Portland hockey tournament over Thanksgiving
Ben and his buddy making W signs before a game (for Warriors – or maybe WIN?).
We were in Portland over the Thanksgiving weekend for a hockey tournament. It was a lot of fun! Not so great driving back on Sunday, but we managed just fine and even squeezed in a trip to some outlets to get the kids new shoes. They go through them about every three months.
Here is the video of the first game, including the first goal of the tournament which I happened to grab! Enjoy! (Dave wasn’t able to come so I did film quite a bit of Sam’s ice time so he could see some of it at least.) You might want to turn your volume down…
Faces
Enjoy this Sam creation – I especially loved the captions. He was doing faces while texting with a friend on the way home from Portland yesterday (hockey tournament) and must have enjoyed it enough to start this on a Google docs file. I sneaked in and snipped it to share 🙂 He knows I did, don’t worry!
Ben’s first basketball practice!
Ben is warming up! He’s the one right under the hoop closest to you.
Sam’s first goal!!!
There are 6 WEEKS OF NEW PICTURES IN THE ALBUM! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO GO SEE!!!
I am LOVING these pictures taken by the team manager for the Kodiaks, who we played last week. She gave me a link to her Shutterfly album and man oh man – there were a ton of awesome pictures!
Sam scored his first goal this weekend! He got the first goal of the game on a pass from his buddy Josh. Awesome job, Sam!
We are so proud of you, but more importantly, so happy you love hockey!
Is it almost Thanksgiving???
Seriously – how can this BE!? Last night I asked Dave if he wouldn’t mind doing a chore for me “So it won’t feel as much like greyhound day for me.”
We’ve both been on a whirlwind schedule the last few weeks with long work hours for both of us and many commitments for the kids. In the last 24 hours we’d gone to hockey practice, helped run a raffle fundraiser, gone to a Warriors hockey game, went to KFC afterwards (because our new German au pair friend, Lena, likes both hockey AND fast food, so of course we went at 10pm on the way home!), then to a math competition in the morning, to get a money order with the funds raised from the raffle, then to Sam’s hockey game. When we finally got back home, I was wiped. I asked for this chore, and Dave looked at me, shook his head, then said “Greyhound day?” He goes – “Do you mean groundhog day?”
Today Dave said “You wouldn’t feel so much like greyhound day if you didn’t do everything you feel like you should do.” But I feel badly not helping when I’m asked or an opportunity crosses my path. So this afternoon we went with a friend and her kids to ACE to buy axes and then chopped wood in her backyard. It was a great time, fresh air, wood cooperating under my 8 lb maul, and the kids worked hard for an hour chopping, and got 1/2 cord all split and stacked.  Always glad to do it but I will admit, I do need to find a bit more down time. I’m especially proud of the kids. Sam really wanted down time at home, too, but not only did he turn his preference around 180 degrees, he worked hard, never complained, and split wood into the dark. Ben is often the first to volunteer, so he is much appreciated as well. But I was especially proud of Sam. It takes a lot to overcome one’s own preferences and do a favor.
We were offered a chance to enjoy wine and cake after dinner as a thank you, but I said we really needed some family time together on Sunday nights. We really value Sunday dinner together. Ben said in his LOUD, hoarse, whisper: “MOM, we can go back out after dinner for cake! We’re FRONTIER!”
Ben’s last soccer game of the season ended with a bang! They won AND Ben scored a goal from a corner kick! Their coach, John, is a really nice and relaxed guy. He teaches them skills, but he doesn’t get all worked up. Bravo, John!
German Stammtisch with new facilitator Nathan! The kids are loving the exercises and snacks 🙂 We have 8 kids participating!
At a hockey game, Ben found this on the floor. “Mom! It’s a W for Warriors!”
Time for a little parkour!
Out on a walk today – our first unscheduled day in 6 weeks! So nice to be together as a family with no commitments.
I got a little messy hanging on to bushes and dirt, clawing with my fingernails!
Mustache Monday
I decided to decorate Sam today after school. Then I offered for him to return the favor on me. Just as we finished the power went out with a big bang. ..and at the same time I spotted three middle school neighborhood boys sneaking down the driveway to spook me so I got them instead forgetting about the stache! THEN we saw power company and fire truck on the road so we jogged down to see what had caused the huge explosion. Again forgetting about the stache!
