Summer Time

Summer is here again! That means school graduation and summer activities

Max has graduated from Gale Ranch Middle School (GRMS) and is going to Dougherty Valley High School (DVHS). We attended his graduation ceremony as a family.

Renee had a sweet 16 celebration at home. She actually celebrated early because she needs to staff at Wente on the archery range.

Renee finally attended NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) in Scouts BSA. It has been recommended for a while and the timing just didn't work out until this year.

This is Renee's graduation from the NYLT.

We pet-sit for Renee's friend from time to time.

Preparing for the high school summer

We are finishing school and ready for an action packed summer!

The Nothertier crew from Max' troop finally got our first Canoe training event! We borrowed the canoes from Troop 834, and as added bonus, their Scoutmaster came and gave us the training that we need.

Max attended his last Jazz band rehersal in the middle school. He got to stand up in the front in the finale with his cool sunglasses.

Renee had the same band teacher when she was in middle school. After the concern, she went up and they took an awesome group picture.

Renee took some pictures in the backyard with the blooming flowers.

We go out for a stroll as the family from time to time.

 

Sometimes they go to this park nearby and have a go at this balancing game, which has become more of their favorite.

So many places to be, so little time

Unlike last month, we took TONS of pictures with our activities.

We took a trip to New York City. I actually have at least another picture of them on this exact spot. I just couldn't find it.

Renee and Max both have their own phone now. As you can see, they are glued just like others. We have set screen time but someone it hardly works on these iPhones.

Since the top of Statue of Liberty is limited these days, we didn't bother to go to the island. We took a ferry that passes it by. We actually got to the one that you have to pay by mistake. But it turns out to be great because there are so few people on the boat we were able to take a lot of pictures.

We visited Wall Street. This bull statue, however, seems to have been moved to a different place.

We visited the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side. Max always enjoys being the tallest person in the family these days.

And of course, we visited the Time Square in the evening and enjoyed the view.

We also went to Dumbo and walked between the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Grand Central station really is worthy of its fame. Now we can recognize it in the movies.

The purpose of this trip is for Renee to perform at the Carnegie Hall as one of the winners of a competition last year. The place is really good, of course.

We found the poster outside with the schedule. After we took this picture, many families realized it and formed a line to take pictures in turns.

Max continues his Saxophone with the Jazz band. I didn't think too much about his performance until he performed during Renee's Eagle Court of Honor. He played the national anthem as part of the flag ceremony, and it was actually pretty good.

 

And the time we have all waiting for, Renee's Eagle Court of Honor! She planned it together with her friend Sara from Troop 126. The ceremony was really good from my perspective. The best part was two ASMs from the boy troop talking about their experience on the two-night-three-day backpacking trip from Sunol to Del Valle. Renee and Sara led that trip and really impressed those two ASMs.