Graduation and Promotion

Alex graduated from Kindergarten and Sarah was promoted to 6th grade.  They both have worked really hard this year.  They attended two schools and Alex had 3 teachers total.  Both kids made good friends at their schools and had excellent teachers at both schools.  We are glad to live here in Folsom and enjoy the nice schools.  Here are some pictures from their day.

 Alex getting his certificate.

 Lily and Alex were buddies this year.  Lily came and helped once a week with me in Alex's class.  All of the kids knew her and she loved to get to go.

 After Alex's graduation they had a carnival on the kindergarten playground.  It was a very hot day, so we didn't stay too long.

 Sarah was promoted to 6th grade.  She loved school and did really well in all of her classes.

 Sarah and her best friend Kennedy.

 Elle, Sarah, and Kennedy at promotion.

Celebration dinner at Chicago Fire Pizza!

Western States 100 training run

On Memorial Day weekend, The Western States 100 mile race holds three days of practice runs for anyone who wants to come run and learn the trail. Dave did the Saturday training run from the Robinson Flat Campground to Forest Hill, CA -- 32 miles with two big descents and climbs. The Saturday Run was in the high Sierras, west of Tahoe, heading east toward Sacramento. The race website has a map of the whole 100 mile race.

 

There was a fresh dusting of snow on Robinson Flat when he started at 8AM.

 

 Here is a picture of one of the aid stations. All you can eat! Dave mostly stuck with the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

 

Dave's friends Jeff and Nicole Giumarra also ran the practice runs. They are both running 50 milers and trying to get into the real WS100 race.

 Here is a picture of the canyons along the Western States trail.

 Dave running up the trail.

Dave running down the trail.

 This is a stream at the bottom of one of the canyons on the trail.

 Dave, looking tired and dirty just before entering Michigan Bluff.

 It took Dave about 6 hours to run the 32 miles. Here he is once he got home.

 He tripped and scratched his knee up on the run. He is used to road running, which doesn't require you to watch where you step as much.

 That evening we met Jeff and Nicole and their three boys and had pizza in Grass Valley. Here is Alex with their twin boys, about six months younger.

 Lily drinking chocolate milk.

 Sarah was a little lonely without any kids her age. But she was a good sport and liked the pizza.

 Dave had a lot of fun, and wants to run the training run again next year. He'll at least do one day and maybe two -- redo the Saturday run and/or maybe the Monday 20 miler to the finish in Auburn, CA.

Intel Spring Carnival

 Intel had a spring carnival, so we went as a family to check it out.   We did a few games, fed the fish, rode ponies, had some shaved ice, and then headed home.  The kids loved it.

 This picture cracks me up.  Alex was a little unsure of riding a pony.

 Lily loved it!

 Petting the piglets.

Mother's Day Dinner

For Mother's Day, Daddy cooked dinner for the family.  We ate outside because it was really nice weather.  The roses were in full bloom right on Mother's Day.  It was a nice night.

Sarah's Concert

Sarah had her final band concert at school.  They played 4 songs.  Mommy enjoyed listening to them and it reminded her of her band concerts.  Sarah has picked up the flute really well this year.  She plays some very pretty songs and we all love listening to her practice.

Sarah's first Track Meet

Sarah participated in a track meet for the 5th grade in the Folsom Cordova District.  She got 8th place in the 100 meters, 5th place in the 200 meters, and 3rd in the 400 meters.  She gained more confidence in her abilities as she completed races.  She was pretty nervous about running in front of such a big crowd,  but she did great.

Here's a video of her coming from behind to get 3rd place in the 400 meters:

Kids Photography.

Our camera is getting old and we don't mind anymore if the kids want to use it for taking pictures.  This week Sarah and Alex took lots of photos.  Some were pretty good and some were very interesting.  Can you tell who took what?