Happy 20th Tyler!

Today is Tyler's twentieth birthday. Our first born, our baby boy, the one who made us parents is no longer a teenager. I wrote a post on Instagram celebrating the occasion and I said that everyone tells you how quickly it's all going to go, but it's one of the truest things that can be said about parenting. I'm sure I say it on every birthday post I write about my kids, but there's something about Tyler entering his 20s that makes it really hit hard. We've been fortunate that Tyler is still living at home and we get to see him everyday, so we're grateful for the extra time. I know there will come a day when he is ready to move out or move on to another opportunity, but we're glad he's in no rush. 

It's hard to even know where to begin when it comes to talking about all the things that make Tyler so awesome. You all know, everyone who knows anything about Tyler knows he is incredibly talented. When he was little, he could tell you everything you needed to know about the Saturn V rocket or the solar system. As he moved into his pre-teen and teen years, he developed a love for technology and an aptitude for learning it all on his own. He shot stop motion Lego movies, and then taught himself special effects by creating a 2 second light saber video in the 4 hours that the Super Bowl. All of that led to an interest in making movies, which culminated in an 18 minute short film that he shot over the course of a couple years in two states, a dozen locations and with a variety of family and friends as his actors. As a reminder, that was during middle school! When he hit high school, he got into VR e-sports and then joined RMTV (and through his work with VRML), where he found his passion for event production. That brings us to now, where Tyler owns his own business, has taught himself carpentry to finish his trailer, and is heading into his first football season where they will have games on cable tv every week. He's had a pretty successful launch into adulthood! What a guy. 

For his birthday dinner, we all went out to a restaurant in Scottsdale, so we took the chance afterwards to get some photos in a little garden. For so many years, we were in North Dakota for Tyler's birthday, and maybe we'll do that again one of these years. I definitely miss those summer trips around the 4th of July. It's definitely been too long. I'll always associate Tyler's birthday with those wonderful summer memories on my farm and at the lake. I hope Tyler does too. 

I always love getting new photos with my kids! Before we knew it, they went and grew up on us, but they've grown into such wonderful people. 

These two couldn't be more different from one another, but luckily they get along well and seem to enjoy each other in the limited time they spend together. I hope they continue to get closer as they grow into adults. 

Ya, I think we did good with those two. We don't look like the parents of a 20 year old, do we? The right answer is no. 

Since we didn't get a photo of Dave and the kids on Father's Day, we'll pretend like we took this one for the occasion. Dave has been such a support to Tyler all these years with his many projects and ventures. Most of what Tyler knows, he learned from You Tube, but Dave definitely contributed to his knowledge base. Happy 20th birthday to our amazing son. We literally could not be more proud of you and the young man you have become. You are talented, humble, hard working and creative. You go after what you want and you aren't scared to put in the hours and take risks. This business you've started is so impressive, and it'll be fun to see where it goes! Here's to a great decade! Have a blast in your 20s kid. We love you. 

A nook to a work space to a closet

Weird title to a post, I know. If you've been our house, you know this little space I'm talking about. When we first moved in, we used this little space as a plant shelf, even going as far as to add lights that would help the plants in our relatively dark house. When the kids were little, it also served as a toy storage space. There were a few Christmases that it also held our stockings and my snow baby collection.  How cute is little 2 year old Ava?!

Once Tyler started to start spending more time on a computer, we decided to turn this space into his area. Knowing that all the "experts" said that kids shouldn't have a computer in their bedroom, we decided we wanted it out in our living space. Little did we know at the time how big of a part of Tyler's life computers would become. When he started, he used this space to learn how to do special effects and graphics, as well as editing his movies. Once VR came into his life, he played VR in the living room connected to his computer, and started his work for VRML. Many hundreds (thousands?) of hours of You Tube were watched here to learn all the things he's learned. That work led him to what he's doing now, live event production. I think it was only Feb 2023 that we let him move his computer into his room. It's kind of crazy that he did all of this work out in the living room for so long. It was once he started needing more privacy for meetings with his VRML team that we realized it was time to move. Dave swapped his office with Tyler's bedroom, and then he turned his closet into his work space. So, I guess you can say that this little nook was a big part of Tyler's journey to what has turned into a career. 

