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

Last Day of 6th Grade (CMMS: '22-'23)

That's a wrap, goodbye 6th grade hello summer!  To say you were excited/nervous (nerve-cited) for middle school in an understatement but man were you ready!  CMMS has been such a great change for you, I think you liked everything about it.  The first two months you were nominated by your teacher for Falcon Award for going above and beyond, we could not be more proud.  You worked hard, always getting your homework done and learning to study for tests - you got a 4.0 all three trimesters.  I can confirm you were least looking forward to Drama Class but am happy to report it ended up being your favorite class of the year.  You also loved PE of ours, Ms. Dow is the best and excelled in ELA (taking Advanced ELA next year per your teachers recommendation).  Math continues to be your least favorite subject BUT you worked really hard even when you were overwhelmed and frustrated.  

Most importantly you have made some new amazing friends from class, the lunch table crew to sports friends.  We mostly hear about Mary Ann, Kate, Morgan, Gracie, Taylor, Brooklynn - all live in New Castle and are really great!

We are so proud of the hard work and dedication you put into everything you do from school to sports to being a great friend.  Here's to a great summer ahead!  Love, Mom & Dad

 

OL Reign and Liverpool FC

If you are immediately wondering why you have red on it's because ISC Gunners has officially changed to Liverpool FC.  It was a bit of an abrupt change but feels right - lots of tools for coaches and consistency in top level training and development for all. 

The photos below are at the OL Reign game where you and a few girls from your team were chosen to be ball girls.  It was a unique experience, you had a great time AND  OL Reign WON!  We stayed after and all of you gone tons of autographs!  Oh and the moms had fun too :)

 

CMMS Track Season

You have been looking forward to track season ever since you tried track last summer with the Gliders program.  This season your go to races were the 400 and 4x100 Relay.  You did try the 100M and practiced the hurdles but after huge bruises on you knees you decided it wasn't for you.

Your LOVE for running and competitive spirit has served you well in sports.  You had a very successful first season of track winning every 400M race including the District Finals!  Your relay team did awesome as well and made it to districts!  

Looking forward to next track season to watch you race!  Love you.

Oahu: Our Happy Place

We were so excited to head back to Oahu for Spring Break.  This year we stayed at the Hilton on Waikiki.  It is the largest Hilton resort in the world with restaurants, a private lagoon and an outdoor shopping village.   Our room was great with deck and spectacular view of the ocean.

This trip felt relaxing because we ended up making plans as we went and didn't feel the need to get up and rush in the morning to get a spot at the pool (somehow Kallie always find one for us).   We spent the fist morning with Bump and family at a sunrise Easter Service.   After that we spent most of our time on the beach so Kallie could body surf, followed by afternoons at the pool and of course daily shave ice or smoothies to cool off.  We became experts at riding the double decker bus to the heart of Waikiki for shopping, big waves and dinners out.  

We did have a few adventures along the way.  Dad went on a guided fishing trip for a day so we decided (well I decided for us) to hike Diamond Head which had way too many stairs but a gorgeous view!  We took a road trip and did a ropes coarse as a family, I will admit it was much harder and higher in the air than I anticipated but we did it!   We rented a stand up paddle board one afternoon, watched fireworks on the beach and the rest of the time we just enjoyed being on vacation.  I am pretty sure we are all looking forward to our next trip, Oahu is definitely our happy place!

PS:  You got stung by a jellyfish our last full day but you were a trooper - a little vinegar and an ice pack and you were back in the pool a few hours later.  According the lifeguard it was a nasty sting!