Bowling league

Tyler and Dave have become quite avid bowlers, and now they've joined their first league. You may remember a couple summers ago when Tyler was taking bowling as his PE class for high school. He did that after his sophomore and junior years to satisfy his PE credit, but he ended up getting to be pretty good! He and Dave would go play quite a bit for something to do together, and now they've joined a league. Dave has a softball buddy who plays league, so he had invited them to join the team with him and his wife. They bowl one day a week, and at the end of league, they get their own ball. It was worth the cost of league just to get the ball at the end. They are also signing up for another season of league which will last a little longer. Hopefully they keep having fun with this and enjoy the father son time together. Tyler doesn't have many hobbies outside of the work he does with his live streams and his VRML projects, so it's great that this is something they can do outside of the house and away from the computer. They both have their own shoes, bag and a couple bowling balls each. Apparently they have different purposes, which is why they have two. Who knew! Have fun out there guys! Good luck, knock down all the pins and stuff. 

Time for WinFo

Ava is getting into all the fun things high school, including school dances. The tradition for Winter Formal (aka WinFo) is that the girls ask the boys, and like I probably mentioned in the post about Homecoming, they always have to ask their date in some creative way. Ava isn't dating, but she is planning to go with Lexi and her boyfriend, so she was asking one of his friends. Lexi's boyfriend lives in our neighborhood (they went to the Academy together) and goes to Mesa High, so that's the dance the girls are going to. Ava made this cute sign that says "I donut want to go to WinFo without you," and the plan was to bring it to him with a box of doughnuts. There was quite a bit of miscommunication with this whole "asking their dates" plan. At first they were going to ask both boys on the same day but Thaddeus wasn't going to be home until much later that night, and they didn't want to ask Ava's date before asking him (she didn't really know him very well). Ended up asking Ava's date the next night, but he too wasn't home and she ended up leaving it at his front door. Oh, and I should point out that the dance was on Saturday, and Ava asked her date on Wednesday. 

The theme of waiting until the last minute would continue, as Ava didn't decide on a dress to wear until around 5 pm on the day of the dance. She had a couple different options that she borrowed from Lexi, and when I went out to get the boutonnieres for the boys, I said "you need to decide by the time I get back." And even then, she still hadn't decided! Keep in mind that this poor boy was waiting for her to decide so he could coordinate his tie. Luckily, he had options for either dress she chose. Needless to say we didn't get to the meeting point at the original time they planned, but it worked out and they had plenty of time for the photos. It didn't really matter what dress she wore, because she is stunning! I snapped this picture as she was getting out of the car and kind of glaring at me, but I think she looks absolutely gorgeous. I truly can't believe my baby girl is so grown up. 

I took pictures for them at the 4 Silos in Gilbert, and we had a really pretty sunset. I don't know much about this boy she went with (and I've actually forgotten his name now that I'm writing this 6 months later...sorry kid...Evan?) I do know he was polite enough and was patient with the many retakes of photos when the girls didn't think they looked good. 

I don't know what's happening here. I just do what I'm told.....

These pictures made me laugh. One of my favorite pics of the girls from HoCo is when they're standing in this pose, and of course the boys had to do the same one. Sorry boys, the girls look cuter. 

This one makes me laugh too. She's making such a typical teenaged "wtf mom" face at me when I tried to take a selfie with them. 

I am glad Ava got to go to another dance with her best friend instead of worrying about going with a certain date. Yes, she had a date, but it was more about going with her friend. I also think it was brave of them to go to a dance at a different high school when they didn't know many people. Although, I think they do have several friends who ended up at Mesa High, including Ava's friend Jodi. I didn't hear much about it, but I think they had a good time. High school dances are definitely a place I made a lot of memories with my friends, so hopefully they are for her as well. You looked so beautiful Ava! 

Ok, one more funny one. "Here mom, be our tripod so we can make a TikTok." Excuse me, what? Why don't I just film it for you? Nope. "Put you hand like this and don't move." Like I said, I just do what I'm told. 

