Cienna - 15 Years Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 7 Months Old!

Cienna was on top of making gifts for friends and family early again this year and they came out looking wonderful! She then had an evening music concert at Millikan which she played second chair. Later in the week we got a delicious surprise on our front door. A family pack for four of Omaha Steaks from the Snows! We first went with the filet's and they didn't disappoint. The links and burgers were great too. And luckily we still have much more to go through!

Since the girls had gym off for Christmas Eve they invited a few gym buddies over to continue the Gymnastics Holiday Show tradition. Although it looks quite different this year they had a blast putting it together. Using many locations throughout the Christmas decorated neighborhood.

The girls woke us up on Christmas morning, climbed in our bed and we all watched Spangled for the 1st of many times through the break. We all were spoiled with gifts and enjoyed breakfast together before prepping a turkey to fry at the Bakx's. There was plenty of great food and company to finish Christmas at the Bakx.

The next day as we awaited for the arrival of Poppa and the Marty's we fried another turkey to make good use of all that oil and to have "leftover". The girls played clarinet together and we headed to gymnastics. As we got home the bus was pulling in the driveway and being set up for the stay. We took it easy that evening but had a big day the following. We made use of Daddy's breakfast sandwich maker before going on a Warner Bros. Tour. It was awesome getting a guided bus tour around all the sets and then seeing all the attractions and props used in the movies and shows! Then the girls got to have their first practice at their own gym! It wasn't quite complete, but they got to do some stuff. That evening we did our gift exchange and had some dinner before bed.

We then headed off to Greg's cabin in Big Bear. The ride up was easy minus having five of us in the back seat of Daddy's truck. The three girls and two dogs cuddled as we headed up the mountain. We enjoyed the view, the company, relaxing and playing games before waking up to falling snow the next morning. That was a first for many! Trevor and us made sure to bundle up for the overcast day of snow boarding. Good thing we did since it was cold, but we had an amazing time regardless, with much improving through the day! The girls new boots proved to be a good buy. The rest of the Marty's checked out downtown and Poppa came and picked us up to head back to the cozy cabin for a pasta dinner.

We woke for breakfast, the Marty's headed for their journey home, Poppa and Daddy took the dogs back to Long Beach, the girls stayed to clean the cabin in preparation to be picked back up by Daddy and Poppa and heading over to Dana and Joe's cabin to bring in the New Year. After putting Jackson and Riggs to bed Daddy and Joe stayed up too late as always and we all slept downstairs. The next day was New Years Eve and we took a walk to the park before it started to snow and had a blast on all the new equipment! It sure has been upgraded over the years! Then it began to snow again as we made a delicious 3 bone Prime Rib for dinner! Then we did all we could to stay up till midnight. We all barely made it but we did then headed straight to sleep.

It continued to snow and cover the backyard. We took advantage and played, made snow men, threw some at each other, and had a great time before deciding to head home that afternoon before the roads got icy. It was slow going but we made it safe and enjoyed sleeping in our own beds.

While we were in the snow, Long Beach had some wind and rain. It blew over one of our tallest trees in the yard. So Daddy with some of Mommy's help took it, and the tree next to it which was growing into the house, down with only a Sawzall. Then had the stumps grinded and all of it hauled away! The girls were happy to go back to gym as the pit was filled and bars were set up while we were away. Poppa even came to see.

As winter break came to an end we checked things off the list and took Poppa mini golfing where Karate Kid was filmed. We also got word that the Snow's had a carpet cleaner and so that became the weekend task. It was quite dirty after so many years...eeewww! 

We got back to the swing of things as schedules got back to normal. We had a lunch/left over dinner at BJ's. and even got to bring Togo's to Downtown Disney where the Natal's were taking a break from California Adventure to see us!

To end the month we had Christmas in the middle of January with the Snow's and family! Since they were all sick during the holiday, there was a little postponing. It was a blast! The lasagna was delicious, and Mommy as always was spoiled with a special cheese less one for her. The kids enjoyed playing together and the white elephant gift exchange was fun.

We're lucky to have such great friends and family! So much love and kindness throughout the crazy holidays!

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Cienna - 14 Years 11 Months Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 6 Months Old!