I wonder what the neighbors think? And all the cars driving by!
First away game – a tough one!
Getting ready to head out onto the ice!
During warmups
We enjoyed watching a big rivalry last night – the West Sound Warriors Junior A team (16-20 yr olds) against the Wenatchee Wolves. It went into overtime! I didn’t want to stay past the first period since we had a game today (Sat) and it would be a busy day, but it was a great game and I decided to just go for it. You can always sleep another day. Here’s some video of Ben providing some entertainment in the stands between periods…he is hilarious!
And here’s Sam’s first away game in Lynnwood (across the water near Edmonds). He got black breezers, too, so he looks really sharp. No more spotting him in the blue pants now. You’ve got to keep an eye out for #17 – white helmet. Ben also got skates at Play It Again Sports while we were there. So the little guy has his own gear now.
Here’s Sam’s game! Another playlist for you!
First ice hockey game win!
Ben was very proud of his brother – you’ll hear him yelling the whole time!
Below you’ll find a link to a YouTube playlist with all Sam’s ice time recorded! It starts with the last 43 seconds, then starts from the top with the warmup and proceeds through the game. Sam is LOVING playing ice hockey, let me just tell you! And it’s a pretty exciting game to watch. Hey you hockey players out there -are you pretty impressed with the level of play among these 9 and 10 yr olds??? (Sam is in blue breezers and a white helmet, #17.)
Open skate after practice
Just thought you’d enjoy seeing the fun we all have after practice when there is open skate (no Warriors game). It makes for a late night getting home, but we all have a great time.
Dahlia bloomed in the garden! Big one!
Ice hockey bake sale clips!
Ice hockey players and awesome mom, Leni!
We’re an ice hockey family now! I’m our team’s manager and am helping the kids fundraise so they can be a part of the effort to get them to two tournaments this year. I had no idea how much effort goes into being a “hockey mom” but now I know some of it! Although I have little balance in my life right now due to commuting 45 min each way to Bremerton, I am learning a few things…how to make good use of the time in the car (carpooling with one other family), how to pack dinners (two every night – before practice and after), how to cook hockey puck brownies (they were actually pretty good!), and how to hockey stop! Ok – so here are some video clips from today, selling hockey puck brownies on Bainbridge with another mom who made DELICIOUS cookies with peanut butter dipped in chocolate. Thanks, Leni and Josh! That was a lot of fun! Ok so we’re back at home now and I still have a lot of “pucks” I’d like to sell off. We grabbed some pizza and then headed out again to the end of our driveway to see what we might be able to shake loose. We were at $115, with a goal of $200. Sam is hilarious in this one! I was taking a back seat (no one wants to sell to a parent – it’s all about the kids!). But I did get a little tired of just hanging out in the trees (Ben kept going “MOM! THEY’RE NOT COMING BECAUSE THEY CAN SEEEE YOU!”). So…hockey mom got in the game. And closing with this one of Ben in the stands Friday night. We went to practice for Sam, then stayed for a Warriors game (the Junior A team – guys ages about 16-20). They are very good, and the boys loved all the music, noise of banging on the bleachers, and the fast pace. They were slack-jaw much of the time – between bites of nachos (chips and cheese sauce). Fun night!
If you’d like to send us a little wrist shot of support, please see the website I set up with the help of one of our amazing  parents who works for Adobe and just happens to be launching this neat app…TOMORROW! Please mention Sam Krug in any comments so we can attribute his donations properly. If you’d like to give to the team anonymously, you certainly may! Many thanks!
Regrouping before the week
We made one with toppings the boys picked out – ham and pineapple. This is the first one off the grill 🙂
We had a pretty quiet weekend, mostly hanging around home and gardening interspersed with a soccer game and a night out with friends to see a concert (gypsy jazz music by Ranger and the Rearrangers). It was very good! So a late night but fun. Sunday we closed out the weekend with some laundry, chicken happy hour, and wood chopping followed by fire and homemade pizzas.
Looks good! That’s dough I made, too. It behaved well despite not having much time to proof.
On to the second pie.
Toppings from the garden – kale, yellow tomatoes, onion and leftover bacon from breakfast. Nice combo! So tasty.
This was REALLY good! Nice job, Dave!
