The Academic Triathlon

 Matt participated in an Academic Triathlon on Friday. Mike and I were in awe of his team. They worked so well together. Most of these kids have been in many groups with Matt over the past few years.

 This was the speed round. It was a lot like Jeopardy. They were given a question and had to buzz in. The team that answered it correctly after hitting the buzzer first won. They did pretty well during this round. 

 The last event was kind of an improve type thing. Probably really good for them to get this kind of  outside your comfort zone exposure. Matt was playing a fish. 

That girl with the pelican mask on was the team leader. She was so amazing. She was a 6th grader who  happened to be the only girl on the team.  She really did an amazing job leading the boys. She was calm, collected and lead gracefully. 

Matt's only goal was to make his school proud. 

He sure made me proud. They all did. 

Happy 30th birthday to Rachel!

Rachel has been such a lifesaver to me. I am so grateful for her. She has brought me dinner on the nights I needed it most. She(and her husband) have mowed my lawn when I was in need of it most. She has helped me move heavy furniture and then brought ME dinner afterwards! She has called me just to say hey, what do you need. And of course she is always inviting me over for dinner. This is a small list of all the things she has done for me since moving in. I am so glad she moved in. She turns 30 today. God has given her the gift of wisdom though because she may look younger than 30 but she acts so much older than that. 

She also has very beautiful children!

Yes, Rachel you are loved by me. You have taught me a lot about true giving. 

Most recently she sent over the most amazing salad. It was unbelievable and I almost wish I did not know it existed. It was the kind of thing that wakes you up at night wanting it! I dreamed of it for 3 days after and finally made my own batch! I had to laugh when I told her how good it was she said "I almost didn't share it for fear that you would not appreciate it"Amen sister! I get it! This salad is that good! It was a sweet pulled pork salad on yummy rice! I promise Grandma Dot, one of these days I will make it for you. 

 Happy Birthday Rachel! 

 You might remember her best from this picture. One of my all time favorites. 

Okay, now I am trying to remember my 30th birthday...

I can't! That is terrible. 

The trout whisperers

A lot has changed in the past few years. Well that is putting it mildly! Even the stuff that has stayed the same has changed. Matt and Mike are still best fishing buddies. This is them today. 

This is them from 4 years ago. Matt was 6 and he was not fly fishing yet. He also never out fished his dad. 

 This is him today. He has become an incredible fly fisherman. And he can easily keep up with his dad and some days out fish him. 

 He too can see why fly fishing has had his dad's heart.

 This was a huge white sucker fish that he caught from atop that wooden structure. 

 Here is the cast...

 I always think some day we will have a more normal life and I will be able to let the boys go fishing without me. Then I remember how much I love to see my husband in his hip waders casting a fly line...and I think why would I miss this. 

 Another small brookie. Small and beautiful. The fall colors had nothing on this little guy. 

 Then I looked over to see my son becoming one with the stream as he stepped barefoot into the water(in late September) and his cast became as natural as breathing...and I thought Clair, you would be so amazed. Some families are all about football or other sports. Mike and I have invested in this. I can't think of any other sport that you can do up until forever.In fact, Clair fished until way late in his life and many say that was what broke him in the end. Not being able to do what he loved so much anymore. I can't think of any other sport that teaches you so much about the earth and true conservation. Yes, this is where I choose to invest. Maybe Matt can start a youth fly fishing team when he gets to high school. 

 His cast has really become pretty darn amazing. 

Despite the occasional snag...

On a side note, I have to tell you how thankful we are to Ray our adopted grandpa from our Hiawatha group. Matt had a parent day at his new to us middle school on Friday. Mike and I had a prior commitment that I could not get out of that I booked last December. Mike was able to go for a few hours but then Ray kindly stepped in. He made Matt's day very bright. He also gave me the peace of mind that I would never have had otherwise. Mike and I were deeply touched by his kindness. Some people come into your life at just the right time for a reason. Ray and his wife Suzie are those people to us. 

Thank you Ray. Matt was so proud to have you by his side on Friday.

The all inclusive fly fishing resort!

This past weekend we had the opportunity to be part of the Driftless Rendezvous. This is an annual "All Inclusive Fly Fishing Weekend" 

It was awesome! Matthew will never forget it, this is for sure. 

 Mike was able to come home and join us. 

 Spending the weekend fly fishing with your son in an area with absolutely no cell service...priceless!

 Not to mention being surrounded by lots of people who have been such an incredible influence on Matt.

 And the food...

AMAZING!!

 Yep! Matt was happy

 They had a casting contest to see who was the most accurate caster in the group. Matt ended up out scoring most of them. In fact I think he came in second. This is out of a lot of men who have been fly fishing for a long time and a few certified instructors. 

 Although Matthew did not win the group decided to give him a prize for his amazing skills at 10 years old. I still almost cry when I think about it. His face was priceless. 

 Then they gave him a standing ovation. That is when I melted.  

 His prize was a new pocket knife and matching leatherman. I just have to tell  you that he has pulled this out of the box and held it so many times since he won that the box is showing signs of wear. He won't let it out of his sight. Going to school was heartbreaking for him. 

 This is my favorite picture from this weekend. I love Marlene. She is such a good teacher(both winners of the casting contest were students of hers) 

 This is Alison. She is married to Seth another young fly fisherman that Matt has really taken to. They brought Penny for a little bit too. 

 Matt got to work with one of Minnesota's greatest casters too. 

 Matt and I went on a geology walk too. I learned a lot about the silica sand that they are using to in the drilling. It was really interesting. 

 Matt found a frog...or was it a toad?

 He also learned how to make a fire with a flint. I think he is at that age where fire is kind of irresistible. I remember my old boss who had 6 son's telling me that if you don't teach them how to use it and supervise them they go in a field and start a fire(she spoke from experience! Her son started a big neighborhood blaze once) 

 There were also aquatic bugs and critters!

 Then Matt and some other boys found this...The biggest spider I have ever seen. She was HUGE!! Yes it was a she...you see that brown stuff tucked under the leaf behind her??? Babies! Thousands of them. They were crawling around behind her. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that she was 4" across. Her eyes were as big as mine(Okay that is an exaggeration) But she was huge!One of the guys kept touching her too?!? I was secretly hoping she would run up his arm at him. 

 Matthew got to use his new vise and learn how to tie a few new flies.

This is him running back to me to tell me how good he was doing in the casting contest.

 This is the camp

This is the view from our cabin porch