 

Vintage ball

My mom went to one of Dave's vintage baseball games and got these great photos. He really enjoys playing on this team with his friends, and it shows in this photo. He's definitely having fun!

The suspenders are part of their uniform, but he never wears them. 

Knock it out of the park, Stix! I'm glad you're having fun playing with the Mesa Miners, Dave. I hope your team keeps up the fun next season!

A night at the ball game

Both of our kids together at a high school sporting event? It happened this time, but it might be one of only a few. Ava was playing in a JV basketball game while Tyler was setting up the live stream for the varsity game later that night. Ava doesn't always get to play, as she's new to the sport, but they seem to try to get her in for at least a few minutes during each game. 

It's fun to watch Tyler work. He's in charge of the entire operation for RMTV, and for this game, they were setting up multiple cameras, the switchboard thing (I forget what it's called) that changes the camera view on the stream, and he is also leading his team. He has a very specialized base of knowledge, and really knows what he's doing around here. I can't imagine what they're going to do without him next year! I'm sure he'll be greatly missed. 

Even though Ava doesn't get to play much, and is still learning this sport, we're proud of her for being out there. It can't be easy going in and playing a few minutes when she hasn't played long or when the pressure is on from her teammates to score her first points. Plus, her back is really bothering her lately and it makes running hard. Just being out there is a win in my book! 

Another semester begins

I think this is the start of my 34th semester at MCC. 34 Welcome Week tables, 34 Club Carnivals, 34 end of the semester parties. How many more will I have during my time as a Thunderbird? Although as the saying goes, "once a Thunderbird, always a Thunderbird". I have no intention of leaving any time soon, but the retirement clock is ticking and there are single digit years until it's technically possible. 

For now, however, I'm happy to sit at this table and welcome all of our T-Birds to Red Mountain for the spring 2024 semester.  There is still plenty of fun to be had around here, and I'll be happy to do it for several more years until the time is right to do something else. First though, I need to get my kids through college so they can take advantage of one of my best benefits--free tuition!

I have met hundreds of students over the years, and was pleasantly surprised to see two return from several years ago. Dillon on the left was a student on and off for several of my years here (2012 through about 2018), and then disappeared sometime before the pandemic. He showed up this year and I was so happy to see him. Right around the same time that Dillon showed up, David did as well. He was one of my student workers back in about 2015 or 16. Always fun to see familiar faces from semesters past! Here's hoping it's a great spring at MCC!

Welcome baby Miles!

Kristina had her baby boy on January 4, and he's a big, healthy boy! Congrats to the McGinnis family, and welcome to the world baby Miles! Doesn't Eleanor look so excited! She's in for a bit of a change after being an only child all this time, but I'm sure she'll be a good big sister.

Mom and I made a drive up to Scottsdale to meet baby Miles and see the family. He's absolutely precious! 

Great auntie Jeanie with baby Miles....he definitely looks like Eleanor did when she was born.

This is a very lucky baby boy to be born into this loving family. He will have lots of cousins to play with (in Texas) and parents, a sister, and lots of family and friends around the country to love on him. I'm very glad they live here in AZ, and hope we can see them often! Enjoy these special times, Kristina! It goes so fast....

Sunsets and friends

Ava had some friends over this afternoon, and I got called outside to take photos for them with this spectacular sunset. I'm so glad Ava has made some good friends during her first year of high school. Although, two of these girls were friends she met in middle school (Savannah on the left, and of course Lexi). It's so important to have good friends during these tough years. 

Beautiful set and beautiful girls. 

 

Flying into 2024

I started out 2024 like I tend to every year--flying into the new year with my friends. It was a chilly day, but we can't pass on a chance to start the year off right! Here's hoping that 2024 will be filled with plenty of new trapeze fun with my trapeze family, travels, new tricks and accomplishments, and everyone staying safe and healthy. We're all getting older and want to keep flying, so let's take care of these bodies so we can keep it up! Fingers crossed for healthy shoulders!