New Tradition!

Mission Bay Beach House with most but by no means ALL of our family--hopefully, next year the rest will come. What a blessing to relax with the people we love!

Rhonda's Mission Beach

The best beach rental EVER! My parents and Jutzys decided 9 months ago to rent a beach house for our families and have all the grandkids together. Well, unfortunately all the brothers flaked and didn't come, so it was our local family. But, we were determined to rock the vacation with or without them. Perfect spot, as you can see to chill on or off the sand.

The mean teacher.... School was in session when the kids woke up until we were finished with science, language arts, and piano. I know, I even brought the keyboard...

After we worked though, there was lots of "learning" to be had outside. Loved our sailing trip... although I was constantly worried that we were going to capsize.

John, on the other hand, thought it pure joy to captain....

Here's how a boat should look as it passes safely under the bridge....

Here's where your mast should not collide with the bridge....
And, here's the look you don't want to see on your captain's face....!

Robyn and Ken would have to wait for another time to take a turn sailing, we were anxious to turn this boat in, quietly.


Jocie and John took me (and Todd) out to Nobu for my birthday. I had no idea how incredible fish could be! As you can see, the serving size was minuscule, but every bite was divine. This picture shows the Toro with caviar, we were rendered speechless. Our favorite was the black cod miso. Must save up to go again sometime! Fabuloso, phenomenal, incredible food. Oh, and the company too! I couldn't have chosen a better evening! Thanks J&J!


Some of the other highlights for me were, reading on the beach (here's Gaby falling backward in her chair), skateboarding on the boardwalk with Todd at sunset, skateboarding with Jocie with our helmets (getting lots of comments from onlookers regarding the use of helmets and our lack of skills), swimming with Jocie and a pod of dolphins past the breakers (which were HUGE), Braeley refining his skills on skateboard, and boogie board, and talking with the girls.




This is our last morning on the patio. Not a happy one. Robyn and I are discussing life together. How blessed am I to have such strong, wise, compassionate women in my life.

TTFN

My Poem, by Braeley Nelson

Dolphins

Out on my board,
the waves I await
But instead I got
a dolphin playdate.

At first I was scared
of the jagged fin,
heart racing, body rigid
headache begins.

Scars like tatoos,
the gang was speedy.
I sucked in my gut
and tried not to look meaty.

One popped up his head
and looked at me.
(So terrified now
I almost went pee!)

Oh, not a shark at all
but an intelligent being,
a once in a lifetime experience
while boogie-boarding!

My Poem.

Snorkeling
Shoot!
I can't get on my wetsuit!
Can I ask
for my mask?
This water is so cold,
it makes me feel old!
I wish
that I could see a triggerfish.
I see
some algae.
I caught a glimpse
of some shrimp's.
I took off my fin's
and my neoprene skin.
The shower
had warming power.
I wish
I was a fish.

August 29, 2010

Our week at Mission Beach was spectacular! What luxury to sit on our deck and watch the dolphins swim by! We are already planning for next summer. I loved that Bella and Braeley had surf instruction from John and are learning about waves. It was fun to watch Rhonda and Jocie skate board (with helmets) up and down the pedestrian path in front of our house. Robyn declared that next year I will have to have a bike---ummm?????? It was also great spending some time with Carol, Zeke, Becky and the kids. I liked that we could walk to little places to get food and we could really get by without a car for the entire week. Of course, my number one favorite was just that we could talk, read and be together with no time lines.
Today, it was back to work and back to reality. Ron, Todd and I went car shopping yet again and I fully expected to drive home in a new car. But, it was not to be. I am hoping to have something new and fun to drive for our trip up to San Francisco on Friday. Stay tuned!

Vacation on the Beach 2, by Braeley Nelson

We went out with Gaby to get wetsuits. I got a really warm one, warmer than anyone else. John got me fins and fin socks, and even ankle straps that connect the fins to my feet so they won't fall off! Immediately when we got home, I went out with John boogie boarding! Once dolphins swam right to us, I could've reached out an touched them. Now that's an experience!! I learned how to use the fins while boogie boarding to help me catch the waves.

Another day we got to go snorkeling. We found lots of big orange Garibaldi. I also found a limpet shell and a green rock. There was also a cave with lots of little crabs under the rocks. One time when we were snorkeling, I found a little school of jellyfish.

Later that same day, we went sailing on a giant catamaran. The floor was made out of trampoline material. John was driving, he didn't hit any bridges this time. Extraordinarily he didn't hit anything this time. I liked when you sit in the back, you weigh it down enough that water can go through the floor. We didn't go very fast, because there wasn't a lot of wind. Afterward, I biked back to the house.

