Moose, Travel, TV

 

Given all the travel we have done so far this year, we are very grateful for how smooth it has been overall.  Lily's club volleyball has kept us on the move the most with trips to Seattle, Kansas City, Louisville, Las Vegas and this weekend in Spokane. It's always a treat to watch her in action on the court and see her work through the challenges of being a competitive athlete.  She's getting to the level and age where what's going on between her two ears is becoming more and more of a differentiator.  

Paul's club baseball season kicked off with a family trip down to Phoenix.  7 games across 4 days in the hottest recorded Phoenix temps ever in March (106).  Paul played a lot of third base and had some solid hits.  I'm so impressed by the boys playing through such tough conditions.  The camaraderie amongst the team is fun to watch.  Aside from baseball we had some nice pool time, visited old town Scottsdale re-living our Biegansky family trip from a few years ago, and Nate and Paul spent a day up in Sedona mountain biking with Portland friends.

A big highlight for me was taking Oma and Paul to Indian Wells to watch tennis.  Seeing Paul watch professional tennis in person for the first time was SO MUCH FUN.  He was blown away. We all had a blast cheering on the underdogs and watching the big stars strike the ball so cleanly and watch their mesmerizing footwork up close.  We had a blast.

Of our two cats, Moose is by far the most needy and loving.  His purr, cuddles, and desire to play fetch with us and a hairband bring us a lot of joy and calm.  Moxie is more chill, hanging out in the window bed and always looking for a lap to sit on.  

We have loved watching The Pitt, Shrinking, 30 Rock, Company Retreat, and even Love is Blind Germany Season 2.  Sitting in front of the TV under a blanket with cats sleeping on our laps while we all watch a show is simple bliss.

I started a new role at my company focusing more on employee and intern experience and less on actual recruiting.  We are very much still in a transitional phase post acquisition so time will tell.  I'm grateful to be employed.  Nate continues to be super busy in meetings what feels like all day every day.  I wish he could have a bit more of a reprieve between what is asked of him at work and all he does for his family.  I know it takes a toll at times.  Hopefully Michigan doing well in March Madness and some more summer travel yet to be planned will help.  

Here are a few more moments from 2026 thus far.

I showed Lily where Nate and I babymooned when she was in my belly over 16 years ago.

                                        

Watching Tennis with 2 cats on my lap and Paul next to me - happy place

Elise snapped this hilarious selfie with Moose 

Palm Springs for Indian Wells Tennis action with Oma and Paul.  Paul's first time

4 days of tennis action and fun in the sun.

Vegas weekend with Lily for her volleyball tournament.  

Phoenix. Eating In-and-Out.  Elise's first time.

Sunset hike with family in Phoenix, Papago Park

Family shot after Paul's last game. Girls were troopers too, watching so much baseball in the heat.

Nate and Paul had an epic mountain bike ride in Sedona with Portland friends

Oma and Opa all dressed up for a night out of dinner and dancing with friends.  We are looking forward to celebrating Easter with them next week.  Lots of traditions.  Solleier!

                                                        

Hello 2026! Glimpse back at 2025

Hello 2026!

Overall, 2025 was a touch more turbulent than we would have liked, with work being a big reason why—but we ended the year still employed, so that’s something. Elise started the year by receiving an ADHD diagnosis, which definitely helped explain some of her challenges. Navigating next steps has been challenging at times, but we are committed to figuring out how best to support Elise so her strengths can shine while we find ways to manage what’s especially hard for her. I won’t even get into the political climate 2025 brought—just acknowledging that it was frustrating and full of way too many WTF moments.

We had plenty of moments of pride for our kids. Paul has become increasingly conscientious about his responsibilities, especially with schoolwork. He really hit his stride during cross-country season, setting PRs and having fun with his fast friends. Lily made a verbal commitment to play volleyball in college. She also found a close connection with a special someone who brings her a lot of joy—he’s a great guy. We’re proud of Elise for continuing with piano, improving her German, and getting a lot better at ping pong. She’s a fast learner, and it’s fun to watch how quickly things come to her when she’s truly into something. And the way she handled her fourth surgery to address her leg-length discrepancy showed that even though her anxiety can rear its head, she is also incredibly brave.

December 2025 highlights included Oma and Opa celebrating 60 years of marriage (with Lolo surprising them), Paul and Elise turning 14 and reaching Lily in height, playing and cuddling with our new kitten Moose a lot (and Moxie too, when she allows it), Lily spending part of the holidays in Sunriver without us and having a blast, Nate turning 49 and enjoying a little getaway to the Gorge to help usher in a new age, and of course, fondue with Oma and Opa on New Year’s Eve.

It’s pretty amazing how full our December was, considering sickness hit us hard in tag-team style. Poor Elise was extremely sick starting Christmas morning, and Paul’s illness lingered throughout winter break. Still, all that downtime meant our holiday season overflowed with cat cuddles, cat-play entertainment, Gang Beasts, and ping pong. Lots of movies and shows were watched too—Elise and Nate got into Stranger Things, and Paul still loves the quick laughs 30 Rock brings.

By this time next year, Lily will be in the middle of her senior year and close to turning 18. Elise and Paul may very well have their driver’s permits. Nate and I will be tired—but also incredibly proud of our kids and of 20 years of marriage.

Here are just a few highlights from the last month in no particular order

Decorating the Christmas Tree together

Paul playing the Chocolate Game at his 14th Birthday sleepover.  Warms my heart that they requested to keep playing this family game tradition.  Lots of soccer fans in this group of friends (matching jerseys)

Siblings on P & E's 14th Birthday - catching up quickly to Lily in height.

Dinner at Portland City Grill for Oma and Opa's 60th wedding anniversary.  Lolo surprised them!

Elise's 14th Birthday party sleepover. She also requested to play the Chocolate Game.  Go figure.

Get together with good ol' friends before the Holidays kicked into higher gear.

We are so proud of Elise and how well she performed both her piano pieces but also her German Psalm reading.  Proud Oma and Opa too.

Decorating Christmas cookies together

Obligatory Christmas sibling pic

Christmas Eve meal - Moxie was ready for it.

Christmas morning.  Paul woke up feeling unwell but then perked up later in the day. Elise threw up shortly after this picture and was down for the count for several days. Ugh.

Cuddle time with Moose

Treehouse at Skamania to help celebrate Nate's Birthday for a 1-night getaway with Paul and Elise.

Taking down the Christmas tree and decor on New Years Eve

Family tradition of going through our jar of 2025 memories.  

Watching the ball drop East Coast time on full stomachs of cheese fondue