June - the fastest month...

It wouldn't be June without a gaggle of girls and family to celebrate our sweet girl's birthday! We were able to find a birthday weekend with NO baseball (well, I think the weather helped that) and we had a campout with our girl and a slew of her friends. Jason set the camper out in the circle of the drive and I cleaned it up to be ready for the girls to spend the night. As we were putting finishing touches on getting ready and girls were starting to arrive, we had the STRANGEST cloud formation. It only ever sprinkled a bit -- but it looked creepy. That passed, the girls came, and it was hide and seek, girl talk in the camper and lots of fun to be had. Addi's Mom Heather came through at THE last minute with an adorable softball cake and we gathered around the fire for gifts, cupcakes & smores! The girls even cooked their own hot dog supper over the fire.

We followed up the girl party with a family party with Grandma's & Grandpa's and Great Grandma Pat. We are so lucky to be able to celebrate this wild, silly, happy, clueless free-spirit. Her confidence and happiness just pour out of her in everything she does. Her carefree attitude and persistence will carry her far. Emmalyn - we are so proud of you, and are excited to see what year 9 has in store for you!

Aside from Em's birthday, we spent a LOT of time at the ball parks. Falcon 43 games & practices, along with a couple of travel tournaments. Softball games for Emmalyn and 6U for Keaton. Em faced live pitchers for the first time this summer, and while it was a combination of live arm and machine pitches, where Emmalyn stood out the most were in her ever improving catching skills. She is so fearless behind the plate, and once we convince her to be a smidge quicker, watch out world!

Keaton moved up to 6U, which was to be a "tweener" for tball and 8u. It was a slow start -- so much like tball for our kiddo who is currently trying to outplay his older brother (5 years his elder) and with a mix of kids who've hardly ever played before and a lot of uncertainty - it was a rough year. But, Keaton got used to the pitching machine and has worked to improve his game and understand the concepts of strikes and outs.

Colton's first year on Falcon 43 did not disappoint. We've known for along time that these kids, when they play together, have a special chemistry. No one player is a superstar, but when they play together, it's sure fun to watch. Colton's played catcher, pitcher and outfield and has done so well. We've really enjoyed this experience and have gotten to play in some fun tournaments.

Colton's work ethic never ceases to amaze us. Often after a long game (or sometimes double headers) he'd come home to work calves....often still in full uniform. This is a kid of may interests, and we are proud of the time and effort he gives to each of them.

June was the Michigan City tournament -- our first "travel" experience and it was such a bust it was hilarious. We got all the way up there on Thursday, only to have it postpone because of rain. So as a team we hit up the IHOP, and had a great brunch. Next we got pushed back a bit farther, and decided to go bowling. As soon as we got to the bowling alley, they cancelled for the day. So, back home we went. Hey though, that Michigan City IHOP was awesome. We traveled back up Friday, and actually got to play two games. We went back to the hotel where Heather & Aiden, Krystle & Wyatt and Colton & I shared a room. Since the other kids had games/tournaments, Adam & Jason stayed home with them. However, their games got cancelled, so the boys and other kids came to join us and we successfully fit 12 of us in a single hotel room. Hooray for enough alcohol to not make us care come bedtime! HA :) We didn't play much ball -- the rest of the tournament ended up getting rained out - but we had a great time with the team and families.

We wrapped up June with the F43 tournament in Columbus, Ohio. The boys played well, and it was far more intense than we'd ever played before. However, we made the most of it, and between the airshow going on, the biker bar down the street and the tornado that had hit and destroyed part of the facility we were playing at -- we had a great trip. Fun memories made as a family!