I knew just which board to get Mommy for her birthday. It was one that actually on the grip tape had a picture of a wave. So it was extra cool, especially for Mommy. So, we secretly bought it for her and kept it at the store until night. We hid it in Auntie Robyn's bedroom. The next morning Bella was asking Robyn, "Where is Mom's Skate...." I was tapping her wildly trying to make her see Mommy was standing right next to her. SO she ruined the surprise! But then me Mommy and Daddy went skateboarding and Bella when rollerblading.

On the way home we stopped to watch an IMAX. Robyn and Ken got in but them immediately the show started and we couldn't get in. So Poppy, Bella and I went into the Science center that was in the same buidling and did science and stuff until the next showing. It was awesome! The movie was about a giant wave in Tahiti with Kelly Slater. It was really fun!

THE END

San Diego

Hi. This is Bella, here to tell you about my fun time in San Diego.


So, as soon as we got here, we just "hung out" at our place.
As soon as Jutzy's came, we went to their place.
For dinner, they came over, and we all had make-your-own-tortilla's!!!! :D
The next morning, Braeley woke me up as we went downstairs to play video games.
I practiced Long-boarding.
We saw dolphins!!!
Braeley and Jocie swam with them.
Braeley got stung by a stingray.
Then I went in the jacuzzi. (Jutzy's had one on their back porch.) :D
Mom, dad, Jocie, and John went to dinner, while Braeley and I stayed at Aunties and made Carmelita Bars.
We did homework that morning.
Then we went to Faith and Soren's house.
We made a sand castle.
Braeley and I took turns riding on Faiths inflatable turtle.
Its easier and faster than boogie-boarding because you don't have to kick.
I got stung by something. It felt like millions on Elves poking me with needles.
We went in the jacuzzi again. this time with Jocie and Mom.
We played G.H.O.S.T.
Its like horse.
Then we ate macaroni and cheese for dinner.
We did piano and blogging. (as you can see.) :D
We went to Marcy's Mexican Food and got amazing, yummy, extraordinarily big burrito made out of a YUMMY homemade tortilla!
Then we went to the Wavehouse. It looked amazingly painful because it curled. :0!! And if someone got to the crest, they fell straight down!!
Then we went to the WOODEN rollercoaster I thought i would be shaken apart piece by piece!!
We looked at a surf shop.
Then we went home.
Daddy left.
Mommy and Jocie went swimming.
We got wetsuits!
We went boogie boarding.
"hung out"
We went sailing.
Tacking is awesome! You get to drag your feet in the water!
We "hung out"
Then we went to breakfast at the Mission.
The next day we went to breakfast at Baked.
Then Gaby, Brae, and I got mommy's sk8board.
Then we went to Beach Vespers.
Today we have to pack up.
Soon we are going to Baked again.
Right now, I am watching the dolphins surf the waves!

That concludes my story.
Thank you.
Goodbye!

Vacation on the Beach, by Braeley Nelson

We are at the beach! From our house we are actually on the beach! There's only a short little bike road and then there's the beach. On the bike road there's like a little tiny road so you have to stay on the right. I like to skateboard there. I just learned!

All day yesterday I boogie boarded. Sometimes on a giant inflatable turtle! I also made new friends while I was boogie boarding. Gladly they were humans, and not flies buzzing around my head! After we went boogie boarding, we went to the jacuzzi. The jacuzzi takes like 4 hours to warm up. It is on the 3rd story. John said the jacuzzi wasn't hot enough for toxins. I know first hand, because I was stung by a stingray on my left foot! John said to get toxins out, you have to put them in hot water. The jacuzzi...not so hot. Instead Mom had to warm up water on the stove and pour it in a pan that I was putting my feet in. It took away the pain for awhile.

The other day Dad played football with us. I was great at it! Bella was the one crying. Dad told me to run in one direction and then he threw it to me while I was still running.

We went biking to the sailing place. When we were going up this giant bridge, Auntie Robyn, Jocie and John were in front of me as we went down the steep side. I thought they were going to need a speed gauge and automatic brakes! When we finally go there, we rented a sail boat and went sailing. Bella and I were going up to the front and we each picked a side. When we turned one of us would go up and the other would go down and our feet would drag in the water! It felt like we were going to tip over!! When we were going farther out in the bay, we were trying to under a bridge but we hit the bottom bridge and this other big boat when right past us. He told us the middle was taller.

