Xander and Clare

Patrice came to town with Tasha (who hasn't been in Bellingham for 8 years!), so we had a little shindig at the Winters' house to celebrate.

If it's summertime in the Winters' backyard, there's gonna be badminton. 

We then had another party at their place the next day, on the 4th.

Lip syncing to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."

Kid was feeling it.

Clare watching the sunset from Anya's favorite tree.

We watched the fireworks from campus.

Xander and Josh heading into their final D-BLOCK practice before the big Orlando tournament.

This was before Josh mangled his ankle and now won't be joining the team in Florida. :(

X's D-BLOCK teammate Matthew asked him to be part of his 3-on-3 basketball team -- Xander's first time playing this version of the game.

X was on fire and had a blast. His team won their first game, lost a couple others by just a shot or two, and got blown out by another team. But X was shooting from the 3-point line like crazy -- so much fun to watch.

Watching their fellow D-BLOCK teammates play their own game -- this was right before Cade sprained his ankle badly, and now he's out for Florida, too. :(

Xander correcting my spelling in a text -- and declaring himself "the spelling G.O.A.T." (greatest of all time). I don't think so, kid -- your mom was a professional copy editor, so you don't stand a chance. ;)

Leaving this one (and her dad) at home for a week while Xander and I go to Orlando. Never gets easier.