Do We Ever Outgrow Happy Hollow?

With one precious free day in an overbooked summer, the kids asked to go to Happy Hollow, which is really geared toward the preschool set. We had a magically nostalgic time. See the past photos for comparison.

Independence Day 2025 with Lots of Bankheads

Several extra Bankheads joined us at the swamp for the 4th of July. 

Some spots on the boat are more comfortable than others

Festive dress for the 4th Festival

Cousin tubing is always a hit

Cousins at the festival

Excellent fireworks by Suisun City

Great skies for our hike

Amos mastered slalom skiing!

Who doesn't want to take a nap with some gas cans and an old dishwasher?

Chatting on the front deck

Parents' Escape to Mexico City

 While the children were at Grand Camp, Amy and Paul went to Mexico City. 

We took a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids.

Sometimes jumping on cue is difficult.

The photographer was very specific in his instructions.

We had a perfect morning with all the other balloons.

Exploring ancient pyramids

Checking out an archeological dig in the middle of the city

Famous painting at a famous museum. 

The End of Middle School for Amos

 Amos graduated from middle school. Also, he's a good kayaker.

Sadie: 2nd Semester, Junior Year

Junior year of high school has a reputation for being brutally busy, academically and extra-curricularly. Sadie's junior year was busy in both respects, but she made the brutal look classy.

Prepping and hyping up younger girls as a summer camp leader

Going to prom with friends

Directing the student-run musical theater production

Going on choir tour in England and Wales (England and Wales not pictured) 

Ode to 6th Grade for Miles

Sixth grade is a pretty big deal around here. It's the final grade of elementary school, and the teachers fill the year with loads of exceptional experiences. Because Miles is the youngest Bankhead, his sixth grade year was also our family's last year of elementary school, and Amy spent lots of time volunteering there.

End of 6th grade pool party

A reluctanct violist

6th grade graduation ceremony

Miles' 2nd grade "buddy"

The Greek banquet

6th grade moms who make it all possible

Field trip on the bay, where we caught sharks and rays (and threw them back)

Aunts Have Fun Too

One great joy of life is having nieces and nephews. Amy took a brief trip to Utah to celebrate her sister's birthday and to do some aunting for the smallest Glausers.

Moms Have Fun Too

 

Amy's weekly hiking group

The annual Project Cornerstone Asset Champions Awards breakfast

The whole Project Cornerstone Team 

Amy's final Project Cornerstone Lesson before retiring after 7 years of leadership. Here's the blurb she wrote for the school newsletter about what we do: Project Cornerstone is a program developed by the YMCA of Silicon Valley, designed to help us build a strong and caring school community and to help students build strong character. Parent volunteers lead monthly lessons in every classroom at our school. These lessons use picture books to spark discussion and activities focused on a yearly theme like Empathy or Inclusion.