Outdoor Fun w Friends

Getting a little stir crazy at home, we ventured out for a few outdoor outings.  First we drove into Pleasanton and met the Jungingers for an afternoon at the BMX Bike Park and then a family bike ride to Shadow Cliffs and back.  We followed that up with some time at their backyard pool with a BBQ and games.  A nice respite from the growing monotony of being home.  The next day, we joined the Longs for a whiffle ball game which had numerous diving plays and close tag plays that brought smiles and showed great effort as we enjoyed the great outdoors and wonderful grassy area.

Whiffle ball game with Ebon, Asher, Truman, and Annie.

Due to issues with his old bike manifested while on our 2 most recent biking adventures, Bryce used his savings to buy a much needed new bike.

Bryce at the BMX Bike Park in Pleasanton.

Griffin conquers one of the hills.

Garrett smiles while he rides.

Joy even got in on the action, letting out a few yelps on some of the bumpier hills.

Garrett heads away from the camera while Joy heads toward it.

Shadow Cliffs bike ride with Eric, Sharon, Grace, Caleb, Luke, and Anna.

A family picture by all the cat-tail reeds.

Our new bikes will travel arrangement.  Three on the back, one on top, and one in the back of the car.

Dunking your head in the lake is a nice way to cool off says Bryce.

Parking our bikes on the dock for a rest.

Father's Day

Brett worked Father's Day this year, so we did a little more celebrating later on Wednesday when he was off.  But in the morning he was greeted with a card and many nice words of encouragement placed on the inside of his car.  Unfortunately, the car that all the words were placed in didn't start that morning and Brett had to take the other car to work, so he quickly gathered up the notes and took them with him to work to read during the day when he needed encouragement.  There was an amazing dinner waiting for him at home when he had completed his workday.  He was surprised by a cool Lego Boba Fett head to build on his next day off and with a replacement BBQ cover (the cats had done a number on the current one...)  We connected with Poppy via a zoom call on the first day Brett was off after Father's Day

TIE Decimator and Mandalorian themed cards drawn by the boys.

Amazing lasagna dinner.

Successful completion of the Boba Fett Lego head.

The latest addition to the cat family

After a month of rumors of a kitten in our next door neighbor's yard and a slimmed down Li'ra, we were introduced to little Ani (if it's a boy) or little Jyn (if it's a girl).  The little one has learned to climb the fence and where to get food now with mama.  Let the socialization begin.  Our other cats continue to entertain as well.

Li'ra with her little kitty, yes we know who the father is...Vader.

Bryce socializes the little one.

Kylo finds an interesting hiding place...

Kylo lounging on the backyard couch.

If I jump off the fence, will it be safe?

Eating with mama.

Licking its lips in anticipation of safe eating conditions.

Qi'ra walks the top of the shower door ledge.

She prepares to jump to the tiny window ledge without difficulty.

Baking and other happenings

Griffin helped make some delicious burgers and fries.

We enjoyed talking to Cousin Ryan over FaceTime and catching up on all the recent Idaho happenings.

Bryce enjoys hanging out with the Boone's kittens after slip and sliding.

Spelling time with Dad wrap-up highlighting some of the words we learned in the last few months.

Secret mission:  make Mom breakfast--eggs and donuts!

Success!

Bryce's dinner creation with Mom.

Garrett presents a dinner plate with Mom.

Outdoor hang out with the Boones.

Loving on other people's kittens...

Celebrating marriage

We purchased an iron sign to go with the headboard of our bed.

Joy's Latest Art Project

Joy has continued her quest to use her artistic side to paint beautiful pictures for our bedroom walls.
This one serves to remind us of God's creation and the elephants that we saw on safari in Sri Lanka.  This is a labor of love and time but gives her much fulfillment.  In total, this one took about 20 hours over the course of the last 30 days.

Reminders of Sri Lanka and vacation.

Joy enjoying her outdoor studio.

The final product

Baseball Season Officially Over

Since it had been three months since our last game, when we finally got our pictures, it was quite a project to try and recall all the names of the players.  Fortunately we had GroupMe apps to jog our memory for Garrett and Bryce's team.  Brett actually was an assistant coach on Griffin's team so he knew all the names of the kids, but Griffin helped pair them up.  What a project!

Garrett and Bryce's Angels:  they made it through two games.  We barely learned the names of the kids.
(top):  Coach Matt, Jacob, Sammy, Tristan Pruitt, Ty, Garrett, Jake Dofflemayer, Coach Scott
(bottom):  Coach Chris, Todd, Bryce, Jake Dorrity, Schultz, Jake Kiesel, Josh, Coach Brandon

Griffin's Orioles:
(back row) James Sr., James Jr., Zachary, Colton, Dillon, Brandon
(bottom) Owen, Ethan, Drake, Griffin, Javen, Anthony

Lego Death Star Project

Having our Greece, Branson, Michigan, and Family Camp vacations canceled due to COVID-19, we decided to purchase an activity to replace one of the vacations.  The Lego Death Star was selected as an epic build for the boys that we worked on for about 16 hours over 4 days.  It was cheaper than a ballgame in Kansas City and the hotel stay across the street that we were supposed to have had, so we figured it was well worth it, and maybe a bit of a bucket-list item for Brett to build with his boys.  As if Brett has a bucket list...

Completed!

Final level has begun.

Midway through box 3 of 4.

Sorting parts for the start of box 3.

Studying the large, 10+ pound instruction manual.

Box 2 completed.

The huge box containing our prize!

Building the foundation of the Death Star.

A pause in the focus to capture the moment for posterity.