E-I-G-H-T

 Eight today.
Crazy. Amazing. Unbelievable.
You are growing up, whether we like it or not.

You have developed a strong sense of self,

have confidence and like to lead. 

You are passionate and have strong opinions.
You push boundaries and test limits.
You find it hard to sit still and not kick or throw a ball.
You love soccer and Messi and FIFA and goalie gloves.

You are tough and have grit and more competitiveness 

than we can sometimes contain.

When you fall, you get back up and try again.

You make us proud.

You are not afraid of a challenge.

The higher and faster the better.

You also have as sensitive side.

You don't like the dark.

You still love to snuggle and hold my hand.

(please don't ever lose that)

You are silly, funny and love to tell jokes
(although not all of them appropriate at times).

You make us laugh with all of your sayings and your accents.

Your latest consists of Australian and English. 

You are obsessed with Rubik's cubes, solving puzzles and math.

You are a unique blend of all things you.

Sometimes hard and sometimes soft.

You remind us to be patient and to listen more.

You fill our hearts with joy.

A very happy birthday to you sweet Maxy.

Hope 8 is the best year yet!

Wallace Falls

 A beautiful day for a beautiful hike.

Unique looking trees, fun paths to follow,

waterfalls to look at, river rocks to jump.

First day of School

Well, today was the day. First day of school.

One 4th grader, one 2nd grader.

Both kind of excited, both kind of bummed.

Online school is just not the same. But, they are making the best of it.

While the school year will be different for sure, 

they both have great teachers and get to see familiar faces.

There are definitely pros and cons.

It will be an interesting ride and they are ready for the adventure! 

Leavenworth

We spent an incredible week away for one last hoorah before summer came to an end.

6 adults and 8 kids (all socially distanced of course).

One giant house in Leavenworth on the river.

 The kids were in heaven with friends, a trip to the candy store,

 swimming and fishing in the river, riding bikes, floating the river in innertubes, 

staying up way too late, playing Minecraft, hot tubbing, 

playing baseball and volleyball, eating way too many treats.

The adults did the same.

The weather was perfect, the company was perfect, the location was perfect.

So many fun memories made. Looking forward to our next adventure together!

Lake Wenatchee

We had a fun-filled weekend at Lake Wenatchee.

The sky was blue, the sun was hot and the water provided a much-needed cool down.

Paddle boarding, boat rides, swimming, fun island floating,

playing games = good 'ol fun with amazing friends.

Thanks for a fabulous time!

Summer happenings

 Just a few random summer happenings...

Carmen getting creative and making her own mask.

Max was lucky to have baseball practice despite the cancelled season.

Bikes, bikes and more bikes.

Kids have been riding constantly.

Outdoor hiking adventures.

Trying to get out and enjoy as much as possible.

Summer Swim Season

 Summer swim has sadly come to a close.
It was fun while it lasted and provided an opportunity to be with friends, 

practice some swimming and have something to do 

and somewhere to go for at least a little while.
The kids both had a blast (despite the temperature checks and mask wearing).
Carmen tried perfecting her flip turns while swimming 50's for the first time.
She did great and continued to love the breaststroke and backstroke 

but held her own in the IM as well.
Max finally learned how to swim breaststroke legally and

 really improved in his backstroke and earned a ticket to prelims.
He also earned the coach's award this season which he was pretty excited about.
Thanks Sheridan for a fun season!