Berger Family: August 2014

Summertime means the annual Berger Family Reunion. Two years ago we were in Alaska for a friends wedding and we headed to the beach for one day of the reunion, and last year the reunion was in Colorado, two weeks after Audrey was born. So it's been a while since we've been able to go to a proper reunion, and this was a good one to get back into it! This years reunion was at Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands. Josh has been there a few times before for reunions, and him and I had been there as an extension of a past reunion 5 years ago, but this was great for us as a family. We headed up on a Friday morning, bright an early (4:30 am wake up) as we wanted to hit the road by 5:30. I had been watching the ferry’s in the days leading up to our departure to see how early you needed to arrive to make sure you catch the one you want. Since we were hoping for the middle of the day (12:35 ) ferry we knew we had to get there at least 2 hours early… and driving through Seattle Friday morning and with two little kids… ugh, it was a long morning. We did make it past Seattle before stopping for a bite to eat, breakfast at 8:30am at Subway, let the kids move a bit, then back in the car for the last stretch, and got to Anacortes at 10:20, and there were only 18 spots open after we bought our ticket. We knew we’d be close on a Friday at the busiest time, but we didn’t want to miss it and have the kids go crazy while waiting hours for the next ferry (3:50).

So happy we made it, and the girls only slept for a little bit in the car, but they did sleep some, so for that we are grateful. Sam loved the ferry ride, Audrey too, all the cold air in their faces on the upper deck, and just driving the car onto a boat was fun in itself for Sam. We got to Orcas and Audrey immediately fell asleep in the car for the 20 minutes it took to get to the other side of the island, hit up the grocery store, and check into our condo for the weekend. (The condo was a whole other story, super loud, horrible mattresses, loud creaks even moving a limb while in them, no one slept well I’m sure, but it was nice to have our family, Pat, and Matt all under one roof, and walking distance to downtown, mmm the bakery!)

Some family was already in town Thursday, some arrived after us on the 3:50 ferry, and some on the later ferry Friday night. It was great to have a hub to go to, Josh’s aunt and uncle have a house they share with other couples and they get 8 weeks a year. It’s right on the water and they have a motor boat, kayaks, paddle boats, everything you could want. We ate dinner there every night and was able to see everyone in the family, it was great. One night was pick your game play with coins poker, which Josh and I played for a hand or two, before the girls were just done (read Audrey was a screaming mess), and one night was the annual Texas Hold 'em tournament, which I got to play in while Josh was on kid duty (you’ll notice that was a trend), and I came in second (doubled up), so luckily I didn’t lose any money while Josh wasn’t able to play. On the night of the Texas Hold 'em tournament there was also a campfire with s'mores, so the kids got to participate in that (of course Sam just had a graham cracker, s'mores are too messy) but they were less tired seeming with something going on. I missed it since I was playing poker, but Josh was nice enough to bring me a s'more.

Saturday was a whale watching trip that I was lucky enough to go on (Josh was once again with the girls). They could have come, but with a 3-4 hour trip, and right at naptime, Audrey would have been horrible. Sam would have been fine, but then I would have been too busy with her to take photos, and she would have been over it probably before it was over. Pat offered to take the girls so Josh and I could see the whales, but they are a bit of handful in a place other than their own space, surrounded by their own stuff, so Josh offered to stay and help since I am the photographer. Again, another reason why I love that man! Luckily I had a blast and got some good shots (I never want to feel like I’m squandering my given kid free time).

Sunday was the annual Berger Family competition. This year was lawn darts (the legal, kid friendly, rounded plastic ends that bounce kind). Names are drawn out of a hat and you are partnered up and brackets are drawn up. We thought about letting Sam participate this year, but after a few practice throws figured she’d wait another year. Haha, she wasn’t the best, but got better with a lot of practice towards the end. Josh was partnered with aunt Kathy and I was partnered with cousin Eric. I am happy to say Eric and I won all our games and claimed the title (trophy) to be presented next year. Yes, there is a trophy.

