Basketball Group Present

One of the things that the boys had been asking about was a basketball hoop that could be adjusted in height.  So when their joint birthday party came, we gave people the option of contributing toward the purchase of a new basketball hoop.  After doing the research, Brett knew what kind of hoop would be best for the boys to grow with, but the reviews talked about how difficult it was to put together (read:  3-7 hours with at least 2 people and at least 2 reports of ER visits for finger lacerations, etc).  So the hunt changed to a pre-assembled hoop that could be picked up.  We found the perfect fit off of Craig's List in the Bay Area.  Brett rented a truck from Home Depot and drove in to pick it up.  While it had to be partially disassembled for transport, it only took 20 minutes of cooperative effort of the 5 of us to get it up and operational.  The boys have been playing hoop everyday since we picked it up.  Thanks for all those who contributed to the purchase!

 

Getting ready to open the package from Sam, Seth, Luke, and Evelyn.

The new basketball came in a package with a riddle that led to MJ and #23.

The new basketball hoop!



Our driveway has found new purpose, a shaded basketball court.

Griffin 4y 3mo

Griffin continues to break new ground this summer.  He had his first soccer practice, which of course he let his brothers know this was HIS practice, since he has been to so many of theirs.  He continued swimming lessons and is getting close to graduating to more advanced levels as he can swim enough to get his head poked up to grab a breath and then go back to swimming...he still needs supervision though.  He has also gotten to try out gymnastics during the summer classes and really thought that was a lot of fun too.  He is lobbying to be in his own class this fall.

 

I chose a lower bunk this year to sleep on, but I sure played on that upper bunk.

 

I started out brave in laser tag, but then I decided it was much safer to stay behind the barrier and be a sniper.

I am working on my ventriloquist skills...yes  I know my mouth needs to be closed...I'm not there yet.

You gotta love gymnastics, when you get to be on the top of a pyramid...or laying on the bottom like my brother, Bryce.

Garrett 8y 2mo

Garrett enjoyed his summer activities which included swimming lessons during which he successfully graduated to Dolphin status and swam laps in the big pool.  He has also now kept score of an entire baseball game without barely any help.  He has been slowly worked up in his ability to do this.  Now that he is capable, it makes Joy shout "mini me" to Brett when referring to some of his activities.  He also started a summer writing class through IEW which he enjoyed, despite it lasting 3 hours in one sitting!  Which means he must have really liked it.

 

Keeping score of the ballgame...Let's Go Oakland!

Great to see Camp Friend, Eli, back again from last year.

Dad, I think our rocket is going to do better than our Awana Cars.

What happens at Camp, stays at Camp...

Inventing new ways to get down our steps at camp.

Reaching the third level of the rock wall was a big accomplishment.

Top bunk for sleeping...bottom bunk a fortress.

Bryce 6y

Bryce finally turned 6 this month.  The countdown which had been taking place for 60 days on the dry erase board was finally removed...of course there was a request to put how many days until Christmas shortly afterward, but that request has been denied thus far.  He enjoyed the traditional birthday blessing of going to donuts and picking out a special family activity.  Bryce has continued to expand his lego building projects.  He has now built an entire clone base to battle against the evil droids.  He was in his own swimming class this year working on his strokes more and his breathing, instead of just functioning as a "bobbing head" in the water (read doggie paddle).  He was also excited to join Garrett in the bigger kids' class at Family Camp this year.

 

The countdown has finished!

My Aunt and Uncle sent me my favorite player's jersey:  Bryce Harper.

For my birthday we went to Chuck E Cheese where I loved playing the games.  Dad and I set the high score for the day in Football.

I enjoyed collecting a lot of Star Wars stuff for my birthday...

I wrapped about 30 presents for myself too...it was a great surprise to open them!

My camp bed setup...play on top, sleep on the bottom.

Babysitters

You may wonder where we get our babysitters...well the boys loved playing guns and talking/watching Star Wars with the brothers Daniel, Tim, and Johnny, so that is the legacy that has been forged.  Here they are posing for a picture after a long and productive battle.  When can we do it again?

 

Family Camp RCP

We went to RCP for the third year in a row for a week of Family Camp.  This year the theme was space.  Some of the highlights for the boys were laser tag at night and then during the day following, swimming, archery, movie night with Toy Story, bottle rocket launching, crafts, and getting to see their friends.  Brett played in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament again with Dave and newbie, Scott.  They took the championship for the second straight year without much resistance.  Joy enjoyed swimming laps everyday in the pool and not having to cook or fold laundry for a whole week.  Of course we did have to roll the windows down on the way home because we had so much dirty laundry!  We all memorized the four scripture verses and rehearsed them in front of verse lady.  We also noticed that Doug Stevens and Bruce Baloian did a great job of continuing the sermon series theme that was currently going on at our home church!  Amazing how God weaved that together.

 

Back in our favorite cabin...Sarah.

Would you like to share an ice cream with your honey?

Constructing, designing, and painting our bottle rocket.

A successful launching of the Fireball above the height of the trees earned us a medal.

Look out for us on the Laser Tag field, we are coming after you.

Griffin plays ping pong with the big boys...nothing intimidates him.

Eating a meal at the boys' table with Hudson, Jared, and Luke.

Garrett (center) and Bryce (bottom row) perform their 3 songs in front of the camp.

Balloon requests:  sword, guitar, and laser rifle.