Pack In, Pack Out for Kat

Kat signed up for a backpacking trip. Since it was her first one, she and the other Scouts did a practice hike through HB Central Park and the Urban Forest with their packs. So far, so good!

However, with all the food, water, and the tent in her pack it was a little more heavy. 

Ready to go! 

Emily, Kat, Ally, Kira

Gizmo was glad she opted to leave her camping pillow at home. 

They took the Aerial Tram in Palm Springs up toward San Jacinto Peak and then started their hike. 

SPLs Kat and Andrew holding the flag. 

It was supposed to be about 3 miles in, but ended up being about 4 since they took a wrong turn. Oops! But they made it. Kat did all the cooking for her patrol on the trail...

And they had a nice time up there. Until they had to hike down. She said it sucked, but her leaders said she had a good attitude and put one foot in front of the other and kept going. We're proud of you, Life Scout! You're doing awesome!

Kat on the left in the black sweater and hat

Tommy the Covid Kid

Poor Tommy, the Covid finally got him! He was down for the count on Monday...

Solidarity from Gizmo:

We then quarantined him to the guest room, but Gizmo was a good nursemaid and kept him company. 

He felt better after that, but was still testing positive all week, so he missed school. 

2 Kingmans down, 2 to go. Who's next? (Hopefully no one)

Kat's 1st Concert

The 90's feminist punk band, Bikini Kill (one of Mom's favorite) reunited and scheduled a show in LA, so Mom decided to take her concert buddy Missy, and Kat for her first concert!

It was at the outdoor Greek Theater in LA, which is a great venue. 

We had fun people watching....

And had a good view of the stage. 

The lead singer is so funny and energetic, and the music sounded great. They played Kat's 2 favorite songs as their encore. 1st concert in the books, many more to come!

Easter 2022

The kids dyed eggs for Easter...

And Dad roasted some meat. Lots of meat!

They turned out pretty cool!

We also had fun playing with Gizmo and teaching him how to hunt for eggs after the kids finished their egg hunt. 

Big Accomplishments for Tommy!

Tommy's been meeting some big goals lately! He saved up enough money to buy a virtual reality head set...

And is VERY pleased with his purchase. 

He learned how to throw someone in wrestling...

And he decided he wanted to try out for the Huntington Beach Jr. Lifeguards program for the summer. To qualify you have to swim 100 meters in 1:50 minutes. He practiced a lot...

And made it!

He had no trouble swimming under water, or treading water for 5 minutes. 

We're so proud of him for setting a goal, practicing, having a great attitude, and achieving! Go, Tommy!

 

Washington DC vs Knotts Berry Farm

Kat and her friend Sarah went on the 8th grade Washington DC trip over spring break.

Tommy and Cole stayed home, but went to Knott's Berry Farm (Tommy's first time). 

Tommy thinks he got the better deal. 

We think maybe Kat did. She sent us fun pictures from the Washington Memorial...

Lincoln Memorial...

White House...

Arlington Cemetery, and  paid her respects to the Notorious RBG.

She also spent some time at Mount Vernon...

And had a few laughs with her friends. Happy Spring Break!

Gizmo's Spring Goofiness

Gizmo is still a very silly beast. Here is he is trying to grab the tennis ball that hangs from the ceiling and tells me how far to pull my car in. Except he's trying to grab it THROUGH the windshield. 

He's not a dog genius. In this video you can see him chasing his tail while Tommy plays with his virtual reality headset (which one looks more ridiculous?), fetching, demanding attention, chasing a balloon, and having serious puppy dreams. 

But he is very cute. Good boy, Gizmo! 

Mother's Day

We spent Mother's Day at Dog Beach

It's hard not to be happy there. Especially watching Gizmo stick his whole head in the sand. 

This dog is ridiculous!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Hiking, Camporee, and Scout Rank

Mom joined Kat on a patrol hike...

And Tommy got to attend his first Court of Honor at Troop 568.

He even earned his Scout rank, though he didn't even tell Mom or Dad. Stinker!

Mom loves taking pictures of Kat next to Mr. Justice. He's not short. 

Kat leading the Court of Honor as Senior Patrol Leader. 

Both Tommy and Kat attended Camporee. They goofed around with friends...

Camped, and participated in scout skills contests. And gave Mom and Dad another date night while they were gone!