End of Summer and First Month Back at School 2025

We are about a month into school and in between taking kids where they need to go and working, it's been really nice to enjoy the warm and sunny days Portland has been serving up for a while now.  Sitting on the porch for a little respite or the quick walk to Trader Joes for the umpteenth time in a week actually are some of the lovely moments to help break up the day-to-day.

Summer break 2025 ended with some notable highlights for our memory book.  We celebrated our 10th annual Irving Street Block Party and we went big with a dunk tank this year.  Building connection in our little Irving community is really important to us, it's as simple as that.   Paul competed in his first triathlon and Lily did her first season of beach volleyball.  They both would say they'd do it again.  Nate went to Michigan not once but twice to see his family and took a different kid each time.  Paul got the special treat (he was the only one interested) to get to watch a Michigan football game in the Big House.  

Lily definitely had quite a summer with passing her driver's test, being officially done with Invisalign after 2 years, and hiking and exploring all over Washington and Oregon with her boyfriend.  

My sister flew out to surprise the kids at the start of school.  This time she successfully surprised each of them separately.  You'd think they'd catch on by now with how often she comes but nope, the fun reveals continue.

8th grade for the twins and Lily's junior year are almost a month in now.  Lily is very busy with school volleyball season.  She is really proud to be captain this year and spends a lot of time giving her best to the team on and off the court.  Paul is busy competing on his mountain biking team taking up most weekends racing around the state.  He is also enjoying x-country season with friends.  Elise is back to rowing, piano, German, and Girls Scouts.  We just scheduled her next surgery for 11/13 to address her leg length discrepancy with the hopes that it'll be a preventative aid in minimizing lower back pain and hip pain when she's older.  She is interested in doing the surgery and we are supportive.  This means she'll have 2 more surgeries on top of the 3 foot surgeries she's already had.  That's a lot of surgeries for a 13 year old.  

In terms of growth, Lily still grew an inch the first part of this year as a 16 year old and seems to be topping off at 5'10".  Paul is 5'8'' and growing quite quickly.  His voice hasn't changed yet and I'm trying to record his voice a bit more these days because that deeper voice is coming soon.  Elise is 5'7'' and her x-ray in preparation for surgery showed very open growth plates which means she will probably still grow 3-4 inches.  I remember thinking back in the day that if I have girls, I hope they aren't as tall as me because I had a hard time.  I got my wish: I just didn't calculate on having a daughter obsessed with being the best attacker there is on the volleyball court.  She'd love my height.  Funny how things work out.  Paul is my only hope for surpassing me.  We shall see.

Here are a few more moments from the last couple of months.  The world outside of our family continues to feel uneasy, tense, and divided. It sucks.  I miss hearing eloquent, thoughtful, empathetic, and unifying words from our leaders during times of crisis.

10th Annual Irving Street Block Party

Our block party co-hosts Ken and Cari specializing in grilling and pool setup. They make it all extra fun.

Paul's triathlon at Hagg Lake.  Thanks to the Ushers for hosting the Xterra race.

                    Paul getting ready for a bike race.  There are a lot of youth in this league (hundreds), more than I anticipated.

Lily at Seaside for a beach volleyball tournament

Elise at Girl Scouts Wow Camp - Counselor in Training week.

                                                           Visiting Nate's parents in Michigan.

Big House with Grandpa

                                Lolo practicing her surprise for Elise.  Paul joined in on the fun.

1st day of 8th grade and 11th grade. Paul, Elise, Lily

Lily just passed her driver's test so had to celebrate.  She doesn't have her actual license yet but soon.

School photos.  Paul cracks me up because his looks exactly the same as last year - same shirt too.

Enjoying sitting in the Timbers Army for a game

                                                    This just makes a Momma's heart smile

Midsummer 2025

Summer with all teenagers for the first time is definitely a bit different from previous years.  They all want to make money, sleep in very late, and hang out with friends between impressively lazy days.  Sure, it can drive us nuts at times because we believe this is a great time to develop life skills but we are also teetering very close to the next phase of our oldest not only driving more and more but also leaving home and we just like hanging around at home (most of the time).  

The biggest excitement at the end of the school year was watching Lily compete at Hayward Field for Track and Field State Championships in high jump.  Paul and I had a blast taking in our first full track meet.

Celebrated with a few friends to mark the end of the school year.  Instead of sliders,  I made what are now coined "smashers" because I used way too much beef.  The beef was probably 2 inches high.

A recent routine has been giving Moxie her treat during breakfast and eats in a "civilized" manner.

I never thought I'd say this but a weekend in Yakima was one of the best trips ever.  Paul had a tennis tournament there so it was just the two of us having a blast in the Yak.  The tennis was disappointing.  The city is equally disappointing.  Yet, Paul and I stayed busy creating memories together.  He's such a fun travel buddy. 

Elise enjoyed a week away in Orlando with her Girl Scout troop.  They have been saving $$ for many years to plan a dream trip for the group from cookie sales.  They planned it all from location to accommodations to activities.  From swimming with manatees to holding a gator, we are so proud of Elise and the whole troop for what they experienced.

We made our 8th summer trip to Sunriver as a family.  We didn't go last year because of our big Japan trip.  It felt really good to be back.  Complaints were minimal so cheers to that.

Nate and Paul were able to squeeze in a couple 1/2 day mountain bike rides by Mt. Bachelor

The girls and I enjoy cruiser rides on paved flat roads taking in the views.

We usually hit the SHARC pool complex but they preferred the quiet pool at the cabin complex instead. Lots of Marco Polo.

