Program Bonding

Jillian and Bridget spent Saturday with their RA Long volleyball teammates, making t-shirts and posters, playing volleyball and eating taco potluck.

The girls were put in the same playing group, and made t-shirts that looked like bathing suits:

Husky Football Game

Tor brought along his friend Evan to the Husky football game on Saturday night against the Colorado State Rams (the girls were at the RAL volleyball program bonding all day). Though the Dawgs had some struggles, they came away with the win.

We arrived a little late in Seattle due to traffic, then headed to Shake Shack for some delicious burgers and shakes. Our seats were in the usual spot (the east end zone), and the weather was perfect.

It was a late game starting at 8:00 pm, so we didn't return home until 2:00 am.

First Day of School

It was the first day of school for the 2025-26 year. Jillian is a senior at RA Long, Bridget is a freshman at RA Long, and Tor is a 7th grader at Monticello.

They all came home with a positive report of how the first day went.

Senior Sunrise

Jillian got up early this morning and headed out the door at 5:30 am to participate in Senior Sunrise with her RA Long senior classmates. They had donuts and Capri Suns, and watched the sun come up.

On the last school day of the year, they'll do Senior Sunset.

Varsity!!!

Bridget found out tonight after practice that she would be on the Varsity Volleyball Team for RA Long High School as a freshman! We are so excited for her ... plus, she gets to play with sister Jillian! As of now, she will be an outside hitter.

Brentley's 1st B-day Party

We braved the near-100F temps to go to cousin Brentley's 1st birthday party at her house (Bridget was away doing horse-stuff). Brentley is a fast little crawler!

We also got to see cousins Kenny, Rory, Grant Josie and Hattie.

Skamakowa Kid Pics

Jillian, Bridget and Tor wanted to pose for some pics in Skamakowa before the official photo shoot:

Skamokawa Photo Shoot

The Peterson grandkids joined Papa Ken at the Skamokawa property to recreate the iconic tractor pic from 2012. Mom's work friend took the official pictures, so these here are just previews:

Boys Weekend in Skamakowa

Tor and Dad went to Skamokawa on Friday to join Papa Ken and cousins Curt, Andy and Adam for a short stay at the Skamokawa property. We were joined by cousin Tim the next day. This pic is Saturday morning:

When we arrived on Friday afternoon, it was pouring buckets, and didn't let up all evening. We spent all of our time working in the silo, putting down the brick floor. When Papa Ken went back to town to pick up more bricks, the boys hung out under cover:

Dinner was sausage, bacon and baked beans. We stayed in the silo, keeping warm around the fire pit, and listening to jokes by Papa Ken:

Tor, Andy and Dad slept in the silo, and had a hard time going to sleep due to the pounding rain on the tin roof, so they were last to wake up. We did a little more work the next day, mostly cleaning up:

Tor brought his golf club and was able to hit the ball a bit:

OFEA Yamill Horse Show

Bridget and Handsome had a successful show at Yamhill this past weekend, winning High Point Champion in the 14-18 English saddle, and Reserve Champion in Western. The prizes were pretty cool, including a blue tote and a collapsible cart. Auntie Sheryl and cousin Karlie came along to watch:

... Jillian also joined them to help out:

Yard Sale

It was just Bridget and Tor manning the annual 1/2-off yard sale on Sunday in Castle Rock. Jillian was still working at the Clark County Fair. It was early when this pic was taken, so they were still waking up:

It was really hot, over 90 F. Bridget was in charge of the calculator and money, and Tor took care of reading price tags and bagging. They made about $300 total.

Royal Riders

This is a pic of the Royal Riders 4-H club at the conclusion of the Clark County Fair. Bridget officially made the Senior State Team, so she'll be heading up to Puyallup with 4 other senior riders to compete in the Washington State Fair on September 5-7.

Clark County 4-H Show

Bridget competed in the Senior Division (14 to 17 years old) of 4-H at the Clark County Fair yesterday, and had a successful day. Her final results were:

Showmanship: 1st (blue)

Hunt Seat Equitation: 1st (blue)

Hunt Seat Discipline Rail: 5th (blue)

Stock Seat Discipline Rail: 3rd (blue)

Trail: 3rd (blue)

Results from her other classes on Saturday were also posted:

Judging: 3rd (blue)

Groom Squad: 1st (blue)

Mariners Baseball Game

Tor got to attend a Mariners Baseball Game against the Chicago White Sox with Uncle Dan, Aunt Robin and friend and teammate Ryan. They sat in center field in the Julio Rodriguez No-Fly Zone, where they received free blue t-shirts.

Before the game, Tor and Ryan toured some of the interactive activities, including pitching (Tor threw 46 mph):

... and batting with a wiffle ball:

Baby Hazel

Cousin Brock and Kaleigh brought Baby Hazel up to Castle Rock to meet the family. Tor and Dad got to see her (while Mom, Bridget and Jillian were at the Clark County Fair):

Fair Time

This weekend was the Clark County Open Horse Show, so Bridget competed with Handsome in a tune-up before the 4-H competition. Aunt Dany produced a poster for her to hang on the stall:

She won several blue ribbons:

Tor busied himself with carnival rides, thanks to a free ride pass from a fellow horse supporter; he rode with Rowen's brother Landon. Dad also gave him a shot at some games:

So far, the highlight has been the milkshakes and soft serve at the dairy stand.

Groom Squad Champions

The Clark County Fair 4-H competition began on Thursday with Groom Squad, and Bridget participated in the Senior division with Royal Rider teammates Mary and Ally. They ended up winning the championship and a ticket to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup!

First Job

Jillian is working her first job at the Clark County Fair in the covered food court, clearing and wiping tables, and sweeping the floor (see pic) from 12:30 to 9:30 pm. She started yesterday, and will work to the end of the fair for a total of 9 days.

She was tipped off about this job by the grandmother of a fellow horse-rider. She came highly recommended according to her interviewer.

Letterman Jacket

Jillian received this RA Long letterman jacket as a gift from The Paul Family, and we just got it back from Athlete's Corner after getting everything sewn onto it. She has a total of 4 letters (volleyball, track, tennis and basketball):