Spring Break 2023

A million years ago, well actually three weeks ago, we packed our suitcases and headed to Los Angelos for a long spring break weekend. All four of us hadn't traveled together in a long while (pre-Covid?) but we found a great house/dog/cat/chicken sitter, rearranged work schedules and hopped on a plane. 

A few months prior, we decided that we should take a family vacation because our time all together is getting shorter (Will graduates in two years!) and we also needed some sun.  It's been a long winter.  We debated which coast, locations, etc., and then I found cheap airfair and hotel in LA so the decision was made.  Glenn was skeptical until I mentioned the La Brea tarpits - which were also what Reina was most excited about oddly.  Long story short, we had a lovely time.  It wasn't without hiccups, teen angst and crowded sleeping arrangements but we made it work.  

Look at these happy faces on the airport shuttle.  Smile for mom!  

Our first stop was the La Brea Tarpits.  It was even cooler than we thought it would be.  Highly recommend if you are in the LA area.  

We set aside the next day for exploring.  Lots of google maps and Glenn serving as the navigator (DIRECTIONS!), we found Dodger Staduim, the Coliseum, another museum and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

At a park overlooking Dodger Stadium.  Will gave Glenn a piggy back ride because he can. 

Glenn & Reina

2 out of 3 smiles.  

The ceiling outside of the LA Natural History Museum

The fastest walk through the Hollywood Walk of Fame known to man. I was the only one who was into it so it was a short trip.  

 

Our last full day was designated as Universal Studios Day.  We had a blast.  

Hogsmeade! 

Hogwarts!  We rode a ride inside the castle and it was pretty cool.  I mean, I had my eyes closed for most of it but everybody else seemed to love it.  

The car from Magnum PI!  This was the Studio tour and it was a lot more fun than I expected.  Plus it wasn't a roller coaster.  

Glenn loves the Simpsons! 

Next year's Christmas Card.  Sums up the day in a nutshell.  

On the last day, our flight didn't leave until the evening so we packed up the hotel and headed to the beach.  We picked Venice and it did not disappoint.  It wasn't quite sunbathing weather for the general public but Wyoming teens were quick to strip down and get some UV rays.  

Yes, Glenn is wearing long pants.  As was I.  We were comfy.  But look at that ocean.  

So that was our trip.  It was nice to come home and have the rest of the week to hang out, get driver's licenses, make cake pops and watch movies.  Then it was back to the grind.  Can't wait for the next one.  

Is it a Driver's License or a Mug Shot?

 It's a Driver's License!  Will took his driving test today and passed with flying colors.  He is now able to drive himself to school, drive himself home from school, run errands for his parents and most importantly, drive himself home from the school after late night football games.  No more setting my alarm for 1:00 a.m. to check on the status of the bus.  Well, honestly I'll still be checking on the status of the bus, I just won't have to get in the car to go pick him up.  Congrats kiddo.  

A letter to the birthday boy

 Dear Will:  

Yesterday you turned 16.  My goodness.  You are going to take your driving test next week so that will be another celebration.  Yesterday you didn't want a party - just some takeout and an ice cream cake.  You asked for a new gaming system which we let you open on Friday night because you wore us down with your negotiations, a trait that will surely serve you well in the future.  

Will, it's such a delight to see you grow up.  You have amazing recall for all sports trivia, facts, statistics, and just now you asked me who the leading scorer for UW basketball and then ridiculed me because I didn't know it without googling it.  I think you should grow up to be a coach or an AD.  I'd say radio or tv announcer but I don't think you like to talk as much as that job requires.   

You had a great football season as a sophomore and we were so proud of how you played.  You won the Scout Team Player of the Year and you are already working hard to get ready for the Fall.  You competed in wrestling for the first time and while it wasn't your favorite activity, you worked hard.  We are so proud of you for trying something new.  Your PE class is finishing up a dancing unit and what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall for that session.

Will, your sense of humor is still a delight.  Your sarcasm is constant.  Your design esthetic could be described as 'monastic' (white walls, dark furniture, lack of knick knacks).  You are sweet with the pets, except the chickens who drive you bonkers in the summertime when they screech outside your window in the morning.  The cats view your room as their refuge from the puppy.  Your little cousins think the sun and moon revolve around you.  Your sister doesn't take your advice but be patient there.  

Happy birthday Will-Will.  You are so loved.  We can't wait to see what the next year brings.  (Well, we can wait if that means that time slows down just a little bit.)

