NHSLS Tournament Champions 2023

Emmy transferred to Stone Ridge this summer and will start classes in the fall but hadn't played with the lacrosse team. The coach was so kind to allow Emmy to come to the NHSLS Tournament with the team and dress for the games. She was doubly kind to allow Emmy some playing time in the regular pool play! Emmy stepped up and played really well - even with a defense that she wasn't very familiar with! The team made it through the semifinals easily and ended up at the Championship Game against Arch Bishop Carroll - a rematch to last year's championship game! 

There was a crazy rain delay - the game was supposed to start at 5pm but the storms were really bad and we were stuck in the bathrooms with a tornado warning!! Finally everything cleared up and they were able to start the game around 7:00. Because the game was televised and the boys also had to play, they shorted the game from two 22 minute halves to two 15 minute halves - there was really no time to mess around - they had to come out strong early. 

There was no way I expected Emmy to play a second of the Championship game but the coach put Emmy in goal in the middle of the first half when SR was down 2-3.  She played well - directed the defense well and made a HUGE save right at the end of the half to maintain the SR lead 4-3 over ABC. 

In the second half the offense went on a run and between them and a couple of well timed saves and good defense, SR was up by 2 with a minute to go. ABC got the draw and drew an 8M with about 40 seconds left.  Emmy came up clutch, made the save and the ball turned over to SR. It was so exciting and they won the 2023 NHSLS Championship!! Let's Go Gators!!

Here is a link to highlights from the game: https://youtu.be/FLmCcigGaUM

 

Aidan's still around!

Despite not playing lacrosse this summer - Aidan is still around! He has been working on the grounds crew at school and also in the ceramics studio in DC. He is pretty busy but making money!! 

Backyard Updates

The garden expansion is complete and the bees have been moved a few feet so they have a bit more breathing room. It's so nice to be able to enjoy it!!

 

Stars 2027 in Vail

 Aoife got to go to Vail this summer with Stars! Brendan went this time - I took Emmy two years ago. Brendan went as a coach so their experience was a bit different than mine!! Aoife flew out with Ava and her mom since Brendan had to go out a day early for work. The girls had a great time - they went white water rafting, horseback riding and spent a lot of time in Vail Village! They played some great lacrosse as well and came in 2nd in the tournament - not bad for a team of 8th graders competing against high school teams!! 

The pool - finally!

 We finished up a busy day with a trip to the pool to cool off and have dinner. BUT - as is normal for our pool trips - we got about 30 minutes of swimming in before the heavens opened up and they had to close the pool. We grabbed dinner but didn't get to have the fun evening swim that we had planned. Have to try again another day!

Take Declan to work day

 Declan got the lucky privilege to come hang out in my office while I had to go to a meeting! So boring BUT we got a delicious lunch afterwards!!

The Rollerblading King

 Declan loves to rollerblade and he has gotten really good at it!! We went to visit my parents for dinner and they have an awesome park around the corner where Declan likes to skate. Despite it being HOT, we spent some time over there getting the wiggles out!!

Hydrangea season!!

 Our backyard is so beautiful this time of year!!! I wish the hydrangeas bloomed all year - they are just gorgeous and make me soooo happy!! They have gotten so big - Aidan and I planted them the first summer we were in the house. It was a lot of work but they have flourished and are incredible each summer!

Here is a link to a post from 2014 that outlines all of our hard work in the backyard!

http://cullinanfamily.blogspot.com/2014/08/hardwork-and-progress-in-backyard.html

Lax for the Cure - Capital 2025 Blue

 Up to Princeton for Lax for the Cure!! Emmy looks forward to staying at this hotel every year because the breakfast is AMAZING!! We brought Declan with us with the promise of the best waffles ever - and they did not disappoint! I guess the lacrosse was good too - lots of fun on and off the field. The  game timing this year was a little different than last so we didn't get to go and wander around the town of Princeton. We were more focused on playing and recovery - it was pretty hot and humid. I do love traveling with the kids though - it's great one on one time without a lot of distractions. I treasure these moments with them!

Gotta get a shot of the fish at the hotel!!

Emmy Cullinan. - 2023 ALL MET

 Congratulations to Emmy!! She has been selected by the Washington Post as an ALL MET Honorable Mention for 2023! Of the 63 athletes selected for 1st Team, 2nd Team, and Honorable Mention - only 8 girls were sophomores! We are so proud of her and can't wait to see what the future holds!!

Bathroom Demo

 After 8 years of suffering with a pretty rough bathroom, the girls are getting a brand new bathroom downstairs! I forgot to take true before photos but here is halfway through demo:

We are taking down a corner of what is currently their closet and adding it to the bathroom. It should make things a lot roomier in the bathroom without affecting the closet too much!

IWCLA Champions Cup - 2027 Stars Light Blue

This weekend was the first time in a while that I have been able to see Aoife's team play! Since Brendan is usually coaching them or the Navy Stars team, he is usually with them and I am usually with Emmy's team. Today we got to switch which was awesome! I loved seeing how much they have improved since the NGLL season. They are such a nice team of girls and the parents are fun too!! Its going to be a great summer!