First Practice

You can Dylan's face in the back row slightly right of center. 6am start time for practice all week. Go Mothers!

Empty Nest

Dylan is with his four suite mates now and doing his rugby thing. There dorm is two rooms that share a bathroom. Andrew, to the left of Dylan is his roommate, the other two are rugby players as well and share the soon to be really disgusting bathroom between the rooms. It's possible that one of them will keep it clean but it probably won't be Dylan.

It was a smooth drop off and included Ben, a rugby player from Scotland who stayed with us for a couple nights before all of us drove down to Fredericksburg. It was tough leaving him there but he hugged us and hustled off to meet some friends he met this summer that had arrived Sunday as well.

First Scrimmage

It was drake defense against drake offense today. Sam got some playing time but wasn't thrilled with his performance. Hang in there tiger.

Greenwood Lounge

I spent a little time catching some live music at a really small and smelly dive bar a few blocks from our air bnb in Des Moines. The Monday night band was really good and this one was pretty good. Based on some lyrics this guy sang about something you would only know if you spent some time in Baltimore in his last song I had to talk with him. Turns out he went to school at Catholic University and lived in Baltimore for a while. He was pretty good but needs a better bass player. Also talked with the bartender who knew cousin Timmy.

Sculpture Garden

Trying to interact with the art in Des Moines.

Delivery Complete

We saw Sam for a short time this morning to wish him luck. His physical yesterday was fine except they wanted a orthopedic surgeon to look at his ankles today. One was loose and one kinda stiff. He was eventually cleared to practice this afternoon but they are watching the loose one closely. The boys haven't been apart more than 8 days in the last 18 years. They probably won't see each other again until November or December.

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.

Game One

Dylan had a try and was 3 for 3 on his two point conversions (kicks) in the Warriors first round win over Loudon county today. They have the semi final game and hopefully the final tomorrow. This tackle on his repaired knee didn't cause any issues but it looks dangerous. He's also been playing a forward position #7 lately and is involved in the scrums. That's why his ears are taped. (The headband he's wearing is actually tape that is keeping is upper earlobes against his head so they don't get ripped off in the scrums). It's a rough game.

K to 12

These kids all went to Clermont all those years ago and graduated from Edison yesterday. Except the young lady in purple. She graduated from a private school nearby but mostly went to school with the rest of them.

The grads and mom

They are all looking happy they are all done with high school.

Spectators

Sam being on Student Government gave us VIP seating where we watched the graduation ceremony with Mike and Carrie. We have a whole bunch of selfies like this at various locations.

Graduation

Before the grad party.

District Meet

Sam placed second in shot and third in discus in the National District track meet. That's good enough for entry into Regionals in both events. His six week career in track continues. Edison also won the meet as a team too. Go Eagles.

Next Level

These kids are all going to play a sport in college next year. The Edison athletic department brought them all together to sign some papers and get some celebratory photos. Not seen are some of the kids teammates behind the camera. All wearing masks of course. The sports include Football, Rugby, Track, Lacrosse, Soccer, Volleyball and Softball. Nice work Edison Grads.

Signing Fun

Nicole had to do some quick changes for these shots.

Signing Fun

I missed this event unfortunately but the pictures were good.

Sam Signing

Sam at the Edison group signing ceremony

Dylan Signing

Dylan at the Edison group signing ceremony.

Prom Pictures

Dylan's prom group.

Prom Pictures

Sam and Lexi on the Mall.

Prom

Prom in the books.

So Long High School

Last official day at Edison today. They both went into school a day this week to say goodbye to some teachers and the handful of students that have actually been attending in person. Graduation is next week and sports continue but the learning picks up again in August at university. Nice work boys.

Coming Out

Once he sheds his 17 year old skin, he can start making noise with his new wings.

Bond, James Bond

Dylan is off to a prom party with his South County High School friend tonight. He was looking dapper in the white jacket, looking ready for roulette in Monti Carlo. Edison prom is next week and Sam is definitely going while Dylan is not sure two proms is the right move.

Senior Day

It was track senior day. Much more elaborate than basketball and football senior nights.

Another Personal Record

Sam threw the discus 121 and 10 inches at the meet today. Earning him second place in the multi-school event. He beat his last meet distance by over 10 feet and he took up the sport 4 weeks ago. Not bad. At this pace he is state tournament bound. He also threw the shot about 38 feet which was two better than his last meet, which earned him third place.

Happy Birthday

Nicole's running friends decorated the driveway sometime before 6am on Friday. This is turning into a yearly event. The also placed streamers, balloons and gifts in various locations in the yard and on the deck. We went out last night with the Lorenger's and today it was all about a track meet for Sam and a rugby game for Dylan. They both performed well.

2-0

The Warriors took care of Richmond 55-0 on Saturday. Dylan was 1 for 2 in kicking conversions. He looked strong in the field as well.

Rhapsody in Pink

Part of running is finding bushes that match your shoes.

Spring Mornings

On the Potomac.

Seniors

A post walk shot with one of our Edison Senior signs. Last month of high school.