June

Eric found a small turtle on the road, not far from our house, one day and brought it home for the kids and I to observe for a couple days.  They named it Superman.  Silas and I did some research on it and we think it may have been a Mud Turtle.  The kids tried feeding it June Bugs, cucumbers, and lettuce.

Sarah attended Emporia State University's Elite basketball camp.  It was an all day camp in Emporia run by Coach Toby Winn and some of his players.  They ran a lot of drills, worked on ball handling, game situations, and shooting.

We got to spend a LOT of time with friends at the softball/baseball fields.  

Silas loved having some of his best buddies on his baseball team this season.

Sarah also loved having some of her closest friends on her team this season.  Our family has gotten to know Sarah's friend, Wyatt, over the last few months, and we have really enjoyed spending time with him.  He was able to go to most of Sarah's softball games with us and some of Phoebe and Silas's games as well.

Phoebe was blessed again this year to have some of her besties on her softball team.

Silas broke his right pinky finger back in May.  He had to have a cast put on to keep it in place and to help it heal correctly.  His baseball season was put on hold and he had to sit the bench and be an encourager during his games for his teammates.  On June 16th he got to get the cast taken off and had a few more xrays to be sure it was alright.  He got the go ahead to play, with it buddy-taped, in his last two baseball games.

The night before the cast was taken off we let him have his friends sign his purple cast.

Sharon came to visit us for about 5 days.  She got to go with us to Concordia to visit her Mom, Dorothy.  We went shopping together, got pedicures, and went to softball and basketball games together.

Phoebe and her friend Shawna have been participating in their new middle school athletic summer programs.  So far, they have tried basketball, cross country, and volleyball.

Lindsee's family came to Kansas for a camping trip in mid-June.  We got to spend one day with them at Mom and Dad's house.  We picked berries, played on the slip and slide, ate dinner, played some games, and celebrated Uncle Charlie's 78th birthday together.

Happy 78th Birthday, Uncle Charlie!  Pictured below, with two brothers, Paul and Dale.

Below, left to right, Silas, Will, Mom, Sarah, Thomas, Phoebe, and Clara.

Our whole group, Eric, EP, Dad, Dale, Jan, Charlie, Wyonna, Christen, Jesse, Silas, Stacee, Will, Mom, Sarah, Thomas, Phoebe, Lindsee, and Clara.

Happy 15th Father's Day, Eric! We love YOU!

Silas and Phoebe took swimming lessons in June.  Silas completed level three.  Phoebe completed level four.  They will both move up next summer to the next levels.

Sarah started weights and conditioning this summer at the high school.  She also started working out and practicing with the volleyball and basketball teams.  She was asked to play with the JV basketball team this summer in a few local summer league games.  This was a great opportunity for the coaches to preview how the girls play together and things that they need to work on individually and as a team.

The girls both attended WSU Lady Shocker Elite basketball camp.  It was a two day camp for 6th - 12th graders.  

The girls and their friends, pictured below, with WSU head coach Keitha Adams.  Left to right, Sarah, Haylee, Abigail, Coach Adams, Shawna, and Phoebe.

We have been having some problems with gophers and moles tearing up our yard and land.  One evening I saw one popping up and down out of its hole as it dug. Silas and I took a few shots at it before it got dark, and missed.  The next morning it was still there popping up and down working on that same spot.  I adjusted my shot thought process and aimed on this side of the hole... And I nailed it!  I did however, refuse to touch it, so Eric nicely disposed of it for me. (He's nice like that.) Yuck! Beware yard destroyers, I am onto you and will not hesitate to finish you off. This Annie Oakley is coming for you.