Happy 13th Birthday

We officially have a teenager!  I have no clue how you went from 1 to 13 in the blink of an eye but you did.  Today is your day to be spoiled!  We started the morning with cinnamon buns per your request followed  by opening presents (in the present chair of course).  You got some pretty cool stuff if you were to ask me (HA) - Strawberry iPhone Case, UGG Slippers, Pure Vida Bracelet Club, Stanley Water Bottle!  Since we already went to the safari park we decided instead of the zoo we would go to Second Chance Ranch to feed some of our favorite animals.  That night for dinner your requests Build Your Own Pizza/Calzones.  We had fun with Grammy, Sophia and Ella trying to see who's food looked the best . . . Pretty sure Ella won but they all tasted good thankfully!

Saturday we had a birthday with a few of our closest friends.  The party started at Pine Lake paddle boarding and jumping off the dock.  We had dinner at the Gaslamp and ended the night with cake and a slumber party.  I am pretty sure lights did not go out until close to 2am but based on the laughing and fun I heard downstairs sounds like it was worth every minute.

Happy Birthday, we are so proud of you and all you have accomplished.   You are a smart, caring, beautiful girl who's love for her family, friends and of course soccer is unbreakable.  Keep dreaming and you will do even more GREAT things!  We Love you!

San Diego Vacation

We decided to take a bit more time in San Diego after Surf Cup to enjoy the CA weather.  We spent time with a few other soccer families shopping on the boardwalk on Mission Beach and Dinner at a fun brewery with lawn games for the kids and good drinks for the adults.  The pool was a big hit along with the nightly fireworks right across the bay by Seaworld!  

This year Kallie wanted to go to the Safari Park so we made a day out of it!  Since her birthday is coming up in a few days we decided to buy a special tour at the park riding in a Jeep through the African/Asian safari parks so we could get up close to the animals!  It was so much fun - we all loved the giraffes (they ran after our jeep) and the BIG rhinos!   So glad we were able to squeeze a little family vacay!

Surf Cup San Diego

Surf Cup is the tournament Kallie and her teammates look forward to all year long.  Teams submit an application to attend and are approved based on team stats etc.  This year her team has a full roster picking up 4 new players.   They had 4 games in 24 hours which was intense!  The results were mixed (2 Losses and 2 Draws) and the refs were just "ok" but the girls never gave up.  They got better with each game and loved the experience overall and yes we got suckered into another over-priced sweatshirt :)

Along with soccer comes lots of team bonding - team meals, beach day, evening swim and lots of running around the hotel playing picture tag!  We can't wait to go back next year (knock on wood)!

 

Camp Orkila

Finally you get your turn to go to overnight camp, this is something you have wanted to do for a few years now.   I dropped you off on Tuesday bright and early so you could make the trek to the San Juans and spend the week at Camp Orkila (with Maddie of course).  Camp is device free but they did post photos daily and I can tell you are having a great time!

Today is your last day of camp and we pick up at this evening.  We cannot wait to hear about all of your adventures and great friends you have made over the last week! 

Update:  You got off the bus with a huge smile and told me it was the best camp ever and a perfect week!  You shared so many fun stories and had the time of your life ziplining, kayaking, gaga ball, island night (sleepover), meeting your squad, bullseye during archery, games in your cabin, dressing up/dancing (goof something?), playing cards, polar bear swim  - you loved it all!

4th of July - Vashon Style

 Happy 4th of July from Vashon.  This year we decided to stay for 5 days and enjoy the sunny weather!  There were so many people out and about it was super fun.   We hit our favorite spots:  Country Store, kids walked to Sandy's, walked to point looking for deer and lots of happy hour on the deck.    Kallie was busy with cousins and friends boating, kayaking, paddle boarding (with Murphy), smores and more.  The fireworks were insane around the beach this year even though they are supposedly banned (loudest year yet); thankfully the barge was there too and put on a great show!  Sadly Eric got the flu so wasn't able to join us.  

Soccer Family

This year your team has grown by a few players and you have Coach Erin.  Let's be honest you were a bit hesitant about having Erin but just the other day you told me you have learned so much from her already and are excited to see what you will learn.  In her words she is "firm but fair".   This team is unique in a good way - not only are you teammates you are great friends on and off the pitch.   You guys love to hang out outside of practice - kick the ball around, Mod Pizza, Shopping in the highlands, sleepovers, OL Reign games and more.    Dad and I also feel lucky b/c the parents and families are so great!   We are looking forward to some great soccer at Surf Cup (San Diego) in August and Fall GA Season - Go LFC