Kayaking on Sparks Lake

We redid the Tumalo mountain trail after a 7 year hiatus.  Of course we had to recreate the photo.  

Watching Arrested Development and beach volleyball were probably the most frequent activities during our time there.

My "I hate hiking" Lily has changed.  She is now a regular hiker and already has plans to explore more this summer.  Go Lily.

                            
Nate's sister and family came to to the PNW.  Good to see the cousins together and having them out here for a visit.

Nate's cousin Georgia made a stop in Portland on her solo 3 month trek around the US in her car.

With our close long-time friends for a beautiful summer evening celebrating birthdays

Cheers to more summer memories and the work stress to disappear as quickly as my kids do whenever I ask them for help around the house.

Spring 2025 and Lily is 16

Lily is now 16 years old. Murder Mystery Party, shopping, Crumbl cookies, and meals out have been her requests to help celebrate the big milestone.  She has her permit but zero interest in actually driving.  She continues to be an independent, competitive, and super friendly teenager...especially with other adults and on occasion with her family.  It's fun to see her interact with other adults with ease.  Volleyball continues to be her passion.  She made the team she wanted but the team didn't have the season she hoped for.  It was a tough season - lots of learning moments. Pole Vault and High Jump continue to be interests as well - making PR's in both events this season have been a highlight. Junior year is up next - lots to be excited about and keep all of us running around. 

Crumbl Birthday Cookies

Lily's High Jump in action

She's got ups

The 2nd half of the school year has been solid overall.  The excitement for school is nowhere to be found and a couple of really hard classes keep the stress present.  There is about a month left of school.  We are in the midst of figuring out summer plans and dreaming big on our summer goals.  We shall see.    

Here are a few more memories from the last few months.

                    

Fun friends trip to Mt. Bachelor back in February.  

    Super proud of Elise becoming skilled at knots and lashes (limbo structure she created below that adjusts height easily), Dutch Oven, First Aid, and making a fire.  I have a little camper kid.  Go figure.

Easter in Chicago with family.  Volleyball tournament for Lily too.

Cousins and Aunt Jill came to cheer Lily on. Nate's sister and family came to cheer on too the next day.  So great to have so much family support.  

 Family pic at Millenial Park in Chicago. The Bean. Oh and notice that Nate shaved his beard off? Yay

 

Always love a picture of my kids together looking happy together (oh how deceiving pictures can be)

Elise went to her first school dance. Nate and I were stunned by her look. We were used to her in men's suits for special functions.  She's definitely done a 180 on us these last few months with her look. Elise keeps us on our toes.  

Pic of the Girls Night crew at 1/2 pint's 50th birthday celebration.  Such a fun night.

Paul's club baseball season is well underway.  An elbow injury kept him off the field for a couple of weeks but there are still a couple months left to play and his arm is feeling better again.

Fun family dinner at Oma and Opa's favorite place - Jake's Crawfish

We surrendered Mochi recently. We found a really nice foster family to help with her care needs and set her up to be adopted to a home better suited for her.  No other pets and more calm is what we hope for her. Mochi was Lily's cat.  Big feels and tough to follow through on.  

Slowly easing into 2025

 Relaxing and delicious are definitely how I'd describe the Holidays.  It felt good to feel unhurried pretty much the whole time and focus on all that is good (not work).  We enjoyed all our usual traditions with Oma and Opa.  My sister came for a few days as well which always adds more humor, love, and giggles to the house.  We missed seeing more family but looking forward to a reunion in Chicago over Easter.

    Christmas Eve at Oma and Opa's 

Traditional Christmas Eve steaks.  You can see Eric showing up in the pic too. :)

Family shot. So much delicious food.  Oma's Italienischer Salat is always a hit

Christmas morning

Paul really wanted a PS4 steering wheel.  Oma and Opa liked trying it out too.

Christmas dinner.  Elise channeling a classic Eric face.

Enjoying Nate's birthday breakfast at Stepping Stone with Lolo

Nate is so different than me when it comes to Birthday meals.  I wouldn't consider cooking a meal for everyone on my Birthday.  Nate on the other hand wanted to make this delicious lasagna for all of us.  

Family walk on a mild day at Mt Tabor while Lolo was in town.

New Years Eve, East coast midnight toast after enjoying fondue.  

Some fun with friends too, including a few rounds of the Salad Bowl game.

Our longtime Portland crew of friends getting together.

January threw us back into a full schedule of go go go, sicknesses, and sitting in front of a computer working a lot again.  A trip to Seattle (waterfront renovations by Pike Place Market are complete and looks fantastic) to cheer on Lily's volleyball team and explore the city, the boys skiing in central Oregon, Lily getting her drivers permit, and Paul and I winning the club parent/child tennis tournament were some fun notable highlights.  A really sick cat, sicknesses throughout the house, our beloved fairy garden being stolen from our front yard, and work challenges for both of us were not the not so fun highlights.  The political landscape is a scary dark cloud that we see but simply not focusing anywhere near as much as we used to right now.  Just can't yet.

Ski Time

Lily driving in a parking lot.  Straightening out the wheel has room for improvement

Elise has done a complete 180 in the last 30 days.  She now very much cares about what she wears, skin care, and make up.  This picture below is not something I expected to see this past month.

Elise dressing up as Paul.  Pretty good!

Enjoying a quick stroll with Lily after volleyball ended in Seattle.  Mere hours later, Lily was down hard with Norovirus.

Paul and I had fun playing in the parent/child tournament.  Champions!