Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

Happy Birthday today (Wed) to my father-in-law Bill Hendrix - affectionately known as 'Pop-Pop' to his grandchildren.

Bill is a great guy - a wonderful father-in-law to me and an amazing grandfather to our kids. We could fill books (actually... have filled 1 so far) with stories of him orchestrating adventures with his grandchildren - horseback riding, tractor driving, model airplane flying, prank pulling, go-cart riding, Cat-In-The-Hat reading, museum visiting, lesson teaching, and more! He's been the driving force behind Karri and his annual 'Father-Daughter Weekend' - a tradition that started when Karri was in college at UCLA and has continued every year since. He's been a kind, supportive and generous father-in-law to me. I consider him a role-model... and a friend.

We are blessed that Bill and Donna are so involved in our kids' lives.  They've made countless trips up from San Diego - or hosted us at their beautiful ranch home, or their spectacular condo in Puerto Vallarta - and always find ways to catch the kids' games, performances, graduations, and special events.

Pop-Pop with Karri and Victoria after a recent soccer game

Hard to believe this was just 8 or 9 years ago...

3 cheers for Pop-Pop!

Happy birthday, Pop-Pop! We love you!

Happy 63rd Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Tom & Peggy (Camplejohn) Lange were married on November 26, 1949 at Holy Cross Church in Euclid, Ohio.

"I now present to you, Mr & Mrs. Thomas Lange!"

November 26, 1949 - Holy Cross Church - Euclid, Ohio

The reception was held at the Tudor Arms Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio.

Proud Parents: The Langes and Camplejohns

The Wedding Party

Teamwork like this has been their secret to 63 years of marital bliss!

[I don't think I've ever been to the Tudor Arms Hotel.  I just searched to learn a little bit of its history and discovered that it was recently renovated after falling into disrepair and being vacant for several years.  It's now a DoubleTree hotel.  I think we need to make a family trip there sometime.]

And here's what 63 years of marriage may get you - 6 children (and spouses - a.k.a. "The Outlaws"), 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren... and counting!

I couldn't have asked for two better role models. I love you Mom & Dad!  Happy Anniversary!

Brisk Evening Walk

Karri had a challenging day at work today and came home intent on getting out for a walk.  The sun had just set but, due to a clear sky, it was still bright enough for us to make our usual loop down to the beach at Lincoln Park.  It was chilly, but we keep a brisk pace and so warmed up quickly. We caught the last of a pink sky over the Olympic Mountains and watched a ferry finish loading and head out from the Fauntleroy terminal - getting the evening commuters back to Vashon Island and Southworth.

Last light over the Olympic Peninsula

I've said this before, but its amazing how a 30-minute walk along the water can clear your head and help you refocus.

Leftover Heaven

Saturday afternoon we got caught up watching some of the college football rivalry games, then decided to have a casual dinner with some of the Thankgiving leftovers.  Oh man.  Sometimes I like the leftovers even better than Thanksgiving dinner.

I picked up a loaf of fresh sourdough bread and some havarti cheese, and Karri grilled up some amazing turkey sandwiches.  I loaded mine up with lettuce, avocado, cranberry sauce and dijon mustard. I'm pretty certain it was the best turkey sandwich I've had in a long time.

Turkey Day

We started the day with our annual Turkey Bowl football game with a big group of friends from West Seattle.  We've been getting hammered with rain lately but, fortunately, the rains held off making for 'ideal' Turkey Bowl conditions - lot's of mud on the field, but not so miserable that people stayed home.

We had a good-sized group - about 12 or so kids, and 6 or 8 dads.  Thomas was wiped out and decided to sleep in instead, not waking up until shortly before we got home around 11! Tim came by and joined us, as he has for the last few years.

We started out with one large game of touch football, then the 7th grade boys decided they wanted to play tackle instead, so we split into two games and the dads played with the remaining kids.

Karri came by later with hot chocolate and homemade banana bread - a Turkey Bowl tradition.  Mmmm.

As always, it was a great time and a fun way to get some exercise and fresh air before the afternoon feast.

'Don't mess with me' Victoria and 'Heisman' Matthew after the game

Later in the afternoon, we hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house.  Two families joined us - the Bendzacs and Hartwichs.  7 adults and 9 kids.  Everyone contributed to the meal and we had WAY too much food, but boy was it good.  The turkey was delicious and was accompanied by some amazing side dishes - 2 types of stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, cranberry, and more! Of course there was pumpkin pie, whipped cream and ice cream to top it all off. We were all blissfully stuffed by the end of the meal.

Afterward, a group played a spirited game of Tripoley while the rest of us sat and talked over an after-dinner drink.  We were exhausted by the time the last guests left around 10:30.

A very fun day!