Happy beginning to the Holidays! The girls had such a great time at the trapeze lesson with Clara for her Birthday that they had to go for the Buy Two Get One Free and did their second lesson to start off the month. Now looking forward to the third!

After squeezing in an ortho appt. we headed up north for Thanksgiving week. We did a lot of packing and unpacking of the truck but it was all worth it. Our first stop was at the Natal's. We had a relaxing evening together and fun first cousin sleepover before getting treated with breakfast and a fun filled day at Great America/6 Flags/Animal Kingdom/Marine World. And it just so happened that it was a throw back to Marine World Day. We all got to go on all the roller coaster we wanted with pretty much no lines. Got to see beautiful animals, then ended the day with a funnel cake!

Next stop was Poppa's house for the evening. Then Thanksgiving morning we headed into town to do a Turkey Trot with Vera and Grammy had fun with our girls and Vera's kiddos. They all had fun together while we got enjoyed time running and talking together.

We spent the rest of the day packing lunches and heading to Doran Beach to have lunch next to Nana and Poppa's plaque. The site next to it was open and so we luckily took up that spot and we couldn't have asked for better weather! After lunch we did some exploring at Bodega Head before going back to Grammy's for the night. We even got Grammy on VR for the first time.

The following morning the girls convinced (without having to try too hard) Grammy to take them shopping before we all went to do a Rydman/Marty/Grammy Thanksgiving at Poppa's house. We had a great time watching soccer in the Cabana and spending time together. Poppa even gave an early gift to us all of a family trip for the summer!

Next was Thanks Christmas at Sean and Jaimie's! They were so gracious to open their house once again for all of us to spend the day and night together. It's so great to see all these cousins play and enjoy time together. First we got a surprise that Sean and Jaimie are taking on a new adventure. They have bought a nearby property with more land to be able to include horses and more. Also another new home to create as their own. We then all had fun making individual pizza's in the outdoor stone oven before opening gifts and having a fun filled sleepover!

We went back to Poppa's to pick up the dogs before heading home. It did happen to take a little longer than expected coming in around 9 hours to get home being the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but we made the most of it together.

The next week Cienna got her bottom retainer and had a friend get together at Julia's. Then we had The Marshall kiddos and Adi over for a sleepover before all heading to Knott's Merry Farm the next morning. Was certainly a fun time but wasn't a completely unproductive weekend since we did end up getting our outside decorations up. 

The following week Kaylee had her school winter concert which was held at Cienna's school (Millikan). Kaylee was part of the chorus, band, and jazz band. Cienna and her friends enjoyed being there together and hanging out in the balcony watching the performance. 

We all got invited to go caroling with a nearby neighbor which was a blast. Racheal and Mike (Frankie's parents) had snacks before and a playlist ready. There were so many lights and happy neighbors to willfully listen to our best effort singing. Then we all started on the indoor decorations move forward with the holidays.

Cienna went to see the Naples lights with friends where they randomly ran into Shawna who was at a party along the way. Mommy went to the gymnastics coaches meeting. She got to see the main gym for the first time in a long time and it was moving forward for sure. It was good to see all the coaches again as we've been spread out at so many different locations over these past months.

Next was the finalizing of the tree and train! We love bringing out the memorable decorations each year. Then a busy day with Cienna heading to a school gymnastics party and Kaylee going to the winter dance after school. We then had Mikayla over after the dance and when we dropped her off we picked up Cienna to head to downtown Long Beach to hang out with the Dunbar's before they headed out on a cruise. It is always so great to see them and catch up. Their boys are so cool! After that we had our annual gymnastics Christmas party full of fun, food, and secret Santa exchanges.

After months of anticipation we finally got to go and see the Nutcracker! Shawna was amazing as one of the main mice and a beautiful Sentrie. We had so much fun with Francesca, her aunt, and Coach George. The performance was amazing, as well as the company.

To finalize the month, we invited the Marshall's over bright and early to watch the World Cup Final. They brought coffee and doughnuts and we all enjoyed a phenomenal final game with Argentina and Messi taking the win. Will Messi be in the next one? Then the Marshall's went on to host Lexie's 15th Birthday party at an escape room. Both girls loved it and really enjoyed having the whole day to spend together as the Marshman's.

More Holiday season to come!

