End of summer

Last weekend we tried to eek out a little bit more of summer and took everyone to Las Vegas. When we arrived back home at 9PM before the first day of school we realized we may have, in fact, found our limits. That said, I have a lasting memory from that trip: Ermias' face during the 90 minute Cirque du Soleil show. He sat complete transfixed, eyes bulging with a look of utter amazement. At one point he saw that I kept staring at him as he looked at the people hanging above on a wire and said, "don't worry Mom, I'm not scared. This is cool!" Oh how far we have come in 10 months that he can sit in a Vegas show and take it all in. I was as amazed at him as I was the performers. 

He got up bright and early today and made it to school, excited for the first grade. He likes his new teacher and has a couple of soccer buddies in his class. 

After school the teacher pulled Cindy aside and said he is working on not hugging and kissing all the other kids as some don't want to be touched. We reinforced that we kiss our family and only hug friends who want hugs. But if this is the issue that follows him throughout his academic career, I think things will be just fine. (At least for another few years.)

Whales

When we were riding back from Lopez Felix was sad that he never saw "his Orca." Lucky us, a pod appeared right next to the ferry. The captain announced it and we all got a show. 

Car rides

Vegas!

We had one more weekend left in summer so we headed to see Sarah. Sarita was in town too!

Second annual concert on the lawn

Lauren arranged for a few bands to play on our lawn last night. Kids everywhere, music jamming, it was our favorite type of night. 

Happy selfie

Spencer Spit

Zeke

The 18 day romp in the woods compounded by throat cancer proved to be too much for our Zekie. After coming home from vacation he told us it was his time. We are thankful that he returned home to us and we got to say goodbye. 

Lopez

Crabbing 

Hiking Watmough Bay

Dunking

Swimming

Swinging

Lopez lounging

She's home!

This brave girl made it from Madrid to Seattle all by herself. She cleared customs in Philadelphia and found her gate like the best seasoned traveler.

We are so happy to have her home, but no one moreso than her littlest brother. Mason will see her tomorrow when we pick him up from his soccer tournament.

Island living

It's so nice to have all our kids, including Felix but minus Borja, together! We are up on Lopez Island where we again rented a house with friends. This time I used my new REI discount and bought two small kayaks. We then bought some crab pots and today caught our limit at 10!

Goals

Mason is guest playing for the C team this weekend. They had two games on Sunday. Cindy got him all pumped up for it on their early morning ferry ride back to Anacortes from Lopez. He was ready to go for the 8:30 game and scored twice, the second goal coming with just a few minutes to go in the game which turned out to be the winning goal (3-2 victory). The next game they played a team that his regular B team has lost to twice, and the C team also lost to on Saturday (0-4). These kids are great and play tournaments every weekend. The Gunners were very pumped up for it, as they headed to the final match. (I, on the other hand was bummed they made it to the finals and missed the entire day on the island while at a soccer tournament!)

Mason scored the only goal and it wasn't enough. They lost 2-1 in extra time, but played their hearts out. Mason and his buddies shed tears after the game, and the coach later admitted she had to step away to maintain her composure. 

But, it was a hard-fought second place!