"Surprise" trip to Denver

 This week was a bit of a rough week.   While traveling, Jason injured his back and became unable to walk or sit without severe pain.   This injury was probably a re-herination of his L5-S1 disc, which had partially herniated during our hiking trip this summer.   He said this time it was much worse however, and desperately needed help to get home.

So, I headed to Denver from work on Thursday and began the process of planning how to extract him from the airport hotel he was staying at.  We were able to book 2 seats each on the plane home--so he could have 3 of them to lie down for the flight.   And we booked a wheel chair from the hotel to the gate.   Only thing was, he could not sit in it.   But he did figure out a way: kneeling backwards!

The flight attendants were cool on the flight and even let him stay layaing down for take off and landing.  

Once we got to SF, I got his car and deove him home while he was laying in the backseat.   

This all made this weekend, one of the last before chirstmas, a bitr chaotic for me, as he was unable to do ANYTHING.   I did my best to continue to get the work done, including baking a bunch of Christmas cookies, buying presents, wrapping presents, and generally keeping things organzied.  Luckily, Alaina was a good helper, and due to the fact that we had a huge raistorm, softball was cancelled, as was one of her basketball games due to a power outage.

So, we will see what happens.  Jason seems to be getting ever so slightly better each day, so fingers crossed he will at least be able to walk and or/sit a bit more soon!

Jason's Birthday

 This week, Jason celebrated birthday #47!  His birthday was on Thursday, and he chose homade pizza for dinner, as crab season is delayed again this year.   My dad was able to join us, which was nice.  He also chose a carrot cake for dessert, which he loved but everyone else politely picked at.   He will have a lot of leftover cake to eat himself!

 

Over the weekend, Jason wanted to go to Tahoe, but on Friday night Ethan had a holdiay concert, so we could not leave on Friday.  His motivation to go dropped on Saturnday morning, and so instead we enjoyed a weekend at home.   We had planned to cut down a Christmas tree in Tahoe, but instead headed up to a Christmas tree farm in Sonoma, where we cut a tree for a much higher price :).  Alaina did most of the cutting!

On the way back we stopped for brunch at our favorite brunch place in Petaluma, Sax's joint.   

And then we came home and decotrated the tree!

And since we stayed in town, Alaina got to go to her holiday softball party.  They do a white elephant exchange and she was excited to get Squishamellows as her gift this year!

Thanksgiving at Sea

 This year for Thanksgiving, we did something different.   We took a cruise along Western Mexico for the week that the kids were off school.   We did this because we wanted to do something with Jason's dad to celebrate his 80th birthday this fall--and a cruise was what he wanted to do.  Eileen and him take this cruise route fairly often, and they were excited to do it with us.   Jason's brothers Brandon and Jeremy both joined for the week, so we had the opportunity for a lot of family time.   Plus, no one had to cook or clean up!

We left from Los Angeles on Saturday morning.   The cruise stopped at 3 ports: Cabo San Lucas, Matzalan, and Puetro Vallarta.   Plus 3 full days at sea, including Thanksgiving Day.

In Cabo, we took a water taxi to Lover's Beach with Jeremy, where we went swimming.

In Matzalan, we decided to venture out to El Quelite, a small colonial town about an hour north of the city.   The rest of Jason's family did not join us--but we had a deliciaious lunch at a really unique restaruant called El Meson De Los Laureanos, and after we stopped at a Tequilla Distillery on the way back to the boat.   Unfortuantely, our Uber Driver got a flat tire along the way, but luckily one of the workers drove us back so we did not miss the ship in the afternoon.

Puerto Vallarta was the prettiest stop.  Here, we went to another beach, and then met Jason's family for lunch at a restaurant called Pipi's (yes, the name of Alaina's rabbit ha ha!).

  

Thanksgiving dinner was definitely not as delicious as a homeade meal would have been, but overall it was not too bad.

The sunsets were beautiful!

We returned on Saturday and headed back to the Bay Area.   A good change of scenery.

Piano Recital

Last Sunday, the kids had a piano recital.  Alaina also had a softball tournament, but it was single elimination and her team was knocked out early Sunday morning, so she made it back in time to play (much to her disappointment!)

The kids both had been working on their songs for a LONG time, so they were defienelty ready for a performace.   

