Busy normal week!

This week we had a busy but overall normal week which has been nice.  The weather cooled down to normal fall temperatures, the kids have been busy with school, and we are keeping busy with work.  

On Friday I was able to tour the PAC with a group and hope to go back with the kids and Matt soon.  We got to go in the huge pipe organ and it was amazing to see the inner workings.  We went to the second landing but opted not to venture to the third which seemed a bit more complex to get to.  This is another member of the group and you can see the ladder and walkway we were on, surrounded by pipes.  

There was a small space in the middle that had a bit more room.  

We then went to the control room and it was odd how small it made the PAC seem!  

The giant black box to the right of this staff member is the projector.  Learned some cool stuff about what it can do as well!

And a cool view from the stage where you can see the control booth.  We got to check out all the rigging and learned a lot about how they turn the space over for the various events they host.  

And a cool view of the chandelier!  We didn't get to tour it this time but I am working to get us in there when we go back!  

And we got to go under the stage and see where the extra seats get stored.  

And the cool walkway between the seat storage and the PAC space itself.  Cool but weird!

Yesterday Anna and Olivier competed with their band in a field show competition in Simi Valley.  They earned 2nd play in their division as well as the High Auxiliary Award.  Way to go band!  

Hot week!

This week have all just about melted.  Thankfully the evenings have cooled down!  Anna and Olivier were especially grateful it cooled down at night because Friday was the homecoming football game which meant a running rally at school in their marching uniforms, followed by uniform photos after school, and of course the football game.  We were able to go watch the game and it was a big win for their school!  We got to see the first two movements of their field show.  I recorded it in pieces.  Here is the first part.  

And here is the second:

And we got to see the national anthem:

This is a photo the band shared that I enjoyed seeing because it has a perspective we don't typically see and it has Anna and Olivier included!

And Saturday night Mason went to the homecoming dance with some friends.  

We are keeping busy working to keep up with these three!  

Busy week and weekend!

This week the kids have been busy with school activities, and that went into the weekend with Anna and Olivier having a field day on Saturday practicing the band's field show as they prepare for the competition coming in a couple of weeks.  Mason and Matt headed to Folsom Friday night for a volleyball tournament on Saturday and Sunday.  

This photo was taken a couple weeks ago but I missed sharing it.  There was someone wanting to ride the duck that is on Olivier's bike!  

And here are a couple short videos from Mason's volleyball.

Not skydiving!

Today we enjoyed a rare day together to hang out and do something!  We went to the local air show.  Before the show started we checked out some of the vehicles, including this SWAT vehicle.  

And we checked out the refueling plane, and yes, it looks like a plane for sky diving!  Not on the agenda!

One of the first performances was this very cool aerial stunt plane!

Didn't get the super cool photo of the jet, but we sure enjoyed watching it!  

Nice way to spend a day together!

Volleyball!

Yesterday Mason's travel volleyball team had their qualifiers for the tournament this season.  They played four games and Mason played each and every moment and kept getting stronger!  And three of the four games went to three sets!  Here are a couple of videos:

And after a very long day, here is the game winning point in their final game of the day to win in the third set!

Way to go Mason!

Eating together again!

Last Sunday we still were under a lot of heat at home but a short trip to walk on the beach was a much appreciated escape.  Can you tell there is a giant rock behind that fog?  

On Monday we were happy to all test negative for COVID and we were able to have dinner together!  Wa hoo!  Toward the end of the week we had concerns that we might have another issue with COVID but it has so far been just a head cold.  Whew!  

Today Mason is at the first event of his travel volleyball season.  Exciting to see what this season has in store!  

 

Ugh the heat wave has hit!

We enjoyed a warm (but not crazy hot) Labor day by hanging out outside.  Mason and I started by playing cornhole in the extra space we have beyond our back fence because it was extra shaded.  As we were setting up, I saw this visitor who went quickly on their way when Matt went to pet it.  And thankfully away from us and the house!   

Matt, Anna and Olivier enjoyed the shade of the umbrella and played some games.  

Mason and I ended up playing almost two hour of cornhole.  In a sign of getting older, my arm was tired but it was worth it!  

And here is the nasty heat wave we are trying to ride out.  Three days in a row over 100 degrees and we are likely to have another one tomorrow.  Thankful we added air conditioning to the house a few years ago.  We don't use it often but when we do it is well needed!