Vegas / Graceland

36 hours in Vegas to watch Aunt Ashley get married by Elvis, soak in some 110F sun, squeeze in some fine dining (Essex & Beauty, STK) and place a few bets at the MGM sports book.

Happily ever after to you and Matt, Ashley! 

Last day of school!

Another year in the books, and what a wild one. Distance learning, hybrid learning, in-person masked & podded learning, quarantines, testing... you name it.  These kids were impressively resilient in spite of the circumstances. Fingers crossed that 2021-22 is back closer to normal?!?

Here's the annual interview...

What were your favorite things about 4th grade/6th grade?

E: Being able to walk around in the middle of class.

D: You can walk around in the middle of class?

E: No, like after class you can like walk to your next class and stuff.

S: Friends, just having them in my class, and my teacher, Miss Holmstrom.

What will you miss most about 4th grade/6th grade?

E: I don't know. The teachers, I guess.

S: Ahhhh... friends, and my teacher

What won't you miss about 4th grade/6th grade?

E: Not having any classes with friends.

D: That won't happen in 7th grade?

E: Like, I don't know if it will or won't, so...

E: Is that it?

S: Ummm... science, no health... health is bad. And, masks.

Schwerv

The Irvins were in MN for the first time in forever and were able to sneak away to catch up, of course, on a basketball court. Happened to run into our other UST roomie Jesse too when at Kennedy Activity Center (our daughters all, as it turns out, hoop for the same AAU organization).

Cannonball

S made a friend at a gem hidden under our nose behind WHS.

Father's Day

Breakfast in bed with my kids, beers with the sibs and my dad, and some pool time cool down... not a bad way to celebrate!

12U Gold Softball Season Wrap-Up

Well, the Law of Averages would say that this season has been a long time coming. E's been on a lot of successful sports teams in her youth career, and this 12U Gold squad was not one of them. The team took lumps to the tune of a 5-44 record and were 15-runned a number of times, but built some grit and showed resolve throughout.

E was one of the team's best contact hitters, showing improvements in power, and was a leader in runs and RBIs. She also became the team's utility fielder, making big plays all around the IF/OF (3rd was her favorite). 

2027 MN Stars Season Wrap-Up

E's Stars squad finished strong, earning 3rd place in their finale without their superstar from North St. Paul. This team played together as well as any at this level in AAU, with each player finding their niche to contribute.

Evie did a great job of transitioning from on the ball during school ball to playing off it in AAU, becoming a very nice catch and shoot 3-pt specialist, with a developing pump and drive floater. 

Thanks to Coach Bre & Scott!

Hamel Black Season Wrap-Up

Sawyer's Hamel Black team ended the season with win over her BFF Jack's Blue team, and a near upset of the league's top team in a dramatic semifinal game that went three extra innings. Sawyer had her best hit of the season, a double off the fence, and came up big defensively as a catcher in the 9th, chasing down a foul fly ball and throwing out a runner stealing second.

Fun season for these overachievers. Thanks to Coach Nate & company.

2029 MN Stars Season Wrap-Up

Sawyer's Stars season ended with a roller coaster ride. After being put on the DL with a separated shoulder after getting tackled by a 6th grader in an AAU game that felt a lot more like a football game, S returned for the team's final tournament and laid it all out on the floor. 

So proud of Sawyer's selflessness & "hoops IQ", her rising to the challenge of getting the toughest defensive assignment week after week, and how she started to get more comfortable asserting herself offensively when her team needed it most (against tougher competition).

It's a girl!

At 1:30am on June 4, 2021, Aubree Quinn (8lb, 15oz) made her entrance into the world. 

La and baby are healthy and happy. The rest of us cannot wait to squeeze that thing!

Whitewater State Park

Legs a little fried from the day before, we hit Whitewater on our way back from Winona, and, man, are we glad we did. The park is absolutely a new family favorite. While the hike was fairly steep and treacherous at times, the rewards along the way were remarkable. Spectacular views, fun wildlife and enticing "off the beaten path" areas to explore.