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Saturday, July 11, 2026

The Hottest Week of the Year

Meeting Kya and Clayton in Hawaii was supposed to be instead of flying to NC this summer...but....we couldn't resist a quick trip.  And wouldn't you know it, just like last year, we picked to hottest week of the year!  Like over 100 degrees hot--yikes.  Good thing they have a pool.  We still managed to have LOTS of fun!

Look at this amazing view of Mt. Rainier from the plane--above the clouds!

Lots of pool time

We spent 3 separate days at the pool.  One early afternoon, one late afternoon/evening, and one morning.  I think most people liked evening best, but I liked the hottest time of day.  We grilled at the pool and door dashed pizza to the pool because nobody wanted to get out.  





Playing the color game--haha



Lots of yummy food (and can't forget drinks)

We celebrated Kya's 23rd birthday at The Angus Barn.  We were really excited because it was a "must try" place and was pretty fancy.  Unfortunately the food was just mediocre...the service was amazing though, and the ribs were fantastic.  And they brought Kya this cake for free!



We stopped at Torchys for a quick bite and I have been thinking of it ever since!  It's just a fast food taco place, but their queso was amazing...and my shrimp taco was super yummy too.  Too bad the closest one to me is in Colorado:(


Summer has been a little obsessed with Starbucks lately and Clayton was more that willing to feed the obsession haha.  Summer got two different drinks and didn't even finish half of each, so we may be done with Starbucks--hopefully!


Clayton grilled us burgers at the pool.  Is there anything better?  I don't think so!


Summer and Clayton saw a YouTube video about making ice cream using a frozen watermelon and milk, so they tried it.  It worked, but it was kind of nasty.


Tried a new ice cream place.  Super yum...and Clayton beat me in Connect 4.


Tobacco Road was a cool restaurant overlooking the Durham Bulls baseball field.  It cooled off enough for us to eat outside, but the rain cancelled to baseball game.  We watched World Cup soccer on the screens instead.  And Summer lost her tooth right in her chicken wings!!!


After fireworks, we went through the drive thru and got Cookout milkshakes


Lots of entertainment

Because it was hot, we had to get creative in the things that we did.  We really didn't want to be caught walking around during the hottest part of the day, so most of  showing us around had to be in the evening.  Walking around Cary Park as the sun was setting was beautiful, and still quite hot.


We spend a few hours at the mall.  Kya and Summer tried twinning at Lululemon.


We did an escape room...it is so frustrating when you don't get to finish it!  It was a really well done room, we just wasted too much time at the beginning.


We walked down (forced Summer against her will) to Koka Booth Amphitheater to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July.  There were a ton of people there and it was an excellent show, even if we were still dripping sweat at 9:30pm...but honestly, it was nice not having to wear a jacket like in WA.



Kya and Clayton took us to walk around Fenten.  It's a cute outdoor shopping/restaurant/social area.  We ate at a super yummy restaurant and hung out on the cute chairs until we got too hot.  It was pretty empty because it was a holiday and most of the things were closed, but such a cute vibe.


We drove around UNC campus...actually we did get out and walk around a little bit too, but it was hot.  Such a beautiful campus...didn't get a picture of the UNC blue water tower though!


On the last day we walked around downtown Durham.  It rained in the morning and the temperature had dropped probably 10 degrees, so it was much more enjoyable.


Lots of time together...but never enough!



Love and miss you Kya and Clayton!

Friday, July 10, 2026

Calgary with "the big girls"

 Never have I ever...been to Alberta!  As a Canadian who grew up in BC, that is quite the unique "never have I ever".  But alas, I can't use that any more since ... I WENT TO CALGARY (and Banff)!!!!

At the airport ready to board.  I had never flown out of the Abbotsford airport before and it was so great.  Small airports are the best!  We also got to board the plane from the front and the back depending on where your seat was, and the flight was only an hour long.  On the way home I got to sit in an exit row with an empty seat beside me--it was glorious!


Flying over the Rockies was breathtaking!


Becca was there to pick us up!  First of many trip selfies:)


Quick stop at Peter's for dinner--yum.
It was so cold and windy so we raced through our burgers and milkshakes!


Becca's cute neighborhood.  
Jordan and Manda stayed with Becca and Brody, while Tina and I slept at Brody's parents place.


Meeting the famous Loki!!!


Dinner Theater was entertaining...even if Jordan had to send back her food--haha.


Downtown Banff was so cute!


Us with the Mountain....we started off in jackets, but quickly didn't need them.  
Such great weather.


The girls being silly


Beavertails!  We were waiting at the door for them to open--haha, not on purpose!  
So yummy


Tina introduced me to Cow's ice cream!!  So good:)


Becca trying Nanaimo Bar ice cream---and yes, it was delicious!


Anita Louise at Lake Louise 😁
Pictures don't do it justice--so beautiful.


Sisters:)


The big girls--BFFs from day one


It's hard to take a selfie with all of us and the mountain!


Bow river


Spent a good amount of time at the mall before our flight. 
Bass Pro Shop was impressive.


We got to see Brody too:)


Such a fun trip! So grateful for Becca.  She's been through a lot health-wise these past few years and I thought I might lose her.  It's so wonderful to see her happy and healthy.  And so fun to travel with my sister, Manda, and Jordan.  Now we need to plan another trip!
 
AND I need to go back to Banff and do some hiking!

I am Finnish

 One of the many gifts my dad has given me, is the love for Finland.  Crazy that my DNA is only 1/4 Finnish...I guess culturally though, I would say I'm at least half Fin. 

Every year in Burnaby (Canada), there is a Scandinavian festival to celebrate mid-summer, and every year I seem to have some conflict!  But this year, I was able to attend! It was so fun.

Me and my sisters at the Scandinavian Festival back in the 80s

And us now

(I just now noticed we are even in the same order!)

We made flower crowns in the  Sweden pavilion 


A representative from each country sang their national anthem

They raised the Maypole!

And we also got to hang out with Mom for a bit while we were up in Canada.


And Peeta!

And we visited Dad's grave on Father's Day--oh how I miss him.