Early November

Kira, Tyler and Scott went to the temple with the youth group.  Scott has been experimenting with the 5d mkiv.  

The kids got tons of halloween candy.  They organized it and packaged it into baggies.  I'm on the couch after leaving work early due to a strained back.  I'm reading How to Win Friends and Influence People out loud to everyone.

Tyler has a cooking class at DVC.  The objective is to follow a recipe and take pictures of the food.  He usually requires a lot of prodding to complete it.  

Kira, on the other hand, enjoys working in the kitchen.  Here we're making twice baked potatoes.  They usually take longer than expected.  Hopefully we learn from this

Hanna's into these funny poses like her older siblings do

Signing day at Northgate was a big deal.  Six kids signed with colleges and there were individual booths for them.  I cut out early for lunch and made it just in time to hear the athletic director announcing Scott's BYU commitment.

Me, Scott, Mason Wendler and his dad, Josh

With moms.  Heidi, Scott, Mason and Tess

Mason swam for the Terrapins and with Scott was part of the 4x50 free relay which broke the record and took 1st in the state.  

Tuff guy Tyler

With his trainer, Jack

I think this family photo ought to go in the BYU living magazine but whatevs

Lots of support at signing day from the Woodlands swim team

For my birthday we went to Monterey sans kids.  First we hit Granite Expo to finalize our kitchen remodel plans.  I didn't care that much whether we chose cream or white cabinets but in the end we chose cream.  There was hecka traffic going down so we stopped in Capitola for din din at Chilis.  We each got two entrees and took one to go.  

We did the 17 mile bike ride again but instead of doing the back half we turned around.  We ate our Chilis sandwiches at Lovers Point and then drove to the butterfly sanctuary.  I was fascinated that the butterflies return to the same tree each season, when the original butterflies who began the migration died along the path.  

 

It was a good birthday.  Okay, bye.  

Late October

The Watts came over for pumpkin carving and sweet potato/carrot soup.  They have been doing it for five years.

Baldauf, Aviu, Sultan

Homie coming in front of the Supra

Homie coming in IS300's engine bay

Trunk or treat at the Northgate chapel.  Kira did four rounds

 

Mid october recap

Last Sunday was stake conference at the Oakland interstake center.  Scott gave a talk.  He did a good job.  It was about his friends going to college and asking how could he dedicate two years to a cause, especially without his phone?  It was his faith.  

Outside the kids took turns operating the Canon 5d mkiv.  

Rusty and Lynn used to watch the kids.  Now Rusty's getting ready to retire from his government job and they're moving out of CA.  

Brady, Kyle, and Scott at Campolindo

 100 fly, 52:26

Sept and Oct 2023

Hanna being cute before church

Had over some friends from the ward for game night

Tyler is taking a cooking class at DVC.  This is "Frozen pepperoni pizza heated in the oven."

Tyler on his birthday with candy from Kira

Hanna had another birthday party with kids from school

Yesterday was the Walnut Creek Masters swim meet.  Heidi did seven events on Friday and Saturday.  I just did the 100 meter short course and it wiped me out.  I went a best time, though, 1:14.75!  The first heat is the fastest.  The last is the slowest.  Someone on the team asked what heat I was in.  I said, "Fifteen!"

Everyone laughed.  Then they realized that it was bad etiquette to laugh but I didn't care.  

Christian, from Diamond Hills, did pretty well in the 1st heat.  

Heidi got lots of 1st place finishes for her age group

Lots of people understand I have six kids but they don't believe it until they see it.  Then, suddenly, "Wow, you have so many kids!"  Nice to get a picture with all of them smiling.  It was a hot 97 degree October day.

Alison is a world record older in the 1500 freestyle.

The starter kindly told me to get off the blocks, something about three short whistles and one long whistle.   

Okay, bye.  

 

County 2023

Yesterday was the end-of-the-season county meet, the big meet the kids prepare for all season.  There are thresholds to qualify.  Kira and Hanna qualified for individuals and relays.  Parker qualified for relays only.  

Kira ran a 26.65 50 free for a 13th place finish.  She did a 26.98 free split in the medley relay for a final time of 2:04.95 and 13th place finish.

Hanna was so cute.  She went right into the clerk of the course with no fear at all.  I watched the chaos as the leaders were trying to figure out which age, team, position were the relays.  Some of the parents were panicked.  Thank goodness for my earplugs.  

Hanna did 25 breast in a personal best time of 30.99 for a 30th place finish.  She did breast in her 100 medley relay for a 1:40.73 and 8th place finish.  

 The whole family was there.  Heidi and Scott were coaching, Tyler, Blake and Parker were observing.  I was pleased that they ate my sandwiches and treats.  I did get two snow cones though.