The Lapchis Family: 2007 - Year In Review

Hello All,

Over the past year, the Lapchis Family was treated very well, and basked in all the prosperity that Seattle, WA has to offer. This year, as I plan to revisit the experiences of 2007, I will hopefully behave myself, and not let my posturing and opinions dominate this year's post. But, I can't ignore the time and place where I find my family, in this wacky world of ours. Thus, be forewarned that throughout the cute pictures of the kids, I can't help but editorialize a bit. With that said, let's recap as we head into 2008.

I believe that reflection is key to growing, learning, and moving forward. Keeping a journal for more than 20 years has given me lots of time for reflection. But sadly, I find my hand-written journal receiving less and less attention, as I spend more time in the digital world. One reason, is that I can type much faster than my written words. Another is that a picture is worth 1,000 words, thus a blog can quickly become more dynamic than a journal... and add video into the mix, and it's easy for me to understand how my habits are changing. Throughout the year, I was somewhat sad to acknowledge this as the year my paper journal "died", but the key for me is to remain focused on the positive aspects of reflection, and not the medium for doing so.

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We started the year off with a New Year's Eve Party at our house, and the making of a cake...

and our new favorite party game... Pin-the-egg-on-GW's-face.

OK, starting off with a political low-blow is kind of a cheap shot (but you have to admit it was kinda funny.). So, let's switch to something more politically positive... this year I replaced the Impeach Bush sign in the front yard with a Ron Paul "Peace, Prosperity, Freedom" sign. Can you believe it... I went from wanting to impeach one Republican to supporting another for President. I have to say, I don't agree with several points in his platform, but I'm more enthusiastic and positive about politics and the future listening to Dr. Paul's message than I've been in a long time... it's time for a dramatic change in course! The grassroots passion and activism in this campaign is also very inspiring and contagious... the powers that be have to be unsettled by his success, and have done everything in their power to cram him down the collective memory hole. This is a "revolution" that will be very difficult to stop... peaceful, organized, financed, and growing. Just google or youtube Ron Paul if you're curious.

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Ben was treated with a lifesize "boat" in our basement from Preszler Boats Inc. Thanks Uncle Keith!

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We had lots of fun play in the snow early in the year. One trip, the family headed to Greenwater, WA for a fun jaunt into the hills, and were lucky enough to get some fresh snow to play in.

On another snowventure out to Grandpa Doug and Jennie's, the kids always eager for sledding, jumped on the chance for some more winter fun.

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Louise and I biked into work more this year, which was good for her cross training and good for my shapely figure... unfortunately, I suffered through two altercations with the pavement... leaving me with two cracked helmets. Luckily no real body damage. But I learned a couple valuable lessons... 1. Despite the lack of rain, fog can freeze into black ice at night, which doesn't go well with biking. 2. After days without rain, a city street can be as slick as black ice immediately after a rain shower. Be careful out there!

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The kids have enjoyed their time after school in the playground... climbing, jumping, swinging, and playing tag. Ben especially loves to hop around and use his body.

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In February, I had the privilege of attending the Fleck Family annual retreat out to La Push, on the Washington Coast. The Brothers Fleck have been doing this for many years. We had great weather (crazy winter storms, with sun breaks), great conversations, great waves, and a great location. I can see why the tradition has lasted so long. Thanks for the invite... looking forward to attending again.

Watch out for rogue waves!

Magical to see the winter sun following the storms clouds and pouring rain.

Who says you can't make a blazin' fire, in the rain, with wet wood?

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Uncle Keith and Nancy came over for our traditional Valentine's Day Dinner. In the old days, we used to cook up a fancy lobster dinner, but with three active youngsters, etc. we find ourselves ordering Pagliacci more and more. :)

Nancy works her cookie magic.

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Under the love and care of Grandpa Doug and Jennie, Grandma Helen turned 86 this year...

and Grandpa Harry turned 90... and people came out of the woodwork to celebrate.

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Auntie Laura helped out each Friday this past year with childcare. She and Emelia were a welcomed addition to our household. Besides the love, baked goodies, and taxi service, Laura's visits helped foster a great bond between our kids and their cousin and "Tia".

In September, Margaret brought her love and support to our family compound each Monday when Louise's work schedule changed.

Speaking of wonderful childcare, over the past ten years we have been so fortunate to have family members and close friends provide the majority of our childcare. Our children's early years have been so enriched with the investments made by Grandma, Grandpa, Grandpa Doug, Tia, and Margaret. Ben will be starting full-time kindergarten next fall, and we will no longer need regular childcare help. We will always be grateful.

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In May, Louise and I had the Great Costa Rican Adventure! With all the interesting stories, it will be hard to keep this section short, but I'll try. First off, I lost our camera in a cab, and didn't have it for most of the trip, but did manage to get a few pictures (Amazingly, the camera was returned to us a couple months after we arrived home.).