Ethan played Viva la Vida by Coldplay as well as a Bach Invention and a Jazz improv piece.

Alaina played a Sonatina by Playel and a Waltz.

They both did a great job!

Halloween

 Well its been busy.  I have been out of town the last 3 of 4 weekends, and somehow have not gotten around to posting about Halloween!

This year Alaina and her friend at school each decided to dress up as characters from Alice and Wonderland.   Of course, Alaina chose the white rabbit.  Her costume was accesorized with a handmade clock, that Jason helped her create.   It made the outfit--and the school thought so too--she won 2nd place in her grade's costume contest.

 The group of costumes also actually truned out quite cute.   She has a great bunch of friends, so I am glad that they all decided to do this together.

This year was the first year that she trick-or-treated without a parent in immediate proximity, and she had a great time.   She claims that she got less candy than last year, but she still had quite an impressive haul.   As a bonus, she did not have school the next day (a very appropraitely times teacher education day), so two of the girls were even able to sleep over after the trick or treating was done.  A pretty good day!

Ethan, meanwhile, had his second "city" halloween.   He did have a costume: Where's Waldo, but I am not sure how much trick or treating he did--probably more just loitering.

He also spent the night at a freinds in the city--despite the fact that he did have school the next day.   He also stayed over at another friends on Saturday--after a football game.  He is becoming quite the couch surfer.

Philadelphia

 Last weekend was our annual American Society of Anesthesiologists meeting.  This year it was in Philadelphia. My dad watched the kids so Jason and I could both go.   Last year it was in San Francisco, and we didn't organize childcare--and it was a real mess.  So much better to have pre-planned childcare (which of course really just means rides and food!)

Anyhow, we were both pretty busy at the conference.   I gave 3 talks--which, for the record, was too many--I didn't think all would get accepted when I put my hat in the ring for them.

 

Jason gave a pod cast, and also of course was busy with his company and the clients.   

We did get some time to take short runs together--and though our hotel was not that well positioned for running, we did find a nice path along the river.   As an added bonus the weather was spectacular--in the mid 70s.   

I didnt have as much time as I had hope to do touristy-things--I did enjoy checking out the Mutter Museum, which is a medical history museum, and had some very delicious food.   Also caught up with a bunch of old friends.  A good change in routine from the typical work week!

Remembering Barb Koehler

We were told some devastating news this past week: my dad’s cousin Barb died suddenly in a tragic accident. 
 
Though Barb is only my second cousin, she has been a truly influential and valued member of our family.  She and my dad were born few months apart and grew up together, intermittently at least.  Though I vaguely remember seeing Barb at family events when I was a kid growing up, her influence on our family really intensified when my mom was sick.    As my mom’s dementia progressed, my dad grew more and more isolated—he could not easily travel with my mom anymore, and eventually, he was unable to even leave my mom alone at home.   At some point during her decline, my dad’s cousins Barb, Chris and Kris started driving down from Milwaukee on a regular basis to see him and my mom.   They would always bring lunch, often “taking over the kitchen” to prepare something delicious.   The three of them provided great conversation, great food, and importantly, great companionship to my dad, who was increasingly more and more lonely.  Often, when Jason, the kids and I were in town for a visit, we would see the cousins as well (though we tried to cook for them!).   During these times we saw, firsthand, how much these lunches cheered up my dad and how truly kind, and caring my dad’s cousins all were.   
 
At the end of each visit, before they left, the cousins and my dad all got out their calendars, and picked a date not too far into the future for their next visit.   This routine helped guarantee that there would be a return visit, and of course gave my dad something to look forward to.   Of all the family we have, I truly believe that no one was more supportive or important to my dad during the time of my mom’s illness than his three cousins.   As the oldest of the three cousins, Barb was the ring leader of these visits, though undeniably each of them contributed.
 
I will always remember Barb as an amazing storyteller.   When we were together, she would  share the most hilarious anecdotes about growing up and all the mischief she encountered along the way.  He stories were so funny that I occasionally would fall out of my chair because I was laughing so hard.   I wish I would have written some of them down!
 
