Growing Up Yakima

This episode of Growing Up Yakima got a little meta — we talked about the whole premise of the segment itself, and how funny it is that Owen actually lives in the house I grew up in. That sparked some memories of the home improvements we did back then, like repainting the whole exterior one summer (learning to run an airless sprayer and not overspray in the process), and a bigger project helping m...

This episode of Growing Up Yakima went to the dogs — literally. I walked through my childhood pet history, starting with Mona Me, a German shepherd we had out in West Valley who loved chasing the neighbor's horses (and got kicked in the head more than once for it, as the story goes — she also apparently chased off a feral cat that snuck into my crib when I was a baby, so she gets some credit there...

This episode of Growing Up Yakima kicked off with a shoutout to the Baxter First Response Invitational, a golf tournament I played in this past Friday benefiting the Canine Foundation — the folks who outfit K9s with body armor. It netted around $46,000 this year, and I got to run the Wilkinson booth right alongside my wife Amanda at her own booth. It reminded me of tagging along with my dad to ins...

This episode of Growing Up Yakima got personal, with a look back at some early money lessons. I shared the story of saving up as a kid to buy an $80 Walkman at the old Safeway electronics department on 56th — big money for a nine-year-old back in 1980 — and later regretting that I didn't hold onto that cash a little longer. My dad was a great saver and set up IRAs for us early on, though I confess...

This episode of Growing Up Yakima kicked off with a mouthwatering topic — Dungeness crab season opening up in the Puget Sound. My wife Amanda put together a crab boil to celebrate her dad's birthday, and it brought back a flood of memories from our family's annual summer pilgrimage to a friend's cabin on Bainbridge Island. We're talking ferry docks, Ivar's clam strips, digging clams on the beach a...

This episode of Growing Up Yakima was all about the end of the school year. With my son Duke wrapping up his last Monday of the school year, we got talking about our family tradition of the "summer fun bucket" — a giant galvanized pail filled with water guns, new shoes, and other summer essentials, handed over on the last day like a mini Christmas morning. That led me down memory lane to my own en...

This Growing Up Yakima landed on May the Fourth, so naturally we had to celebrate — "May the Fourth be with you." I got to reminisce about growing up a huge Star Wars fan, from building elaborate Tatooine-style dioramas out of river rocks in our backyard garden to knowing my wife Amanda was "the one" the first time I saw she owned the entire Star Wars collection on both VHS and DVD. We even named...

This episode of Growing Up Yakima leaned into a springtime theme — spring cleaning. I took a trip back to my childhood, where growing up on a farm meant learning to do a little bit of everything: weeding gardens, mowing lawns, laundry, even sewing. Chores were just part of the daily routine before school even started. I also remembered helping my dad take care of a couple of rental properties he o...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima , we got talking about one of the best ways to escape the valley pollen for a bit — hopping a ferry over to the Puget Sound. I shared some of my favorite memories growing up: lining up at the ferry docks, grabbing clams and fish and chips at Ivar's, and tossing French fries to the seagulls. Turns out it was the anniversary of the Washington State ferry Yakima b...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima , I sat down for our usual conversation about the small-town values that connect people who grew up here — the agricultural roots, knowing your neighbors, and having the good sense to spot a solid deal when you see one. As we headed into spring, I took listeners on a nostalgic walk through my own Yakima movie history, from catching the documentary Mysterious Mo...

In this deeply personal episode of Growing Up Yakima, I share the passing of my dad and the incredible legacy he leaves behind. From surviving cancer at 18 to bravely battling pulmonary fibrosis later in life, he lived with quiet strength, steady faith, and a deep love for his family and community. I reflect on the adventures we had, the lessons he taught us, and the way he consistently pointed th...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I kick things off by celebrating a huge Seahawks win and some wild Super Bowl stats, from record-setting field goals to a rare running back MVP. From grilling brats at halftime to talking about the Turning Point show and the emotions it stirred up, it's a fun mix of football, culture, and a little real-life perspective. We also get into the realities of today'...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I take a trip back to the days of Uncle Jimmy and his famous Clubhouse, birthday shoutouts on live TV, and those little cups of orange and vanilla ice cream. I share memories of Saint Joe's Elementary, being labeled a little "hyperactive," and even a chiropractor story that still makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. We also talk about how those early ex...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I reminisce about riding the Rotary bus to the Kingdome with my dad to watch the Seattle Seahawks, cheering on heroes like Jim Zorn and Steve Largent , and pretending to be them on the playground at Saint Joe's. From bike gangs inspired by CHiPs to safe neighborhoods that let kids be kids, it's all about the kind of community that shapes you. I also share how...