Will and Lincoln in his first few days with us. 

Birthday tradition- an ice cream cake.  I should have ordered a bigger one.

This is not your favorite picture and I'll probably end up taking it down when you ask me to.  But you let me take your picture on your birthday and there were too many giggles and this ended up being one of the better shots.  

September

We are in the whirlwind of school, sports, dance, work, gardening, hunting and everything else that can be accomplished in the month of September.  The kids are settling into their schedules.  Glenn and I count down the days until the weekend.  We have a lot of football happening at this house - much to Reina's dismay but she's being a good sport about it.  Will is playing JV and Varsity.  On Friday he got his first varsity start against Laramie and it was very exciting.  These pictures are out of order but here are a few memorable moments:  

Will sacked the quarterback on 4th down and this picture would be less blurry if I hadn't been simultaneously screaming and taking photos.  

Will's first start - he's #28.  He actually got the first defensive tackle of the game but that picture did not turn out at all.  

#28 under the lights.  

Reina's dance season has started and she had to get fitted for new pointe shoes today.  Thanks to technology we were able to do a fitting virtually so she put on her dance clothes and we went down to the basement/gym/taxidermy room and zoomed with a store in Colorado.  I'm so amazed at what she can do in those shoes - look at that balance!  I don't think she inherited that from my side of the family.  

All is well.  Stay tuned for more football/dance/hunting/gardening/pet pictures.  

Football in June?

Will's had the opportunity to play 7 v 7 football this summer.  He traveled with the high school team to Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins a few times to play.  Glenn, Pop-pop and I took turns going along to watch. What a cool experience!  He played linebacker mostly, a few shots at offense too.  The regular season starts practice in four weeks and we are ready!  

Shirts vs skins (Will) 

Defending the receiver 

This one is a little harder for me - that's Will on the field at Colo State.  Great opportunity but ew.

With that yucky logo in the back but look at the position on defense!  

 

So this is happening

Will got his driver's permit a few weeks ago.  Yes, it looks like a mugshot.  Yes, you might want to stay off the sidewalks for a little while until he gets the hang of it.  Honestly, he's doing great.  His favorite parent/driving teacher depends on the day.  I was too encouraging when I drove with him.  He did not need/appreciate all of my "good job buddies."  Glenn accidentally instructed him to go through the roundabout and 'wasn't explaining things very well.'   But so far, so good.  

Spring Break

We've been back from Spring Break for a few weeks but it feels a lot longer than that.  The kiddos and I zipped down to Cabo for a few days with my sister and family and my parents.  Glenn stayed home to hold down the fort and save up his vacation days with his new job.  We missed him and we'll make sure he goes with us next time!  We arrived in Mexico on a Monday and flew home Saturday but we packed in a lot during our time there.  

Reina left her mark on the wall of a restaurant where we celebrated (early) my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!  An amazing accomplishment!  And this is a weird way to acknowledge it but I'll make sure to dedicate a whole post around their actual anniversary.  

This cat showed up at our resort every night around dinnertime and sauntered through the outside dining area to see what was happening.  We may have shared a tiny bite of cheeseburger.  

Down at the marina, tourists pay these guys for the opportunity to feed a sea lion.  It's a pretty sweet deal for salesperson and sea lion if you ask me.  The pelicans don't seem to mind either.  I just observed even though I was tempted to fork over a few bucks.  That sea lion is definitely not starving.  

These four cousins.  Time feels like it's flying by when all of these kiddos just keep growing year after year.  They had a fun time swimming with each other 

A letter to the birthday boy

"Hey Will, let me take your picture with your cake." 

"Okay, but smile this time." 

Pretending to spit on the cake so that no one else will want to eat it.  

Look at that handsome smile.  

Dear Will:  Today you are 15. FIFTEEN! Don't ask me how that's possible.  (I can hear you answering this question with the perfect blend of sarcasm and science, "Well mom, that's how time works.") I just know it's moving all so fast.  You can read this blog whenever you want now so I won't go into embarrassing details about how cute you are when you are snuggling one of the pets or how your sense of humor is both delightful and exasperating, usually in the same thirty seconds.  You probably won't want me to mention that you were  on the honor roll for your first semester of high school.  You also don't love it that we think you are so handsome.  Daily, I'm reminded that you are taller than me by several inches now and I think your dad's next.  Your voice is so low that a few days ago I heard Glenn talking to someone in the kitchen and I thought that a neighbor had stopped by.  Nope, just my kid.  

