Lil 6er and his daddy....

Love, love, LOVE having these two on the ballfield together. Something special about seeing your son being coached by his daddy. It's awesome. They are a good pair. Don't always see eye to eye, but they 'get' eachother. Couldn't ask for a better coach or a better little ballplayer. Sad it's over, yet ready for a little free time to relax.

June, where'd you go?????

This summer is absolutely flying by. June was somewhat of a blur for us. Started out with school going way too long into June. Lots of ball games and weekend tournaments for both kids. Greg going to his annual Michigan trip with the guys and coming home to land himself in the hospital for a time. Finally got back to health and back on the ballfield most weekends. We finally took a little time to ourselves the first weekend in July and went to Key Lime Cove and Six Flags. This is about the extent of my pics during that little getaway. I put the camera away and enjoyed our time with the kids. Waterslides and amusement park rides....fun for all.

Goodbye, my friend.....

Change is inevitable regardless of how bad it just plain old sucks. Marissa and I have sat side by side more than 40 hours a week for 2 1/2 years. We have been through thick and thin and made quite a team. Although she has not left town, we are no longer side by side as she has moved on to a new position with another company. We joked over the years that neither one of us could accept a new position unless they took us both. We worked well together. I am proud of her for taking the leap and exploring a whole new world of opportunity. But, it still sucks and I miss her......

More of the weekend

our fearless captain....

the girls.....

all four in the tube....that didn't work out so well.

and the responsible adults on board.......it's been a long time since we have been river rats. but we picked it up again just fine. felt good to be back out there.

My weekend crew....

We spent ALOT of time on the river this weekend. Two full days. The weather held perfectly for some great fun in the sun. The kids had friends along for boating, beachin', tubing, etc. It was a fabulous time! Unfortunately our next free weekend to boat is August 7th :( Lots going on for July. Gosh before we know it, it will be time for school to start. I hate that thought. Lots more pictures to come but for now I am BEAT!

someday

at some point in our lives we will be project free. oh who am i kidding. we are forever starting one project or another around here.

The hot tub project is about 70% complete. Still need the gazebo put up, some fill dirt on the backside, and finish landscaping/mulching around it. Then that will be done.

In the meantime, we have started this.........a big mudhole where a swimming pool will be installed. Soon.

Cant wait for our little backyard oasis to be D.O.N.E.!!!!

last weekend.....

went to Jeff's birthday party. the kids have a blast there. the adults have a pretty good time too :)

Our 5th Grade Graduate

Really? Our daughter is going to middle school??? How on earth did that happen??? I'll take a minute to brag on my little girl. Not only is she extremely beautiful, but so smart as well. She earned the highest academic award for 5th graders. The Presidential Academic Excellence Award. Quite stringent criteria had to be met in order to earn this award including an A- average over the last two years of school and 90 or better on ITBS reading and math, amongst other things. She did it. I was suprised and oh so proud when they called her name as the recipient of this award. I must say it is quite scary to be sending her on her next leg of the school journey. How will I ever be ready to send her out the door this fall to 6th grade????

And we ended the night with a little celebration of the grad at happy joes after the boys were done with baseball.

Finally

We have wanted a hot tub for a long time. We have had this one awhile, but it took a lot of steps to get it ready to go. Some old, crappy trees had to come down, a cement pad poured, electrical service ran to it,etc. But, just in time for the heat wave....we have a hot tub. :) The gazebo that goes over it is still sitting in the front yard on a trailer. Not the best timing, but the kids had to try it out anyway. And, when they get hot, they just jump out and swing to cool down...whatever works! Many thanks to those who helped out with this project....we have a lot of people that earned unlimited use of the hot tub :) Next is the pool installation. That could be interesting as well....just one project after another around here. Gee sounds like the last place we lived too?!

More softball

Snapped just at the right time--a hit with the ball in the picture as it heads into right center field!

Last Weekend's Softball