DC Open - Trinity Rodman, Ben Shelton and More!

 

Dave and I used to go to the DC Open fairly regularly and then when Lacey got older and into tennis, she started asking to go and it has become a highlight of her summer for the past several years.  Last year, Ella started wanting to come too!  Last year, I brought Lacey and Ella to the tournament and this year, Dave brought our tennis-loving "bookend babies" to the tournament.

First sighting.... Jess Pegula currently ranked #3 in the world and #1 in the country.

Lacey watching her fav, Ben Shelton, warming up on the practice courts.

Ella hanging out with Tommy Paul, currently ranked #21 in the world and 5th in the country.

Dave with Mencic, who made it to the Finals of the French Open this year.

Venus Williams

As close as she could get to Ben Shelton!

All smiles with Trinity Rodman!

The tennis ball signing the tennis ball.

Taylor Fritz (currently ranked 4th in the World and 2nd in the Country).  

Time for some table tennis.

Time to see Ben play!

A fun day for these tennis-loving sisters!

Tanner's Grad/Farewell Party

With Tanner graduating High School and leaving on a mission for Argentina all within a couple of months, we decided to combine the two and do a big graduation/farewell party for him this past Saturday.

Getting the backyard company - ready.  

The foyer table covered with HS memories.... 

We handed out Argentina bracelets to all as well as little gift bags of blue/white (cookies and cream)  Hershey kisses to the guests.

In the "dessert room" (Dining Room), I displayed all of his scrap books.

The cake

We had it catered by Qdoba.... Ella is ready to dig in!

And then on the table, we had fruits and veggies and cheese and crackers.

All ready for our friends and family to arrive!

Cousin Becky

Cousin Jacque

Tanner with his HS friend group.  He's been so lucky to have such a great group of friends.

The La Posta crew.... Nick, Tanner and Jack.

Tanner's Bishop and youth group leader.... Doug Vanderwerken.

Tanner's beloved piano teacher, Teresa Avery

Tanner's girlfriend, Isabella

Tanner with Owen, one of his besties since Kindergarten and fellow Eagle Scout

The next day (Sunday) was Tanner's "farewell" at church where Dave, I and Tanner all spoke.

https://www.youtube.com/live/QK7zgG3E4s4?si=9CflnIPj4jtnP4rB

Here is the live link to watch our talks. I start speaking at 11:30, Dave starts speaking at 18:30 and Tanner starts speaking at 28:30.

It was a memorable day!

Happy 83rd Birthday, Grandpa!

Dave's dad's birthday was actually a few weeks ago, on June 28th.  We wanted to take him out to dinner for his birthday (he chose Outback) but it took awhile for all of our schedules to align.  We finally made it happen this past Friday night.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Make a wish!

This last year has been a tough one, with two surgeries and three hospital visits (including the two surgeries).  But we're so grateful for every birthday we get to celebrate with you, Grandpa!

 

More Lasts.....

 

Tanner has attended his church youth group nearly every Tuesday night since he was 12 years old.  And he went to his final activity this past Tuesday.

He also has worked at La Posta for almost two years.  Here he is off to his final shift on Friday night.

The Sweetest Place on Earth

 

Disney may be the happiest place on earth, but Hershey Park is the sweetest place on earth!  And, since it's just two hours North of us, it has become our family tradition for us to pick a day and all go together.  We've done this every summer for as long as I can remember!

Our first ride this year.... Wildcat's revenge!

Then we headed to Fahrenheit, Howler, Jolly Rancher Remix and then Trailblazer.

After lunch, Tanner and Dave headed to the Zoo (Hershey is the only amusement park that I know of that has a zoo attached!) while the girls and I headed to Hershey's Tower.

And got some fresh chocolate milk because.... Hershey!

Cheers!

After Wild Mouse, Music Express, Lightning Racer (twice) and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, we took a little break to enjoy acai bowls froom Oola Bowls.

Obligatory family pic in front of the Hershey statue.

We finished the day with Candymonium

And Comet

😂😂😂🎢

Ella and I rocking the front row. 🎢

Then before, we left the park, we gave Ella $5 to play the basketball game....

And she won!

Watching my family leave the park.... and realizing that with all these upcoming family changes, this may very well be the very last time the six of this park together.  So grateful for all the memories and fun we've had together at this park.  We love tradition!

The heights for ride are all based on candy.  When we first started coming here, Ella was a baby, and now she's a Jolly Rancher (the tallest one)!

Just for fun, here are a few pics of when she first started coming here.

Here they were in 2013:

Tanner (barely 5 years old), cousin Eli (4), Lacey (6), Riley (3)

Where it all started... so many years of memories ever since!

Lacey (6), Riley (3), cousin Eli (4), Tanner (5), cousin Jace (6)

Ella (baby) - home with Nana and Grandpa

But now that baby comes with us and rides all the coasters and falls asleep on the way home...

But this time when we got home was unlike all the other times.  This time, Tanner had a package waiting for him - with his mission tags!  It also contained other mission prep stuff, documents, etc.  It's getting real!