June 2025

The kids and I visited the Sedgwick County Zoo one morning in June. There are some new baby Elephants that we wanted to see, two baby Bears that are growing quickly, and Stingray Cove (which is FREE to enter into now. The only cost is to feed, if you want to purchase food to feed the Stingrays and small Sharks).

Phoebe played in summer league basketball with some of her high school teammates. It was on Tuesday nights throughout June. About fifteen girls went to team camp in Hutchinson in mid-June. They started a little rough but soon started to play together. They were tough. Phoebe jumped at the beginning of each game and played underneath because she was one of the tallest girls there to play for the JV team. She went up against some tall/big girls. She got pushed around and took some hard knocks but got up and kept fighting hard for her team. She got a lot of rebounds and made lots of baskets for her team off the rebounds. She even began to dribble again with some confidence.

Eric, Phoebe, and Silas went to Eric's cousin, Hannah's wedding reception in Marshfield, Missouri on Friday, June 13th. They thought they were headed there for her wedding, but learned it was just the reception/party when they arrived. Eric got to see most of his cousins and other family members there. They spent the night in a hotel there and went to a cookout the next day to visit with family a little more before heading home.

Sarah and I attended KSU Orientation on Saturday, June 14th. It was a good day. We met with KSU students, faculty, got her ID picture taken, and walked around campus.

We celebrated Father's Day with Eric on Sunday, June 15th. The kids and I created our annual Father's Day sign for Eric. We went to church that morning. That afternoon, Eric and Silas went to the lake for awhile to test our boat and a new fish finder, while there they fished, swam, and saw a couple deer swimming in the lake. That evening we all went out to eat at IHOP. Yum! Happy 19th Father's Day to this guy! The one who takes care of all of us everyday. He works hard, leads well, loves big, gives generously, coaches and teaches lots of children (his own and many others), and makes us laugh. He is simply the best father and husband for us.

Silas had some of his best friends (Knova, Owen, and Landon) over on Saturday, June 21st. The boys had a GREAT TIME together! They hung out and played outside till well after dark. Then they stayed over and we all went to church together the next morning. After church Knova's Dad, Kyle (Coach Kyle) picked up the boys and they all went swimming and fishing for the afternoon. This is one of the best groups of boys/friends that I have been around. Each of these four boys is honest, respectful, trustworthy, and caring. They are good friends who are kind to each other and have a good time together. I know that each one of these boys look out for the other one and want to see each other do well.

Our chickens have been busy this summer. They have been laying between 5-9 eggs per day. We currently have eleven hens. Phoebe is still my best helper with the chickens and all the things that have to do with our little flock. She loves them all and can often be found spending extra time outside with them in our yard.

Silas went with me to take Ray to her next vet visit. She is now 4 months old and is weighing in at 44.5 pounds.

Silas attended everyday of his middle school's weights and conditioning program for the summer. He ran, lifted weights, played basketball, and did aerobic exercises rotating between stations with a small group of kids who were also committed to staying active and getting stronger this summer.

Silas's baseball team played in the end of season HAC baseball tournament on June 25th and 26th.

We helped Will celebrate his 1/2 birthday on June 28th. Lindsee and EP planned a big party at a local park and splash pad on a warm Saturday afternoon. So many friends and families showed up to help Will celebrate. It was a fun time for LOTS of friends.