Birthday Girl

Karri's birthday was on Wednesday.  She worked from home for a bit in the morning, then took the rest of the day off.  We sent her off to get a massage while the kids and I scrambled to clean the house in preparation for Thanksgiving.  She and the kids did some baking - including a birthday pie (long story... friends bringing pie for Thanksgiving, kids wanted to make pumpkin pie, needed a birthday dessert... you get the idea). Later in the afternoon, she opened her presents and then we watched a few home movies from when the kids were little.  We don't do that very often, but always enjoy it when we do.  The kids really get a kick out of seeing miniature versions of themselves mugging for the camera.

After the movies, we took her out for dinner at bangbar - a relatively new Thai restaurant in West Seattle - and had a great meal.  Here's the birthday girl with her brood:

After dinner

All-in-all, a very fun day.  I think she enjoyed herself.

Happy birthday to my lovely wife!

Deluge

I'm a pretty heavy sleeper.  A light, steady rain - the kind that is typical here in Seattle - usually helps me sleep more soundly. But not last night (Sunday). It was raining lightly when I went to bed, but really started to pour shortly after midnight.  The rain was so heavy on our roof, skylights and windows that it woke me several times. It lasted through the morning and into the early afternoon.  Weather.com says we had 3.5" of rain in the last 24 hours! That's insane.

To put that in perspective (I had to look this up), 1" of rain is equivalent to about 15" of dry-powder snow.  So if it had been 15 degrees colder, we might have gotten 52" of snow in the last 24hrs.

Speaking of snow... I read today that Crystal Mountain - one of our favorite ski resorts, about 90min from Seattle - is opening on Wednesday. That storm really helped them, as their website says they've gotten more than 4' of snow since Saturday.

Karri spent part of Sunday afternoon getting all the kids ski and snowboard gear sorted out and taking an inventory of what still fits and what needs replacing.  We did our part to boost the economy by shopping online at the REI Winter Sale.

Sports Transition Weekend

There are a few times each year when the kids' sports seasons overlap. This weekend was one, as soccer is winding down and basketball is starting up.  Saturday was hectic with 2 soccer games (Matthew & Victoria), 1 basketball game (Victoria), and 1 basketball practice (Thomas). Sunday we were lucky to only have 1 basketball game (Matthew). Add to all that a parents' meeting for the freshman basketball team and an end-of-season party for Victoria's soccer team!

The only picture I got was just before the start of Victoria's game.  I need to get better about bringing the camera to these events.

Victoria (#3) and Emma before the start of the game

It wasn't all youth sports this weekend.  Karri and I went to a wine tasting (fundraiser) at Seattle Prep on Friday night. We saw a lot of friends and familiar faces and it was a really nice event. Saturday night was very low-key - everyone was tired, although Thomas had another babysitting gig.

Sunday we watched the Browns lose to Dallas in overtime - a rare 'treat' to get the Browns televised out here.  We usually have to go to the Browns Backers Club of Seattle to watch them (which the boys and I quite often do, with Tim & Eang). It was nice to watch them from home for a change. It reminded me of many fun Sundays watching them in Cleveland. The only odd part is that the games start at 10am. Instead of enjoying a beer or two, I was sipping coffee throughout the game... probably too much, as my heart was pounding during that 4th quarter and overtime. Guess I need to drink more responsibly.

Victoria also found time over the weekend to work on several puzzles.  Notice a theme here?

Puzzle-palooza

The kids were excited by the time Sunday night rolled around... looking forward to a short week of school.

Long Live the Fit

Big day today.

We've recently come to the realization that our beloved Honda Fit doesn't quite 'fit' our family so well anymore.  We started looking at options a few weeks ago and today pulled the trigger on the purchase of a 2013 Honda CRV.  We're very excited about the new car.  But the Fit was a special one and will be missed...

Last goodbyes...

Call me crazy, but I am a bit melancholy about the fact that the new car has an automatic transmission.  It's the first car I've ever purchased that doesn't have a stick shift.

Also got word tonight that Thomas made the freshman basketball team at Seattle Prep!  We are very proud of him and excited for this new adventure.

Veteran's Day

Thomas Lange - Oberlin College - Navy V12 Training (1944)

My dad was a freshman at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on December 7, 1941. On the advice of one of his professors, he stayed in school in anticipation of the armed services needing college educated young men to train as officers. He eventually enlisted in the Navy V12 Program and was sent to Oberlin College and then Columbia University for training.  In September 1944, Ensign Thomas Lange reported to Houston for duty aboard Landing Ship, Medium (LSM) 74.  The 74 would be his 'home' for for the next 19 months.

Their journey took them through the Panama Canal, along the western coast of Central America up to San Diego, on to the Hawaiian Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands, before participating in the attack on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945.

As part of the 7th wave of the assault on Iwo Jima and under heavy fire, the 74 delivered 6 tanks and about 50 marines onto the beach. They were on the beach for approximately 8 minutes and under fire for about 20 minutes. Two crewmen were killed, several others injured, and the ship sustained significant damage.  Here's a photo taken as they tried to get the impaired ship off the beach.