Since Tyler moved out of this space, it's just been sitting there unused. It would collect random stuff, but served no purpose. Recently Tyler has started piling some of his equipment into the space, mostly the more expensive stuff that he doesn't want to leave in the trailer. When talking about what he was going to do with all of this gear, I suggested enclosing this space and turning it into his storage closet. Sure, we could have brought in a contractor to make it a proper enclosed closet, but we decided to keep it simple. Dave ordered some closet doors, kind of a barn door style, and here we are! They're not the best quality, and probably aren't a great long term solution. For now though, they serve the purpose. Tyler's gear is safe in the house, and it's out of view. Our house is low on closet space in general, so this is a efficient use of the little bit of storage space we have. We only have the 4 bedroom closets--no linen or coat closet. It's always been one of the things I didn't like about this house. I'm glad we found a solution that helps Tyler out and gives the house more storage long term. 

Happy Father's Day

Well, since we didn't take a new picture of Dave with his kids on Father's Day, let's take a little trip down memory lane with some pictures of them from earlier days. I don't have very many of Dave with the kids from recent years, unfortunately, so most of these are pretty old. I'll try to be better about getting some updated shots of these three. 

What to say about Dave...well, if there's one word, I'd say steady. He has been a steady presence in Tyler and Ava's lives. They know they can always rely on him to be there whenever they need him, whether it's for advice, help with projects, or taking care of those responsibilities you always call your dad for. 

He is always teaching, and supporting their dreams. I think part of the reason Tyler grew to be the person he is, is because of how his dad always was with him. Tyler had so many ideas for projects as a kid, and Dave was there for each one of them--to help, but also to let him figure it out on his own. No idea was too crazy, and Tyler had some crazy ideas! 

With Tyler on the verge of turning 20, it's almost hard to remember these days when they were so little. Dave was there for all of it, and we are all so grateful for his consistency. His family is his world, and that will never change. 

In the past few years, our family life has looked a bit different, but Dave has been the steady presence in the kids' lives. As complicated and hard as it's been for everyone, I am grateful that my kids have this man as their dad. Life takes some crazy twists and turns, but when you have people in your life like Dave, it makes it just a bit easier. Thank you for being such an amazing father to our kids, and for all you do for our family. 

We love you Dave! Happy Father's Day. 

Happy Father's Day to our own dads too. Dave is Dave because of Ed, and he also continues to be a huge supporter of our family. As for my dad, I sometimes forget that he's gone. It's been 4 years since he passed, and I miss him so much. I wish he could have known our amazing kids as adults. It's sad to think of how much he's missed. I was lucky to have him for my dad. 

Cousins-then and now

Well, it's Father's Day and I'm just now realizing that we didn't get a picture of Dave with his kids today. That was a fail! What wasn't a fail though, was this great recreation of a photo of Ava and Lacy with Josh. The first photo was taken in 2017, so these two photos are 9 years apart. The Dairmans sent out a last minute invite to a Father's Day pool party, so that was a nice way to spend a hot Sunday. 

Baseball game for the boys

Dave took Tyler, Braden and Josh to the Diamondbacks game tonight. Braden is a huge Twins fan, and they totally trounced the D-backs, so he was happy. Dave's been to quite a few games this season

Dave bought himself a new jersey for one of his (and his mom's) favorite players. He's been wearing his Goldschmidt jersey for several years, despite Goldie getting traded in 2018. It was definitely time for a new one. 

A new trapeze guest

You would think that June and July would not be the months to come coach trapeze in Arizona, but we have so many guests coming this summer! I guess we're pretty popular if they don't mind being out here when it's 110 degrees. We made a new trapeze friend this week. His name is Jason, and he's been traveling with a variety of acts around the world for several years. He was the catcher on the contract Ali did last summer (and on the one she was supposed to do if she hadn't broken her ankle). He's as good of a flyer as he is a catcher, and has some records for being the only person to be the catcher and flyer on a few big tricks. Here we are after our first night with Jason. We've had some great sunsets lately! 