Barb also endured her own hardships.  When her son Ryan was young, he developed brain cancer.  I have a very vague memory of this as a young child, but now with an adult perspective, I cannot imagine how difficult this must have been for her and her husband Don.  She also took care of Don when he was diagnosed with colon cancer some years back.   Despite these difficulties, she was an outwardly very positive person.   To me, she seemed to always have a balanced perspective, and was always incredibly thoughtful and generous.   After my dad sold his house in Chicago, we stopped seeing Barb, Chris, and Kris with any regularity.   But in 2021, we were fortunate to have Barb visit our home in California with a friend.   That was the last time I saw her.    
 
Of course, you never realize when it will be the last time you see someone.   If nothing else, I have learned from being a physician that life is unpredictable, and can be cut tragically short.   I wish I could have had one last lunch with Barb.  I am sure my dad does too.   She will be missed.
 

High Holidays

 This weekend was Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah was earlier in the month.   These two days, which are the most important Jewish holidays, seemed especially noteworthy this year with all the turmoil in the Middle East.   

During Rosh Hashanah, Jason's parent's were abroad.   So, Jason took it upon himself to make a delicious New Year's dinner to remind the kids of the importance of the holidays.   He even made homeade Challah--which he baked perfectly!

Jason's parents were supposed to still be away for Yom Kippur, but they ended up shortening their trip, so we had them, Marcy, Alexandra, and my Dad over for dinner last night.  It was a nice affair--and our last chance to see Jason's parents before Thanksgiving, since they are headed down to their desert place this week for the season.

Cross Country

 This year, Ethan decided to particiapte in cross-country again.   We were happy to hear he wanted to do this as the coach is really wonderful.

His season started off a bit rough as he had an early ankle injury.  But he did his best to persevere, and after it felt better he started training hard and working to improve his times.

Last weekend, I headed down to Daly City to watch him race.   He sure has changed a lot since he did this race last year!  So much taller!

     

                                           

And he also did it much faster--dropping from 27ish minutes to 22ish minutes.

This past week we even got an email from his coach congratulating him on his hard work and enthusiasm.   It said, "I don't often send personal parent emails with a roster of 82 kids but I couldn't not tell you how impressed I have been with Ethan this fall. He has made incredible progress as a runner and as a person!  I love his passion and care for his teammate and his hard work every day is really paying off despite the ankle snafu last month. I really appreciate him and wanted you to know."

And she made him the Athlete of the Week:

"Ethan has been one of the most incredible examples of (hard work + just showing up = crazy improvement) that I've seen in a while!  While last year he ran 30:50 for a 3 mile race, he posted a fast-finish 14:36 for 2 miles at Kezar on Thursday morning in the heat! Ethan suffered an unfortunate ankle sprain in early September but he is back and improving with every single practice. He's had quite an athletic journey from elementary school soccer to high school cross country which is his story to tell, but what all of his teammates know is that he's an inspiring teammate, always encouraging others and someone who gives his all at practices and races every single day. The OTC t-shirt winner on Friday, Ethan is still coming up and we are very excited to see his races on Tuesday and beyond!"

This, of course, is especially meaningful in the setting of his arthritis and flat feet.   Obviously there is no way he will ever be close to the fastest kid on the team (for reference-there is a sophomore who regularly runs the 3 mile races in just over 15 minutes), but how wonderful to hear that he is working hard and improving his personal times despite his physical limitations.  We are proud of him!

Ethan the Driver!

 Also since we returned, Ethan got his driver's learner's permit.   There may be nothing as scary as sitting in the passenger seat with your 15 year old on their first time behind the wheel.   

Driver's Ed in California is diffferent that how I remembered it in Illinois--there is no school-based program, which seems to mean most of the instructing falls on the parents.    I remember having to do drivers simulation in the classroom--none of that here!  

15.5 year olds have to pass a written test for the permit and then complete 50 hours of proctored driving--and 6 of the hourse are with an official instructor.  These instructors are not cheap, for the record!   

Last weekend in Sacramento gave us a better oportunity to practice--flat roads and more in the countryside without a lot of traffic--Marin is much trickier with its hills and curvy roads.   

So, we will continue to practice.   Wish him luck!

First Days of School

 Well, I am woefully behind on posting, but oh well.   Upon returning from our trip at the end of August, the kids pretty much immediately began school.

On the Tuesday after our return, Ethan started his sophmore year at University High School.   No more Nike for his first day, ha ha, now he wears jeans!  This year is the year of "Civ"--a Western Civilization history course that focuses not only on history but also art and music.   It is widely known as a difficult but rewarding class at the school, and a rite of passage for all the students.