The trip was excellent on many levels, but one factor that did dampen spirits was the rain. We knew that we were traveling on the edge of the rainy season, but didn't think it would rain so much. As a rain-hardy Washingtonian, I've never seen it rain so hard as it did in Costa Rica. Even the locals said it was unusually wet.

Here is an example... Louise sunning on the beach one day...

... and the same beach the next day, practically washed out from the water run-off.

It rained an incredible amount! It rained so much, that we almost didn't make it to one of our destinations. It took one of the craziest days of travel I've ever been on, and the help of two charming, adventurous taxi drivers to navigate overflowing rivers to get us to a delightful boutique resort (http://www.casacaletas.com/) out on an isolated part of the pacific coast.

It turned out to be a magical, "twilight zone" experience. Upon our arrival, we soon realized that because of the difficult traveling conditions, and the efforts of our heroic drivers, we were the only patrons able to make it to the resort... the rain stopped, and we were treated to the most spectacular lightning storm of our lives... in our private open-air bar, next to our private pool, at our private hotel. Suffice it to say, our stay was a unique, one-of-a-kind experience.

Infinity Relaxation!

Determined not to let the rainy weather interfere with her marathon training, Louise set out on numerous runs... check out that disintegrating road.

Louise and I shared many great experiences on our trip. Traveling as a couple was rejuvenating and a great way to rekindle our flame. One of the more romantic destinations we would highly recommend for couples (or families) was the Iguana Lodge (http://www.iguanalodge.com/). The owner's were great, staff very helpful, interaction with locals superb, setting perfect, memories unforgettable. Put this on your list if you go there... and if you're heading to Costa Rica and have any questions, let us know.

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With the kids getting older and assuming more responsibility, Louise and I were able to sneak away and spend more one-on-one time together.

She's my beauty!

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Margaret and Mark treated Abbi to horse lessons and visits to their good friend Sharon's farm, on Vashon Island... Abbi was blissfully in her element!

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We were all treated to a myriad of plays and musical performances over the past year, including the annual tradition of Grandpa Doug and Jennie taking the kids and friends to the Children's Theater. Thank you all! Our family cherishes these memories and experiences!

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Hooking up with Doug and Kay, at several points along the route, we helped support Louise as she ran the North Olympic Discovery Marathon. She had an excellent run, and qualified for the Boston Marathon. Overall is was a great event, and one she would participate again.

Sweet Success!

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We had a sunny, beautiful July 4th celebration at our place... Clint, Laura, and Emelia joined Mark, Margaret, and the Gang for a fun day of patriotic festivities.

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This summer, we made a quick trip up to Bellingham to hangout at Lake Paddon with the Fleck, Miller, and Rice families...

... as well as headed to the Daybreak Star Pow Wow with Mark and Margaret. Indian Nations from all across the country come to compete in the festivities, that include spectacular costumes and dancing competitions.

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In late July, Louise took the kids to Cape Disappointment, and spent a few day playing on the beach... and had fun spending their nights in a yurt.

Ben running around on the beach.

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Later in the summer, we did some camping at La Wis Wis, and then headed to Hood Canal.

The water is chilly, snow run-off from Mount Rainier, but everyone eventually went for a swim.

Ben "maybe catchin' a little one".

After camping, we headed for the highlife at Doug and Kay's terrific new home. The kids all did some fishin' at a local friend's pond, and later Grandpa and Ben headed out in Big Blue to catch this beauty.

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Sorry Seafair Pirates... we love you, but wouldn't go to Alki to watch you land again. We were expecting a little neighborhood event and instead we barely survived the thousands of rabid pirate fans that came from who-knows-where! The pirates are great... the landing at Alki is overblown... stay home and watch the video.

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Local, Sustainable Living... Embrace It!

This year, we set out to harvest more food from our yard than in years past... beets, zuchinni, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, carrots, onions, hot peppers, beans, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, etc. Our garden grew in size... we planted more seeds... and the weather cooperated.

We also added three more chickens to the flock...

... and made some yummy things... like
fresh home-made salsa.

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Lucky for us, West Seattle has an excellent youth soccer program, run by a dedicated, passionate group of volunteers. This year, Louise and I teamed up to coach Alli and Ben's Mini Titan soocer team...

... and I helped Jamie Foulk coach Abbi and the Hawks for another year. It sure makes our jobs easier with all the supportive parents, and helps make the league a huge success. Nice work Jamie!

Alli and Abbi participated in the Kids Marathon this year, jogging a mile after school for 25 days, and then the final mile on the Seattle Marathon course. It's a great way to encourage kids to stay active and healthy.

