Saturday, September 30, 2017

Happy 12th Birthday Kyle!!

Hello again, Dad here with another drive-by post - this time to note Kyle's 12th Birthday.  Happy Birthday, Kyle.

There have been lots of changes in the time since last post (including Kyle's 10th anniversary of becoming the oldest Lockhead child!)...
Can it really be 10 + years already?  The memories seem so vivid when we look back at his adoption trip photos and postings here. 

Kyle has advanced to MIddle School, and just started this 3-year adventure as a 6th Grader.  He's made a great start and his diligence and effort is already showing results as he's gotten super grades so far for all of the tests/quizzes/projects he's completed.  It's still early in the first trimester, but all systems are "Go" thus far.

Lacrosse is now his sport of choice and he's been a contributor on his Souderton LAX team - he plays with many of his schoolmates and seems to really enjoy it.  He scored two goals in his first game - for a great start to his career.  We're looking forward to him ramping up with off-season (fall/winter) workouts and clinics, and he is excited to start spring practice for next season.

Our family was fortunate enough to be able to vacation this spring in Punta Cana (Dom. Rep.)  Everyone had a great week - the weather cooperated and the week was chock full of sand, swimming, sailing and great meals.

As our family grows together, Kyle has become a strong positive role model for his youngest brother Tyler (as well as his other siblings).  He really looks up to Kyle and Kyle always tries to set good examples.  It was a bit of an adjustment for Tyler this school year, since Kyle now catches the "early" school bus - but the timing of Kyle's bus still allows everyone to say good-bye to Kyle as they're getting started on their breakfasts.  Tyler still like to have the occasional piggy-back ride from his big brother, but now that T-Bone's getting bigger, this is getting to be more and more challenging!

In the spring as we prepped for another "Summer with Dad", we made a huge list of stuff to do:  Parks, Museums, Gardens, Bike Rides, and all other manner of activities.  Our summer was spent attacking the list!  We covered a LOT of ground, while working our days around Doctor/Therapy appointments.  Though we had our ups and downs, we definitely made some great memories.  As they say, you can't hit a Home Run every time you come to the plate, but we sure seemed to hit lots of doubles and triples!

We trekked to Michigan to visit Grandma, Poppa, Uncle Mark and our cousins.  We spent some quality time at Uncle Mark's Lake Michigan cottage, went fishing in Gandma's neighborhood pond, and even went on a wild dune ride in Saugatuck.  We also met up with our Goddard School friends (except for Ben's family, who had a previous commitment).  We had a great time seeing the Faders on one of their trips back to the US from their stay in Japan.

We also jammed in a Southern California Vacation. On the intinerary were San Diego, DelMar Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach (and Lunch at Ruby's Diner), LaJolla, Dana Point, driving the PCH to LA, The Marine Mammal Rescue Center, Disneyland and Disney's CA Adventure.  It was a great week of fun.

It seems strange not going to China this year (as we have in the past two consecutive years to adopt Ryan and Tyler).  We have made our last adoption trip and our family seems complete. And, I suppose I'll need to get adjusted to the fact that we might not return to China for a few more years.  We're hopeful that we can plan a trip where we can visit all of the children's home provinces/cities - that take some time to put together and we're still far from being emotionally prepared for such a journey.  But at least we now have a long-term goal in our minds so that we can start to think about the wheres, whens and hows of finally getting back "home" for them.

But for now, it's time for Kyle to begin the last year of the road to teenagerhood!

We are very proud of the person you've become and are excited to see what fun and success you'll experience in the next year.

We love you very much and are looking forward to continuing this journey.
Love,
Mom & Dad


Now for the pictures!...
Kyle on the afternoon he joined our Family.  In Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. (How'd that one get in there!?)




First Day of 6th Grade


Cookout with ALL of Dad's Family

Kyle's 12th Birthday - TODAY!

At Cape Henlopen Park

First LAX Game (Scored 2x)

Promotion Day - Last Day as a 5th Grader

Kyle Presenting His Project on Pop - to Grandma and Pop!

Sneaking a Look During an LAX timeout.

Spring Concert 2017 with Dylan

DW Bumper Cars with Ashley

Huntington Beach, CA at Sunset, after a great day!

Washington DC Zoo

NOT PHOTOSHOPPED - Kyle Back-Flipping

The Blizzard of 2017

The Goddard School Crew

Huntington Beach, CA Surfing's Ground Zero

Longwood Gardens

Punta Cana

Sailing in Punta Cana

Tubing on the Delaware River

Late Summer Day at the Beach in Stone Harbor, NJ

At the Museum of the American Revolution

Flight Simulator at the AMC (Air Mobility Command) at Dover DE AFB

Feeding the Goats at Lehigh Valley Zoo

At the Flyers Game with Dad & Dylan

Getting ready for a Pull on Lake Michigan by Uncle Mark (with Ryan and Cousin Luke)