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Cienna - 14 Years 10 Months Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 5 Months Old!

We had a fun Friday night with lights... yes we brought back the bike ride and the neighbors were supportive as always. We also enjoyed having plenty of time together working on the Bronco. We have established a good path forward and the carburetor is first on the list. Kaylee also wanted to add some new furniture to her room that was occupying space in our bedroom, so it all all worked out in the end game. 

Cienna had another concert showcasing her symphonic winds group. She made 2nd chair clarinet as freshman and did amazing.

Next up was preparing for Halloween. The girls did great jack-o-lanterns and really enjoyed going to school in their costumes with friends for the first time in a while.

Speaking of friends, we re-scheduled the girls buddies birthday wish of doing flying trapeze. This time we scheduled with the group on the Santa Monica Pier! We went to Johnny Rockets for lunch to celebrate  Clara and then headed for a very fun-filled adventure flying through the air with some talented girls. They had a great session and even did facetime with Grammy to show off their skills.

Halloween was the following day. We all showed up at the Marshalls with some pizza and a lot of "punny" costumes. They let us enjoy the fire pit and they driveway trick-o-treaters. The girls also had some freeness meet up on the way for some trick or treating of their own as well as the neighborhood haunted house! 

We did plenty of house cleaning, and cleaning out of old clothes. In doing so, Cienna fitted into some of mom's old leotards and made some nostalgic side by side pictures as well. Some yard work and play with driveway stunts. 

Kaylee tried out for and made middle school honor band. Cienna had a fun day cleaning up the beach with her FLA (Female Leadership Academy) buddies. And we started off the vacation hanging out with friends at the newly opened Dave N Buster at LB Towne Center on Friday after school before heading to YMCA food concessions for dinner!

Next up the girls were coaxed into signing up for a 2nd session of trapeze being promised a free 3rd lesson! They are super excited as well as looking forward to all the family and holiday time up ahead!

Love the times we have and love the ones we're with!

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Cienna - 14 Years 9 Months Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 4 Months Old!

We certainly were waiting in anticipation for the pictures from the last month adventures in Big Bear's disposable cameras. They are included this month. As many of us know they didn't all come out but they will certainly retain some great memories!

Next came the beginning of crazy antics for the month with some big box character door approaching in the neighborhood. They made an amazing character and visited friends to have them guess who was inside. : ) As the days go on progress is still happening at the gym, but meanwhile the girls continue to enjoy every practice. Cienna enjoyed another Friday football game with friends before we went to watch Stone and his team win a soccer game the next day. It had been a while since we had been to watch a soccer game, we had a great time!

Unfortunately Cienna's wrist started hurting and that has been ongoing through the month, but she has persevered through all of it. She believes it is in full recovery after a doctors visit, x-ray, specialist visit and a possible MRI. Diagnosis so far is a tear of her TFCC ligament. That certainly hasn't stopped her. She did her first high school music concert where she played with symphonic winds which include all upper classmen in her class and only 2 other freshman. She did amazing!

Then Mom (I had a hard time not writing Mommy) and the girls were heading on a super anticipated flight to Santa Rosa for some quality time with Darcie at the gymnastics center to have fun and to learn new choreography from "the best!" for their new floor routines to perform this up coming season.  Daddy drove us to Burbank so we could go directly to Santa Rosa and Poppa was able to pick us up. It was an easy flight and we loved spending time with Poppa that evening before heading off to the gym the next day. On the way we made a stop at the Grafe home to see Courtney and her family. It was great to catch up and hang out for a bit before heading to 6 hours at my gymnastics center. It was an experience of a lifetime for the girls to get their routines done by and learn from my optional coach! The routines are amazing and the experience with Darcie is even better! They even asked Darcie if they could come back Sunday before our flight to practice some more. She of course made time even though she had an entire coaches clinic happening. She made every effort to make the girls happy and confident in their routines. You couldn't ask for a better coach/person.

Meanwhile Daddy went down to San Diego to visit with Uncle Joe and attend a local Oktoberfest with their buddy Jeff.  They had some amazing times catching up and drinking local beers out of giant steins!

After Saturday evening we picked up Lepe's to share dinner with Poppa, and made plans to have a delicious breakfast with the Marty's in Petaluma the next morning before the trip back to the gym. Poppa took us back to drop us off for the flight home.

