End of Summer

The goal was to find balance this summer - balance between work and play!

While all three of us spent a lot of time in the office/ranch/restaurant, there were definitely some highlights that made it all worthwhile, including:

a concert!

a first tattoo!

Fourth of July festivities with (girl)friends!

Not as much time on the water as we wanted... but we all got in a float or two this summer!

And mostly just good times with friends... there were some fun regional adventures including:

Strawberry Days in Glenwood Springs

Balloon Festival in Craig

And a night out with friends in Grand Junction!

Back in Meeker, once Hamp got fully sucked in to working every day on the guest ranch, Sam managed to squeeze in a volleyball tournament fundraiser and a part in the summer community theater production of Mamma Mia!

And I managed to sneak away for a weekend to celebrate Mojo's 75th birthday on the beach!

Not too shabby for a summer when Sam spent most lunch and dinner hours tossing pizzas at the Brewery and Hamp spent too much time up in the mountains on the guest ranch... but they never really complained, probably because they both got to work with their best friends!

And I think I did a pretty good job of finding that balance of work, play, and time that I got to spend with these two!

three-peat!

As they have in years past (freshman and sophomore years), Sam & Finley partnered up for their leadership project with FCCLA again and blew through the competition at the State level to secure a place at the national convention.

Check out this great crew of winners at the State Conference in Denver:

With the confidence of their Gold Medal, they headed up to Seattle for the National Convention with a great group representing MHS. 

And while (spoiler alert) they did not place this year in the top ten, that disappointment was tempered with all the great activities and good company! 

Start of Summer

Weather has been unpredictable and we all three are working pretty steadily this summer.

But I have managed to take some advantage of time on the water...

Rio Blanco Lake

Lake Avery

Harvey Gap

... here's to hoping we can all find a little balance this summer!

track & field

This has been a great season for Sam in track & field - he has seen personal bests in all 3 of his events and even qualified for the State meet in pole vault! Best of all, as a Junior now he is starting to take more of a leadership role on the team and help some of the younger athletes see success as well. It has been so fulfilling to see him go higher and farther and feel excited about competing... and of course, he loves the camaraderie of spending his weekend on the track with his friends!

HIGH JUMP - 5' 7.5"

TRIPLE JUMP - 39' 3"

POLE VAULT - 13' !!!

Check out his person record vault of 13 feet: 

Jr/Sr Prom

 Sam shared his first prom with his very lovely girlfriend and they could not have been any cuter together! They were very gracious throughout the whole pre-prom photo session... and of course I loved seeing Sam all spiffed up and posing with all his friends!

It was great having Mojo in town to help share in the collective parental fawning over all the beautiful people... and wonderful watching them all be happy, goofy, shiny, and excited together!

Emma

Hoorah! Another incredible show in the records of Meeker High...
This year, the spring musical was Emma: A Pop Musical!

This show could not have been more appropriate for this group of performers, and more fun for the audience! The music was all familiar and the kids were so great to watch. I was particularly proud of Sam as he took on the role of Mr. Knightley and absolutely gave 100% on stage - an amazing solo with Things I'll Never Say and some great dance scenes - and it was just so wonderful to watch him perform and truly enjoy being a part of the show! Doesn't hurt that he had this gang of prep school guys to hang out with:

A special thanks to a good friend for getting some beautiful action shots during the show:

meanwhile...

 ... as Sam and I went east for spring break, Hamp went west to make good use of his ski pass in Palisades Tahoe!