When Mom and Dad went out to dinner we stayed with Auntie. So we went up to her house and we baked some caramel crumble and we ate pizza. Then I started reading. I fell asleep with my head on the book!

We did homework. And Mom wouldn't let me go long boarding until I finished it :(.

THE END

His name is Regret. I regret to inform you that Regret is home in bed. He never leaves his room and can’t ever leave. This is because of giant feet. They are so large that they can’t be moved out of the room! They have each their own beds to lay upon. Poor Regret misses out on so much because of his giant feet. He’s named them, the left side is called, I Don’t Care and the right side is called, Tommy. Tommy is slightly smaller and thus more amiable than I don’t care. One time when Regret escaped his room, he wandered out into the forest. He was enjoying the smell of the pines, (not his feet) and the breexe on his face. And for the first time in his life, he was happy. But then, he saw something up ahead… Hunters. Oh how exciting to see hunters in the woods. “I wonder what they’re hunting?” He thought. Could it be deer season? Or ducks? Or monster season? Uh oh, a dart shot just past his big toe. Another grazed “Idontcare” on the heel. He escaped but barely back into his 3 enormous beds. Now he will never leave again.

So he lives vicariously by reading the blogs of children who have normal sized feet and the ability to enjoy the world. Maybe one day he will join them. Or else die from a hunter’s poison dart. Until then, here’s Braeley’s blog

We arrived at Friday Harbor at 1:00 On the pier there were millions of white sea anemonies that were huge! Also there were lots of jelly fish. And when you got onto the pier, if you looked to the left you could see a harbor seal. The harbor seal was funny cuz when you twirled your hand he splashed you! This time at the Breanna we had a new first mate, his name was Ross. That day I did not want to leave the boat, so I missed out when Bella and Cash got ice cream.

The next day I woke up and went to the whale museum wha hahahaha. We go there and bought a little glass Shamu . Our tickets had names on it and what pod they live in on it. Mine was Wave Walker, and he was from the “L” pod. I got to touch real whale baleen! When we came back we were scooping water up with our hands with “jellys” inside so we could put them in a cup. Most of them looked like little black dots in a circle. But another was my favorite. It looked like a little ball on top with two little tiny read strings coming out. Then we went to ‘cock ROCHE” harbor. Then we got out of the boat. We passed by the candy shop but it wasn’t open. So we went to play bocce ball. I was the champion wha ahahahah! On the way back to the boat, John Bella and me stopped to buy prawns. We got one pound of them. Prawns are like big shrimp. They are related to crawdads also. We took them to the boat in a bag and they were alive, so we put them in a bucket of water and started playing with them. We started boiling water, when they were all cooked. We put cold water over them and ripped off their heads. Actually they were delicious. But Mom couldn’t stand them. I don’t know why. How should I know why??

The next day Mommy did Yoga in the morning. I watched and played with Cash, my little shadow. Today we woke up and took the tender to shore, We found lots of little crabs and tiny little fish. We picked them up as much as we could find. And we picked up jellyfish too. When we got back to the boat we got two pieces of bread, one had ketchup and the other had mustard. We the fish and a crab and a jellyfish on the bread. Then we ate it. No we didn’t actually eat it. Just made a crab and jelly sandwich for fun. I went to the front deck where John and Buddy were. One of them bet me 25 cents to jump off the side. We started going up and up until it was a deal that I would go to the second floor and jump off for 2 dollars. So I did it. When I touched the water I couldn’t breathe because it was so cold! And then Cash tried. It didn’t work out so well. Afterward I got my 2 dollars.

The next day I woke up and thought Dad was on the boat, but he wasn’t , but I didn’t know that. So I asked Mom if Dad was there, she said no, so it was just a dream! On the way to pick up Daddy, we saw a pod of Orcas! It was “L” pod with Wave Walker in it! So I got to see MY WHALE! The whales were so cool. Most people don’t get to see an orca in the wild in their entire life! My favorite part about them is when they spy hopped. That’s when they go straight up toward the surface and they popped their heads out of the water. We lost sight of them and were looking all over for them. Then Mom said, “WHOA LOOK AT THAT” and they were right at the back of the boat. If you were at the back of the boat you could ve touched them! Then we picked up Dad and that was awesome!

The next day we saw Bald Eagles. Bald Eagles are the world’s state bird – the USA’s state bird. Then I went kayaking with Daddy. We saw the baby seals, they were so cute. Then we went on a different beach and when we were just going in, a little guyser squirted just where I was going to step. I don’t know what it was! Then me and my Dad went trolling for Salmon – but we didn’t catch anything…yet. We got on the boat again and left for La Connor. We went on a sculpture walking tour where we looked at cool sculptures. My favorite was the fish bridge. It had a little message in the middle “sometimes you eat the fish and sometimes the fish eats you”.

