4th of July Fishing Trip

Brent watches the fishing report and tracks the data all the time, so he was mindful of the prime fishing conditions forecasted for the 4th of July weekend! He has been itching to go so badly that crowds on Independence Day (America's 250th no less!) couldn't stop him! We left our house early - like 1:45am early - to get our boat launched and on our way to the fishing grounds before the rush! 

We arrived so early that we were just seeing first light at the Radio Island Public Boat Ramp! 

A very cool thing to watch the sun rise from the water! 

It felt like just seconds before the sun was fully up and we couldn't quite "look" at it anymore! 

Per the fishing report, we were to make our way south - en route to Doorstep Ledge for Wahoo and Mahi. It was choppy. A little more choppy than expected, so it took a little more time to get there. 

About an hour away from our destination, we had slowed down just to reposition ourselves and spotted a bunch of bait fish jumping out of the water! Time to get those fishing lines in the water! 

A small (but over the 12" limit) Spanish Mackerel!

We did hook up a really nice Mahi... but lost it. 

We had several more bites that morning, but the fish were just not that hungry to get hooked.  

After returning to the boat ramp, we decided we had enough time to go check out our property and were surprised to see one of our neighbor properties had started building a house! As we were discussing how in the world we were going to get our boat down the shared drive, somehow big machinery made their way back here to knock down trees and transport materials for theirs! It can be done!  

While Brent, Kade and I were having fun on the water, Brock was having fun at home alone with Moose and his computer. He was a very responsible teenager and did a good job taking care of his dog! 

After returning home, the usual boat cleanup was exhausting after so little sleep - I don't know how my husband does it every time. He just loves to fish that much! 

Eventually everyone was showered and fed and relaxing on the couch when Brock asked if we were still doing fireworks. Oh my sweet boy. We compromised with some sparklers in our driveway and Brock was happy. 

A little different way to spend the 4th of July this year, but our house had some mixed feelings about being excited for America's 250th birthday. It also feels like we've been celebrating it for months already - every packaging seems to have a "special edition" label on it. This was a better way to unplug with quality family time. 

Kade's 11th Birthday

Kade celebrated his 11th birthday receiving a new-to-him Apple watch to go with his new iPhone. Now he can join his brother and Dad for exercise challenges! 

On Thursday, Papa and Nana stopped in for dinner (Half Chickens on the Traeger) and Carvel Ice Cream cake!

The week before and the week of Kade's birthday, he spent his days at Jedi Camp and Zombie Camp at his old Taekwondo studio. He mentioned a few times this Spring that he was bummed about "having to go back", but once he was there, he really enjoyed it! And he remembered the choreography so quickly!

Kade was selected to be a group leader at Jedi Camp and even earned the Luke Skywalker Award for the most improvement from one year to the next! This also marks his Sixth year at Jedi camp - earning the rank Jedi Lieutenant Commander!

Finally what Kade has REALLY been waiting for - fun times with friends! Two of his buddies spent the afternoon - quick trip to the pool before a little thunderstorm, soccer in the backyard, and lots of computer games. Two of his favorites - Hot dogs for dinner and Pepperidge Farm chocolate fudge layer cake for dessert!

One of his friends was able to spend the night and so this marks his very first sleepover! He was so excited! 

Happy 11th Birthday to our feisty, spicy, incredibly intelligent, deeply empathetic, endlessly talkative, fiercely independent, and wonderfully strong-willed boy! You keep us laughing, thinking, and on our toes every day!! 

End of School Celebrations and Graduations

(Kade's Class Banner during Field Day)

After End-of-Grade (EOG's) tests are done, it is time to celebrate the end of the school year! Brent and I volunteered for the 5th-graders' Field Day and wisely chose a station inside the gym. With temperatures soaring to 96 degrees outside, we were definitely glad to be enjoying the fun from the comfort of the air conditioning!

Kade's group was the second to cycle through to the gym. Unfortunately, he had changed out of the tennis shoes he wore to school and into his Crocs, which meant he wasn’t allowed to climb the rock wall—where Brent and I were stationed. And yes - both Brent and I conquered the Rock Wall between sessions!!

Kade said he had fun the rest of the day - Pelican's SnoBalls (shaved ice) in the afternoon and watched High School Musical (selected by Ms. Forrest) with friends. 

On Monday, I volunteered to serve pizza to the 5th graders during their yearbook signing day. Kade and his friends happily smiled for a picture! 

Starting left, going clockwise: Adam, Kenzo, Elliott, Aadyanth, Kade, Bryce, Eli

I spy Kade in his class! 

On Wednesday, we headed to Brock's school to celebrate his Honor Roll award ceremony! 

He jumped right up when his name was called to walk to the stage! 

Last day of school for Wake County Public Schools - June 11, 2026. 

Each teacher selected one student from their glass to give a speech about their time at Washington - Kade's buddy was selected from his class and did an excellent job! "Once a wizard, always a wizard!"

Each kiddo had their name called and walked across the stage to receive their "diploma". 

After the ceremony, families gathered in front of the school to enjoy cupcakes, say goodbye to friends, and officially check out from Washington Elementary for the last time. It was a sweet way to celebrate the end of elementary school, although the weather was anything but cool - the temperature topped out at a scorching 101 degrees!

With a line of families waiting their turn to take pictures on the front steps of the school, we opted for a shady spot farther away.

The Jeep stopped at Carnage for an early check-out for Brock on his last day before heading to Red Robin for lunch. The boys were in for a surprise with some cool graduation gifts! 

Kade was convinced he was getting an Apple Watch, since Brock had received one after finishing 5th grade. I think he was in shock when he opened his gift and saw something different. 

Brent and I were very proud of Brock's accomplishments - earning AB Honor Roll in middle school is a lot of work - especially in a Magnet School. He had eight classes on his schedule every day! 

Brock was treated to a brand new Apple Watch. 

Happy boys!

Last day of school for Brock and Kade! Now they will both be in Middle School together next year! 

Left: First Day of School 8/25/25    vs.    Right: Last Day of School 6/11/26

One last picture of this proud boy with his phone - and Graduation decor! :) 

Kade's Final Soccer Season

 

This spring, Kade played for the Outlaws, an 11–12 boys soccer team. Thanks to the age cutoff, he spent the entire season as a 10-year-old competing against older players. Although soccer was still a priority when signups opened in January, wrestling had become Kade's primary focus when the practices started, and as a family we decided this would be his final soccer season.

He still had a lot of fun on the field! 

I took full advantage of his soccer practices during the week. Apex Nature Park is home to several amazing little wooded walking trails and while he was on the field, I would put in my AirPods, catch up on the latest episode of On the Media, and enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by nature.

And it never failed - when I would return to my vehicle and I could HEAR Kade on the soccer field yelling to his teammates. That is him circled on the field! He is so loud - no idea where he got that from!!

Game day! Canopy chairs are an amazing invention! 

I do have an idea where he got that hand on the hip thing from.... :) 

We spot Kade on the bench, flipping his water bottle! Haha! 

Always played defense. Never once asked to be a forward this season! 

There's that hand on the hip! 

Not bad - The Outlaws ended the regular season with a 4-4 record, placing 8th overall (out of 12). They won the first game of the tournament - beating out the #9 seed, but did not come out on top against the #1 seed they played next. A fitting final season on the soccer field as Kade turns his full attention to wrestling!