Summer Adventures

We took an extra long weekend and ventured to Six Flags, to a Rangers game, to run on the football field Chris played on in high school (and ooh and awe over the football trophies they won during that time) and of course a quick visit to Bass Pro Shop. We have been to the lake to tube and ski. Kate has turned 4 with a trip for lunch at the American Girl store (her Daddy's idea) and a swim party with friends. Summer has been a blast but is flying too quickly ...

Six Flags

at the end of the Judge Roy Scream -Caleb and Josh in front of me

We rode the Runaway Mine train about five times in a row - there were NO lines that day - amazing!!

the Batwing - I loved how Kate always crossed her legs in the ride

the boys won Kate this cute pink bear and Chris got to carry it all over the park

Summer

We have been enjoying our summer but can already feel it flying by ... the first month has disappeared! We've had our very first lemonade stand, swimming lessons for the little one, an adult night out to Cattle Barons, a couple trips to the lake to tube and ski, trips to the library, Grace football camp and lots of swimming!

made some cash thanks to our generous neighbors :)

Cattle Barons with my girls

Cattle Barons - a treat to see Josh Foster in COWBOY boots

Daddy took Kate dancing and I tagged along

Kate had swimming lessons from a teacher who did not ever smile and whose first words to us when we walked up were "Do you want her happy or swimming?" My friend mumbled "swimming" because I was too shocked to answer! That was at 3:00 p.m. I am serious that at 3:08 my 3 year old SWAM across her pool!!! So, we might not have "had the time of our lives" at lessons this year but we only needed two and we are officially a swimmer!!!

Way to go, Kate!

to summer, to swimming, to being with my kids all day ... love it!!

The Championship Game

Chris and the boys before the Championship game

Josh with his trophy

some of the boys after the game

taken right before he got the last out of the game

the Cardinals!

After months and months of hitting (BP), fielding, washing uniforms daily, vacuuming red dirt (that miraculously follows everyone who has been within a 100 yards of the baseball field even when they leave their shoes outside), eating sno cones that count as dinner, etc. baseball ended on Saturday! I don't think we quite know what to do with the time ... evenings having dinner together (what is that?), Saturdays together without practices all day?, no extra batting practice with Dad? Who are these people that have claimed to be living in my house for the past 4 months? I seem to only recognize them in uniform!!

We had two wonderful seasons. Josh had a winning season and lost in the first round of playoffs. He played most games at short stop and loved it. He is extremely tough and has the heart of an athlete. Caleb's team won the championship for his division. Caleb struggled batting this year but played incredible defense as the team's second baseman. In fact, in the championship game with bases loaded and two outs and two strikes he stopped a hard hit ball and threw the runner out at first. Game over ... what a win!! The score was 4-0.

I hate to admit that I am going to miss seeing all of my baseball friends and cheering for my kids every night... until next year that is.

Cardinals Baseball

Caleb's Minors team, the Cardinals, has had quite a season. They head into playoffs next week as the #2 team. They had the honor of sponsoring our local team, Tyler Junior College, in the Junior College World Series. The kids got to warm up on the field, go into the dug out, etc. with the team before their games. Sadly, TJC lost in the final game of the championship. Caleb's partner was the TJC second baseman. At the final game he called him over in the dug out and gave him a ball from the World Series (they are stitched a tad bit cooler and stamped with World Series) ... so sweet! Caleb is so proud of that ball and had so much fun meeting these guys!

That's Caleb stretching with them ...

Caleb is the second baseman for his team. In the last two games, however, they needed a catcher and he has gotten to do that for one of our pitchers and loved it! He also got to pitch once and struck out their final batter for the win ... so exciting for him! He came off the mound with the BIGGEST grin ever.

here he is warming up for his first time to pitch in a game ...

Josh's team is also headed to the playoffs next week ... pics from him coming soon!

to the playoffs and to fun at the ballpark ...

Katie-Bug

Katie-bug has grown up so much this year!! She had a wonderful year in preschool on Tues/Thurs mornings and loved dancing each week at Dance n Drill. She has gotten to be quite an athlete and wants to grow up to be a Major League baseball player - working on that right now. The only thing going for us in that conversation is her huge disappointment that the players cannot wear dresses - what about the uniform with her number and a tutu? No not even a tutu on the field, Kate!

precious Ms. Tisha on Splash Day

pizza on Splash Day

going to a 3D movie

taking kate to a the ballet The Princess and the Pea and to Cats

having fun at Ellie's bike party

Caleb

Caleb has had a wonderful year!! He is such a smart, sweet kid and a good friend to everyone! I am so proud of his many accomplishments and his growing sense of who he is!

before his recorder concert

all A Honor Roll for the year

Physical Fitness Award - 7 minute mile - woohoo!!!

Solar System project

the boys!!!!!

Josh

Josh has had a wonderful year! He has made all As, got perfect attendance, and made many new, good friends! He is tender hearted, super creative, funny, and is growing in his faith ... what fun it has been this year to see him make decisions because of his convictions of faith and not because "that was what everyone was doing!" We are super-proud of him!!

with friends

practicing his science experiment

Josh worked very hard to earn the Presidential Fitness Award this year in P.E. The 3 1/2 minute half mile would have wiped me out!!