After the competition some of the family wanted to go out to a little rock reef that’s out a little bit offshore from the house, and only reachable at low tide. Once again Josh stayed with Audrey as Sam wanted to go on the boat and only wants to do new things with mommy. I told Josh when I got back I would take Audrey back to our condo for a nap (of course the trip went longer than Audrey could hold out and he took her already so I borrowed Pat’s car to relieve him and waited out the rest of Audrey’s nap before joining everyone again). We went to the island 5 years ago when we were last at Orcas and I knew to get on the island you have to anchor your boat and take a small dingy to the shore… which I knew Sam would not be up for. But I figured at the very least she got to go on a boat, and see the island, even if it meant we sat on the boat the whole time, I could handle that. She got more and more nervous watching the others get ashore, but since we were so close and cousin Doug was just walking everyone to share in the dingy, he actually offered to carry Sam. Her feet never touched the water. Oh that Doug. Of course once she got on the island she wouldn’t walk on the rocky terrain either, or in the tide pools (that I understood since there were crabs and such in them and the boys kept picking them up to show us). So with all of that Doug carried her up to where his wife and 12 year old daughter Sydney were, so they carried her until he pulled me in the dingy to shore, and then I proceeded to carry her for the next hour. I definitely got my workout in holding her on one side, squatting to look at creatures and collect shells, and take photos while we were there. She would get down, but only on the white shell beach part, one little tiny section of the island. I felt that in my left arm for the next day +.

Other than the boat outings we hung out at the house, Josh went kayaking, I played in the sand with Samantha, we walked through the town shops, Samantha of course got a couple souvenirs, and we just tried to relax… not super easy with the kids, but still better most of the time then being at home. We got to catch up with family, sit by the water, have wonderful food, and have our first family vacation as a family of 4.

Heading back home Monday was also a full day of travel. We didn’t have to get up at 4:30, although with Audrey’s screaming fit from 2-2:30 that morning we were certainly not over rested by any means. We waited for the 8:50 ferry, which of course was late, but had a nice ferry ride, Samantha got some bonus time in with her new friend Sydney, whose side she never left the whole trip. By the time we got to Anacortes and got gas, we were on our way. We made a stop at my friend Catherine’s house who just moved to Puyallup the week before, so it was great to get to see her house, stretch our legs, use a real bathroom, and see a friend. I was exhausted, but the kids got some energy out so that was good. By the time we made it home it was 5:45, almost 11 hour day from when we got in line for the ferry at 7:20 that morning. Josh had to work the next day, and we were all exhausted, but it was a good trip. Lots of photos, so I apologize in advance. My favorite photos (whales, sailboats, etc.) will be in a follow up post.

Just a few places that would be alright, on the various islands we passed during the whale watching trip.

A little windy on the upper deck

I would need a bigger boat to see some whales!

It's summer, can you tell? I refused to put my jacket on until the end, only then because I didn't want to hold it. It was sunny and beautiful 72ish, but very cold when we were moving if you were sitting upstairs

A ferry, not ours, but similar

Cute dog in an aluminum boat when we got back from our trip

Our whale watching boat

Audrey's favorite of the moment, going in and out

And her first taste of bratzelis. Mmm

Aunt Evelyn wondering the rocky shore before the tide covered it up

Warren doing the same

Sam and her new best friend. She would not leave Sydney's side all weekend. Everything was about Sydney, we were at Sydney's house, she went on the boat because Sydney asked, Sydney held her and played with her. Too cute, Sydney is 12 (and was a flower girl at our wedding 7 years ago)

Kian (10) made it to the championship game of lawn darts... sorry I had to beat you Kian. Shadi (his mom) said I had to let him win... haha, I said no way. He almost beat me on his own!

Garrett and Jordan (2)

Matt's turn for lawn darts

Obviously not the shot Shadi was going for

Kaveh (7) had a great shot! They were both naturals

Josh's turn

Aunt Evelyn

Pat got in on the action this year!

Not a happy bounce

And a great shot!

A loss for Evelyn, very calm for the competitive Evelyn

Doug bringing everyone to shore

Even princess Samantha... goodness

Kaveh inspecting his treasures

Sydney carrying Sam to higher ground until I got there

Kaveh picked up a crab, which then pinched him hard, so he threw the crab down, without it's shell, then threw the shell in after him. Lol.

Then he found this bigger one! His shell stayed on, and didn't pinch

2 Generations of Dunkin's

3 Generations of Dunkin's

Kaveh was digging for more

Kian was as well

The only place Samantha would walk, on all the broken shells the birds dropped, flat enough.

Happy girl laughing at Sydney

I was back in the boat, Sam was hitching a ride next, via Doug of course

Our gathering spot for the weekend, great house

Chatting

Cousin Chris

Uncle Ray

Audrey's favorite game, grabbing dad's sunglasses and then making that face when he puts them back on. That's her go to face during excited moments. Glad to have captured it