Daddy then picked us up that evening and we got home late but in enough time to play with some sticky hand toys and get ready for the week ahead.

Cienna had a college career day that she and some of her friends showed the armed forces booth that girls can certainly do enough pull-ups to get a shirt. Daddy and Mommy went to date night while the girls were at gymnastics and were very thoughtful to bring a huge pretzel home for the girls which they loved.

The next weekend we got to add Ash to our family and had such a great time taking all the knowledge that we learned from Darcie's choreography to work together and make Adi a pretty awesome optional routine! Afterward we did end up taking Adi for her first TP'ing experience at a couple friends houses in the neighborhood.

Homecoming Week followed. Cienna had a great time dressing up up each day, then the big finale was a school carnival on Friday, followed by a football game and a casual dance in the quad following with a lot of music and fun times. 

Another eventful weekend was planned...and then it seemed like the whole weekend cancelled on the girls. Their saturday gym practice was cancelled due to excessive cement dust from construction. But to save the day they had a fun sleepover at Clara and Paige's house where they did each others makeovers and the such. They got up in the morning to go to a trapeze class as a treat for Clara's 15th birthday only to get cancelled minutes before we all left. We will certainly reschedule, but it was a bummer for the morning.

We decided to make the most of the time and get a bunch done around the house together as well as do some thrift shopping for Halloween costumes, take the dogs to the dog park, and enjoy time together!

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Cienna - 14 Years 8 Months Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 3 Months Old!

We spun our way on blankets into this next month. Then Cienna had her first high school gymnastics "meeting." They were basically labor hands to move and set up all the equipment in their new room on campus. 

Next was a party at the Bakx for Rylee heading to college in Dublin! We had a great time as always with games, pool time, food, and plenty of music. We did happen to come home afterward to some TP in the front yard! Thanks Kaylee's buddies. We were determined to get stuff done the next day and headed to Lowe's. Top on the list was fixing the back slider screen. On the way home we took a detour to the Verizon store.

It turns out that it is now a requirement for all high school kids to have an iPhone. Not a happy realization. We worked our way through a torturous time and ended up with what we thought was best for our family. Girls both now have cell phone service for the first time. There were plenty of discussion that I won't get into. They certainly lasted throughout the work trip that Mommy went on that week. Many conversations during the evenings in the hotel room.

Next up, High school orientation! Cienna had a great time and it made her even more excited for the school year to start. That weekend we even thought we were finally going to get the Jetta we bought back for good... but that didn't happen. Turns out they had more to fix. Luckily at their expense and another paid rental car for us. The girls made the most of it by making a delicious 2 layer lemon filled cake together. We all benefited from that!

Then we set forth on getting prepared in all ways for the first day of school. This of course involved being silly and not worrying about it except being super excited and hanging out with friends.

We did the traditional first day of school pictures and got them to school on time (they like to be early, and have every day since). First day of high school for all of us, and she obviously nailed it! Kaylee took on the cheering entry like a champ that she is.

We enjoyed reminiscing the first week out to dinner together the night before Cienna experienced her first High School football game! She loved it, mostly just being in the excitement with friends.

After the big week of school we wanted to be together as a family and are lucky to have gotten to spend the weekend together in Big Bear at Greg and Jackie's place. It was a warm weekend and we were able to something that we normally wouldn't have. We rented jet skis! It was so memorable and we really enjoyed the time together. Afterward there was a firework show on the lake and we went downtown for ice cream (and Big League Chew for dad). Not only that, but the games, food, and fun with the puppies was so much fun! We even stopped for lunch in town on the way home which led us to go straight down the mountain instead of the back way. We learned the next day of a fire that had started, and we may have been stopped the other way. Thankfully it didn't do too much damage and nobody was injured.

2nd week of school and more changes in gymnastics practice schedules, but Mommy and Daddy found time to use an earned gift card to have a date night together at Panvimarn!

Then another great weekend comes with a Nicki Marshall Birthday at PCH and 2nd. Starting with an outdoor skating session and followed up with shopping and milkshakes! Afterward in which we went to support Cienna friends chorus fundraiser watching a Galaxy 2 game at the Great Park in Irvine. Mackayla not only sang the National Anthem with her school but got to kick a PK to start off the game.

