Ian's Gymnastics USA Olympics - 2026-05-16

Every year, our gymnastics gym has a big event for their kids that they call their Olympics. Alli is on a competitive team now, so she doesn't compete, but Ian has been progressing in tumbling from beginner to intermediate, and working to get up into advanced. All season Alli has had friends and family come to watch her events, and now we've got a great big party coming to watch Ian, flying out from Michigan and Colorado! 

Flights were all over the place on Thursday. Gram and Pop Pop tried to catch an early flight but ended up getting in after 10pm. The kids were supposed to stay the night with Aubrey and Rita in a hotel, but they didn't arrive until after midnight! 

The next morning we all headed to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress to meet up with Rita, Aubrey, Rich, Chi, Don, and Amy! 

Chi and Sheila (best friends who don't see each other often enough) stayed in the room. Theresa cooked Korean soup and made rice for her mom. 

Most of the rest of the crew went down to breakfast. 

While Theresa and I set up our hammocks by the pool and got started on reading. 

After breakfast and the rest of the afternoon, the family enjoyed the big resort pool, especially since it was a hot Florida day. 

As the day went on, we then headed back to the RV where Theresa and I cooked up all the fixins for burritos, tacos, beans, and rice. Jacob brought a tray of homemade brownies for dessert. After dinner the kids started bumping the volleyball around. 

And I got some reps with Ian. 

For second dessert, the crew went to Bahama Bucks for shaved ice. 

Our morning the next day started bright and early. We're in the first session of the day and they want us to arrive 30 minutes early. Jacob and I held down the chairs while everyone else got checked in. 

Ian is queued up with a bunch of other gymnasts, but he'll break off into a smaller group of tumblers. 

We're all dressed up to support our boy. 

Lots of people here to cheer for Ian. 

His coach remembered from last year how big of a cheering section Ian had. 

Loving the shirts they got for Alli's competitions, but they work for Ian too. 

While the Olympic fanfare played, all the athletes marched in. 

You could be put in a few different sessions or different group, so Ian was happy to see a friend from his usual class in the same session and the same group as him. 

After the introduction, it was time for all the athletes to head back to their events. 

Ian has three different events today. His coach Jayden is giving everyone a peptalk. 

Ian's turn. You've got this Ian!

Laughing as the cheering section comes alive! 

Salute the crowd. 

A handstand into a backbend. I'm not that flexible... Nice job Ian. 

Back handspring on foam mat. 

Nice work Ian! 

The second event. More tumbling. 

Including a front handspring. 

And a one-armed cartwheel. 

Next up is the trampoline track. 

The peanut roll to another peanut roll is pretty cool. 

And a back handspring. 

Getting props from another one of his coaches. 

Nice work buddy! We're proud of you! 

My mom snagged a photo of me. 

Time for their medal. 

And they each get to walk across podium. 

Everyone stands in the first place spot. Ian thought it would be funny to salute from 2nd place. 

And then one more time from first. 

Congratulations Ian! Proud of you! 

Coming back to all the accolades of the family. 

Grabbing a picture with Coach Jayden and many of the other children in his classes. 

Afterwards everyone headed over to 4Rivers BBQ to eat together and catch up before we all go different ways. Everyone is flying home tonight. 

Then getting a few pictures outside. 

Nice work today Ian!