Soccer -n- Jayden

Last week Jayden experienced her first organized sport...a soccer camp! Terri took her as it was on Tuesday, one of the "mimi days" and she loved being a part of a new experience. Jayden was a bit hesitant and although she met a new little friend, she still wanted her "mimi" not very far away. For her first time, she did pretty well and seemed to catch on with what they were teaching them. The group ranges from 3 - 8 year olds, so quite a difference in abilities! At the end of the first week, they all got a sticker and were sent home to practice for next week.

Today was the second session and it didn't go quite as well...Jayden seemed to be distracted by just about everything and quite often was sitting on her ball, with her back to the group... She did get the "jump" over the ball down pat, but wasn't as enthusiastic about it this week. At the end of the day, they all got a lollipop and whether or not they were stars or just observed, all left with a smile on their faces!

This lasts for 5 weeks, so three more to go...it's fun to watch and observe (okay, photograph, too!) and see a darling little one experience something new!

Amazing Athletes!

A little over a week ago, we headed over to Terri's mom's lake place for the weekend. It was the weekend of the Coeur d'Alene IRONMAN and we were going to meet a friend of Terri's there. Cindy, flew out from North Carolina as her daughter was competing in the IRONMAN (we're still in awe!), so she, her husband, Billy, and daughter's family came out to Northern Idaho for the event. Friday night we stopped by for a glass of wine (they were renting a home not far from where us) and got to meet their granddaughters, Lily and Vivi, who we've seen many photos of and were now able to meet them!
Saturday afternoon they all joined us at the lake and we took a ride around the lake in the boat...so they could see what we love about the area. Then on Sunday morning...VERY early, we picked up Cindy and headed into Coeur d'Alene to be there for the start of the event...and the 2.4 mile swim. We had about an hour after arriving before the first part (pros) of the swim began...and there were already many there...family and friends...to support and cheer on the contestants. It was fun to watch the pros start off, but what was really amazing was the "all ages" group (about 2200) who started at the same time...wow...that was an incredible sight that made it well worth getting up so early! To see all the arms and heads plowing through the waters (65 degrees!)...the black, red and white looked like a sea of penquins! What was not expected was the emotional part of the event...as we watched and saw the first pro finish his two laps, the crowd cheered! As time went on and the other group was starting to finish up their laps - you could see the excitment, exhaustion and emotions from the swimmers...some walked out like it was a simple swim, others staggered and struggled...and as the time expired that they had to complete the event in, the disappointment - which had both Cindy and I in tears. These athletes had trained for months, some for a year and to not make it past the swim had to have been so tough. Cindy's daughter finished in 1 hour 17 minutes and when they called her name, we cheered (and photographed)...and we were relieved she had easily made it before the cut off (2 hours 20 minutes). An interesting sight was watching the swimmers be "stripped" of their wetsuits after the swim...there were volunteers to literally pull them out of it...looked like hard work! From there it was on to the biking...and we watched many get on their bikes and start out...and were sort of "trapped" there until the swim event was over as the route back to our car was blocked.

Once we could get out of there, we headed back to the lake, dropped off Cindy and went to the cabin where Terri's mom fixed a great breakfast for us...being that it was Father's Day, Rick got the morning off from fixing breakfast (he is usually the "Sunday morning chef" at our house). The bike route goes by the cabin (or the road just up from the cabin), so we were able to head up and watch them go by...they actually go by twice and just past our place is a HUGE hill that certainly challenges them. Cindy, Billy and the granddaughters came over and we were able to see their daughter go by (on her second lap)...and she knew as she came around the corner where we'd be and instantly waved! Her dad, Billy, brought his banjo to play as they biked by...and you could see how much it meant to the contestants as they rode by...a smile lit their faces as they heard him strumming away. It was a nice touch and everyone enjoyed listening to him, even the locals there to cheer them on.

Cindy and Billy and the girls left and headed back to rest up so they could meet their daughter at the finish line...and we enjoyed some relaxing time at the cabin with Sis. We had a great dinner and tried not to remember that we had to get up (early) the next morning to head home. Throughout the evening, we followed their daughter on the web...and she finished in about 13 hours...a great feat and something to be quite proud of...it was her first full marathon! We enjoyed our time with Cindy and Billy...and Terri and Cindy did as much catching up as possible (photographer friends!) in the short time together...and Terri was sad to say goodbye, wishing she had more time with her.

Monday morning it was back home...the drive was uneventful and quick (as quick as it could be for a drive across the state). Terri had a session with a darling one year old that afternoon and the weather turned out to be ideal...despite the threat of some storms earlier in the day. It was good to be back...but what a great weekend!!

The "pros" ready to begin the swim...

















Coverage from the air...what a great vantage point, but not so sure I'd like hanging out the open door!














The "all ages" group, about 2200 ready to begin their swim...whoa, that looks intimidating!













Being "peeled" out of a wetsuit, this contestant is eager to move on to the bike portion.














The first swimmer (pro) to finish his two laps and move on to the bike


















The very last swimmer to make it "under the wire" for time...not sure if he continued on...he didn't look very good.














The beginning of the bike part...

An Awesome Weekend!

Wow, can't believe it's already Tuesday this week - it seems like it was just last Thursday and we were getting ready for an exciting weekend. Jessalyn's graduation was on Sunday evening and we had an open house for her on Saturday afternoon. Of course, there was the cleaning, getting food organized and prepared (we made it easy!), working in the yard and welcoming our family that was to arrive for the event!

An extra bonus of exciting news came on early Friday afternoon from Mandy who took her state licensing test for her CNA (certified nursing assistant) - she passed...with flying colors, of course! Mandy had been nervous, but we all knew she'd do just great and had no problems with the test...now to start looking for a new job that will hopefully lead to more opportunities to explore the nursing field and a future career as a nurse. We are very proud of her!!!

