Ry, Harper and I drove in Ry's truck to Newberg on Thursday, August 21st.
We stopped in Portland for dinner with Presley and Kel.
Dave was supposed to be right behind us in his own car, but got caught up helping papa at the hospital and then he finally got out to Blewitt Pass and it was closed due to a fire.
We later learned it was a motorhome that had caught fire. The timing was very unlikely because we had made it through prior to this happening and Dave was on his way and the police/ responders hadn't put up the detour/road closed signs yet.
So he had to turn around and go back to Wenatchee/East Wenatchee and out thru Yakima.
It probably added on an hour to his drive, and he didn't arrive until 1:30 in the morning.
We decided to walk around the campus when we arrived.
Ry had a key card that got us in his dorm, but not into his dorm room.
But we found it, first door upstairs on the right.
Friday, August 22nd
We were up bright and early because Ry's check in time was 8:30.
We had breakfast at our hotel, and made our way to his campus.
We pulled in to park and 2 reporters approached Rylan to ask if they could follow him around for a "move in day" article.
The football team literally unloads your vehicle and brings all your things to your room.
His stuff was in his room in about 5 minutes and then we came in to organize it.
It did not take long at all!
George Fox made a short video of move in day and Dave recognized that is Rylan's truck and his mini refrigerator being brought in by the school's President, Dr. Robin Baker.
We made the instagram!
It was a very hot move in day!
Cristy's graduation gift (Bruins candy jar) made it and has been re-filled.
The afternoon was busier. We went out to lunch, dropped off Harper at the hotel, and then parents had some informational meetings and incoming freshman had some getting to know you activities and snacks in the commons area.
We met up at the Wheeler Center Open House.
We found an empty table for mens basketball, and watched a volleyball inter squad scrimmage.
As we were walking out, Ry ran into some of his teammates and the assistant coach.
They recognized him right away, and Ry them (I guess from the summer's Zoom meetings).
Coach B showed us the men's basketball locker room.
Coach B walked us across the football field to show Ry the athletics weight room and to meet the athletic trainer.
We left the campus, went to dinner, dropped off Ry to have some time to meet his roommate (he had moved in but we hadn't seen him yet), and Ry hung out with his Pennington dorm mates.
We had to be back at 7 PM for the President's Welcome and then the Candlelight Good-Bye.
Ry walked in with other students and we sat up in the stands.
One of the student speakers kind of flubbed up/stuttered and referred to the semester as a semester-turd, which we acted like the nelsons we are and all giggled at and then started side texting about semesterturds.
The speeches were going on and on and Harper and I looked over at Dave and he was watching Rylan's 20 minute YouTube highlight video my dad made.
Ry receiving his George Fox Presidential Challenge Coin.
He's supposed to hold onto this until the end of his 4 years and then present it to a staff member who made an impact in his college career.
Finally we all met on the campus Quad for the candlelight good bye.
And we hugged and said our goodbyes and teared up a little, and then headed to DQ for a treat.
(which is apparently is a Nelson tradition--this was in August 2022, at a Spokane DQ after Gonzaga's drop off for Presley)
Saturday, August 23rd --HARPER'S 16th BIRTHDAY
Dave drove Harper's car to Newberg so she could ride in it on her birthday but we ended up going home and she actually did get to drive independently today.
So the plan was to pick up Rylan for breakfast and then walk the campus, maybe buy his books, and show him the buildings where his classes were located.
But we definitely got the message last night that the parents portion was over and to not show up /hang around another day.
We shifted gears and checked out of our hotel and picked Ry up for breakfast (Presley joined us), dropped Ry back off, and then we left for home.
We ate at the Cat's Cafe and Ry referred to his breakfast meal as Cat Yak-so we probably won't eat there again!
Walking into his dorm and new chapter of life!
We made it home and Harper was surprised to find her friend had put up some happy birthday decorations for her.
The mom texted me and I gave her our garage code.
Dave put a George Fox sticker on my water bottle.
It's me, I'm the unhinged parent....
We found him!
That's Ry in the background in his Cashmere basketball shirt :)
(George Fox had a lot of fun welcome activities like explore Newberg, Rec Fest, and party on the Quad, and he also had his first team dinner at Coach Maco's house)
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