Friday, October 24, 2025

Declan Hercules: A belated summer post

 Well, Mama got insanely busy again at work, so I apologize for the delay in posting.  She hired a new doctor recently, so hopefully she won't have to work as hard! 

Summer flew by in a flash, and we're squarely into the new school year.  I'm in 8th grade, my last at St John's Lutheran school, and Keevah is in 4th.  We are both liking school for the most part.  My favorite subject is History, followed by my upper math class.  Keevah loves Math as well, and also just placed into the upper math class! I'm continuing fencing, and getting more and more into running as well.  I'm hoping to join the Track & Cross Country teams in High School next year.  I'm also on our school basketball team for the first time this year.  Keevah continues TaeKwonDo.  She paused horseback riding in favor of Theater this year and she's also taking voice lessons.  

Last day of 3rd & 7th Grades


Keevah nailed her test to become a Poom belt (Junior black belt)

We had a great Summer, though it went by so quickly.  Right after school ended in June, I went on an amazing trip to South Dakota with Gee & Grandpa.  I got to see the Badlands, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, and more!  We really had a fantastic time!  Keevah also did a week-long trip with them locally in San Francisco with Cousin Rinnah, who was here from Jordan for the Summer.  SF is always cold in the summer, but the girls loved Alcatraz, Muir Woods, the Exploratorium and the Cal Academy of Sciences.  

Mount Rushmore with Gee & Grandpa

Enjoying the Badlands

Giddyup!

Rinnah, Keevah, Gee & Grandpa at Golden Gate Bridge


Headed to Alcatraz

After those trips, we enjoyed our annual trip to the Alisal in Solvang, CA with Dada's side of the family.  They've been going annually for nearly 50 years!  I always love the time spent playing with cousins in the pool, bingo, Rummikub, air rifles and archery. This year, I also enjoyed pickleball, shuffle board, and an epic evening of musical chairs! 

The whole gang
How many years until I'm talller than everyone??

Cousins!
More consins!

Enjoying the barnyard
Rummikub

Tie-dye!


Awesome ride for Keevah & Mama - they watched a Bald Eagle for 10 minutes that was within 15 feet of them! 
Pickleball champions

Shuffleboard skills


 
Hoedown night

  
Learning some roping skills!

Karaoke night

Keevah & I both won bingo!

In August, we were able to spend a week in Tahoe with Gee, Grandpa, Uncle Ben, Auntie Aubree, and cousins Rinnah, Providence and Antalya (visiting from Jordan).  We spent several days paddleboarding, relaxing at Kiva Beach, and fishing. Uncle Ben, Dada, and I also went jetskiing - our first on Tahoe, and it was so much fun! We also enjoyed a day up at the top of Heavenly going ziplining, riding their mountain roller coaster, and innertubing. 
Gee & Grandpa with Keevah, Rinnah, Providence & Antalya
paddleboarding cousins

Enjoying Kiva Beach


Tubing at Heavenly: me with Rinnah
Summer at Heavenly
The Mountain Coaster

Heading off to zipline


Jetskiing with Dada & Uncle Ben

Axe throwing with Uncle Ben & Dada

Hiking with cousins

Our pool & deck were finally completed, so we've also spent most weekends swimming on our own, and with a variety of friends.  

Keevah and I didn't do as many Summer camps this year as we have in the past, to allow more time to hang out with friends and enjoy relaxing.  We both did the 101 Dalmations play, and I got a lead role as one of Cruella's henchmen.  We also both did Art Camp, with Keevah as a camper, and myself as a counselor.  

101 Dalmations


Counselor at Art Camp

Keevah and her art projects for the week

We squeezed in a long weekend in San Diego to visit Mama and Dada's college friends - and enjoyed some time on the beach.  And then, since all good things come to an end, school started back at the end of August.  I did finally get to have my 14th birthday party 2 months late; my friends and I went to Velocity Island water park and spent the day on their inflatable water obstacle course. 


I'm 14! 


Mama did an awesome cake!

With my buddies at Velocity Island



Granddad & Boppy came to visit


San Diego with friends


The men's mini golf team
But the women kicked their butts!

I'll post some updates about the Fall in a few weeks - complete with Pumpkin patch and Halloween pictures, along with some photos from our epic Toga Party that was just last weekend! 

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