In the morning we went to go get breakfast at the Calico Cupboard. On the way there in the tender, me and Cash were sitting down and I slipped onto the floor. He sat on top of me and started wiggling down so he could sit right with me. When we got there he complained that he couldn’t move – like it was MY fault! . At the restaurant I got a cinnamon roll that was too sweet. After we got back on the boat, of course, like we do every year we got dressed up as pirates to go get Daddy to walk the plank. But when we got out there we got an idea, we gathered around and pretended to take Daddy as prisoner and pretended we were going to push him off. But when we got there we turned around and pushed Mommy over board. Then Daddy and I went jetskiing. When it was nighttime Matt lit fireworks! Some guys on the beach were yelling” stop it stop it” but some other guys were yelling, “hey we like the fireworks, be quiet!”.

The next morning we found ourselves in Seattle, so we set off for Pike Place (confidential portion). I went to go finally catch a fish. I caught a silver salmon the other name is Coho Salmon. Dad cooked it. Jason Brayley’s two sons and Toddo and Wylie came to help us eat it. It was fun having all those kids there.

The next day we left the Breanna and went to Toddo and Wylie’s house. It was sad to leave, but I was excited to go to Todd and Wylie’s house. Before we went to their house, we went to Ye Old Curiosity shop. It was fun, they have mummies and shrunken heads. It was hot that day so we went to the park, and onto a little island. On the island we went through a little bush and found a clearing. It was fun playing in that place. In the water there were turtles and lots and lots of ducks. When we got to the house Wylie didn’t want anyone to look at him so we dressed up so he wouldn’t recognize us (because he likes strangers), but he did recognize us and wouldn’t let us see him. But finally after two hours he would let us look at him.

The next day we did the Travis, we made up a game called “Travis” It’s when you got into a plastic car and rolled down the hill. For even a higher danger level we tied them together with a jump rope. One time, this car that we named Flipper, flipped over. Also we rode a toy lawn mower and a toy truck. For even extra danger we put a tiny slide at the top of the hill so you put your vehicle at the top, you pushed off down the little slide to go way faster! We also played hockey with me, my Dad, Jacy and Toddo. We played in the street. My favorite part was when Jacy hit the ball and it almost hit me but I put my stick in front of me and it hit the stick! Then we said, “Good-bye”

Then we left on a car trip to Elise’s house. On the way we picked up Gaby and went to Powell’s the book store. At Powell’s I got a new book called “100 Cupboards”. Elise was funny because she was taking the toy ducks out of a book and playing with them. Then we went to dinner at Habibi’s it was a very yucky place.
Then we went home to Uncle Marc’s house and watched Monsters inside me a freaky show about parasites that kill people. The next morning we woke up and we ate cereal then we went to an Island to a beach and Elise hates sand but she sounded like a communist when she was talking about the yucky sand! Then we went to a berry farm and we picked berries. The best ones were hidden way back. Then I got a hot dog and corn on the cob. Elise was out playing in the flowers, then we heard her scream and she came running back. Apparently she’s afraid of butterflies! So, then we started going back home.
The next day we got in the car and drove 13 hours to our hotel and immediately fell asleep. Now we are on the last few hours to home. Yey!

Seattle Cousins

A couple saw me taking this picture with my phone and asked if he could take our picture. I said that'd be great. The woman with him asked, "Is that your yacht?". Why yes, it is. We were so impressed that someone would actually guess that OUR family was on a boat was so flattering. When we looked at the picture later, we realized they were looking at the wrong boat. Some smaller, more inferior yacht, not the largest one in the harbor... LOL.!


The original Starbucks at Pike's place= the best vanilla latte EVER made. Marc says only the winners of the barista's of the year award get to work at this store, and they get to stay for a year in a company apartment downtown. Pretty cool.


The joke of the day: Duck butt!

Headed out to Seattle to meet Amber and boys at Pike’s Place, and again, Braeley is the kids magnet (much to Bella's despair). The berries and produce in the farmers market were incredible.



We decided against the aquarium and instead decided to go to “Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe” next door. I know, the intellectual choice.... But Todd has memories of going there throughout his childhood, and we even went there once when we were just dating. I remembered the two-headed goat!. Cousin Todd, however, wouldn’t come in as “there are mummies and shrunken heads in there”. He was right, there were. They were cool :-).