I've spent several hours of my adult life wondering what those 20 minutes must have been like for a 21-year old college kid from Cleveland, Ohio. 

I am blessed that my father is still living, and willing and able to share his first-hand account. 

Every time he's asked about his experience during the war, he's quick to say "I'm no hero."  He talks about the marines who stormed the beaches - many of whom never made it back. "Those guys were the heroes."

He's right about the marines.  But in my opinion, they are all heroes.  Everyone who signed up for duty, to play a role - whether big or small - in defending the world from unthinkable evil, is a hero. 

You too Dad.

Thank you, Dad, for your service to our country.

Walk... Overdue

I've been especially busy with work recently and, as a result, have fallen out of the habit of getting out for a walk each (errr... most) day(s).  Karri seized upon my guilt and got me out for a late-afternoon walk today.  As always, I'm glad that she did.

It has been decidedly colder here this week and today was no exception.  It was a clear, crisp day - only reached the mid-forties, despite the sunshine.  Thanks to daylight savings, we missed the sun, but did enjoy a bright, clear sky and the glow of the sun setting over the Olympic Peninsula.  The tide was out and the wind was blowing, making for a small surf (which I noticed mostly because Jack gets freaked out by the sound of waves on the shore).

Lincoln Park beach at low tide.

Vashon Ferry about to set sail

It was another quiet Friday night - perhaps something we should get used to.  All 3 kids were with friends.  We had to do a little shuttling around - pick Thomas up from a friend's house and get him to his evening babysitting gig, then pick Victoria up from a friend's house - but otherwise had some quiet time together at home.  We had a late and delicious steak dinner.  Now Karri and Victoria are in bed and I am waiting up for Thomas to get home (Matthew is sleeping over at a buddy's house).  It's been a long week and I'll be asleep moments after T arrives.

On a sad note, I got word last night that a long-time family friend, Bill Knapp, (aka 'Uncle Bill') passed away Thursday.  He and my dad were roommates during navy training in 1942 and remained friends ever since.  Uncle Bill was a funny guy - always cracking jokes, telling stories, and making people laugh.  He was an eye doctor and I have vivid memories of making our annual trip to his office in Aurora, Ohio for eye exams. He and 'Aunt Jane' were welcome regulars at Lange family events. Uncle Bill was a wonderful person and will be missed.

Fall Sky

I pulled over to take this picture while on my drive home from dropping Matthew at soccer practice.

Taken just up the hill from our house

With the onset of Daylight Savings, I have in my head that it's going to be cold, dark and wet every day for the next 5 months - just deal with it.  Well today was actually pretty nice.  Sunny most of the day, with a thin layer of clouds rolling in later in the day.  It was reasonably warm too.

I took the opportunity to get outside late this afternoon and clear some of the many leaves that have fallen on our drive.  I'm sure it will be covered again by morning.

Sports Saturday

Matthew had an early game in Sumner (about 45min drive) Saturday morning.  I hadn't seen a full game of his in a while, so I volunteered to go.  They played on a wet, muddy grass field against a team they had beaten earlier this season. Despite the conditions, they played a very good game and came out on top, 5-2.  Matthew played well. Had a nice crossing pass that nearly resulted in a goal, then nearly scored a goal himself.  He's the unofficial 'captain' of the defense - usually plays center-back.  But his coach has been mixing things up this season and let Matthew play up front, which he really seems to enjoy.  Here's a team photo from after the game.  That's Matthew second from right with the mop of blonde hair.

The West Seattle Crush 13U Team

After his game, we hustled back to Seattle to see Thomas' last football game.  The starting tight-end was out sick all week, so Thomas got to start and played the most he's played all season - about half the game.  He mostly blocked, but went out for a few passes - though never saw the ball. He did recover a kick-off, but just fell to the ground with the ball, as all the blockers are instructed to do should the ball come their way.

The other team, Garfield High, was big, strong and fast.  We lost badly... 40-something to 0.  After the game, Thomas told me they had played the Junior Varsity team and that some of the kids alwo play on varsity. Apparently, Garfield's freshman team isn't very good, so our coach scheduled a game against the JV instead.

Thomas has been saying for the last few weeks that he's ready for football to be done, but after the game he said he was a little sorry it was over.  Overall, I think it was a good experience for him.  He met a lot of kids and made several new friends before school even started. He learned a lot about the game, got some great training and exercise, and got to play in a few games.  Not bad for a 14 year old.

Here's a shot of the two of us from immediately after the game...

I've still got an inch or 2 on him!

Victoria's soccer game was during Thomas' football game, so Victoria and Coach Karri were there instead.  They lost a close one... 2-1.  Karri said we gave up a goal with just a minute to go... otherwise would have ended in a tie. They played a team that they lost to 6-0 the first time they played - another indication that our team is improving.  A moral victory.  Although the girls don't get worked up about a loss anyway.  As it should be.

This Made Me Laugh