My Girlfriends

Alison got a few friends together for a going-away party for me. Even though I still don't know when I am going nor how far away.... We all enjoyed warm and witty conversations about anything and everything! I love when chicks have glasses to clink together and no one to get to school the next day.

Bigger Fish to Fry

Captain made his smallest catch of recent years, but assured us he still had a blast. It's a man-cave dream-vacation for those with testosterone to spare. The company took its usual fishing trip to Canada this week. The VPs leave customs and then take a float plane to regions farther north while the pilots stay at Kanora on the border. It came a week earlier than usual. It normally falls next week on Captain's birthday (and now the boys are asking what we will do for Dad's birthday). We all sat around the table hearing his fishing stories this morning. Captain hired the same fishing guide: John Monteith, for the 13th year in a row. He was also the guide for the Schmidling boys on their 2011 fishing/golfing trip, so they like to ask about his wife, his business with hockey celebrities, and his newest boat. John's wife is better after her bicycle accident, he was recently out with Jonathan Toews and Mike Richards, and he traded up to a 21-foot Lund. There's always a shore lunch, supper on the grill (aka steaks), and whiskey at bedtime. I'd say that's a good-enough "gift."

Counting Down the Days

Dorito is excited for college. All the textbooks have been ordered. The alcohol awareness test was passed. New shoes were bought. Four more Wildcat T-shirts were purchased bringing the total to eight!
But the twins and I are getting very sentimental. We are going to feel the upcoming separation acutely--probably for the whole semester. Winger even said how they want to spend every minute with Dorito these last two weeks before he leaves for K-State.
All total, Dorito has been gone 62 days this summer.  He has one last camp: NYLT concluded this weekend. And he just got back from Pow Wow. I wish I had a new photo since his crew cut. He finally told us the story about roasting and eating a wild hog during Venture Crew's trip to Beaver Lake last week. Whoa!

Making Music in Nashville

The twins stayed on the same line for the starting weekend of Thunder Hockey Training Camp. They wanted to make things happen during drills and show their stuff. I know they were probably a little nervous to be "new" and only 15 on a team of 15/16. But they told me how "cool" and welcoming their teammates were. Two also play golf! Some of those boys are HUGE by comparison. But my twins have other assets: they are smart on the ice, and this wasn't about checking or hitting drills yet; plus they are strong with their upper body from cross-training all spring. Polar Bear even felt like prior conditioning* helped him prevent further injury to his internal right oblique muscle. (relief) *plug for Spine and Sport Physical Therapy
The whole hockey team stayed at the rink 24/7 from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Yep, they took cots and sleeping bags for "bonding time" with all the guys. Let's just say there was some talking in their sleep and before their sleep.
Besides looking at rentals, I went to two concerts over the weekend. Well, I was in Nashville after all. But they were the-free-type, not the purchase-tickets-type. First came a trip to The Coffeehouse in a hipster locale near the Downtown Square in Franklin (quite close to our future church and future hockey rink). I listened to original compositions by Luke Bellet, accompanied by Michael Bellet. It was so endearing to hear the song he wrote about his brothers (seven of them) and the song her wrote for his sister (only one girl). He is a good friend of the organizer of the second concert. On Sunday, we stopped by the Morel Farm for another "Love Good Music" event with Jimmy Mitchell and friends. Over 200 people showed up (his biggest back yard event to date), so it resulted in a great potluck and opportunity to meet Catholic homeschoolers. The twins were thrilled to meet so many in the "Connect" teen group!

New Steps to Adult Life

While we were gone, Dorito established a Kansas checking account with a debit card at Commerce Bank. Of course, he selected the purple pattern for the card. He also did his own back-to-school shopping. He bought purple Bermuda shorts, purple shoe laces for his tennis shoes, and 4 Wildcat T-Shirts he found at the Mall. Guess he will have to finish procrastinating on those last few graduation thank-yous now. The twins are certainly going to miss their big brother (who leaves for college in less than two weeks). They are spending all day everyday with him!

Bike trip to Arkansas

Dorito is still doing a Staff Job. But this week he is with the Venture Crew. They went to Arkansas. They are biking around Beaver Lake. Plus camping, canoeing, and having general good time outdoors.

First Place

Meggar and Spencer's co-ed volleyball team won their league this week! I hear the Championship T-shirts are on the way :-) maybe high school club volleyball has paid off?!