Daddy's Goes to the Sounders Championship Game

Something that has not happened since the 90's, is that a major sport championship game would take place in Seattle (and never has happened outside).  Thanks to a friend, Austin (who Daddy coaches soccer with), he located a ticket for Daddy to be able to go.  He also tried to get the kids tickets without any luck.  

In the end, the Sounders came away with the championship, beating Montreal 3 to 1!  It was the Sounders second championship in 3 years.

Dillon's Fifth Grade Camp

This year, Daddy got to go with Dillon to Fifth Grade Camp.  He got it easy because they did not have to do much but keep an eye on the kids.  In 2 days, they get to do a lot of fun activities.  They did knot tying, painting, a ropes course, dissecting owl pellets, and free time to play anything such as dodge ball in a pit, human foosball, basketball, football, and more.    

His favorite activity was when he was roped up.  He would run at the same time as his group who was pulling the rope in the opposite direction.  This would pull him up in the air about 20 feet.  

Unfortunately, camp was only one night.  When Dillon got home he went up to his room and refused to talk about it because he didn't want to leave.  He was having so much fun that he was unhappy to be home.

Carson's Pacific Science Center Field Trip

Daddy was able to go on Carson's field trip to the Pacific Science Center.  They all go to watch an IMAX movie on the white bear.  

His favorite part was a station where you build a "helicopter" then put it over a fan to see how high you can make it go. 

Unfortunately, it's a long drive so they don't get a lot of time there.

Dillon's Capitol Field Trip

Daddy Post:

Once again daddy got to go on a field trip to the state capital, this time with Dillon.  This time, the legislature was in session so they got to actually see a bill get passed by the House.  Unfortunately, it went through with only 1 no vote so no real argument.

Also in session was the Washington Supreme Court.  Unfortunately, that meant they did not get to go into the courtroom.  However, they still got to have a mock trial.  Dillon was chosen to be the Chief Justice. So, he led the trial, gathered the votes of the other justices, and read the ruling.  Although this court did not agree with his vote, it was split 5-4, Dillon's vote was actually the same as the real Supreme Court's ruling that this mock trial was based on. 

With all the activity going on, there was lots of activity from different groups coming and going throughout the day.  It was fun to see congress in action and to just get to hang out and walk around the State Capital together. 

UW vs BYU football

Post by Daddy:

BYU (Grandma Peggy's and Papa Mike's alumni) was coming to Seattle to play the Washington Huskies (Daddy's alumni).  I had been eyeing this game because I wanted to take the kids to a game.  The time was finally set about 10 days before the game and, fortunately, it did not conflict with soccer for the boys.

After talking with Grandma and Papa about going as well, they thought it would be fun to take their grand kids (again, thank you Grandma and Papa for taking the kids!).  So, all the H family cousins (except Nathan, who is on his mission, Aileena, who bailed at the last second, and Eliza, who is still a little to young) headed to the game along with Uncle Pat and Uncle Scott (also UW alumni).  14 of us ended up going! (we also ran into my cousin Susan and her husband and son, and two of Uncle Scott's brother-in-laws)

 Enjoying some of the pre-game festivities

From the stadium, which is on Lake Washington, and called "The Greatest Setting in College Football!"

They have a part where all the fans light up their phones

It was a fun evening for all, with UW winning 35-7 (okay, maybe that part wasn't so fun for Grandma and Papa).

Guy time fishing

Post by Daddy:

When the girls are away the boys will... go fishing.

I had been promising to take the boys fishing on Papa Mike's boat for a while.  With a free Sunday, they headed up one evening and were able to take the boat out.

Dillon had a bite relatively quickly but when it got close to the boat it was able to unhook and got a way.

Finally, as we were slowly heading back in, Carson was able to get a fish on and landed it.  After the customary picture, we set it free so it can continue to grow.  Afterwards, Carson wished they kept it so they could cook it and try fish.

It was a perfect evening on the lake and the boys had a great time fishing with Papa, ready to go again.

Sounders game

Post by Daddy:

I have been able to take the boys to a Seattle Sounders game and been promising to get Kayda to one.  We were able to get that done when the Sounders played New York City FC.

On the train, which we were able to ride to and from the game.

Kayda had been given this scarf from a secret Santa, so she was able to bring it to the game.  It is a Sounder tradition for fans to hold their scarfs up before the game.

It was a great game with lots of excitement (Sounders won 3-1).  As the season progressed, this win was part of a 9 game winning streak (and 12 game unbeaten streak) that set an MLS record.

This was Dillon's third game and Carson's second.  Immediately, they all three were asking to go to a game again.

Dillon's Fourth Grade Ropes Course

Dillon's class had its ropes course which is done for fourth graders to start teaching them about being leaders.  Daddy got to go along so I'll let him write about it. 

The first challenge of the day was to lock hands and make it across a 30 foot log.  If someone fell off then that person had to go back to the end and those that were in front had to come back and reconnect.  It took them a while to figure out how to communicate clearly and to help those that struggled with balance but they started to figure it out and actually started to use these skills in the later challenges.

They also did a challenge where they had to go through a 6x6 rope grid (sorry no picture).  It required always having to have one body part in a section otherwise the section closed out.  They were connected again and the first time were not able to complete it (there are some kids that struggle with listening!).  However, they did the second time with only about 7 sections being closed out (again, some kids going at their own pace)

Next they all had to get on a platform and balance.  Once it was balanced, they had to hold it long enough to sing "Row, row, row your boat."  The counselor was impressed that they were able to do this rather quickly.  They were done in about 15 minutes when she has had classes unable to get it at all.

Since they completed the balance so quickly, she added a challenge that not all classes had the opportunity to do.  Basically, they held a round rope, then leaning back, they all had to sit down at the same time then stand up.  If one person was off it would not work.  They were able to get it on the first try.  The second time they had to go down and up 2 times before releasing.  This took them 2 tries, which the counselor was impressed again.

It was a blast getting to hang out with Dillon.  He is such a good kid, always listening and on task while having fun.  Definitely worth the day to get to hang out with him (except I'm jealous because I didn't get to do any of the challenges).

Monster truck rally

The boys got to go see monster jam!  They went with their friends Joey, Madi and Zach.  

Their favorite truck was "grave digger".  They came home with a huge desire to collect monster trucks so they used some of the money they've saved to buy several.

Sounders game

Since Kayda and I were going on a hike, Daddy and the boys decided, last minute, it would be fun to go to a Sounders Game.  I'll let him write the rest.

We were able to get tickets last minute and headed to the train to ride to Seattle, which the boys had a fun time riding.

Carson didn't want his picture taken in front of Seahawks Stadium, where the Sounder's play.

The seats were 4 rows up in the upper deck and were great seats because all the action could be seen easily.  The Sounders won 1-0 over Sporting Kansas City (the win moved the Sounders into first place over Kansas City in the division).  The boys also had fun seeing and recognizing that what they do at practice, the professionals do as well. 

On the train wearing our new Sounder's shades.

Dillon's baseball

Dillon expressed an interest in baseball so we found a short season to try.  Unfortunately it started over a month after we expected it to start.  Due to the delay Daddy ended up coaching both Kayda and Dillon's teams at once.  We wanted to try a short season to see if he even liked in to decide whether or not to try a longer season next spring.  His favorite position ended up being first base.  He says he wants to give the longer league a try.  It is definitely fun watching him play sports.  He is a natural defensive player.  He played catcher once but wasn't super fond of it, even if he was really good at it.  He thoroughly enjoyed having Daddy be his coach!