna, she had typhoon typhus. Other children had wiggly appendages, spotted tongue, notsickatalis, etc. At deportation, they had to roll a suitcase all the way down the hall and back. Then they were reinspected and got a second chance. Jenna really thought it was great fun!
Each child could dress up as an immigrant from a country of their heritage if they wanted to. Jenna has German heritage on both sides. And, when I was young, my grandparents went to Germany and bought me the dress that Jenna is wearing. So fun that it fits her perfectly and she could wear it for this day!
Other stations included arriving at Ellis Island on a "boat" and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time, an immigrant interview (where they came from, where they were going, occupation, family in the US, history of prison, etc.), writing a letter back home after arriving, a citizenship exam, and taking the oath of citizenship. If you look really closely, you can see Jenna taking her oath (second from the left in the back of the picture).
After all the stations, the class came back together and each child did a presentation of either answering questions about their heritage or showing a clothespin doll they had made to look like someone of their heritage. Jenna chose the questionnaire for her project. She learned all kinds of fun things about her family. For example, in 1832, Jenna's 4x great grandfather on her Grandma's side, Hartman Dickhaut, stowed away, hidden in a coil of rope on a ship from Germany to Baltimore, Maryland. He was 19 years old. Jenna's 2x great grandmother on Mima's side also came from Germany. Two Whitelaw brothers came over from Scotland in the early 1800s. One brother went to Canada, the other to North Carolina. Our Whitelaws came from the Canada brother. She also learned that her 3x great grandmother Wells (Whitelaw side) was the first woman dentist in all of Canada. And, her 3x great uncle Dalton was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario.
One of the questions asked about family traditions and recipes. So, I told Jenna about Pfeffernusse or Peppernuts - a German spice cookie that my Grandma would make at Christmas time. Then, I was craving them and thought we should make some to share with her class. Mom sent me Grandma's recipe and Jenna & Kellen helped me make them. They turned out perfect - not bad for my first time to make them! Jenna loves them and said, "Mama, you eat one and then you just can't stop eating them!" So true, I remember eating them one after another around her age. Her classmates really liked them, too. She has classmates whose parents are the first in their family to come to America. One whose parents are from India and one whose mom is from South Africa. It was really neat to hear their stories about coming to America. The mom from South Africa just became a citizen last month!

Sometime around March 1st, Dad and Mom went to visit Matt and Leslie. Leslie got this idea that we should make a trip to Washington to surprise Katie for her birthday. Mom ran with it and David agreed. So, Wednesday, April 1st, Dad and Mom drove here so that Mom and I could fly to Seattle on Thursday, April 2nd to surprise Katie.
Our plan was to leave our house around 10 am to make it for our noon flight. This would give me time to get Jenna to school, trade cars with Kevin at his school, go back home and have a little time before leaving the house. But, Thursday morning, Dad got an email saying that our flight was cancelled and rescheduled for Friday morning. Many, many thanks to Dad for calling the airline and getting us a flight that day - the hero of the day! The flight we got was an hour earlier than the one we planned, so I had just enough time to drop Jenna at school, trade cars with Kevin, and pick up Mom to get to the airport. Time was tight, but we made it!
David picked us up at the airport and gave us a nice tour along the way to their house. Above is the University of Washington (and part of the bridge). He asked Katie to meet him after work for dinner at Olive Garden. We got there early and Mom and I were seated first. Then when Katie got there, the hostess brought her to our table.
Friday morning, Katie picked us up and we ate breakfast at Panera. Then she took us to the Navy Exchange Commissary. I've always wanted to see what a commissary is like. Pretty cool.
We stopped at a coffee hut and then were on our way to Pike Place Market, Seattle.
It was cloudy and rainy, just what people think of, so probably the best way to experience the market.


The original Starbucks. At this point, we decided not to brave the long line. But, the more I thought about it, the more I really wanted a cup of coffee from here and a coffee mug. So, later, we braved the 30 min or more line not once, but twice. My brother didn't get in touch with us in time to tell us which mug he liked best. So, Leslie decided for him. Turns out, it wasn't the one he wanted. When I had to stand in a second line to wait for my coffee, Leslie got back in line to exchange the mug for the one Matt wanted. She loves him!
"You did it! Congratulations! World's Best Cup of Coffee! Great job everybody!" - Buddy the Elf. I tried a lot of coffee on this trip and I really think that Starbucks was the best.
My souvenir coffee mug. It has Starbucks, a coffee mug, buildings, a fish, a guitar, a ferry boat, and a cloud with rain drops. I love it!
These looked delicious but the line was long and I wasn't really hungry. Next time.
We saw them throw a fish! I couldn't get my phone to switch to video in time to get the whole throw (see video 1622_2 in "Surprise Katie Washington Trip" folder).

Another shot of the market sign - I like the clock to document the time and the umbrellas
I love these colors! There were so many beautiful vegetable and flower stands!
We saw/heard at least three different street performers. All very talented. Fun atmosphere.
After Pike Place Market, we drove up to meet David at Snoqualmie Falls. So beautiful.


This one is to document the new boots that Matt gave Leslie for her birthday. They were perfect for this trip!
These signs were posted on several of the railings. I thought they were funny.

After the falls, we ate a yummy Mexican food dinner at Mazatlan. Then we stopped by Baskin Robbins to get ice cream to go with the birthday cake that Leslie brought for Katie. We filled the day!
These are the beautiful tulips that Mom bought for us at Pike Place Market. So pretty.
Saturday morning, we grabbed some breakfast at Starbucks. Then, David drove us up to Skagit County and Tulip Town. They used this flowering bush to make a fence - so pretty.

















After Tulip Town, David drove us north to Deception Pass State Park and Whidbey Island.

Everyone did a great job helping me find some cool shells and rocks to bring back to Jenna & Kellen. They loved them!

After that, we went to a cute little town called Langley. We went to Sweet Mona's chocolate/gelato/coffee shop. Leslie and I tried something new: affogato. It's gelato topped with a shot of hot espresso. I had to try it after I tasted Leslie's and after I had already had a cup of coffee (coffee was good here) and a small truffle.
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. I had no idea where we were most of the time we were driving around. It's been fun to research it now that we're back and find the spots on the map. Turns out, the lighthouse is available for touring. Fun idea for next time.

We ate dinner at the RAM in Tulalip (love the names in Washington). It turned out to be the perfect place to eat because we could watch the Kentucky and Wisconsin play in the final four. Then we crashed since we had to leave at 5 am for the airport.
Once we got through security at the airport, Mom, Leslie, and I stopped at Beecher's and a coffee shop that was right next door. The coffee was awful! Leslie and I bought yogurt at Beecher's and it was really good. Katie had told us about Beecher's when we were in Pike Place Market. They claim to have the "World's Best Mac and Cheese." I wish now that I had been hungry when we were in the Market. Another thing to put on the list for next time.
Thank you to David and Katie for being great hosts and tour guides. It was a fun and fabulous trip!