Christmas 2023

Filled with family and fun in Vegas! 

Thanksgiving 2023

Love this extra time with family! 

He Passed!

It’s official…Sage is a permit driver! He passed his written exam with an 87 and crushed his vision and road sign tests. Time to start practicing driving! 

Visiting Eryn at Missouri State

 Spent a weekend watching Eryn at Missouri State in the color guard! Very impressive! 

Kai's Jr Longhorn Football Season - 8th Grade

 Kai had a phenomenal 8th grade season playing right tackle for the Jr. Longhorn Football Team.  He played nearly all game every game going up bigger guys, often taking on two opponents at the same time.  He completed his job really well and with his teammates had the best defense in the league.  They made it very difficult for even the toughest teams to score on them.  Kai had numerous sacs and amazing tackles throughout.  Though the team ended with a 2-4 record, they played well and it was a great season of growth and friendship! 

Here are some photos.  For Kai's video highlights check out his Instagram @Kai_Kelly2K28

Sage's Pathfinder Photo of the Week

 Sage's photo was chosen at Photo of the Week in the Pathfinder!

Homecoming Week 2023

 

Sage performing at half time!

Cross country team on West Spirit Day!

Basketball team in the parade

Cross Country team at the dance

Sage with his friends

Kai's football game

Kai in the parade

Sage with his friends pre Homecoming Dance

Sage in his XC meet

HoCo Ready!

With Miles pre HoCo

Pre-parade in the school halls

Parade Time!

Happy 15th Birthday, Sagey!

 Happy 15th birthday to my first born! He is kind and thoughtful, a loyal friend, and a problem solver. He loves to help and does his best to make others feel included. I am so proud of him for how hard he works to set and crush his goals. I hope his 15th year is filled with so much love and fun!!!

Happy 14th Birthday, Kai Bear!

 14 years of you, my Kai Bear! 14 years of fun, laughter, friendly competition, and love. You make me proud every day and I love being your mom! Hope you have the best day!! Happy birthday to ya!

First Day of School 2023-2024

 

Sage - Freshmen Year of High School - Grade 9

Kai - 8th Grade

Back to School Busyness!

 A few days of all the back to school things for my two favorite humans! Kai leading orientation for incoming 6th graders, stuff the locker, and football Jamboree. Sage with freshmen orientation, Cross Country showcase and pictures, and a marching band preview!

Sage's XC Team

Kai leading a group during 6th grade orientation

Kai's football Jamboree

Sage's XC Showcase

Kai stuffing his locker

PNW Vacation July 2023

 Our PNW trip was amazing! Driving the 101 from Seattle to San Francisco with its’ stunning Pacific views and incredible national parks mixed with city sightseeing was definitely a trip to remember. If you haven’t been to the PNW, I highly recommend you make it happen. Here are some highlights.

Our top 5 recommendations:

- Seattle Museum of Pop Culture

- Olympic National Park, WA - Favorite Hikes: Hurricane Ridge, Marymere Falls, and Sol Duc Falls. Favorite rest stop: Lake Crescent

- Cannon Beach, OR

- Redwoods NP (Grove of Titans Trail was our favorite and Mystery of the Trees)

- Alcatraz Island

Our first PNW views from the balcony of Rebecca Reidel Ellison’s home where we stayed the first two nights. Thank you for sharing your home! We loved the neighborhood and those views!

What’s that in your hair, Sage? They say it’s good luck to be pooped on by a bird. We did have great luck the rest of the trip though!!!

On our way to the top of the Space Needle!

Outside the Museum of Pop Culture. If you have teens and are in Seattle, this is a MUST do!! We loved this place!

On to see the locks in Ballard! This was fascinating. We also saw a salmon ladder. Very cool!

Here we are with our amazing tour guide and cousin, Rochelle Krahn. She drove us around Seattle, walked us through all the hot spots, and shared lots of interesting info along the way. What an awesome way to experience the city! We are so grateful to have spent the day with her.

Tour of University of Washington

Massive football and basketball stadiums! We might have some future Huskies on our hands.

The next day, we drove out of the city via ferry to Olympic National Park.

On our way to the top of Hurricane Ridge

Spectacular views from the top!

The next day, we started our morning with an awesome hike to Marymere Falls

And a trip to Lake Crescent.

Sage pointing out the top of Storm King where he hiked hundreds of switchbacks 2 miles straight up and 2 miles down the side of the mountain. Easily the most challenging trail we’ve ever done.

Next day, Sol Duc Falls Trail. Gorgeous hike!!

Kai taking a break on the Spruce Nature Trail after we already did the Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest section of Olympic NP.

Next up, Cannon Beach, Oregon. This might have been my favorite place! Stunning views of the Pacific and the mountains. That’s Haystack Rock in the distance.

Spent some time with our Portland cousins. Thanks Julia Politte for bringing the family to hang out with us!

The tide pools at the rocks were incredible! We saw so many ocean creatures. They were everywhere

Pacific views along one of the many overlooks along the 101

Kai’s favorite burger in Reevesport, OR

Natural Bridges Overlook

After dinner walk through the Harbor

Then onto Redwoods NP! Starting with the Grove of Titans Trail.

Trees of Mystery Skywalk. Very fun!

On our gondola ride through the trees

One last Beach stop at the Kuchel Visitor Center’s black sand beach.

Sage’s favorite burger in Trinidad, CA

We made it to San Francisco!

Ghiradelli's chocolate factory

Climbing the massive hills in San Francisco

Lombard Street

Chinatown

Shrimp Lo mein - best of his life!

On the Pier watching the sea lions

view of Alcatraz Island in the background

Now, we're on Alcatraz Island

Bay Bridge on our 3 am trip to the airport

The one unfortunate incident of the trip - Sage and Kai knocking heads!

Tolovana Inn, Cannon Beach, OR