When Mary first chose Kalispell, Montana for our 2024 ski destination, I was a little bit scared. There just wasn't an easy way to get there....and we had a 15-month-old who can turn into a demon on road trips. But I smiled and booked the flights and pretended everything was going ok.
Now, Brecken wasn't perfect on the 2 flights to Montana (including a Denver stop), but he was manageable for a stressful 12 hr travel day, which eased my anxiety a little bit. But it only took me 10 minutes at the Whitefish Mountain Resort to understand why everyone should ski there just once: All the views, all the great skiing, none of the line waits.
Our trip was amazing!
You all will surely bookmark this ski trip as the trip your Dad took snowboarding lessons, and had 2 eventful stories to share. I don't regret my decision to try something new, but when the inspector said it would take a week minimum to learn snowboarding, I knew I'd be switching to skiis at lunch.
Whitefish Mountain Resort December 2024
On Day 1 when I met up with you all for lunch, I'll always remember the news update: Leah killed it all morning and Logan struggled. Now, Logan eventually got over the early jitters and knocked out a couple Black Diamonds, but it was exciting to see you both enjoying the slopes so much.
On Day 2 of skiing, the 4 of us enjoyed the super-long run of 'Russ's Street' (blue run), which had some moguls, steep spots, jumps, and spectacular views. I kept thinking to myself: I would totally come back here! That sentiment was reinforced when the 2 of you told me you'd pick Whitefish again.
After 2 days of skiing, we headed East to check out Glacier National Park. Much of the park was closed, but it got me motivated to bring you back when the 'Road to the Sun' was open.
Amazing trip with some well-deserved down time! I LOVE that you 2 LOVE skiing!! PS. No more snowboard attempts from Dad!
This fall was a rollercoaster for our schedule, that translated to a rollercoaster of emotions!
Leah, lets start with your volleyball. Your 8th grade Rockvale Varsity team had high expectations this season after you got 2nd place in the JV tourney last year. But the journey you girls took us on will make memories for a lifetime!
Starting the season with wins against tough rivals Oakland and Eagleville, you girls went undefeated in district play, earning the #1 seed for the final tournament. Then, you went full steam ahead all the way through the finals to beat Stewarts Creek in the Championship. You played some of your best volleyball in your 3 tournament games, which earned you All-District Tournament honors.
Rockvale Middle School Varsity Volleyball, County Champs 2024
Logan, not only did Fall '24 mark your first full season with Pool 1, but it's also the first year Kings Hammer implemented the Academy program. So on top of your already intense State League, your squad would be playing teams throughout the entire Southeast. The results didn't yield any medals, but you all finished in the top of the standings chart against several Atlanta teams and were 1 win away from going to the NPL national tournament. This NPL experience has elevated both your individual play and your teamwork, so I'm grateful you're getting this opportunity.
Final Dad thoughts: Rutherford County sports are no joke! Whether in your travel leagues or your middle school teams, you are facing top-notch competition every time you go compete. And I'm proud of each of you because you've embraced your sport and put in the time and dedication to elevate both your skills and leadership--those are skills that will serve you well (no volleyball pun intended) your entire life. Keep grinding! Keep pushing!! and I'll continue to be your biggest fan!
In June 2024, we packed up a Turo vehicle and joined the Hickman County/Fairview crew for the group's 3rd beach vacation. We returned to Miramar Beach in a beach house just a few blocks from 2022. This year, Beach Olympics were as competitive as ever, and all the middle schoolers got to enjoy a week with Brecken.
I'm writing this entry on May 24, 2024--officially the last day of school for Logan's 6th grade and Leah's 7th grade. Leah, for reference- you had Day 1 of volleyball tryouts today.
I wish I could explain in words how insanely chaotic the last few months have been and exactly how proud I am of both you. So let's go through the Spring semester 2024...
Logan, once fall soccer ended (Pool 2 under Coach Tommy), they introduced a mandatory 'Winter League' for Kings Hammer. The time commitment wasn't huge, but you were also doing wrestling. Per all the wrestling coaches, your improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 was incredible. You were aggressive in all your meets and had a new set of skills that led to several medals. Grandpa was super proud of you as he came to several of your meets.
Logan's 1st Middle School Goal via Direct Kick
Once soccer came around, not only did you get the bump up to Pool 1 (Coach Brian Grogan), but you also made the Rockvale Middle School team. That meant you had practice all 5 nights a week and 2 practices on Tuesday and Fridays. It was a lot to juggle, but you did it with almost zero complaints, and your grades never suffered, so ultimately you got your first real test of Time Management in school. For 4 months, you were a Rockvale Raven and a Kings Hammer P1 Centerback.
