June Fun

The first Saturday in June all three of our kids played in their piano recital.  They had been preparing there songs for the last 5 to 6 months and were very ready for the performance.

Silas played 'From A Wigwam" and "Alouette".

Sarah played "The Entertainer" and "Amazing Grace"  She taught herself to play Amazing Grace all on the black keys.

And, Phoebe played Shirley Temple's " On the Good Ship Lollipop".  They all played their songs well.

We enjoyed lots of good times with friends at our kids softball and baseball games this summer.

Above Eric and David, below, Mandy and me.  We love these friends and the good times we have together.

Below, our girls all attended Emporia State University's Lady Hornet basketball camp in June.  We all stayed at Mom and Dad's house together and had a lot of fun.  The girls liked the camp except that boys were allowed to attend this "LADY" Hornet camp, which was odd and something that we felt should be kept to just girls.

They practiced a lot of ball handling and shooting.

Meanwhile at Popee and Nanee's house in the afternoon and evenings, we had fun at the park, playing the Frisbee game, and eating yummy food....

Below left to right, Sarah, Phoebe, Shawna, and Abigail.

Coach Toby Wynn had fun shooting with the girls.

One of the mornings while the girls were at Hornet Basket ball camp, Dad, Silas, Mandy and I went fishing out in a friend's farm pond.  We had a friendly competition to see who could catch more fish... Boys or Girls...  The girls were in the lead until literally the final seconds when Silas reeled in a big Crappie for the tie.

Sarah got her top braces on and will get the bottom braces on in Augusts or September.  She will have to wear them for approximately two years.

We enjoyed a visit to Tanganyika Wildlife Park.  The kids each had a couple animal encounters.

We have a few Mulberry trees around our land.  One afternoon we had the kids and some friends help us pick Mulberries.

We used a tarp to catch all the Mulberries that Eric would shake from the limbs.  Then we would pour them into buckets.  Eric and Phoebe cleaned and washed them all.  Then Eric froze some of them to use later and made the rest into Mulberry jam.

Sarah attended the WSU Lady Shocker Elite Basketball Camp again this summer.  This year her friend, Kenna, attended too.

Sarah worked hard, hustled, and played hard.  She was selected by the WSU players and coaching staff, for the second year in a row, as one of the top ten middle school aged girls at the camp.  Way to go Sarah!  Hard work pays off!  Below, Sarah with head Coach Keitha Adams.  And, notice how much Sarah is growing??? She is taller than Coach Adams!

The kids had fun bowling a couple times this summer with friends. Below, Sarah, Felicity, Abigail, Shawna, Phoebe, and Silas.

Eric wanted us to help him cut down and remove trees on Father's Day this year.  So, after church and a quick lunch, we worked outside, as he cut trees down, we had to haul them out and pile them up.  It was a hot sweaty job, and there were a few complainers.  Happy Father's Day to this amazing Dad though.  We love him and his hardworking style.

Popee and Nanee, and our friends Dan and Debbie had fun coming to watch the girls and Silas play softball and baseball this summer.  We are always glad to have them here with us and the kids love to have them watching and cheering for them.

Phoebe and three friends attended the WSU Lady Mini Shocker Basketball Camp in June.  They worked a lot on ball handling and shooting.

Siblings hung out during camp and played some together.  Below, Silas, Gavin, and Felicity.

Below, with Coach Keitha Adams, Abigail, Shawna, Haylee, and Phoebe.

Silas and Phoebe attended our church's week long VBS in June.  The theme this year was "Polar Blast"  At the end of the week they did a short program for the parents followed by an ice cream social.

My besties and I had fun doing some pre-Colorado shopping at Hobby Lobby.  We went there looking for some hats, but couldn't resist this photo op with these signs!  Of course or pre-Colorado talks included talks of bears and what they eat, and how to escape them, and how cool it would be to see one.... (The sign says "What doesn't kill you will make you STRONGER.  Except Bears.  Bears will definitely kill you!")

And, who doesn't agree with this... "The Mountains are calling and I must go!"

We also did a little pre-Colorado tye dye one evening too.  We wanted everyone on our Colorado trip to have matching 4th of July (red, white, and blue) t-shirts to wear on the 4th.

Silas's baseball team gathered at Braum's one afternoon for an end of the season ice cream party and awards.

Below, Coach Mike, Coach Kyle, Silas, and Coach Eric (Daddy).

Go Thunder!

Phoebe's team had an end of season swimming softball party.  It was a lot of fun...swimming, dinner, and awards.  Phoebe was awarded a trophy and the "SKOR" (a SKOR candy bar) award.  She was awarded this for being a good hitter for her team and helping to score a lot of runs.