Tommy and Kat Camping

 Kat and Tommy both went on the Scout Skills camping trip. They roasted marshmallows the first night...

And that's Kat on the left giving directions to the younger scouts. She was one of the senior scouts on this trip!

Tommy got a lot of requirements signed off, and is really close to his first class rank now.

They did get rained on. A lot. Don't they look happy? Their Scoutmaster said they were all good sports about it, but this picture says otherwise. 

A few weeks later they went to Camporee to compete against other scout troops in their district. Here's Kat helping with lashings to build their big camp gateway.

It was a Wild West theme, and Tommy fully embraced it with his golden cowboy hat, bandana, and perfect horseshoe form. 

Kat had some good form too!

They were in the same food patrol, so they cooked and cleaned together. 

Here's Tommy practicing his lassoing skills.

And with his buddies

Tucker, Tommy, Anton, Morgan, and Ethan

Lots of scouts there competing!

Their troop came home with ribbons in first aid, scavenger hunt, patrol flag, and won the golden pie tin award for their dessert!

Tommy did a great job as part of the flag color guard too in front of the whole district!

Good job, scouts!

Driving and Wrestling

Kat passed her permit test!

Time to start practicing in the mall parking lot. She did great, and is totally ready for the California freeway next (kidding!) 

And Tommy has been doing great at his wrestling tournaments! Here he is with a second place medal...

And with his buddy Cole and 2 coaches after he won 1st place in his beginner weight class division! Go, Tommy!

Backpacking in Joshua Tree

Kat's friend KaiLani needed to complete some backpacking requirements, so Kat went with as her partner in crime. 

12 of them backpacked over 3 days in Joshua Tree National Park

They saw beautiful sunsets...

Plenty of Joshua Trees...

And beautiful starry skies at night. 

They learned some new backpacking tricks, like how to use "wag bags" (google at your own risk)...

And had lots of down time to play cards and have some laughs. 

There were comedic stories about this chili mac and cheese...

And a good time was had by all! 

Though she loves camping, she says she may done with any camping where you have to go to the bathroom outside. Fair.

In-N-Out and the Cabezon dinosaurs on the way home. 

Winter Formal 2024

Kat had fun at her winter formal.

She looked so pretty!

And fierce! Check out those nails!

With her good buds Emily, Katelyn, Nadia, and Phoebe

Kat and Phoebe, friends since 3rd grade. 

Dads being mildly embarrassing...

And moms being definitely embarrassing.

Party bus is off!

Time for Catch Up, Or Just Starting Here

 I have been slacking on updating the blog, and the task of going back and posting the past year seems too daunting to begin, so I'll just start with where we are now! Tommy still loves the dog...

And had fun at his friend Tobias' birthday party

Nathan's been busy making bread. Sourdough...

And little footballs for the Super Bowl.

Tommy's been making spam musubi, and both he and Kat want it packed in their lunch every day. 

Kat has started crocheting, and made this little bag...

And I've been busy snuggling the dog. More to come!

Ducks and Ducklings

We found out that a duck decided to build a nest in our backyard. 

We wanted to make sure we saw all the fun, so we got a webcam.

About a month later our first little duckling made its appearance. 

5 of the 9 eggs hatched...

Mama Duck led them around the backyard, trying to find the best route out. 

She made it through the side gate, and out into the neighborhood.

Mom and Dad followed them toward the front gate of the complex, but they passed it by. Other neighbors sent pictures throughout the morning when they'd see them in their yard, and eventually they made their way out, presumably to the wetlands. 

So cute, and so fun to watch!

Check out the video below to see their journey.