13-Silver, 1st Place Boro Bash
Leah, right after RMS tryouts, you tried out for Middle TN Volleyball club and were selected to the 13-Silver team. Those practices started in January 2024, and the travel schedule had you going from Birmingham, Alabama, to Atlanta, Georgia. Honestly, I had no idea that travel volleyball was so intense. We showed up to tournaments that had 500+ Teams in giant auditoriums, that had elements of carnivals (food vendors, etc) and crazy parents. You had a lot of fun traveling with Kalea and Eden, and I enjoyed mingling with all the parents.
Leah, your team won 3 of your Spring tournaments, and in April '24, your team beat '13-Blue' in one of the tournaments which was a huge upset. Like always, I made a video for you, but, per you....the video was 'fire', but not good enough to pass along to your friends. Um, skibidi??
Logan, when Coach Brian invited you to Pool 1, that invite included a position change--full time Centerback. You basically learned a brand-new position on-the-fly in a few weeks against the best competition. And with every game, you gained a little bit more confidence to a point where all the other dads were noticing your improvement. It was special to watch.
Leah, your confidence was growing with every match and practice as well. I'll always remember when the moment you were excited to do a jump serve in a game. You also became a solid passer and a blocker this spring. 13-Silver led to you being a more all-around volleyball player, and it was fun to watch.
There's an X-factor here. Let's not forget that in the middle of all these crazy sports, little Brother Brecken was yelling Ba-ba-ba-da-da-da-ma-ma-ma in the background. A new baby in any house, brings a lot of emotions and a lot of situations that require patience. And you 2 handled it was a lot of grace, and I wish I could thank you a million times over for always being such a great older sibling to Brecken....he is soooooooooooo lucky to have you both. I know there have been times where you both want peace and quiet...or maybe just wanted to mind your business. And there's a baby there just messing everything up. But you 2 fed him, and held him, and played with him, and even changed a couple of diapers. It was amazing to watch!
So after all that...after all the practices...and all the homework...and all the scheduling....then came the moment that Mary and I were most proud of: On May 18, both of you walked across the RMS stage and received your plaque for Principal's List...all A's in year of complete chaos.
Leah's 7th Grade Awards Day Principal's List
Logan's 6th Grade Awards Day, Principal's List
I'll never get tired of telling you how proud I am of both of you. You each have your own style and your own personality on how you deal with just about everything. And, and guess what? Both of you continue to find your individual path to success. I love that!
Li'l Bro Brecken was born on September 5, 2023, and that began the insanity of what we shall remember as the Fall and early Winter of 2023. First, no family that claims to be sane would ever embark on a major journey with an infant. Yet, we did. For Fall Break 2023, a mere 1 month after Brecken was born, we headed Out West with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Aunt Daniela, and (Great) Aunt DeeDee. We had a beautiful cabin in Island Park, Idaho, and we were all able to see 2 new National Parks (Yellowstone, and Grand Teton).
Here's the video from the week:
Here's the link: https://youtu.be/pUPFz1IRhGo
Leah ended an exciting 7th Grade volleyball season with a long tournament run which gave your JV team runner-up in the county. But the that was followed up with tryouts for Middle TN Volleyball Club where you were selected for the Silver Team. An era of 2 kids in travel sports as begun!
Rutherford County Tournament 09.23
Logan, you and Kings Hammer Pool 2 found a lot of success this fall that included a major position change of playing Centerback. That success dominoed into a tournament invite from Pool, which lead to a Spring invite for a Pool 1 Roster spot. On top of all that, wrestling season started, and everyone commented that you were a different, more intense wrestling with a year under your belt.
Gatlinburg 12.23
Biscayne National Park 12.23
For the last few years, skiing and Colorado has been our annual Winter Break trip, but Brecken asked us to take a year off in 2023. So, we went South to Key Largo and the Florida Keys. 2 more national parks and the realization that the Keys don't have a lot of beaches. Luckily, we were able to find an okayish beach in Marathon Beach, but even better, we left our Saturday open and hit Miami Beach for a couple hours before flying out.
Marathon Beach 12.23
By the time Christmas got here, we all needed a nap!!!
One might guess that a house or family with an already-crazy schedule and with a baby on the way would take some summer downtime to relax and chill for a bit. But that's just not us.
Navarre Beach 07.23
So what did we do this summer? How about a recap:
June 2023- Annual Pontoon party on Center Hill Lake. Celebrated Dad's birthday with Aunt DeeDee. Headed to Navarre Beach...and for us that means Navarre Zoo. This year we met a Sloth!
July 2023- Still at the beach, we got to experience 4th of July fireworks from the Navarre Pier while eating insanely huge ice cream sundaes. After the holiday, Leah's volleyball started a 3-week gauntlet of non-stop practices, sometimes 2-a-days! We managed to sneak in a couple of lake trips, and both of you tried wakeboarding.
August 2023- School starts. Soccer starts. Lots of NSC games. Lots of volleyball games. Logan ran a triathlon.
