Fly, Fly, Fly Away

 Rock has been taking flying lessons for what feels like not very long. Against his mother's wishes, desires, beliefs, and almost over her dead body it was time for him to take his first solo flight. She was a little bit anxious.Her baby was alone in an aircraft and taxing to the runway. She could not believe that a competent instructor would allow this to happen.Thankfully, he made three smooth landings (with one wave off in the middle)

She was pretty excited to see her baby back on the ground.He already perfected the pilot strut.It's not very heroic to have your mom run and hug you in front of the other pilots, but he was too happy to object.Notice the church clothes, he woke up early to go to the temple with the other youth. DeA is certain that is why he did well and did not crash.

I guess it is a tradition to cut off the shirt after a pilot solos.

The pilots in the family.

They let me in one picture.

I forgot, they let me in a second picture. Why am I doing this? It's a callback, the real ones will remember.

Luca loves his cat. His cat just goes limp to survive.

Happy birthday to Leo Boy!

He looks so excited.

Volley and X-Country

Jensley loves volleyball.

She also loves serving aces to win the match

Rock loves having us drive to Yakima for a 10 minute medical appointment.

We celebrated with Miner's, always worth stopping at Miner's. 

Ryker spent a few days in Utah with Nama and Hampa and came back with this trophy.

Ryker had his first cross country meet (that he was present for) in Wenatchee.

He was pretty excited, can't you tell?

He certainly looks like a long-distance runner.

Another parent took some great action shots of Gyker

He's so good he doesn't need to watch where he's going.

He's licking his lips at the competition.

Schnoogies was pretty proud.

She always looks good. Dang good.

 

Unboxing Day!

New blades, who dis?

She couldn't wait to go to the gym or Riverwalk pathway to try them out, she had to take a test ride right away.

I'm surprised she risked eating dinner with her blinging white blades.

Neither boy wants to play football, but DeA still had to go watch the "stupid, boring" game because Ryker was excited to be in pep band.

Nama and Hampa were going to Utah to visit KC, and somehow Ryker worked his way into the trip. Jens was so sad to tell him goodbye. 

Apparently, so was Luca

Nama was pretty excited to get out of town, but she isn't surprised to listen to 14 hours of Ryker describe all the restaurants that he was going to try.

"Chick FilA and Mod and Raisin' Canes and Artic Circle and...."

The apples are ready

Luca was a big fan.

 

We Are a Roller Blading Family Now

I walked into the living room to see this:

The boys were appalled that the "no hockey in the house" rule could be disregarded so quickly.

"Is this what hypocrisy means?" - Rock

We had a rare night without wind and Jens was holding Downy the cat while we waited for her new family to come adopt her. Luca really wanted to hold him.

Sofia only likes Nama and her mom, it's pretty annoying.

I don't know where I Rissa was trying to Luca, but he wasn't going willingly.

Seems like she was having a very cozy evening researching roller blades.

We finally had a free Saturday, and it warmed our hearts that Rock asked if we could go to the temple. 

Ryker had quite the experience during these pictures.

We found a good little BBQ place by Costco. Ryker was starving, but wanted to wait for Panda Express. I don't know why.

I spoke at the Quilting Club meeting and they presented me with these bowl coozies to keep hands warm while eating ice cream and to keep you hands from burning while eating hot soup. DeA was very excited because she hates melting ice cream.