Next up we had noticed a need for a desk in the corner of our living room to put a family computer location without interrupting Daddy in the office. We found a great solution, however Mommy likes to clean the area before putting new stuff  in. So... after 12 years, of course those walls needed to be cleaned, fixed, and painted first. We kept it to a minimum and not the whole house, but we all worked together to make it happen and held off the gratification of setting up the new desk. Daddy especially worked hard cleaning and prepping  while we were at the party before we all got paint and worked together painting. It's done and we all had a good time putting together the desk and putting it in place.

It had been a while since we'd been to a Back To School Night, we'd almost forgotten how it went. So we started this year with Kaylee's. We had such a good time navigating her school and experiencing her every day class to class experience in an accelerated schedule. Her teachers all seem wonderful and had great things to say about her.

Excitingly to end this last month, We loved spending time with Michele and Nicki for Beach Streets. It  was back after a few year hiatus for obvious reasons. They shut down the streets in a large portion of our area for us all to bike around and visit different hubs throughout the city on with entertainment, booths, and food. An amazing event for the community to all get together and enjoy!

With all new schedules for school and gymnastics, it's been crazy. 2 different drop off times, 3 or more different pick up times, early as 7 and late as 4 before 4pm gym, has been a little challenging. We're making it work and making the best out of all these new adventures!

See what these have to offer. With so much more ahead for next month!

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Cienna - 14 Years 7 Months Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 2 Months Old!

An 80th, 60th, 50th, 2 X 21st, and an 18th Birthday celebration at Resort Del Poppa is certainly a great way to kick off the month! The road trip up there was good family time even though it was a little longer than we expected. We loved hanging with Poppa before spending the night in the bus then getting around to finishing the bird house that he had gotten for Christmas the next morning. Then prepping for the big party to come later that day we headed to Grammy's for costumes... yes costumes. And of course, grocery shopping for the food fest included with the party.

Let the party start! The Marty's, Kyle's, and Bakx's came to join. The dogs thought it was a party for them with all the property and Duke to hang out with. There were birthday shirts, sashes, hats, decorations, gifts for all including a life size throw throw burrito! Lots of decorations were around, Kan Jam was played, VR played a part, the cabana was the place to be! Mommy got some amazing hot sauce that she is still enjoying from the Kyles. We made a plethora of Auntie Kimmie's chili and corn bread for a big dinner for all and Grammy started a jam session with the girls and Bakx's.

The next morning many of us took a walk toward the top of the canyon! Then Daddy started a little shooting practice. Before the Murder Mystery Adventure began. And what an adventure it was. Spoiler alert... it was Poppa. Dana did an outstanding job narrating as we all got in costumes and in character! It was definitely a fun experience with such a great group of people!

That night we had more shenanigans with outdoor games and smores before our last night in the tent and preparing for the road trip home the next morning. It was another fun road trip home with the family, and we prepared for the next week to come. The girls had gymnastics camp that week. at least for the beginning. They truly looked forward to 7 hours a day of gymnastics.

That Tuesday, mom was headed home from work and unfortunately the clutch that had been going out for a while on her Subaru sort of went out a little more than was usable, and the car started to overheat. However, being the awesome car that it is, got home just fine. Maybe not as usable as before we went to the mechanic the next day. This mechanic is super awesome for the family but really has never liked the WRX. He said it was time to get rid of it. Mom didn't agree, but we started to discuss possibly getting another car. Daddy had an interesting thought that since we will have a new driver in 1 1/2 years, we could cater the buying experience to Cienna. 

As we contemplated our next moves throughout the week, the Shoenbergs arrived in town for a few weeks. We enjoyed getting to see them again and the girls had fun working out with Sadie!

Meanwhile in a nearby place, a real tragedy happened. Mommy got a text early Thursday morning that the girls didn't have gym camp that morning. Of course, that was weird, and she asked if everything was alright. The text back said that the gymnastics center pit caught on fire. Then it was all over the news. Someone broke into the gymnastics center about 2am and at some point, lit something that caught the pit on fire. It engulfed the entire gymnastics center in toxic smoke. The sprinklers went off and the firefighters saved the building! But there won't be any gymnastics done there for quite some time.

