Monster veggies

We planted our usual tomatoes, cucumbers,

peppers and jalapeños

but we decided to try broccoli, Brussel sprouts

and carrots too.

LOOK!

Maybe we planted a few too many carrots!

Hard work pays off

I'm a couple more weeks into swim season

and I've been setting PRs every race

I've been busting my butt at practice

and I've been shaving full seconds off my races

and passing people right and left

I'm down over 3 seconds this week in the 100 free

and then dropped another 0.6 seconds the next week

for a new PR of 1:06.90.

I swam 100 back for the first time

and landed 8th place overall

(2nd in heat 1 of 3)

Mom was THRILLED I swam the 200 free

(that was her race) 

even if I was voluntold into the event

We'll see how much time I can drop in that one.

I have to admit--

between my new friend group,

the weekly pasta parties

and slowly improving times,

swim team is really growing on me

 

We scream (or sing) for ice cream

Tonight was the LSN Ice Cream Social

and my Tenor-Bass Choir was up for the show

Singing my heart out

The crowd is so impressed

It was an incredibly short show--

good thing there were ice cream and brownies

(although Mema and Pappo would have come anyway).

We missed Grandma Phyllis!

She came to support me and we didn't even know

she was there!

Thanks everyone, for coming out to support me!

 

Celebrating the Dads' birthdays

Fall means Dad's and Uncle Kurt's birthdays.

It also means FISH FRY to celebrate!

I mean cousins,

playtime

and fried food?

Come on!

There's, of course, also dessert.

Which can only be made better by shenanigans 

Like trying to blow out the candles

but then another boy gets in the sneak attack

Happy birthday, Dads!

 

Who's that handsome man?

I was a little relieved that everyone else 

headed to Oktoberfest

while I got ready for the Homecoming Dance...

until I remembered that I don't know how to 

tie a tie.

YouTube to the rescue!

I think it turned out ok.

Mom can't get over this picture.

Insert eye roll.

I went with my friend Matthew

so we wouldn't have to walk in alone.

Just a couple of studs,

looking for chicks!

(That's what Mom captioned this picture)

This is what they found

when they got home

Apparently a night filled with dancing

and socializing really takes it out of me.

The BCsBC

Say hello to our Robotics Team--

the BCsBC

That would be Colby, Cade, Bennett and Beckett

(ok, so we are out of order in the picture)--

the B and Cs Bot Club.

Get it?

We had our first meeting today

and got our hands on our robotics kit

Now, 

bring on the challenge!

I love a parade...and it's been a while!

Today was the Lee's Summit North

Homecoming parade.

We were a little slow to commit

(as we often are)

but Mom insisted...so here we are.

It was a quick parade, 

only lasting about 20 minutes

We even knew someone in the parade!

Jack proudly walked with Stuco

The parade may have been short,

but DEFINITELY sweet!

Go Broncos!

Channeling our artistic side one more time

Mom's office got a makeover last week

so we set to work making her some new artwork

We've been doing it for years:

The one on the right is from 2016

and the one on the left is 2018

And now, 2022:

A totem guy by Tuck,

a viper by Beck,

a red panda by Wes

and a minimalist totem guy by me.

Pretty cool, huh?

FNL: Broncos versus Tigers...and a whole lot more!

There's a lot happening tonight.

I have been INSISTENT about having a sleepover,

and Mom and Dad finally gave in.

But it isn't fair for ME to have a sleepover

without EVERYONE having a sleepover.

So that's happening tonight!

But wait--

Mom heard the LSHS vs the LSN game is tonight.

As new Bronco booster club members,

they thought that sounded like a great way

to entertain 7 kids

(Jack is too cool for a sleepover).

So here we are,

with our "private" seats on the hill!

Despite it being a really good game

(the first half was tight),

the minions weren't quite entertained

and made their own fun and games

But when the Broncos walked by at half-time,

that got everyone's attention.

It was a great game

(Broncos ended up smashing the Tigers)

and an even better sleepover

(capture the flag, ice cream on the deck, a movie,

video games and a ridiculous bedtime).

This should tide me over...for now...

Scary and awesome

I've played flag football for several years now

and my team finally got pretty good!

But they all decided to move to tackle on the middle school team.

Guess I'm in!

This is a little hard for Mom--

football is her FAVORITE sport to cheer for and watch

but it's a bit terrifying watching ME do it.

I knew I wanted to play defense--

I wanted to do the tackling,

not be tackled.

I'm the starter safety

for the C team

(most of the 7th graders are on C)

Can you see me?

Number 22--

always with my hands on my hips

Tackling is hard to get used to.

I'm good at pulling flags

but this is a different ballgame!

We lost our first 2 games (handedly)

but at least I got to see my long-lost 2nd cousin Cal!

Can you believe he's a 7th grader too?

Sheesh.

ETMS Bison:

The Boys of Fall

 

How 'bout those forts?

It was a lovely Sunday afternoon,

perfect for venturing out to Powell Gardens

for some sunshine and fresh air.

They have a new fort exhibit going on.

We saw the first one years ago

and thought we should check it out again.

They made for some cool pictures:

(it's a bunch of mirrors)

It only took about 10 shots to get some of us

jumping at the same time

A new pirate ship!

(it was our favorite last time)

Can you see the alligator snapping turtle?

They were everywhere!

Everyone still likes to climb

especially Weston

It didn't take us long to explore all the forts.

We decided (ok, Mom and Dad decided)

we should walk through the rest of the park.

Jack and I (Beck) got really into taking pictures.

Mine:

Jack's:

There were hummingbirds everywhere.

Dad was hoping if he held still long enough

one would come check out his honeysuckle 

No luck.

How about this? 

Now:

and 2015

We have a lot of memories of these chairs too!

There's been a lot of good days at Powell Gardens!