 

On Wednesday, Alaina started 6th grade.   Though it is the same school, this year, Alaina is treated more like a middle schooler, with a locker, a PE uniform, and different classes every period.  She continues to participate in band, and of course, softball after school.

 

They are growing up fast!

Dolomites Hiking Trip Part 2

Our second week was spent in the Sexten Dolomites, which is East of the Trento Dolomites, where we spent our first week.

After our tough loop around the Odles we were in need of a proper shower and some R and R.   I booked us a hotel in the valley complete with a pool—one of the few in the area.   Though the pool was not heated, the high temperatures still enticed us to go in--once you went down in elevation it got hot fast!

The next morning we headed to the beautiful Lago di Braies, where we took a 3-mile, relatively flat hike around the lake.   Jason and Alaina even stopped for a swim—it was hot again!

 

 

Our next two nights were in Cortina D’Ampezzo.   This is the city where the Winter Olympics will be in 2026.  Cortina was bustling with people and traffic.   It was a very cute town though.   During our full day there, the kids and I took a bike ride down the valley, which was MOSTLY paved and downhill.   A nice break from hiking.  Jason was unable to join because his back was hurting too much.

  

The following day we began our third loop, a two-night loop.  This loop encompassed the famous Tre Cime de Lavaredo.   While this mountain was indeed beautiful, it was really busy—for sure the most people we saw on the whole trip.   To get to the start of the loop, and the Rifugio Auronzo, where we planned to stay our first night, we had to take a bus.   The bus was unbelievably crowded, even though we caught the first one at 830am.   We were met with similar crowds at the Rifugio Auronzo.   On the hike, the people thinned a bit.   We stopped for lunch at the Rifugio Locatelli—a place we had a reservation for in 2020, but I could not get into this year.

  

 

After lunch, we continued hiking until it suddenly started thundering.   Soon, it was pouring.   Of course, it was the one day we did not have our rain gear with us—having left it at the Rifugio at the start of the hike.   We started running and hoped my dad and Marilyn would take shelter.   The rain turned to hail.   By the time we got back to the rifugio, we were completely soaked.   

About 30 minutes later, my dad and Marilyn showed up—they had kept walking and were also drenched.  Of course, about 20 minutes after that the storm passed and it was sunny again.   We hung our clothes to dry and made the best of it.   By late afternoon, the crowds thinned out and only the rifugio guests were left.   Dinner was cafeteria style, and ok.

 

The next day, Dad and Marilyn decided they had enough of rifugios and called off the second night of the loop.   We continued hiking towards the Rifugio Citti di Carpi.   Our hike was harder than anticipated with a 2500 ft climb in one swoop.   Plus it was steep and a bit slippery, so I was a bit nervous.   

  

However, we were very much rewarded by the beauty of the rifugio.   The location was idyllic and it was much more off the beaten path compared to the Auronzo.   The food was also delicious, though showers cost 8 euros, so at that price, the kids and I skipped.   We fell asleep and woke up to the gentle clinking of cowbells, with a beautiful sunset and sunrise over the mountains.

 

 

On our last hiking day, we took a short walk back down to our car.   We then headed towards Villa Giona, a 15^th-century villa in the Valpolicella wine region, east of Verona, where we planned to spend the night.   The place was a very cool old building—with air conditioning—and a beautiful pool!   A welcome place to relax and clean up after some tough hiking.    As a bonus, they had an onsite restaurant that made delicious food—the best we had on the trip!   

 

Our last full day, we decided to visit a local winemaker and taste some wines before heading back to Milan.  When were were almost to Milan, I decided to check into our flights for the next day.  I went to get the passports, and then realized I only had 2!   The hotel had only given 2 back to me after checking us in.   Frazzled, we called the hotel, and they very graciously sent someone in our direction with the passports so we did not need to drive all the way back.  This coupled with the fact that every restaurant that we tried to stop at for lunch was closed for “vacation” made our afternoon quite stressful.    Eventually, we returned our rental car and headed to bed at the airport Marriott.   The next day, we all fellow home—Marilyn to Chicago and the rest of us to San Francisco.

 

Overall, a really enjoyable trip.   I would love to come back and explore more areas of the Dolomites—there is so much to see!