August 2023

Tahoe & Family

Uncle Gunnar taking Ben on his first Kayak ride.

Earlier this month we made our first trip all together as a family of 6 + Alva (our Au Pair). We headed to Lake Tahoe to spend time with my brother, Gunnar and his wife, Allie. Allie’s grandfather bought their Tahoe home in the 70’s and it’s been a family retreat ever since. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was blown away by how comfortable I felt in Tahoe and at this home. The house itself is in a quiet cul-de-sac with a basketball hoop. It’s surrounded by tall evergreens. It’s less than a 5 minute walk to a private neighborhood beach on the lake. Talk about paradise!

It’s always a challenge to take the family circus on the road, but my wife and I know it’s always worth it. I may have to check in with Shelbs on that statement since she did all of the packing, organizing, and planning to make it happen. Heck, she even slept on the floor with our daughter a few of the nights we were there. It helped remind me what an incredible Mom she is.

We both know how important it is for us to get away. We don’t call them ‘vacations’ anymore, but more of a change of scenery or a ‘relocation’. This trip was essential for us to unplug and be present together. In fact, it’s the first time in 6 years I haven’t brought my laptop with me. The air and scenery at Lake Tahoe is meant for deep breaths, and that’s exactly what we did. The whole trip felt much longer than the 4 nights we were there, because we spent exactly 0 time watching TV and I barely looked my phone for the entirety.

Aunt Allie and Ben baking cookies

Don’t get me wrong, there were challenging moments of course. On the plane ride up (‘only an hour’) Elle peed through her diaper all over Alva, Benny needed to use the bathroom, Shelbs and I both had 1 twin each strapped to our chest, she handed Brix over to me while she helped shuttle him back to go to the bathroom. Then Brix pooped. Hey flight’s ‘only an hour’, what’s the worst that can happen? Construction at the Reno airport made lugging our 13 bags (no joke) to the curb and installing 4 car seats extra fun. In addition, the gentlemen we rented the van from never responded on how to get access to his car, Shelby realized he just left it open with the keys in the console… alrighty then.

As part of the Turo (car rental service) experience we had to drive through a car wash on our way out…a first for all 4 of our kids. Let’s just say had I filmed it, I would have had enough footage for any horror movie (see: terror scream tears from 3 out of the 4 and eye bulges to the max).

Elle living it up on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our time among the sunshine, pine trees, fresh air and crystal clear water. What ultimately made the trip all worth it was the time together with family. Shelbs and I have a distinct feeling that this trip may be one of Benny’s first memories. He certainly would have a host of experiences to choose from whether it be basketball, wiffle ball, kayaking and goofy dances with Uncle Gunnar, baking or painting with Aunt Allie, the little guy had the trip of a lifetime. If you ask me, I imagine he’d say he remembers sweeping up dirt in the driveway as the highlight of the trip. What can you do??

I know we’ll never get time back with our kids. We don’t travel for us anymore. We do it for them, to get to see the world through their eyes. I know it’s extremely difficult to take them on the road, but I know I’ll never regret making the trip, telling the stories, and candidly… laughing at the faces our kids made at the car wash disco lights shined on their terrified faces.