I was such a gorgeous day, we decided to head to Lake Washington park, you gotta take advantage of a hot day in Seattle. We let the kids play at the park, and run around Turtle Island. We saw the great duck butts, turtles, and the Seattle skyline.

For lunch Amber took us to eat in Kent at the Wild Wheat Café, so yummy! Todd says his reuben was fantastic, and so was the wild mushroom soup Bella ordered.

We spent the afternoon at J and A’s house kids in their underwear, Bella trying to potty train Wylie
Dress up in Todd’s old Halloween costumes
Todd goes into Jacy’s office to get filling replaced

Amber taught me about the art of pancake shapes with a squeeze bottle. Braeley requested slinky dog - reallY??!! But it actually worked! Very fun.




We had a great time at the Brayley's for dinner Tuesday night. Braeley, Toddo and Jackson were making match box cars fly through the house. The bigger the crash the bigger the laugh.

Sunday July 26, Breanna day 7

How strange to wake up in Seattle harbor, on a boat!
We decided to walk to Pike’s Place and see fish, produce and street performers. We decided it was time Braeley “catch a salmon”. He had been trying all week. Let's make it happen! So we invited the Nelson cousins and the Brayleys to dinner on the boat and bought a COHO at Pike's Place. Braeley was taken behind the counter, suited up in an apron and scooted up onto milk crates. His chosen fish was flung to him from behind the bar.


He caught it all right, and watched it cleaned and prepped for transport.

We were sad to say a temporary "good bye" to John and Jocie who left for the airport and home- the real world awaits....

Feldkamps and crew went out to dinner at Cutter’s in Seattle.

Brayleys and Nelsons came aboard with kids in tow for Braeley’s salmon dinner


Jason and Shawna brought bread and cheese from Beecher’s cheese factory at Pike's Place that was yummy!

Saturday July 24, Breanna day 6

Cash sat on top of Braeley in the tender and then complained that he was cramped





We were awakened early by boat engines. Which is fun, but we were curious as to where we were heading so we crawled upstairs to see what was up. Apparently Matt did some research and found that if he didn't leave the inlet by La Connor before low tide we'd be at the tides mercy. So he set out and once out in open water anchored so we could take the tender back into La Connor for breakfast at Calico Cupboard.




At breakfast we ordered cinnamon rolls, cinnamon fruit rolls, scones, and omelets yummmm.



Jocie, Bella, Jess and I couldn't resist buying t-shirts, "the sweetest buns in town...naturally".


Jocie even bought cookies to leave for our parents' group when the come in a few weeks.



We walked around little town, Jess found a “Rules for Dogs” framed item for Pam.

Todd made Bloody Mary’s with the pickled carrots that Jodi gave us that Mike made.



We anchored in Tahoe type bay with swim platforms surrounded by homes.

Todd announces he’d like to wakeboard which is my cue to gather the pirates






After I dress the pirates, there is mutiny on the high seas, and the “tables are turned”...



I walk the plank



I can’t breath, but swim to step
Todd also jumps in…. in a wetsuit.

Wakeboarding off the swim step behind the jetski was a highlight today. I loved the "dry" start, but it didn't last long as Todd claims the speedometer wasn't working and I went skipping across the water at phenomenal speeds (at least it felt like it). So I got wet after all. But the second attempt was much more fun.

I think today was a favorite for the kids, Braeley,Cash and Bella LOVE jetskiing
with the men. John and Braeley are daredevils and took off to jump the wake of the ferry. John second guessed his plan of letting Braeley at the controls when he realized Braeley's arms were the only thing holding him on the craft while in the air behind an enormous ship. He was quick to tell me that he did have the kill switch attached to his life jacket.



Captain Matt exclaimed, at one point, that "this can’t be illegal, speeding on a jetski with a 3 year old at the controls, jumping ferry wakes, Buddy without a lifejacket…. No way could that cause any trouble." Good thing it didn't :-).

Later that evening, Captain Matt litted off really cool fireworks, and m80s in the water. People on land started yelling, some said, “Just leave already” others countered, “No, we like the fireworks”. The best part were the cool echos - at least 6 with each explosion! We left, but only because we planned to anyway, not because of the haters.



After dark we left this perfect cove for Seattle. Matt wanted to bring us in at night so we could see the Seattle skyline from the boat. He was right, it was incredible! I don't know how he found the marina, it was hidden behind a wall of sorts. Once we entered the opening to the marina Capt. Matt had to turn a 360 almost in place into the slip- on his first attempt, beautiful!