  In this episode of Growing Up Yakima , I take a walk down memory lane, from splitting giant burritos at Santiago's on Yakima Ave to hiding in the toilet paper aisles at Market Foods, now Scarborough Fair. I share stories about growing up with my three siblings, working at a local grocery store, surviving a cheese-cutting injury at my cousin's deli, and why Yakima has always felt like home. Those...

This Monday on Growing Up Yakima , I got nostalgic talking about the old Sears Christmas catalog—the wish lists, dog-eared pages, and toys we dreamed about as kids. We shared a few laughs about what we wanted, what we got, and how much simpler growing up felt back then. That conversation naturally led into why community matters and how the places we live help shape those "growing up" memories for...

This week on Growing Up Yakima , I'm kicking off 2026 talking about gratitude, family, and why experience really matters—both in life and in investing. We get into the joys (and chaos) of parenting, the special role grandparents play in our kids' lives, and how those same values of wisdom, trust, and long-term thinking show up in the way we invest. I also share how our team at Wilkinson approaches...

It's time for another episode of Growing Up Yakima ! This week I'm sharing stories about Christmas—from the ongoing debate between real and artificial trees to nostalgic memories of family traditions growing up in Yakima. I talk about picking out Noble firs at the Eisenhower tree lot, funny mishaps with oversized trees, and even a squirrel guest! I also share what's happening at Wilkinson, includi...

This week on Growing Up Yakima , I'm talking all things Thanksgiving—from turkey and stuffing to why the leftover sandwiches might actually be the real holiday MVP. I also share a meaningful tradition of welcoming young Marines into our Thanksgiving celebrations and how those moments of service and connection shape the way we think about building community at Wilkinson. Especially during the holid...

On this episode of Growing Up Yakima , I share some favorite Thanksgiving memories—from snowy childhood games and first cassette tapes to the traditions that made the holiday feel special. We talk about why gathering together still matters and how creating spaces that encourage connection, belonging, and community is central to what we do at Wilkinson. From Friendsgiving moments to building apartm...

This week on Growing Up Yakima , I reflect on simple fall memories—raking leaves, playing outside, and watching kids and dogs rediscover the joy of being outdoors. We talk about why those small-town moments still matter today and how creating spaces that encourage connection, play, and community is at the heart of what we do at Wilkinson. I also share how our approach to multifamily real estate—fr...

From early ski trips and Halloween shenanigans to building safe, fun, and connected communities in the Yakima Valley, this episode of Growing Up Yakima has it all! I share stories from my childhood, family adventures, and how we're creating vibrant apartment communities through Wilkinson. Plus, get the inside scoop on how passive real estate investing works—making your money grow without the heada...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima , I share stories from growing up in the Yakima Valley, fun memories with Young Life, and the incredible community builders who shaped my early years. We also dive into how we create vibrant, connected communities through Wilkinson, making apartment living safer, more social, and more enjoyable for families.  If you're curious about real estate investing or jus...

From wild fall weather to Mariners memories, this episode brings together some of my favorite parts of life in the Northwest. I share stories about growing up with local sports, taking exchange students to their first baseball game, and watching my own kids dream about studying abroad. We also dive into why passive real estate investing continues to be such a smart path for building long-term weal...

In this episode of Growing Up Yakima , I talk about the changing seasons, the familiar scents that define our valley, and how smoke, harvest time, and local memories shape life here. I also share insight into rising property taxes, the differences between commercial and residential valuations, and how we approach multifamily real estate at Wilkinson. With more than 34 years of experience, I explai...