March - July/mid-August 2025

Wee fire in April.  Fortunately it was just a short in the very old light fixture.  We cut the power quickly and the fire went out, just smoke and the smell of electrical burning remained.  Grateful for quick 911 responders who made sure there wasn't any damage in the attic.  Most of the old lighting has since been replaced. 

Ryan & Kathryn on Spring Break in Cali 

Spring Dance, Kathryn and Savannah

🐾 These two remain best buds 🐾

 First broken bone. 🦴🩻

Ryan was frustrated with a golf swing, bent down to pick up his baseball cap that had fallen off and punched the ground.  SNAP.  Simple boxers fracture, 4 weeks in a cast, 2 weeks in a splint (which he lost on the golf course as he was weaning off the splint back in to sports!) and has fully healed

Kathryn and Mira at UW Volleyball camp. 

 Year #3 for Kathryn, she's loved it each year.

Oh my goodness.

My baby is 18 years old. 

 He was so busy with his friends on his birthday, he granted me an hour - for cake and gifts.  He's living a good life and excited to see him progress through his senior year in high school and beyond.  

Another oh my goodness

🎈My little girl is 16 years old.  🎈

*pancake bar per request 🥞

*Two hours at the Dept of Licensing for her drivers license!

*free birthday Starbucks drink (that is a $9 drink!!)

*Birthday shopping - she picked a necklace that I hope she'll love forever

*lunch at a Sushi Blue - a place she'd seen on TikTok for their famously good sushi.  Legit was amazing!

*Cake to round out the day.

Camp Firwood with her friend Savannah. 

 6 days, no phones, they both said 10 out of 10 camp and want to go back next year.

 Kathryn with the hard copy of her drivers license that arrived today, pictured with her new car (purchased by her dad yesterday).  

Lots of new independence. 🚗

Ryan & friend Cooper, prepped to leave for a camping trip in the mountains with 2 other friends.  It's supposed to rain!  ☔🌲⛺

Jan & Feb 2025

 It's been a fairly uneventful beginning of 2025.

 Ryan finished the official high school wrestling season, started an off season wrestling club and is taking a weight training course with hopes to improve his wrestling skills.

Kathryn started and completed Drivers Ed.  The first few drives with her were roughhh 😬 However she quickly fine tuned her ability to navigate the roads.  We'll schedule her to take the DOL written and driving test within the next month or so and come July 31st - she's got plans to wait in line at the DOL office for her license.  Last Sunday she drove down to my parents home and back - all freeway and back roads, she nailed it.  Both kids no longer scare me as drivers, but will still pray they make good decisions when they hit the road independently.

I completed 8 weeks of 40 hours per week while my colleague was on maternity leave.  I enjoyed it and foresee my part time employment coming to a close.  The goal was to be home with the kids while they needed it and we were able to make that work.  Now is the time to bring in the money as their needs get more expensive.  May 2025 I'll be back at 40 hrs per week for four months - and after that, we'll see.

We'll start the photo's with our feline friends.  They will be 3yrs old in June. Always helpful to sit on or knock down activities taking place on the table.

Also had a vet visit.  Take a peek in the sink.  It adequately describes how Hilda felt about this field trip. They are both healthy and remain sweet, funny siblings. 

No words needed 

We didn't get much snow this winter, but the little we got - Ryan thought my car needed some joy 😁

No school snow days in Seattle anymore.  All grades, kindergarten - 12th grade will do remote learning if school is "closed" for snow.  This rule change is infuriating.  Every child should have the joy of a snow day.  Spend the day sledding, hot chocolate, playing with friends etc. Those are the memories for a lifetime.  Remote school for elementary students?  Ridiculous.  This is Kathryn and her friend Savannah going through a remote school day together. 

Kathryn completing her Invisalign treatment!

The exact same day, Ryan started his orthodontic journey.  He was not very happy and I was worried he would not take it seriously, but so far he's doing great. 

Out for a swim in the fog one Saturday morning and was treated to a fog-bow!

After many years of dreaming for a new bed, it finally happened!  

First time in my entire life I've had a decent bed frame too.

March 9th (the day Kathryn drove to Enumclaw and back) we spent a few hours visiting Mom. Kerri was in town to help Mom, Dad was away on a golf trip. 

 Kathryn saying hi to Mojo with a carrot snack.

The kids on the same rock pile they played on 10 years ago.

One of the labs got overly excited, bulldozing Kathryn over and was lucky enough to capture the event as it happened! 😂