Big brothers

Intrasquad meet with B starting in the same lane right after LT's race, which I thought was a nice brotherly moment. 

A teaching B some legit knife skills, which I also thought was an especially nice brotherly moment. 

 

Bright Nights Festival

My brother planned a fun evening last weekend hitting up the Bright Nights Festival at the Four Mile House.  We went to dinner at the Beer Garden and then entered what I can only describe as Meow Wolf, meets a glowing Alice in Wonderland and intersects with a farm.  Its really something I have never experienced before, but the kids (and frankly all of us) had a blast.  

 

Summary of Summer Swimming

More than a few weeks late, this is a little wrap-up of the summer swim season. 

LT giving some pointers and encouragement to his buddy and B's relay teammate before their race.

B with his buddy at the banquet.

Getting serious (kind of, he's probably listening to a Boxcar Children audio book) on the long early morning drive out to Ken Caryl. He made some huge strides this year making it his first season qualifying for Ken Caryl, League, and State.  

Speaking of strides, Ads really seemed to find his stride towards the end of this season. As a distance swimmer no less. And he looks to be making the 400M free his niche. Kari set him up with a couple of private lessons with one of the younger coaches (who was a competing in upper D himself just last summer). He gave Ads some guidance on technique and strategy for the longer race, which was helpful. But mostly he engaged in a way that made the challenge fun and got Ads to believe in himself and his own hard work. With a first ever state qualification as the goal, he did the 400 in league and finished with a crowd of teammates, friends, and coaches cheering him on. It was a huge improvement over his previous personal best and he made state time by less than half a second. It was one of the most fun and exiting races all season. He would follow it up with a solid performance in state improving on his personal best time again by significant margin. Here's a video of that race, which is long because it's the 400, but video was requested:

https://youtu.be/hCqbkZEfFTw 

B qualified for state in an individual event, the 25m breaststroke where he had a solid swim, but also earned himself a spot on the relay team. They were seated first for the medley relay with a great chance at winning but unfortunately would be disqualified due to a false start. The disappointment was palatable as the medley relay looked like their only legitimate opportunity for a win. These little guys rose to the occasion, however, and pulled off an exciting upset touch-out finish to win the free relay and finish the day with a state championship event under their belts. Videos were requested by B too:

https://youtu.be/KnH-HpqVK7A 25 breaststroke

https://youtu.be/UiM1aC3Lr7Y 100 medley relay

https://youtu.be/W5DIVOHdlT8 100 free relay

Summer is nowhere near as competitive as high school and LT made the difference apparent throughout the regular season, KCI, and league winning every single race in his main two events, the 50 and 100 free, and both relays. He didn't really find a 3rd individual event where he could compete at the same level but did manage a state "all-qual" from trying events during the season. He landed on the 200 IM for state and had a solid showing. Their relays were not their best (3rd in both) and LT's 50 might well have been his most disappointing race all year (finishing 7th with his worst time all season where 2nd was well within possibilities). He did swim a good 100 free and took a 2nd place finish. Some days are better than others and this day wasn't the best. 

https://youtu.be/9TvvjlAOGDA 100 free

https://youtu.be/Yx4bzSw9gR0 200 free relay

https://youtu.be/gM-pZo2l8lI 200 medley relay

https://youtu.be/eZuTW_wPjTs 50 free

Start of School

Somehow summer is over and school has started again.  Playdate above with some of B's new friends in his new class.

My friend from college came to visit.

First day of school photo.

First hike of the school year.

Ice cream with a buddy after school.

And some science and water fun with the neighbor and friend from school.

 

Camping

 

And the 21st

We went up to Boulder to meet my brother, nephew and his girlfriend to celebrate on his actual 21st birthday.  

 

Lots O Birthdays

My nephew and his girlfriend flew in to celebrate his 21st birthday this week.  It is also my dad's birthday week, so we celebrated double!