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We all shared some goofy times getting silly and dressing up for parties... or just for fun.

Reid Warner hosted another halloween bash this year... The Big Hair Ball!!... and who could pass that up?!

KrekowJenningsInc. hosted one of its party extravaganza's... circus performers, taro card readers, and the best hot dogs anyone could find at midnight in Fremont... I fooled a bunch of folks with my JP Patches costume, and had a great night. Party on Garth!

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Continuing on with silly, we hooked up with the Volleyball Gang for the annual Apple Cup Game... and Dave was dressed accordingly. The Husky's were pretty beat-up this season, and this year's game was no exception... can you say "Coug It"! I even lost my bet with Tia... don't spend all those pennies in one place!

It was all fun and games until Alli pulled Dave's arm off.

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Special thanks to Wade for helping with the re-wiring and tile project!

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The Deception Pass campground was also a hit this year. Grandma Sherry, Grandpa Mel, Auntie Kristin, and Cousin Tyler joined the five of us for some great camping at the Bowman Bay portion of the campground. The weather cooperated, and we had a great time.

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At the end of September, it's time to start thinking about Flecktoberfest!

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In November, our house was overrun by a bunch of little fairies this year for Alli's 7th birthday... making magic wands, sprinkling good karma sparkles, and drinking powerful potions.

And Grandpa Doug's freshly stocked pond was the locale for Ben's fishing birthday party. Grandpa Doug and Cousin Tyler had all the fishing poles lined up and ready for action... and everyone gave fishing a try.

Five year old Ben has a... Fish On!

Ben showing off his big catch.

Our neighbors, Evan and Rick, with a prize catch.

While the little boys ate some lunch, the Big Boys gave it their best shot.

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Doug and Kay treated us to a wonderful ThanksGiving Day Feast at their place. You can feel the blood, sweat, and tears that they've poured into this dream home... and through their persistence and hard work they have created a magical beauty!

Much to be thankful for!

Clint, Tia, and Emelia enjoying the fun.

Lucy and Walker give me some lovin'.

That weekend we all headed out with our permits, into the forests of the Olympic Peninsula, and went hunting for our Christmas trees. It's a fun way to start the season.

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My buddy Reid and I headed to Mount Rainier a couple times this fall, and both trips climbed to roughly 9,000 ft, just short of Camp Muir. Reid runs the site www.snowboardseattle.com, and was doing some product testing, and fortunately, we are now both cruising up the mountain on our skinned splits, and strapping them together at the top for the descent on a board. They're called "split boards", and they're superb for playing in the backcountry.

One trip, the winds were howling so hard, as we prepared for descent, that we had to be careful putting together our boards... the wind chill on our exposed hands was dangerously cold.

The boarding conditions weren't the greatest, but we had a great time both days. Even had a black fox follow us to our car one trip!

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The growth and change in the Seattle/Bellevue area is palpable! KrekowJennings just happens to be in the thick of it, as the South Lake Union neighborhood (Allenville) dramatically changes before our eyes. Cranes on every other block... old building coming down... new construction going up. It's exciting to be a part of this historic Seattle development.

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The kids and I were fortunate enough to spend a few nights this past year with the volleyball gang on Friday Nights. It brought back some wonderful memories of my childhood, and how the volleyball group are a bunch of fantastic people. When I was a kid, they embraced me like I was one of them (an adult)... and now embrace my kids the same way. It's an amazing tradition that has lasted over 30 years. Thank you volleyballers!

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I was also fortunate to have numerous dates with friends and family to talk about life, politics, current events, and what's below the surface... those flavors below the surface are my favorite!

Speaking of under the radar, if you're against the War in Iraq, and you didn't attend an anti-war rally in 2007, next year you can do more to help end the senseless killing and stop the $6 billion per month being spent in Iraq... voting this November is not enough.

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At the end of 2007, Allan, Rick, and I headed out for another hike in the woods. This time a great snowshoeing trip, in up to 2 1/2 feet of light fluff, on a trail called Suntop, near Greenwater...

... then we hooked up with our other high school pals Craig, Dave, and Ron, and had a fun night out on the town... hitting a Thunderbirds game and catching up.

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We celebrated an early Christmas Holiday Brunch with Grandma Sherry, Grandpa Mel, Auntie Kristin, and Cousin Tyler...

... but we had a tough time getting Tyler to crack a smile for the group shot...

... thus, Tyler, be forewarned... next year the photo may look something like this.

After that we celebrated a belated Christmas Brunch at Grandpa Doug and Jennie's.

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This year, we spent numerous times celebrating life's abundance with Mark and Margaret... life is good!

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In 2008, I encourage you to create your own news... grow your own communities... and report your own truth! In doing so you will help make good things happen!

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