Dad's Day: Mamma Mia and Hiawatha Trail (June 18th and 19th)

 Our Dad's Day this year included an evening live performance of Mamma Mia at the Spokane Convention Center and an overnight stay before heading on to Taft,  Montana on Thursday for our e-bike adventure on the Hiawatha Trail. 

The OG-5 had a quickie Italian meal before the show and was just walking up to the entrance and met up with Thomas, Alyson, and Mylee.  

After the show picture because we did not arrive a second early!

Mom, Papa, Amy, Samee

The Lindolm's stayed at Alyson and Shane's place in the Valley and we stayed at the Double Tree. 

We woke up Thursday morning, grabbed Starbucks, picked up Amy at Alysons and headed to breakfast at the Rose Lake Restaurant.

(Alyson went to work and Mylee and Thomas had his wedding tux fitting in Spokane before they headed home).

We were headed to Taft, Montana and the start of the Hiawatha Trail, where we had rented e-bikes for a 15 mile scenic, independent ride with 10 tunnels and 7 trestle bridges that would take us back into Idaho.  

The start of our ride!

The very first tunnel was a 1.5 mile doozy.  We had bike lamps on the front but they were not that great.  I was thankful to finally see some light. 

This tunnel had a half way point marking and we were told that the Idaho tunnel crew and the Montana tunnel crew met there and that the tunnel met within an inch of each side.  Pretty amazing. 

This pretty waterfall was right outside of that tunnel.

Heading into one of the tunnels.   The first one was the longest and the others were varying lengths. 

On one of the trestle bridges. 

Samee packed bear spray but the only wildlife we saw was this sickly looking deer. 

We made it to the end of the trail and back in Idaho!

We had to wait for our turn on the shuttle bus that took us and our bikes back to the shuttle lot at the very first tunnel. 

They unloaded our bikes and we had to bike through the first tunnel one more time. 

That was a tough extra 1.5 mile that we weren't expecting. 

 On our way back to Spokane we stopped in Kellogg to visit grandma. 

We stopped back in Spokane to pick up my car, fill water bottles and use their bathroom.  

I thought about staying one more night but decided to made the drive home. 

Another memorable Dad's Day!

 

Lea's Day-Lea's, Week 25 (2025)

 Day 169, Wednesday, June 18th

Off on her final state drive test!

Dad texted us to make our pass or fail guesses....ha ha!

Returned with a passing score....87%!

And then off to volleyball practice--luckily the drive started and ended at the high school. 

Day 170, Thursday, June 19th

Dads Day on the Hiawatha Trail 

Day 171, Friday, June 20th

She opened up her debit account today, although still using our card associated with her phone's Apple Pay. 

Day 172, Saturday, June 21st

Harper's first time through the coffee window. 

We told her she definitely needed to know how to do this now that she can run to get us drinks in August. 

Day 173, Sunday, June 22nd

Chasing Harper and shooting her with the bug salt gun. 

Day 174, Monday, June 23rd

Harper drove us to Old Navy and parked here, as if there weren't 20 closer spaces than this :)

Day 175, Tuesday, June 24th

Presley wanted a Chewy update so she FaceTimed me for proof of life video.  

Lea's Day-Lea's, Week 24 (2025)

 Day 162, Wednesday,  June 11th

Harper's last day of her freshman year. 

And we took a picture with Rylan, sort of :)

Day 163, Thursday, June 12th

Summer freckles

Day 164, Friday, June 13th

Presley opted to stay the summer in Portland so Dad drove down to help her move into her new little apartment. 

I think this facial expression is Presley realizing she's got ALOT of stuff!

Day 165, Saturday, June 14th

Presley and Kel went to see How to Train a Dragon tonight and highly recommended it. 

Day 166, Sunday, June 15th

Father's Day Memories

Day 167, Monday, June 16th

Ry went to his physical and had to have a blood draw for his NCAA requirements. 

Neither of my boys can handle a needle. 

Day 168, Tuesday, June 17th

Lake Chelan K-Beach volleyball practice

2025 Graduation

Ry's Final Week of High School (June 2nd-June 6th)

Spring Sports Award Ceremony

Ry received the Senior Impact plaque for his leadership, smile, and positive attitude.

We thanked the coach at the end and he told us he really wished Rylan had played all 4 years for him. 

Monday was also the Senior National Honors Society day trip to Chelan Slidewaters.

This was on the bus ride back home. 

College Athletes Recognition Ceremony

(with Coach Heyen, who came in from the volleyball camp where Harper was)

With his great friend Allie, who will be at Walla Walla playing women's basketball. 

Wednesday was the Senior Parade. 

We camped out at the soccer fields, waited for his class to make its way to the high school, and waved and cheered them all on. 

Ry with a boatload of friends! 

And pictures at the high school once everyone arrived. 

A quick birthday celebration after the parade tonight. 

Senior Advice from Ry:

Huzz = Happiness

(I don't think I fully know what "huzz" is)

I was trying to be clever with my money gifts to Rylan's friends for graduation. 

These took me so long and so many times watching and pausing the You Tube video. 

I was showing Kel what I was trying to do and he watched the video once and whipped out like 10 of these in a very short amount of time.   I was super impressed!  

I thought this attempt to contact Ry was so sweet. 

Ry and Carter went to elementary together and played lots of Roblox together.  

I didn't even know they had moved away. 

Ry and Carter eventually did talk on the phone one evening. 

The sweetest unexpected message. 

And him and his friend Ellie have the best smiles! 

Principal's Message 

The seniors put on their cap and gowns and walked the halls of Vale Elementary and Cashmere Middle School. 

Another parent told me that the elementary kids had lots of cheers and high fives for "Nelly" 

Last Day of K-12 School! 

Graduation:  June 6th

1:45 AM, Saturday, June 7th

Dad and I had the early chaperone shift at the WRAC!  

This was taken as the seniors were lining up to get on the bus back to the high school for 3 more hours of Casino and Games Fun!

I feel like we saw him just off and on for the next couple weeks.    He had so many fun parties and sleep overs and memories to make with his class!