Will, I hate that I can't find out about any breaking sports news before you do because your phone beats me to it and I only get a hard start when you are either still asleep or sitting in class without your phone handy.  The day the Broncos signed Russell Wilson.... well let's just say that I don't think a lot of studying was happening during your school day.  You are a knowledgeable sports fan and while you don't always have the "hope springs eternal" view of some of your favorite teams, you are always happy when they do well.  

You discovered Wordle a few weeks ago and you like to send me your screenshots of a successful game and you get mad if I give you too many hints.  You've been preparing for next Fall's football season since the last one ended and you have a new baseball season starting up soon.  Your love of all things sport and competition give your dad and I a lot of joy (and heartache sometimes but mostly joy).  We just love to watch you play.  

Happy fifteenth birthday big kid.  

Football pictures part 1

Will's freshman football season was delightful.  Is it okay to call a football season delightful?  Don't tell Will I used that word.  Let's just say we had a lot of fun watching him play.  He played both sides of the ball - linebacker on defense and running back/full back on offense.  He was also on the kick return team.  He made it through the season injury free but had a lot of bruises and one really good turf burn on his bicep.  He grew a lot as a player.  At the beginning of the season, he had a goal to get 40 tackles and frankly we lost track of his tackles after a few games in.  I know I sound like a braggy mom but it was just a pleasure watching him play a sport that he loves.  These pictures are from a handful of freshman games.  He got to play JV as the season progressed and I'll save those pics for another post.  

Standing for the national anthem, our #33. 

Team huddle pre-game

Chasing the quarterback

Lining up in the backfield on offense 

Sacking the quarterback!  

Taking down the runner 

Leaping through a pack of players to do something 

The first JV game of his career in Gillette.  He's #44 in the middle of the pack on the sideline.  I thought it was fun to grab a pic of the five freshman that got to travel with JV standing in a little herd.  

Getting some JV playing time!  

 

Catching Up

Goodness. It's been more than a month since I last posted and I'm chock full of excuses but none of them are good. We've been busy with school stuff, hunting season, work, all of the pets that have taken over this house and chores, chores, chores. It's the week of Thanksgiving and the kids have a half day tomorrow, I'm taking off the rest off the week starting Wednesday and baking my buns off and Glenn and Reina are going hunting after turkey time. So there's a lot going on. My personal goal is to write something every day for the rest of November which I realize is only 9 days - 8 days? but it will help me get caught up on all of our Fall 2021 shenanigans.

Here's a preview:  
 

Reina got pointe shoes for ballet.  She's been counting down the days until our appointment in Laramie for her fitting.  She's super excited and I'm resisting the urge to squeeze my feet into them because that will probably result in a mom broken ankle.  

Will's football season was a dandy and that will be it's own post but here's the lawn sign that we proudly got to display.  Even those his actual number was 33.  

First week of school

Shoot! I'm having trouble formatting my pictures and the page is a little messed up so the first day of school post will have to be sans captions. The kids have been in school for a week and besides Covid craziness, everyone is doing well. None of us have Covid right now but there isn't a mask mandate in the schools (right now also) and almost every day I'll get a message from one of the two schools about positive cases and students in quarantine. Both kids are vaxxed so we have that sense of protection but the whole system seems so much more chaotic than last year. But again - I"m not turning this into a Covid rant. Both kiddos had mostly positive reports from their first week of school. Reina is adapting to Jr High wait Middle School pretty well and besides being crankily tired on Friday night, had a good week. She says she likes her English class the most but she's also really liking art. And science. And French/Spanish. Etc. Will is pretty busy with football after school and more homework than last year at night but he's doing well too. This post will include a picture of Coco looking beautiful (naturally), a picture of Charlie looking concerned on the first day of school, Will and Reina in first day of school outfits looking too grown-up (hey I made it through the first day of school without crying!). There are several pictures of Will's first football game. He's #33. One picture shows him getting ready to sack the quarterback and if I'd had my wits about me, I would've kept taking pics instead of dropping the camera to scream "GETTTTTT HIMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!" which he did. There's also a pic of Will trying to get by a kid who's several sizes bigger than him and another pic of Will getting a great block for his teammate to run down the sidelines. Will's team won their first game 38-9 and we just love watching that kid play. We end the photo roll with our beautiful girl looking way to ready to conquer 7th grade.