Ethan Knievel!

Yesterday was likely one of the last sunny days of the season and Uncle Ronnie took Ethan out for a bike ride.

Right next to the bike path that goes around the lake is a course of hills and jumps made out of dirt.  Ethan always notices it when we go to tennis and here was his chance.  Ronnie always toes the line of medical professional and professional kid, which we appreciate.

Sometimes it works out questionably (watching Jurassic Park at age 3) and sometimes it turns out to be magical (see below).  Ethan is super proud of himself all while maintaining his cool persona (double peace signs afterwards).

Lego Animation Camp

The boys started their Summer Camp Extravaganza this week and it kicked off with Lego Animation Camp.

The great news - the boys love Legos.  the bad news? It was not only at their school, but it was IN ETHAN'S OLD CLASSROOM.  Ethan moaned, "Paiiiiiiii, it's like we're still in school!"

While to boys were mildly disappointed that this wasn't a straight up Lego building camp, they were able to see the fruits of their labor in the short films below.

Honestly, though, when you think about how many pictures they had to take in order to make this into a film - they get huge props for concentration and commitment!

Microwave some popcorn and hit platy below on these cinematic beauties:


Ethan's: "The Magic Story"

And Noel's: "Noellie Potter"

Camp Colman 2017 (Part 2) - Beach and Bonfires!

I mean, the day was so long, we had to break this up into two posts!

So, to no-one's surprise, around midday, Bruce got a case of the introverts.  Positioned that we needed more firewood and more wine he volunteered to be the man for the job.  And, hey, if he happened to find a place for lunch or a pedicure, he might pop in there for a second and read for a bit.

He arrived back at the camp refreshed, replenished with supplies and ready for more Gaga Ball.  The day ended and we opted against doing any skits and headed back down to the beach.  Some great photos of the boys from one of the other dads:

Throwing a Nerf torpedo - soon after Nathan's nose (l) collided with Noel's melon (r) and blood was spilled

I like my marshmallows like meteors - crispy and on fire!

Keeping warm by the fire 

Ethan playing in the sand

Ethan preparing a marshmallow

Ethan was fascinated with the sea creatures on this pipe - he would make them squirt water.

How did neither of us fall in the water??

Ethan wanted us to look cool with our hoods on.

The second night ended with each of the 9 boys effectively melting down.  It was a long day full of activity without a break.  That being said, we all went to sleep early and slept in the next day until 7.30a!!

And bet your bottom dollar, Bruce had us packed before breakfast was served and on the road soon after.

Overall, a great Milam Men camping experience!

Camp Colman 2017 (Part 1) - New and Improved with Bruce!

I can't believe it - here we are, one year later.  In THIS post from last year, I wondered if Bruce would join us on our trip to Camp Colman.  And be still my beating heart - he was in for the experience!!

For those of you who don't know Bruce (which would be odd if you're reading this and don't have exposure to Bruce), he's a man that prefers dryfit and a dry forehead.  Only one of those made an appearance at Camp Colman...

The trip really couldn't have gone better - the weather was amazing, the other dads/sons were (mostly) super and the experience left us with great memories.

We left on Friday and caught a ferry over to Bremerton and drove down to Camp Colman arriving a little before dinner.  Last year was our first year and we didn't prepare for the eating situation (boiled hamburgers, "Chinese Food" and questions from the boys as to where the menus were.). 

This year was different - we skipped the cafeteria and headed to the beach where we had campfire grilled salmon, hamburgers and hot dogs and s'mores (no photos were taken seemingly).

Noel, Jack and Keaton on the beach before dinner.

The next day the boys first rose at 5.30a as the cabin had no blackout curtains.  Bruce quickly shut that down and we finally arose at 7.00a.  After breakfast, we ventured off for a day full of activities.

The great thing about this year is that we had a parent for each child, allowing us to go in different directions as needed.  Pictures below:

Noel hitting the arts and crafts cabin making some Shrinky Dinks

Ethan tackling the rock climbing wall

Noel having a go at it as well

Okay, now for the highlight - Gaga Ball.  We saw Gaga Ball on the calendar and there were signs for it all around, but never really paid attention to it.  Well, I ran back to the cabin and on the way back Bruce texted and told me they were there.  I arrived to see what was effectively an elementary school version of Fight Club. 

Gaga Ball in its simplest form: Hit the ball open handed towards other competitors.  If you get hit below the waist, you're out.  If you hit the ball twice in a row, you're out.  Be the last person standing.

This is what I saw when I walked up:

I'm not saying there were bets taken.....

The green ball screeching towards Ethan - he had great defensive skills.