Night two was great as well. Our group has been a bit small lately, with people traveling and doing other things this summer. Those of us who were there were happy to have some great catching both nights with Jason. 

I am pretty excited about this video (which got close to 3000 views on my insta). These are two shoots I did back to back with Jason, and the only thing that changes is the sky! This trick isn't always my most consistent, but you'd never know it from watching these two videos side by side. I love this video! 

These sunset silhouette shots are really really showing off lately! I might have to get this one printed.

Flying has felt really good lately. I've been struggling with an aggravated rotator cuff for the last few months, but with the help of my new PT trapeze friend, it's been getting better. I've done some dry needling at her PT office, conditioning exercises with a band, and modified my workouts to reduce stress on my shoulder. All of that seems to be helping, so I'm feeling good and I'm feeling strong. It's a great way to feel at 47 years old! 

 

My first circus offer

This is a post I never thought I'd be writing! I was offered a contract as a catcher in a professional trapeze act today. Yep, you read that right. I got a message from the leader of a trapeze troupe that said "are you interested in catching an all female act at Circus Circus in Vegas?" I knew something might be coming because Ali had texted me to tell me that a friend asked her for "your female catcher friend's contact info." First of all, even without knowing the details, I was fairly confident this was not going to be something I'd say yes to. But, for the night at least, I let myself imagine the possibility. I replied to him to ask a few questions--what is the time commitment, what are the accommodations and what tricks are in the act. 

When I got the response, it confirmed what I already knew. This wasn't realistic for me at this point. There were a couple issues that were the biggest obstacles. 1) it was a 3 month commitment 2) I'd be living in a trailer outside of the {super run down} casino 3) the tricks in the act are outside of my catching wheelhouse. One of the tricks in the act is a passing leap, which just isn't very realistic. I only know of one female to have ever caught a passing leap, and I certainly don't have a realistic way to learn it as no one in my group does it. And honestly, I have never wanted to do this as a job. When your hobby becomes a job, I think it has a tendency to lose the appeal. Performing in 12 shows a week for 3 months inside one of the most run down casinos in Vegas would be a real quick way for me to lose my love for this sport. That all being said, it felt really great to be asked! I think it would be so cool to catch an all female trapeze act one day, but preferably in a show that is a limited run. It would be fun to train for that for a few weeks and then put on a show for a week or two max. If I keep this up, it's not unrealistic when I'm closer to retirement years. I know that sounds weird to say, but catchers can have much longer careers than flying as it tends to be less hard on your body. And, I could technically retire with my state pension in just over 5 years (although it'll likely be more like 8). Anyway, I was honored to be asked and I appreciated the support I got from Dave and others to just do it, even if it didn't make much sense. Crazy to think where this hobby of mine has taken me! 

Sunset dreamin

We had a couple days to fly to one of the best catchers in the world, which is pretty exciting. Petter is a catchers at Cirque Mystere in Vegas, and he's been added to the rotation of coaches/catchers that comes out to work with us. We are so lucky! I am trying to catch more often (once a week), and I'm taking advantage of having catchers here to give me some feedback. Petter gave me a few tips and cues to think of, so I appreciate that opportunity. I am glad to be getting back up into the catch trap more often lately, and look forward to getting my confidence back. Next goal for me and Jan is to catch her gazelle out of lines. It's a consistent trick for us, so I'm sure it'll be soon. I also want to catch Kaylin's layout and Ashley C's cut half. 

We were treated to most fantastic sunset tonight! It was truly one of the best I've seen out here. Here is a timelapse video of the sunset that happened while Petter was catching. I think it even made everyone fly better, and we all had a great night! 

Here's the video of the trick that these screenshots were from. 

There's something about having a beautiful sunset and knowing there's a camera recording to make you do your best tricks! Thanks to the team for such a fun night!