for granny.....we love you!

CJ's last games of season - 3 home runs!!!

CJ had a double header last night to wrap up his baseball season for this year. Very hot in the sun from 5 - 8:45 PM. BJ enjoyed playing with this young fella - Star Wars. Then he had some blueberry bread and juice. How darling are those little freckles on his cheeks? I had to include that picture.

Topher hit THREE home runs in the first game of the night. Fantastic hard hits over the outfield heads. He was ecstatic, as was his mother! I won't dare post the video b/c you hear this crazy woman screaming at the top of her lungs to "keep running" (ha ha!) If you come and visit us, I promise I'll let you see the hits with the sound muted:)

The second game CJ surprised me by stepping up to plate and hitting left handed. I loved it! So bold. He's been practicing with us when our family goes out to play, and he's been practicing with the Wii baseball, but he's never done it in a game. He hit twice left handed and got a base hit both times. Not a bad way to end the season. Last year he ended the season by making all three outs in the last inning, two of which were from a double play. You guys probably think we're absolutely crazy!

I told the boys we should celebrate afterward with a trip to BaskinRobbins, which we're going to do after I pick them up from summerschool today. Benny has his heart set on the rainbow sherbert. This always makes me think of Granddad for some reason:) I remember him eating the orange sherbert...

Now, on to soccer!

Or should I say, on to birthday, and then soccer! We can't wait for grandma and grandpa to arrive in a three days! The boys are beside themselves!!!

safety day at swim lessons

The boys both LOVE their swim lessons. Though we started the first day of this session in pretty cool temps outside, we've decided in Idaho you have to take what you can get for swim days! The boys have had wonderful teachers thus far, who seem to really care about the boys and their growth. They are both learning so much and having lots of fun at the same time.





Waiting on side of pool for lessons to start



Floating on backs around lazy river, which has water current to it. This sweet boy was holding BJ's hand.





Then they moved to the 13 ft. deep water and jumped off board. Benny went from them lifting him off the board the first time, to leaping off onto his teacher. I put that video below. Fortunately she said she was just fine the next day:)

Today at swim lessons they went back up on board but with no life jackets. They both seem to have a VERY healthy fear of the deep end of the pool!



Benny's Superman jump off the board!!!! Notice how far the swim instructor goes under the water! Bless her heart!

attacked.....involving a raspberry bush...

The boys' school walked to a local park yesterday and passed a raspberry bush en route. BJ told me that each child was allowed to pick one raspberry and eat it, which is delightful! I love it! Apparently the bush fought back though. After BJ picked his berry, he somehow walked through a stem.... We've gotten some funny questions about his poor little neck!

Rick's last game of season...

Rick in middle (#79) Rick on third
Rick at bat.
Rick at bat next inning.
A hearty game of wall ball: CJ, BJ(watching and eating his graham cracker, Travis and Micah

weekend trip to Seattle/Tacoma

Looks like someone is going to have to learn how to make peach cobbler now that BJ has tasted this yummy dessert!!! CJ and BJ in viewing window watching...



Of course, my battery ran out at the zoo, so I didn't get ANY pictures of the other fantabulous experiences we had. sob.sob. I'm counting on the other parties involved to send me some pics!

Here's a quick recap:

Point Defiance Zoo
picnic at Owen Beach (on Puget Sound I believe with Mt. Ranier in background - wow!)
Mariners vs. Rangers game (both boys had their names broadcast on the big scoreboard, "Happy Bithday BJ" and "Happy Birthday CJ", thanks to Sonja and dad!

lunch with the one and only Amy T. from elementary school and her handsome son.

swim in Pine Lake with Abbie and Russell.

We CAN'T wait to go back!!!

odds and ends

CJ on first base, Rick as first base coach. Doesn't CJ look long in this picture?



Eating a popsicle outback.

4th of July

We joined two other families last night in a caravan to the fireworks event in Pullman, Washington, and had so, so, so much fun. The event was held in a park, on the side of one of a hill/mountain, with play equipment for the kids, live music, all kinds of food, and plenty of space to lay out a blanket and enjoy the evening. As the sun went down, it cooled off so nicely. Fun was had by all. The fireworks didn't start until 10 PM, and BJ fell asleep about halfway through the fireworks. Exhausted.

A fun day. More fun to come later this week!!!