Bruce found a smaller Gaga court around the corner and we decided for a Bertschi-only game (dads included):

Ethan making his way to the new court

The dads quickly took out the children after this photo was taken and it became a real death match!

But Bruce gets so much credit here - for an extrovert with luxe tendencies, he dove in full-force knowing the boys would remember this trip forever.  He got to know the dads, made sure all of the kids were included and just made the whole experience more fun.

More to come in the next post.  

First Break of Spring, 2017 - The Boys Day Out with Mari

We are very fortunate to have great people in our life to help keep us afloat.  We've had Mari for about a year now - she's an adorable UW student and has really taken to the boys.  She often watches them on Sunday afternoons while Bruce and I get our Sunday errands taken care of.

 On Easter, she took them up to the university to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom and they were more enamored with the library (you'll see why below):

Lunch on the quad

The boys were floored at the Harry Potter Library (that's what the kids call it)

Learning their first spells

Noel went immediately to the Avada Kadavra Curse

A rare shot of Noel leading the hugs - its usually the other way around

Winter Break 2017: First Hibachi Grill Experience!

As noted before, it turns out the Milam Men are a skiing family.  Bruce is an old pro, Pai's lessons were a success and the boys loved it.  Ethan even proclaimed, "Is skiing a sport?  If so, I'm good at sports and found one that I love!"

On our last night in Whistler, we'd made a reservation at a Hibachi restaurant just next to our hotel.  Though, after a day of skiing, we were all tired and leaning towards some R&R (Robes and Room Service, that is).  

I pushed for us to rally out to dinner and was very happy we did.   The place we went to was like a Benihana - 12 people around a table and it's a production.  Lots of knife skills and action to be witnessed.  And we tried our best to keep the big ball of fire a surprise to the boys - check out their reaction in the videos below:

Ethan was very particular about his outfit - he even stole my cap to complete the look.
He also took his hairbrush so he could redo his hair once we arrived and the hat came off. 

Pai and Noel looking sharp.

Ethan bellied up to the bar like he owned the place - toothpick and all.

Noel wasn't feeling the photo opp.

And the moment we've all been waiting for:

Winter Break 2017: Whistler & First Skiing Experience!

This year, we decided to take our first Snow Vacation up in Whistler.  We consider ourselves a warm and sunny kind of family and this was a gamble.  Neither of our boys have braved the cold very well and we (namely Pai) were preparing for all scenarios.

Bruce has gone skiing a number of times and I haven't really gone skiing since I was a teenager.  What I was really unsure of was how the boys would take to 3 days of Ski School and we'd be separated all day.  Well, lo and behold, we had nothing to worry about - the Ski School at Whistler is amazing and the boys emerged each day to regale us with tales of their adventures and everything they achieved.  Most notably was that the boys were better skiers than Pai after the end of it all.

See below for some highlights:

The boys wearing their ski gear on arrival day.

Bruce snapped a picture of the boys in school

Pai taking the Peak 2 Peak gondola with Daddy - our first time skiing together

A view from below on the gondola

Sunny at the base of the mountain - grey and cold up top

Brotherly Love

Know we sent this picture around earlier this week, but wanted it somewhere permanent.

They recently began sleeping in the same bed again and we came in from date night to this scene.  Beyond adorable and makes our hearts swell.

This perfectly illustrates their relationship - they rely on each other first and foremost  - even before us.  It's a fascinating bond to witness - one that's more like a marriage or partnership than a typical sibling relationship.

Ethan's Reading Time

We have the boys in such a great school - they create so many opportunities for parents to be involved.  It's less about big events like Bake Sales and School Auctions and more about frequent times for parents to come in, be a part of the community and then get back to their day - it makes the kids feel important and the parents feel connected.

While our Wacky Wednesday isn't until January (keep your eyes peeled for a post on that), Bruce went in for Reading Time earlier this week and he had such a great time.  The kids are split into groups (based on the number of volunteers that day) and they spend 30 minutes reading to kids from books selected by volunteer's children.

Ethan was so proud to pick out his books - he showed me his books before heading off to school and said, "You know 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus' is a good book because it has this silver medal on the cover." (Referencing the Caldecott Sticker on the cover).

The picture below is so awesome - Bruce is having a great time and Ethan is so engaged and proud.  Though, apparently Fabiana (Of "Awww - Fabiana got kicked in the face" fame) wasn't as impressed as she simply got up and wandered off shortly after this photo was taken.

And a sentimental shout out to Ethan - he told his teacher he wore his Buccee's t-shirt in honor of his Grandpa Buck that day.   Sweetest kid ever!!!!!