Fun in June and July

~ JUNE ~

Piano Recital

What song did you play for the piano recital?

Sarah - Raisins and Almonds, but we called it Springtime

Phoebe -  He's Got The Whole World In His Hands

Popee, Aunt Wyonna, and our family friend Jeline joined our family to support Sarah and Phoebe at their recital.

Tanganyika
We met some friends at Tanganyika one day in June.

What was your favorite animal encounter from this Tanganyika visit?

Sarah - Petting the Goats

Phoebe - The Camel ride

What animals do you like to look at and watch the most at Tanganyika?

Sarah - Goats

Phoebe - Rhino

Silas - Sloths and Pygmy Hippos and Rhinos

Big and Rich Concert
We went to the Benefit Big and Rich concert at the Wing Nuts Stadium in mid-June.  Eric and I have always been Big and Rich fans.  Silas likes their music too.  He and Eric have been listening to it a lot together lately and he remembers and sings lots of the lyrics already.  It was a great concert.  I especially loved how they honor America's Veterans during their concerts.

What was your favorite thing or song at the Big and Rich concert?

Sarah -  I got to eat a yummy root beer float from the concession stand.

Phoebe - Listening to the music

Silas -  Pretty much all of the songs but definitely "Holy Water"

Father's Day
We took our annual Father's Day picture with the yearly Father's Day sign a week before Father's Day this year.  I have always made or helped the kids make a sign and then taken a picture of them with the sign every year.  We have a big frame that holds lots of 4x6 pictures in our house and we add a Father's Day picture to it every year.  It is something that Eric looks forward to each year.

We gave him a few gifts and some handmade cards from the kids.

We took a surprise trip to my parents house and rung the doorbell for a Father's Day surprise for my Dad.  He LOVED it!

What is one of the best things about Popee?

Sarah - He is nice and he is funny.  I like to go to Dillons and Walmart with him.

Phoebe - He is nice and funny.  I like to go out to Mitch and Karen's and fish with him.  And I like playing games with him.

Silas - He is kinda funny and he plays the Frisbee game with us.  We get to play games with him...a lot of stuff is good about Popee.

Elite Shocker Camp
Sarah and her friend, Savannah, attended the Elite Women's Shocker Camp.  This camp is for incoming 6th through 12th grade girls.

They did a lot of ball handling, a few drills, and scrimmages.

At the end of the second day at camp when I arrived to pick up Sarah, the girls were all gathered down on the floor receiving some awards.  Savannah's Mom was sitting up in the arena chairs and I asked her what the girls were doing now... She proceeded to tell me that Sarah had just received an award for being one of the top ten middle school (6th, 7th, and 8th grade) players there!  Wowza!  Then they announced the top ten high school aged girls.  Next these top ten in both groups were divided into teams and they scrimmaged each other while everyone watched and cheered.  My mommy heart was exploding!

Below, the top ten middle school aged girls with Coach Keitha Adams.  Sarah is right next to Coach Adams.

WAY TO PLAY HARD, SARAH!

Mini Shocker Camp
Phoebe and her friend, Haylee, attended Mini Shocker Camp the next week after Sarah.

They did a lot of ball handling, dribbling, and some scrimmages.

Below, Haylee, Coach Keitha Adams, and Phoebe.

Phoebe is pictured below in a dark gray shirt standing next to Coach Adams.

Below, Phoebe, Haylee, Wu Shocker, Silas, Sarah, and Gavin.

Grandma Sharon's Visit
Eric's mom came to visit us for a few days in June.  She got to watch the kids at swimming lessons two of the days, and she got to watch them each play in one softball/tee ball game.

Grandma likes to treat us to pedicures.  It is always fun and much appreciated.

Silas went with us this time...no pedicure for him but he did get to try out the massage chairs.

Below, our finished toes and nails.

Swimming Lessons
The kids completed one session of swimming lessons.  Silas was in level 1.  Phoebe was in level 3.  Sarah was in level 5.  Sarah will get to move on up  next summer and start life guard skills.

Phoebe got to work with one of our favorite swim teachers, Miss Jill.

Sarah got better at diving.

Silas was a little bit more hesitant this year in the water at lessons.  He needs to work on using his "big arms" and putting his face in at the same time.

Fishing
We got to go fishing again at our friends house near Popee and Nanee's.  Silas and Phoebe caught several big Bass.

BOOM Basketball
Sarah participated in a middle school (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) basketball camp.

Softball party and awards
We held the softball awards party at our house one evening in late June.

We had desserts and ice cream sundaes.

Pictured below, left to right, Abigail, Kali, Chloe, Phoebe, Kaelie, Haylee, Shawna, Shay, Jada, Sophia, and Illysia.

Below, Coach Kris, Coach BJ, Phoebe, and Coach Eric/Daddy

~ JULY ~
A visit from Ernie and Judy
Ernie and Judy stopped by Mom and Dad's for a visit on their way to Colorado in early July.  We were there one day and got to see them too.

Rock River Rapids
We spent one hot, but fun, afternoon at Rock River Rapids water park with some friends.

What was your favorite thing to do at Rock River Rapids?

Sarah - Going down the water slides

Phoebe - I like the slides that you ride on inner tubes. 

Silas -  Kids water area and the lazy river.