Friday afternoon Terri's mom, Sis, arrived...she had been in LaConner visiting a friend for a couple of days and drove down from there. It was great to see her...we hadn't seen her since her California and of course, since her accident...or should we say "accidents!" Unfortunately, on Monday of last week (about 6 weeks after the first accident), a furniture truck backed into her new car...the replacement from her first accident. Thankfully, she wasn't injured in this accident, but she felt like she wasn't safe on the road. So, it was another rental car and the new car into the shop...needless to say, she is a bit nervous about "the other driver!" She's doing well and we loved having her with us for the weekend! Both Josh (and Jayden) and Jessalyn stopped by to say hello that afternoon and that evening, we enjoyed a relaxing evening with her before the "work" began the next morning!

Saturday morning we started off with our usual - a trip to the Farmer's Market...a coffee, pastry, a bouquet of flowers and some wonderful smelling potpourri! From there, we had to get the cupcakes (OH...Indulge Cupcakes of Puyallup...amazing!!!!!!), balloons, ice and a few more groceries! Then, it was on to preparing and Sis was a huge help. Terri's brother, Scott, arrived in the early afternoon and he helped out a bit...or maybe he just harassed us?! Just kidding...nice to have him here as well. His wife and girls, Betsy, Sam and Syd, came later in the day. Rick's parents, Howard and Jeanette, arrived a bit later...they had another party for a great-great niece's high school graduation in the area that they attended before arriving here! The weather...earlier in the week the forecast had suggested a chance for rain and temperatures around the mid 60's...which was not our ideal choice for the afternoon, but in the end, we were blessed with partly sunny and about 75 degrees....absolutely perfect! With the great weather, we were able to be outside and enjoyed a great party with wonderful family and friends (who are just like family to us!!) who all helped us celebrate Jess' wonderful accomplishment! During the party there was a rousing game of horse shoes...with a $2 plastic set we bought for Jayden!! Amazing how entertaining some simple things can be! And a crowd also headed to the new basketball court in our neighborhood for the game "pig" which Sydney proceeded to win...way to go, Syd! Thank you to everyone who joined us...it was great so share our excitement with all of you!

Where's Waldo...I mean "where's Jessalyn" in this sea of red!??!



Sunday evening was the graduation, so everyone took it easy most of the day and we all planned to meet up for an early dinner before hand. Josh, Mandy and Jayden were meeting at our house so we could all ride up together...minimizing cars and parking! As Jayden was getting out of their car, her finger got smashed in the car door...poor little girl, she was crying and the finger quickly turned black and blue and swelled up quite a bit. We grabbed ice, a towel and some Tylenol for the ride to the restaurant, hoping to ease her pain and reduce the swelling a bit. Thankfully, she was okay by the time we had dinner and although the finger didn't look very good, she was doing great. Graduation was in Seattle at Benaroya Hall, a beautiful facility that seats 2500 people and it was full with the graduates and their family and friends who were there to witness the exciting event! We ended up in the top balcony (nose bleed section!) in the front row, middle (great location for pictures!) - which was REALLY high if you looked over the edge!!! The ceremony was about 2 1/2 hours and was very nice. The commencement speaker was Sid Morrison who was in the Washington Senate, was once a candidate for governor and is on the board of trustees for Central Washington University. His basic message a great one...growing up is mandatory, but growing old is optional...what a wonderful philosophy!! As Jess' name was announced we all cheered and hollered...but not so sure she heard us from the very back of the auditorium! Finding her afterwards was a bit of a challenge...and getting all of us together, but we managed and as you can imagine took some photos of her...with some of her classmates/friends and of course with family. Getting out of the parking garage was rather slow...we felt like we were trying to get out of a parking garage after a Mariner's game...sitting and waiting for a long time! The day was long...and we all were up much later than usual, but it was well worth missing a couple hours of sleep...and exciting time for Jess after working hard the past four years! Now, on to the next step...to find a job which could prove to be challenging with the cuts in education right now...but we know when she does finally get her own classroom, she'll be a wonderful and loving teacher!! Way to go, Jess!!!

It's back to routine now...Sis and Scott left yesterday and this morning Howard and Jeanette left (after Terri and Jayden joined them for breakfast at the Hedman House B&B...thanks NormaJean!!). The week will be short as on Friday we are heading over to Hayden Lake for the weekend...a friend of Terri's from North Carolina will be there with her family to watch their daughter compete in the Iron Man on Sunday...and we will spend some time with them, follow some of the competition and of course, enjoy the lake!

Jayden's finger is doing much better...it's still pretty black and blue and a bit swollen, but not nearly as bad as it could have been...thank goodness! A funny story...as I was sitting here typing this, Jayden looked at the flower bouquet on the table in the family room and said that I had to come look at it...I said just a minute...and when I went over...she said look at the whiskers...I couldn't see what she was talking about and then all of a sudden a large moth appeared...and I must confess, I screamed as I didn't have a clue anything was there...but we were able to capture it and set it free outside...what a great eye Jayden has to see that hidden in the flowers!

Have a great week...and here are some photos from our weekend. And enjoy the start of summer (which sure seems to have started a couple of weeks around here)!!

Jayden made it through Jess graduating and then crashed, but was then awake again after the ceremony.

Jess and her friend, Crissy, are shocked...no diplomas, where are they?!!


Jess with some of her fellow education classmates...they have all been together for the past two years.







Jayden is quite proud of her aunt Jessie!
WhooHoo....she did it...nice job, Jess!