Ice hockey!
At the ice hockey arena in Bremerton for sick and puck! There was agood group of kids from age 9 through teens. Sam is starting ice hockey tmo and Ben was brave enough to try skating, too. It’s a lot of driving but we’re finding good things about that where we can.
All done and heading home! Dave is starting a Master’s program this week so he was reading and getting oriented.
This is where we were this morning- Ben’s soccer game! So today we were soccer AND hockey parents!
First day of school!
Here they are after their first day of school! Handsome guys getting very tall! Sam is an inch from 5 ft tall and Ben is 4 ft 2 in.
At home we had fun hanging out with our neighbors and friends as the kids trickled off the bus and walked home. The middle school kids get home about an hour after the elementary kids. I might possibly have hid in the salmonberry and jumped out to scare two such boys 😉
This is Sam’s robot who doesn’t have a name, actually, just a slogan: “Meant to Dent!”
It was the first day of school! A great day and a great start to the year. We are thrilled to be a part of the Wilkes family again.
Regarding the robot pictured above…Sam came up with that slogan himself. He’s developing a great wit.  This robot has an ultrasonic sensor in the front. When it senses your hand or foot there (or another robot because the boys battle them with neighbors), it comes SMASHING down! It dents the wood floors! Our friends are surprised we let this go on, but I am thinking it’s just a floor, and there are many scratches already. When I’m 65 and still living here (IF I am), then I will see those dents and fondly recall Sam’s crazy robot! I will miss these boys horribly! If we have to sell the house, well, there are several big projects. We will also need a bulldozer to fill in the large mine in the back…so it really is no big deal.
Sam is reading Sherlock Holmes now. Yesterday I was trying to piece together something that had happened, talking about a few little signs. I forget what it was. But Sam said “Way to put together the evidence, Sherlock.” It was so funny!
OK – summer keywords – these are the things that remind me of summer with the boys, in no particular order:
- JavaScript code
- Roller hockey, and now ice hockey – vigorous street hockey on our cement pad, hockey balls in the gutters, the sound of hockey balls smacking the garage door
- Mountain biking
- Robot battles with friends
- Khan Academy for learning in astronomy, biology, cryptography, and more
- Rock hounding, Rock Candy Mine road trip
- Stairway to Heaven (Sam is learning this)
- Endurance (Shackleton’s incredible voyage, which Sam read)
- Cream Soda Crew jobs and service projects with friends!
- Soccer – Ben kicks the ball constantly up against the garage door (how that garage door isn’t peeling or dented I don’t know!)
- Slack line – they use it to balance AND bounced up and down, trying to shake each other off the “roost”
Mt. Townsend
We decided to close out the summer with a bang and hike Mt. Townsend, a very popular hike in the Quilcene area. It’s 8.2 miles roundtrip, 2900′ elevation to the 6280′ summit. We were hoping the clouds would clear for a great view spanning miles and many mountaintops. Dave had his doubts…I kept thinking “glass half full” 🙂
Great alpine air up here! Wildflowers still in bloom, and berries for our huckleberry bear.
Thistle!
Hmmm…still foggy!
Nearly at the summit of Mt. Townsend! We’re still hoping we’ll eventually break through the clouds.
Almost at the summit!
We’re there! We should have miles and miles of views, but today we don’t – instead we get the dramatic movement of clouds up and over the summit saddle. We also get to focus much closer at hand – the antics of funny boys!
This guy gets great views every day!
Rockhound Roadtrip!
Second digging site of the three-day trip – in central Washington. Looking for dessicated opal! We hauled in a BIG one…check the album for all the pictures.
Chiseling out fluorite geodes at the Rock Candy Mine in British Columbia, owned by our guide, Bob Jackson. He led an awesome trip! Boys were so excited the whole time despite long days and drives.
Ben loved digging up big fluorite crystals.
Both boys in a vug looking for rare barite crystals!
In a little vug working together for a long time!
Sam captured a great fluorite octahedron with Bob as mentor!
900 miles, 70 pounds of rocks, tubing on the Methow River, and beautiful scenery listening to a rockin’ mix of Led Zep, Stones, Beatles, Cream, Creedence and more made by Daddy. What could be better? (Not much, but perhaps if Daddy could have come along as well!)