Stinkin' Proud

I started this post a week ago, but never finished it. Talia officially started classes at BYU today.  So happy for her, but let the tears flow!

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It's an emotional moment.  Talia moves into her freshman dorm in two days, Brooklyn is living her best life in Bilbao, Eli is rocking his sophomore year, and Annika is officially in Middle School.  How did the time pass so quickly?  Even though we still have challenging moments, I am just so stinkin' proud of these kids.  They work so hard and make so many great choices.  Humility matters, but I think it's also important to recognize accomplishments.  So today, let's celebrate!

Robotics

I know I blogged about it a while back here, but Eli rocked Red Rock Robotics freshman year.  He was so dedicated to the team, committing hours and hours after school to helping them refine their amazing machine.

In the end, their robot ranked 8th out of 75 teams in the Blue Alliance at the World Championships in Houston.  Just being invited to attend was quite an honor--I'm so happy that they performed so well.  Eli had an amazing experience traveling there with his team and teachers.  Fingers crossed they can make it to Worlds again this year!

Eli worked hard on robotics at home too, designing these cool 3D printed pendants to share with other teams.

He also printed these super cool nametags for his teammates.

Here's Eli sharing the robotics fun with Anders at one of their competitions.  Future engineers in the making!

Eli was both the youngest student to travel with the team and the only student who didn't have a cell phone.  As a mom, I didn't worry much because I know how responsible, observant and resourceful Eli is.  However, I think the situation stressed out his coach a few times; she worried that he might get lost in the thousands of people swarming the Houston arena.  Afterward we joked that she would have liked for him to wear his luggage tag as a nametag as well.

Celebrating with an end-of-the-year robotics picnic.  Enrique came straight from running the Salt Lake City marathon!

We are so grateful to all of the coaches and mentors for the countless hours they invest in the program.  Thank you!  In many ways, robotics has defined Eli's high school experience, both challenging him and helping him to find his people.

Krakens Ultimate Frisbee.  Warning: I have way too many photos here, but I'm not certain that anyone else in the family will play high school Ultimate again, so this is my way of grieving.

Winter season means playing on the indoor fields. Apparently the turf serves multiple purposes.  Talia went to Prom with Bryce, one of the boys she met on an opposing team.  Don't think he's in this photo, but maybe?

Back outdoors for spring training. I absolutely love Coach Erin and Coach Kellie.  Kellie challenges the girls while Erin is the kindest, most supportive coach that connects with and loves these gals as they grow into amazing humans.

Adding to the fun was the fact that the Krakens Girls Team was really good this year--ranked as one of the top teams in the nation.  We love the game whether they win or lose, but let's be honest--sometimes victory feels nice.

Check out the new jerseys!  The Krakens get a Celtic flare.

Playing in Provo on Easter weekend.

Back to Riverside Park.

Nice catch, Ollie!

States!

This spring Eli prioritized Robotics over Ultimate so he didn't get much play time.  But here his is supporting his team at the State Tourney.  

Krakens Girls positively rocked states, winning every game but the very last which was super close.  The team played so cohesively, even with a wide range of young and experienced players.  

Too bad Annika and her buddy Sam missed it all!

I'm sure going to miss hanging out on the fields with my friend Jamie.

So stinkin' proud of this kid!  She shines.  Also Brooklyn, we think of you and miss you every time we watch Ultimate as well.  Thanks for introducing us to such an amazing sport!

Celebrating a win.

Check out these powerful Seniors!

Speedy and strong.

Coach Erin gave Talia this super cute Jersey.  Each Senior got a different one that represented their personality and contributions.

Many of the girls were Freshman, so it will be fun to see how the team grows over the next three years.

These handsome boys came to watch the girls play. Thanks Uncle Justin!

Thanks to Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles for coming down too.

These boys are just silly.

But...the Boys Krakens team proved to be quite useful in shepherding a stray dog off the field when it interrupted play during the Girls' Championship game.  Not to be petty, but the dog seriously impeded the flow.  Our team was tied/ahead up until the canine stopped play.  The exhausted girls had a hard time regaining momentum once the game started again.

While Provo may have taken the title, everyone left feeling like a winner.

Arts and Crafts

Moving on to accomplishments of a different sort, Talia's IB Art Show was held this spring.  Here are some photos of her art in all different stages.

Her drawing of Papa Kay won second place in 2D Visual Art at the District Art show!  At first I was skeptical of the textured background made from rolled up pieces of construction paper, but it turned out beautifully.

Zion liked it too.

The size of this piece makes it particularly poignant.  I adore the colors on the wings as well.  Plus, I spy Anders!

Sticking with the Icarus theme, just look at this beautifully embroidered design.

After drawing these gorgeous clouds, Talia burnt the paper where Icarus would fall through.

Stunning and so unique!

This one makes me cry.

Setting up her art at the Marmalade Library.

Here's her friend Annie with her ceramic creations.

Admiring the finished pieces.

Papa Kay, you have an award-winning smile!

Here are some of the IB art students.  They displayed their work over a couple of sessions because there were too many artists to feature at once.

Their art teacher, Mr. Smith, is fabulous.  This was his final year teaching before retirement.

Janet, Greg and Alesia visited at just the right time to see Talia's display.  We were so glad they could come!

Talia loved the flowers they brought too.  Thank you!

Exploring the library terrace after.

Last but not least, some painting fun.  Talia whipped out this portrait one afternoon when she was feeling relaxed.

As for Annika, she prefers to work in miniature.  Here are some pets she sculpted: eight puppies, including a hot dog...

Three kittens and their toys...

More mice and the snake that might eat them...

 

And three birds.

Moving into the 2D artistic realm, Annika loves to draw, particularly with colored pencil.

She creates elaborate background stories and settings for all of her imaginary characters as well.

She adores wolves and wrote a passionate letter to the mayor advocating for the reintroduction of wolves into Salt Lake City.  Since then we've discussed how the Uintas might be a more promising habitat.

Last of all, here's Zion's creative handiwork.  When it comes to plastic toys, our dog is a menace!

I've heard that axolotls are capable of regenerating a limb or even an organ.  Perhaps they can regrow faces too?  Anyhoo, thanks for celebrating some of our springtime wins.  Hermana Brooklyn, we wish you were here to be in these photos!  Just know that we are so very stinkin' proud of you too.

P.S.  Just realized that nearly sixteen years ago I labeled a different post "Stinkin' Proud" as well.  Time flies!