James played JV football for Archbishop Hoban this year. That meant going to practice all week and attending Varsity and JV football games. Schedules did not permit being at every game, so the pictures were rather scarce, especially compared to last year, but all the pictures can be found on the pictures page.
There were a few things that I wanted to cross off the list for this summer and I’m happy to say that one of them got done. The kids and I went to the Cleveland Zoo. Originally, the plan was that we were all going to go to the Akron Zoo, but upon further investigation it seems that the Akron Zoo, while nice, is perhaps not really big enough nor does it have enough to occupy children who are high school age.
The decision to go to the Cleveland Zoo ended up being a very good one. We all had a lot of fun and there was so much to see and do that honestly we are considering getting a year pass for the zoo next year, because that will allow us to go several times next year. All the pictures were collected and they can all be found on the pictures page.
This marks Eddy’s 15th birthday. Another birthday means another chance to have a cookout. This cookout was unfortunately cut a bit short by the weather. The pictures had to be taken inside and Eddy is quite soaked from having to run outside and help move the birthday party indoors. Luckily the food had already been prepared and it was not a problem having everyone come inside to eat.
Eddy got everything he asked for, which is to say that all he asked for was this collection of books. The books are very important to him, because he likes to read them and to draw. He was very pleased with this and his pair of new jeans. There is one book missing from the picture and that is because it was on back order. That has since been resolved. As usual all the pictures can be found on the pictures page.
After a great deal of practicing maneuverability in parking lots and driving around Akron Michelle has passed the driving test.
Patty’s 16th birthday went well. The weather permitted a fine cookout. Cake and ice cream were served. All of the family that could be there were. She even got the only thing she asked for, which was an iPhone.
The cookout included chicken that had been marinating overnight. Plain chicken seemed awful boring and mesquite seemed to be a flavor that everyone would enjoy. With Kristy’s help bacon was added to the cheddar cheeseburgers, after cooking bacon on the grill did not turn out so well and it had to be completed inside. Everyone really enjoyed the food.
The cake and ice cream was served after the dinner and Patty finally got her gift. She already knew what it was, because she only asked for one thing. Everyone really pitched in for this gift and it was worth it, because she really loves it. As usual you can find all the pictures on the pictures page.
As part of a 4th of July tradition we biked down the Towpath to Lock 3 in downtown Akron and watched the fireworks. The fireworks show was much improved over last year. Not to complain, but last year was over very quickly without much in the way of actual fireworks. There were some light sprinkles on the way back home, but it did not pour down like it did last year. We managed to get a great place to stand to watch the show. All the pictures can be seen on the pictures page.
The graduation for the Westlake High School class of 2013 was held in Cleveland at the Wolstein Center. Michelle had quite a lot of family show up to this event. Her godmother Rebecca, her Grandparents on her mother’s side, her sister and brother, and her mother and I.
We found seats and sat through the graduation. We clapped. We heard speeches from administration and class valedictorians. It was great watching Michelle walk across the stage. Pictures were taken, roses were given to Michelle afterwards, and we are all so proud.
We all went out for an early dinner after the graduation. There are two more children that will need to graduate from high school now. Michelle will be moving on to college, and driving, and all sorts of wonderful things. As always all the pictures can be found on the pictures page.
Patty made honor roll for the majority of her Sophomore year at Archbishop High School, so she was invited to and received an award at Honors Night. Honors Night is a night of recognizing all the achievements of students at Archbishop Hoban and especially the seniors who are receiving grants and awards on their way to college. If Patty continues to do well this will be something to attend for the next few years. Her mother and I were in attendance, along with her sister and Grandmother. It was great seeing her win an award.
Patty is playing Lacrosse for Hoban. This is their inaugural year for girls lacrosse. Many of the students on the team are playing the game for the first time and while Patty is starting as a goalie for the JV team there are no promises she will end the year there. Many of the teams they will play this year have been playing for years. These pictures were taken at the first scrimmage for the girls JV lacrosse team. They have already played a few games and Patty has already won her first game. There will be more pictures to follow showing the home and away jersey.
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Originally the plan for this birthday was a cookout, which has become a bit of a tradition, but the weather was not cooperating this week with temperatures in the 40’s and quite a bit of rain. It certainly looked as though the cookout could happen and the preparations were made to have one, but in the end the plans had to be changed. It was decided that the meal should be a favorite of Michelle’s choosing and what she wanted was potato gnocchi with vodka sauce. This dish is usually served with a vegetable, so yellow squash, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms were sauteed. This was served with a parmesan crusted chicken. It was a very elaborate meal.
Dinner was served and it came out extremely well and there was plenty for everyone to eat. Next was the singing of “Happy Birthday” and ice cream cake. Finally, the presents were given to Michelle. The original gifts were things that she needed, but were sort of gag gifts in order to throw her off from the main gift, which was a new laptop. The complete set of pictures can be found on the pictures page.