Early Move

Out of the Air BnB at 6:15am for a coffee stop and move in at 7am. It's Des Moines and everything is 10 minutes away so we were early. Sammy I'd officially moved in and in team meeting after meeting. It was exhausting day for everyone.

Gentleman, start your engines

Pre-race selfie. Those electric go karts were quick which explains the helmets.

Iowa

Sam looking down on his new home away from home as we landed in Des Moines yesterday.

The Day Arrived

Barely a blip on the radar 18 years ago but here we are in Chicago waiting for the final leg into Des Moines and the first kid living somewhere other than Sharon Chapel Road. It's an emotional day with a few more to come.

River and Reef

Nicole's friends and their kids met up at the old town farmers market this morning because they wanted to see Sam before he left town. Reef is pictured, River was being shy.

Cousins

The big chair at Maddens Resort.

Lake Hair

Less sunny today but better fish. Nicole and Karen caught some sizable bass.

First Fish

Not many today and nothing very big. They were all sleeping in I suppose.

Kavanaugh

Another summer trip up north to the lake. We were delayed at Dulles for 6 hours but managed to survive in a United lounge with some airport walks to stay sane. We finally did arrive in Baxter around 10pm and has some supplies in the cabin courtesy of Rachel. Tough travel day but we had a nice relaxing day of sun and beach with dinner on Gull Lake coming up in a bit.

Academy Team

Dylan is in the top row to the right. They fought hard but lost there first game to the New England Junior Jacks. Dylan played well and had fun playing in a big stadium. They play the Junior Jacks again in Boston next Sunday.

Jimmy Wild

Another benefit of the DC United game yesterday was seeing Jimmy Wild. Coach Wild has been at Edison HS for 30 plus years teaching PE, coaching and being the assistant Athletic Director. He also does a lot of work on the Edison athletic fields. He's one of my favorite teachers at school and the boys love him. Halftime at the match we recognized him from our nose bleed seats directing some halftime watering and found him after the game for a quick picture.

DC United

It was a beautiful day to watch United smack down Toronto 7-1 at Audi Field. It was our first visit to this relatively new stadium in DC. We got tickets late and were pretty high up but there doesn't seem to be a bad seat in the house. You can also see the Capitol just over Dylan's head from this section.

Nats Game

Went to my first Nationals game in many years as guests of Lexi's parents. Fun game that ended after the dodgers hit a grand slam to take a 4 run lead in the 5th, then the sky opening up with torrential rain and a tornado spotted a couple miles away. We headed home after the heavy stuff ended.

Instastar

Old Glory Academy used a photo of Dylan to promote the upcoming games against the New England Junior Jack's. That's the Academy team of the Free Jacks. One game is in Virginia and one in Boston. I anticipate another long bus ride for the boy in July. 7 hours to Boston, an overnight stay and a 7 hour trip back has to be better than the 17 hour ride to Kansas City.

Last Visit

The boys are moving on from their 15 year relationship with Precious Smiles and to an adult based practice. They were shorter than their hygienist when they arrived for their first visit all those years ago.

Slippery

The ball and they boys were hard to get ahold of in those games. 100 degrees and 70 degree dew points meant dropped balls and tackles that go right thru your hands. Dylan played well all weekend.

Fort Hunt Warriors

The outcome wasn't perfect but they grew as a team. The boys were overcame a bunch of obstacles including cancelled flights and a 17 hour bus trip to even get to Kansas City but arrive they did and played hard for three games in 100 degree heat. They didn't get any wins but they had a great time together and were actually able to fly home. They aren't national champions but will take great memories to their next chapters.

Woeful Warriors

The Fort Hunt Warriors played one of their worst games of the season last night and lost to Texas in the quarterfinals of the National Tournament. Dylan started at 5 on a quick hot and humid night. He played well at a position he had not played before. The coach used our depth to swap in 7 new players at half to keep the legs fresh but dozens of unforced errors cost us the night. Not sure if it was the cancelled flight and 5 hours at the airport, the 17 hour bus ride from Virginia or just lack of focus but we are out of the title chase. Games today and tomorrow to determine where we sit in the field of eight then back home on Sunday.

State Bound

Sammy took second at the Occoquan Region tournament in discus and will be heading to the state tournament next weekend. He threw the disc 129 feet 10 inches, beating his previous long throw in competition by over 9 feet. Not bad for someone who started throwing about 8 weeks ago.

State Champs

Good weekend of rugby with Fort Hunt winning the state championship. Dylan got some good playing time on a hot and sticky couple days of hard hitting rugby. We have a weekend off then it's off to Kansas City for the National tournament.