It's Great to be Eight!

Chandler and Carolyn were baptized together!  We were so pleased that they did it this way, because it meant that all the Grandma's could come.  It was a beautiful day, and after the baptism we celebrated with a party down at the swim park.  Great job Chandler!  We are proud of you and the choices you are making!

Aunt Ellen also came for the celebration!  She may have won herself the title of "favorite aunt" for a while!  She played "swimming pool" and "treehouse for sale" for hours on end with Emilee.  It was so fun to see them having a great time together!

 

Betty did the talk on Baptism and it was fabulous.  She got the kids up and out of their chairs and they participated the whole time.  Fabulous!

And, afterwards at the lake!  We stayed all afternoon, even though it was a bit chilly, and the kids swam themselves silly.  Hot dogs and brats galore. 

 What a beautiful day!

End of the Year

What a busy end of the year we've had!  Besides regular life, and many appointments, we've got a party to go to every five minutes it seems!  We started the last week with Aidan's final violin performance with the elementary orchestra.  Aidan has learned so much in this group, and we are so happy he got to participate!

Next, it was the fifth grade celebration.  Aidan is on his way to Middle School next year!  Here he is happy as a clam to be singing to the parents.  Hee hee hee.

 Mrs. Strycker, teacher extraordinaire.  This woman is a marvel.  I hope all my children will get to be in her classroom at some point.  We love her!

 Off he goes!

Later that afternoon we met at the park for popcicles and Kindergarten "graduation."  Emilee loved Mrs. Martin's classroom and is so excited to be joining the kids in full day school next year.

 And they're home!

Let the summer fun BEGIN!!!

National League Champions!

Aidan's baseball team had quite a season.  Aidan really enjoyed baseball and is excited to play int he next league up next year.  After winning the regular season with an amazing 13-1 record, they went on to take the championship game!  It was a nail biter to the end, and the team made some amazing come backs.  Great job team!

 The Champs!

 I'm not sure who was more pleased, the boys, or Coach Brown.  He had a few tears to shed over their amazing victory, and the boys all left flying as high as a kite.

the Hero

Talk about pressure.  Simi-finals for the leauge.  A three hour game.  We've returned from behind.  An hour ago it was 17-8.  They almost had the game called for the 10 run rule.  Bottom of the last inning.  It is being called for time (can't start a new inning after 2 hours)  Current score is 17-18.  Only down one run!  Guys on 1st and 2nd steal into 3rd and 2nd.  Two outs.  Two strikes.  Runner steals home.  TIED!  Pressure building!  The pitcher is one of Aidan's best buddies from church.  It's Aidan vs. Nui.  Aidan strikes twice and then proceeds to hit five foul tips.  And then this.

Please excuse my screaming in the background!  The ball HITS the boys gloves and he drops it.  Game Over.  It was insanity!  My favorite part is when Aidan's team comes out and tackles him to the ground.  You've never seen such happy boys!  Aidan, we were so proud of the way you handled this pressure and never gave up!  Great job!