Nuts Game

We hadn't taken in a professional baseball game live since June, so it was no surprise that Brett jumped at the shot of free tickets to an early evening game at the Nuts.  The game proved to be one of the fastest we have seen at the class A level, just over 2 hours.  The final out of the 2-1 contest was recorded at home plate on a tag play.  We enjoyed some concession food for a change:  giant pretzels and slush puppies.

One of the nut mascots:  Ms. Pistachio.

We paid attention to the game, well at least a little bit.

Reach Out and Read Luncheon

Joy went to the Carol Stinson Reach Out and Read Luncheon at the Hilmar Cheese Factory.  She was joined by her MA-Domarina, as well as Dr. Brown and new medical assistants Blanca and Peggy.  She has been in a process of adjustments since she was moved to the new clinic, but this is one of her old programs that she has maintained a grant for the last eight years.

Garrett 10y 3mo

Garrett did a great job being the big cousin all week.  He had a lot to do with his younger cousins feeling included and comfortable around their older cousins.  He worked on his frisbee and tennis skills during the time we were away too.  We still can't believe he has started fifth grade and continues to grow in wisdom and stature.

Bryce 8y 1mo

Bryce found Michigan to be a great place to race carts down the hill out back (he usually won those races), hunt for rocks (he found some great ones), build sand castles, entertain his cousins, do art projects, and body surf.  Bryce was the most adventurous when it came to going out when the waves got bigger and rougher, but he stuck by Brett's side and had a great time for a couple of hours while everyone else stayed out of the water.

I picked out two perfect rocks for Mom and Dad to give them I love you rocks.

A little oven mitt I made at Jamie's art table.

Painting a bird house to bring home..so our cats can catch more birds?

How do I get my arms untied?

Pulling Misty's twins and Logan up hill to the hotel.

Hanging with my little cousin Logan.

Sand is your friend when you are a sand artist.

I am going to identify all of these rocks for you...but check out my hands full of magnatite.

Griffin 6y4mo

Griffin found many new games to fall in love with this month.  He was introduced to Nuclear Holocaust, War and Nerts among others.  Once he has been taught a game he likes, he will ask to play it over and over until he figures he has it mastered.  If he wears you out on it, he will move on and find someone else to challenge.

I helped make some of these sand castles, but if you want to play ball, then I will drop everything and follow you.

Ok Logan, nobody else will play with me, how about you and me play a game of Nerts?

My hands are covered in little specks of magnatite.

Wanna play frisbee, I am game.

I enjoyed the Lake too, but I only could last about 30 minutes at a time.

Start of Soccer Season

Soccer season began without us this year.  We missed the first game for all our boys while we were in Michigan, but we returned for the second game.  Garrett is playing with some friends who had to move up with him from last year (Dillon and Jake) and some friends whom he had played with in the last few years (Braden, Tyler, and Matthew).  Bryce got a coach who we feel will match well with him--Sergio.  He has had some pretty intense practices and Bryce has done a great job responding.  In his first game he blasted a shot on goal that the goalie just deflected wide with his left hand.  He is getting to play with a few guys that he played with last year (Adrian and Brodie) along with Ryan whom he played with before.  Griffin rejoined some buddies from two years ago (Rylan and Caleb) and is playing with a younger brother of a guy Garrett played with last year (Luke).

After the second game, Bryce's team splashed water bottles all over each other--that was a highlight for him.

Griffin's team won their second game and he started to get in the flow of the offense.

Bryce's team was in neon, you can't miss them.

Griffin #2, heads the line to shoot on goal for warmups.

After practice we visited AW for some root beer floats with our friends Paul and Renee and their four kids.

Summer Baseball Championship

Garrett finished up the summer league baseball season with his team in the playoffs battling for the league championship.  He manned first base in every inning of the playoffs, recording a number of putouts and playing errorless ball.  He contributed a two-out RBI double in the first inning of the championship game to get the scoring started.  He enjoyed the kids he played with and the coaches that steadied the ship during the season.

One final team picture with the second place trophy.

Collecting his second place trophy from Coach.

A satisfying summer season (alliteration).

Travel Day to Grandparents, Stocking up

We awoke before 3am (but that is actually 6am east coast time) and made it the airport an hour and a half before our flight departed.  But 45 minutes in line to check bags and suddenly we were considered late bags (not guaranteed to make it on our flight).  Alas, after stopping in Denver for a plane change, we arrived on time in Grand Rapids with our bags accompanying us.  We had some tired moments, but in the end, we were ready to see Grandma and Gramps.  

This line is taking a LONG time...

...we're not even travelling to a galaxy far, far away...

...guess I will get to work on my Avenger Word Search puzzles.

Recharging our electronics will help the trip go smoother.

You have been secured in your sleeping compartment for the voyage...we wish!

Gramps made us a tasty Sunday morning breakfast before church.

Sandy was STILL only a penny to ride.

Shopping for food for Ludington...Grandma had to hold a lot of food on her lap!