We had Clara and Paige over the next evening since there was not going to be practice. Then the following day we all came together for a mini practice in the Mini Gym next door that didn't burn down and had frozen yogurt after as a team. While Kaylee and the rest of the team finished practice, Cienna went with a bunch of her 8th grade buddies and watched The Greatest Showman as a backyard movie. 

Back to realizing we will need another vehicle to manage, after sorting out our priorities and compromising, we started looking online for a new/used car. After quite some time we found one that we may have been interested in through a company called SHIFT. A low mileage 2016 VW Jetta. So, we went for a test drive the following morning. We had a good experience and liked the car. There were some features that were not perfect so we expressed this and they immediately said that they would fix them no charge and gave us more money off for any hassle. By the end we got many discounts and took the car for the week before leaving it with their mechanic to fix the imperfections. While they had to wait for the part, they gave us a free rental car (Toyota Forerunner) for as long as it takes, so far, a week and a half. The new part has come in and has been installed and is being programmed at a dealership. They will be returning our car to our doorstep any day.

We all went to watch Lexie get murdered as a singing telegram in her musical CLUE before they headed off to Hawaii and we got to doggy sit Lula. Meanwhile Clara came over for cardboard candy machine making and trampoline fun.

Over that weekend Denise worked hard to book us gymnastics practice time at AGA, a nearby gym that opened their doors to us to be able to use their facilities and be able to continue having fun at gymnastics. The hours were a little different since we wanted to work around AGA schedule and when there was room to workout. They will be able to go at those times till school starts, then we will see what awaits us next.

Many of the gymnasts went to Seal Beach for a farewell bon fire and dinner on the beach for Sadie and Shelby, then we got to have Sadie over for a sleepover, also with Clara and Paige for her final night in town. They stayed up too late eating Handels, playing VR, and having fun before waking up the next morning and walking together for a Starbucks breakfast.

The final camp of the summer for the girls was their second session of "Acting Out". Unfortunately this time it interfered with new gymnastics practice times, so they shared the week but made it work. We also got many visitors in different sizes to stay with us that week/weekend. Grammy and Max showed up. We had fun spending time with them. Max was excited to play with our dogs but may have been a little overwhelmed when we added 3 more dogs to the group. We got to doggy sit Ash, Zelda, and Nala. 3 large dogs and 3 small dogs made for a wild time. 

Grammy was able to see the super fun end of the week Acting Out performance. Cienna even fit in a monologue even though they had limited time at camp to practice. We took Adi along to give ice cream sandwiches and cards from our team to thank the fire fighters that helped save our gymnastics building. Grammy liked the Hawaiian flowers in the front of station 45. That night we invited the Marshalls over for BBQ'd ribs. Taking the total dogs for the evening up to 7. Adi, Nicki and Lexie stayed for a sleepover, and made their own "Starbucks" drinks at home in the morning saving a bunch of money!

Next was the summer gymnastics season party at the main Y branch facility. We were in charge of awards this time around and borrowed a friends Cricut to make vinyl stickers to go on medal hangers as gifts. We had a lot of fun doing it together and they turned out great. All the team members were recognized for their hard work and accomplishments through the season. Each one was called up and applauded. Coach George said nice things about both Cienna and Kaylee as they got their award. Mommy had to do a lot of the other presenting and made it through just fine. After the ceremony the pool was open just for them and we had some delicious dinner and treats.

This last month ended with Kaylee getting about 6 inches cut off her hair and Cienna stepped on Millikan campus as a freshman for a high school gymnastics "practice". They ended up just moving and setting up equipment for three hours from the wrestling room to another room across campus.

Just a couple weeks left of summer, and we'll continue to roll with whatever comes next.

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Cienna - 14 Years 6 Months Old! ... Kaylee - 12 Years 1 Month Old!

