Liza

Two weeks ago I got some of the saddest news I've ever had. My 'little sister' Elizabeth unexpectedly passed away. I felt physically sick. My heart literally hurt. There's been a wave of emotions since then — extreme sadness, for the years we will miss her, but also laughter, remembering what a hysterical and fun-loving kid she was. Her death still seems surreal and also just so, so unfair. 

Lounging in the hammock

I remember exactly what I was doing the day Elizabeth was born. It was June 23, 1995 — my last day of sixth grade. I was 12. We'd heard the baby, Sarah's little sis, was going to be arriving soon and, finally, I got the news when I was walking up to my friend's house after swimming in Lake Washington. To say I was excited is an understatement. Another little girl for my mom to watch; another 'little sister' for me and my siblings. We already thought Sarah was amazing (and useful for fetching glasses of water and other items from around the house) and now there'd be two of them coming over every day. 

I gave Liz bottles, rocked her and watched her roll over on a blanket outside. She was the most adorable baby — always calm, cool and collected. She didn't even squirm when you were changing her, something I wish I could say of my own two children! She grew into the cuddliest toddler and we'd spend hours playing out in the backyard, laying on the hammock, or inside having dance parties and filming our own music videos. 

Often, my sisters or I would babysit Sarah and Liz if Matt and Sheila wanted to go out. It was a win-win situation. We got to hang out with the sweetest kids (it honestly did not feel like babysitting it was so easy — not something I can say of all the babysitting gigs I had as a teenager) and eat fruit snacks by the boxful out of their pantry. 

As most kids do, she radiated positivity. But what stands out about Elizabeth/Liz/Liza/Lizard (we are big fans of nicknames in my fam), is that she carried this positivity throughout her whole life. That is why now, I can only be thankful for the time I had knowing her. 

Genuine, kind, sweet and loving, Liza was a true treasure. 

An original 'hold-out,' pre-selfie stick

Seaside! Looks like Liz is bringing back lunch

Francie and I with Liza, about 1999

Seaside 2015: Jam-packed days and anxiety dreams

A couple weeks ago we got to spend a week in Seaside, Oregon - the place I have been vacationing since I was an infant. It's a fantastic town, complete with a huge beach, delicious caramel corn and some interesting locals.

We had a GREAT time. Freddie and Elsie lived it up with their American cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. They built sand castle after sand castle, jumped the chilly Pacific Ocean waves and had one-on-one 'dates' with their parents to get giant ice cream cones. They even enjoyed the long car journey. "That was a great road trip!" said Freddie, covered in granola bar crumbs and nectarine residue, as we arrived.

I don't know if I'd say 'great,' but it wasn't too painful. I was expecting the 5+ hour car ride to be the most difficult part of the vacation (William got car sick, Elsie learned how to THROW toys precisely at Freddie's head and we listened to 'I've been working on the railroad' on repeat) but instead it was something else.

Ever since that New York Times article came out, I can't get the 'big one' out of my head. For those not in the Pacific Northwest, the 'big one' is a huge 9.0 earthquake that is due to happen in this area. Actually, it's OVERdue. And the worst hit spot? Seaside, Oregon.

Yes, I spent the week in Seaside having a blast with my kids and rest of the family but I also spent it very low on sleep. Every night I had horrible anxiety dreams about the earthquake, tsunami and how to get everyone out alive. I memorized evacuation routes, parked the car at the beach (3 blocks from the house) so we'd have a quicker method out if the tsunami hit (and the roads were drivable - unlikely), and carried the Ergo (baby carrier) everywhere in case I had to throw one kid into it and make a run for it. By the end of the week, I was a blurry-eyed mess.

The article was a real eye-opener, so for that I am grateful, but I was also happy when we drove past the 'Leaving Tsunami Hazard Zone' signs on the way home. I feel like I'm at a real dilemma here. Are we not supposed to go to Seaside ever again because of the risk? Should I just live in denial? Oh, and where should I store our disaster preparedness kit (yet to be packed) in case I store it in the part of the house that collapses and we can't even end up getting it out?

Whew. Let me know if you have any answers to those questions and, in the meantime, here are some pics of our holiday! :)

Camping with toddlers

Corina, Freddie, Ollie & Keeley - the 4 'big kids'

Some of my best vacay memories as a kid are from going camping. Good old-fashioned pitching a tent and cooking meals over the fire (and by fire I mean camping stove). We've gone camping twice this summer so far and it's been awesome! Not a ton of sleep but LOTS of laughs.

We've gotten over bathroom fears (of the automatic toilet flush - NOT going in the woods), tent tears (picture a double air mattress with Freddie squeezed between William and I) and the youngest two straight up eating dirt.

Here are some pics from our trip last weekend to Lake Easton, just over an hour from Seattle.

Couldn't believe her good luck!

Washing dishes at the spigot!

Tent time!

Elsie learns to climb...everything!

Smiley GG.

Fire ban means roasting mallows on the stove!

Cookin' up some breakfast.

Booster seat = only thing making Elsie sit still.