OHIO!!! Ubering to the airport, a smooth easy trip with nostalgia from 4 years ago, the last time we took this trip. This time as level 8 gymnasts vs level 3. With travel apparel gear. We landed in Cleveland, picked up again by the Cusicks and a strange pug mask. At least they took us to Fat Head brewery for dinner before heading to their beautiful home in Medina! That was Kaylee's first run in with a delicious pretzel that trip. We woke up and it was Fathers Day! We headed to the pool play area at the Cusick's community where Adi worked, we got some beers and lunch, being sure to not get anything with a tortilla. Afterward we headed back and did plenty of driving in the golf cart before Kyler and Jasen got home.  Jasen even got to participate in our Father's day tradition with kids on home made shirts!

The next morning, after debating about a green muffin (turned out to be pistachio), the girls were super brave to get in a morning gymnastics workout at Adi's gym. The whole gym family were very welcoming and despite the time change Cienna and Kaylee got some gymnastics time at Medina gymnastics center before heading to Toledo for the Nationals competition. 

After so much fun playing games, music, and enjoying each others company, we all headed with most of the Cusick's to downtown Medina for dinner and of course some frozen yogurt. It's indescribably the relaxing, fun time that is the Cusicks!

We were joined by Kari, Landen, and Kyler at Cedar Point the next day! There was seriously minimal lines at all the biggest roller coasters ever that day! It was certainly hot, and most were at the water park, but we were grateful to get on all the rides we wanted without a wait and with great company!

We parted from the Cusicks and then headed to the Nationals gymnastics celebration in Toledo. We started with hanging door signs, for all those that arrived before us, and then continued as everyone else got there! We spent some time driving around Toledo the next day with Kaylee navigating us from the back seat and somehow ended up at the "Old Bag of Nails."

We all got an amazing surprise before Juliana's senior ceremony. The Shoenbergs came to join us for the competition festivities. Mommy got to head to the ceremony to celebrate so many years of Juliana's gymnastics career.

The next day the optionals got to wear there practice leotards and test out the equipment before the festivities and competitions began. The girls got to walk around the Toledo Mud Hens baseball field (5th 3rd Field) representing Lakewood, Ca. They actually got to lead the parade and get some fun time with the mascots (Muddy and Mudanna) beforehand. After being seated we listened to the keynote speaker, Olympic gold medalist Lauri Hernandez.

Then the competitions began. Everyone did a great job and had a lot of fun. All of our optionals qualified for the final All-around competition to close out the weekend. We all celebrated with a fun BBQ/ice cream party. Before the girls competed the next day, Daddy took them to the Toledo Zoo with Clara while Mommy did more coaching. They did great at the competition that evening and even got to watch the high level boys compete in the gym next to theirs.

We then headed to Michigan to see cousin Erik, meet his girlfriend Mary and her family, and spend time with their 1 year old daughter Violet. They treated us to a delicious BBQ lunch and a fun trip around their town, including huge 7-11 Slurpee's. We got up early for a smooth trip back home.

We picked up Ash for some doggy sitting as we unpacked throughout the day. Later in the week, the girls and Mommy headed to the gym to clean out the pit. It's always exciting, tiring, and very dirty. Hopefully we get some replacement pit soon, since we threw out quite a bit of the really old stuff.

Cienna and her friends planned a surprise birthday trip to Knott's for Zion, and then Michele finally had her 40th birthday party, a couple of years late.  The girls and the Marshalls entertained themselves at our house as the adults were celebrating. The next day we all took Porter and Roaklee to Dog Beach. It was Roaklee's first time and did amazing.

We did some bike decorating and riding through the neighbor hood before heading for some swim time, pickle ball, and BBQ at the Ferrarios for the Forth of July. We watched fireworks as we drove home and sat on the roof to watch some more.

Cienna then went to Knott's again and Kaylee and Mommy did some doorbell ditching while dropping off some summer signs for friends. Cienna, Kaylee and Marshall girls all made the parents tacos and cake for dinner.

We did some hair trimming, the girls did their first week of Acting Out camp for the summer, and we made some vinyl decor for some gifts for family we will be celebrating the next week. The final show for Acting Camp was at a large church and was a wonderful performance.

The last weekend we all made a quick family trip to Vista to participate in an Elite Gymnastics Camp. The gym had such fantastic equipment and the girls and Mommy got instructions from Olympic and Elite gymnastic coaches. They were troopers and even did double backs into the pit and multiple twisting on the tumble floor.

Off to Resort Del Poppa next. Check out the pictures below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X5LA11sF3GZ12cQN8