Where has summer gone?!?

This is going to be a long post!  I have almost 2 months to catch up on...

We spent quite a bit of time on the ball fields this summer!  Poor Brycers, the little brother, had to endure all of it!  I don't know how we're going to manage next summer, because he's certain he needs to play on a team himself!

Rocking his Bunch Hardware shirt and Northwest shorts for Papa Dennis!

We haven't had time to go to as many Royals games this year, but did enjoy a game with the Ottis family early this summer!

Trying to get a selfie with everyone looking!

Let's go Royals!

So cooperative with photos!

Nora, Madelyn, Bryce, Mason & Zane!

Mason kinda sorta wanted to be on a machine pitch baseball team this year, but didn't tell us until sign-ups were over, so he ended up on his same coach-pitch team as last year.  This year they were the yellow Tornadoes!  

He NEVER smiles for me...always hides...but look at this picture!

Go Tornadoes!

Ready to launch one!

He really liked catching!!

Many nights were HOT but love the view at the ball fields!

Coach Derrick chatting with the team!

Because of Uncle Brent and the movie Major League, Bryce loves the Indians!  This is probably a pretty good year to be an Indians fan!

He's proud of his new shirt and hat!

The next Royals game we made it to as a family was the night our church went together.  We had a tailgate with amazing barbecue, worship at the tailgate, and it was Kendrys Morales bobble head night!  We all got one and Bryce was smitten with his!  He kept taking it out of the box, playing, putting it back, repeat...

Our first ever bobble head!

Just being silly!

Zane did really well this year in baseball!  He hadn't played since t-ball when he was 5 and now he's playing kid pitch.  His team ended up getting 2nd place in the bottom bracket for his division.  You'll see in the team picture below...Zane was pitching this night and it was NOT his best showing.  He was awfully upset with himself.  He didn't perk up until he got to hold the trophy...

Mason ran the scoreboard!

KC Kings, 2nd place

Finally a smile!

Zane with teammates Thomas and Joshua

The next game we went to was the Royals/Cardinals.  We were hoping to make it to St. Louis for one of the games but it didn't end up working out for us.  Adam and Bethany were there also so we got to see them too.  It was a t-shirt night so we each got a free shirt!

Watching the players warm up

Bryce likes every team!

These boys LOVE their baseball!  This is Zane pitching to Mason catching and Bryce as the ump!

For the 4th of July we went back to Iowa.  Matt was excited to learn there was a home run derby, so he entered right away!  The boys got to hit in it also!

Mason trying to hit home runs

Zane focusing on home runs

Watching the adults

Chris Hogan was Matt's pitcher

Slugger!  He actually ended up in the top 8!

There were kid games in the afternoon...

Zane in the sack race

Egg toss - get it!

Gently tossing to his partner

Matt ready to catch the egg

Zane ready to catch the egg

Zane during tug of war

Matt during tug of war

Zane and Kenna

And the tractor pull in the evening.  All 3 of the boys entered.  Bryce tied for first, but in his pull-off ended up in 2nd.  Zane got 3rd place.  Mason also tied for 1st but ended up 2nd after his pull-off.  It was so fun to watch them!

Pull Bryce!!!

2nd place!

He looks so big on there!  When he was 5 he won 1st place!!!

3rd place winner

Mason ready to pull

2nd place winner!

After the 4th was over it was time to get ready for VBS!  This was my 2nd year as a co-director.  Man that's a lot of work!  I'd been planning, preparing, getting volunteers, etc since January!  It was hard to believe the week was here!  I enjoyed my time directing, but will be glad to not have that to consume my time next summer!

Bryce making goo at VBS!

Nora and Mason at VBS

Zane and Madelyn at VBS

Zane, Nora, Madelyn, and Mason enjoying VBS games!

Goofy kids!

Amazing to be a part of this!

VBS Directors!  Andrea, Karen, me, Heather, Melissa.  Enjoyed my tie with these ladies!  Made many new friends!

We had to build a boat.  We were proud!  ha!

When VBS was over, it was time to head to the Ozarks with the Bakers!  It was great timing this year, right after crazy VBS.  Time to relax!

Lunch on the way to the lake at Steak and Shake!

Silly Bryce!

Just chillin!

This is the life!

Zane did SO well skiing this year!

Brothers watching their biggest brother!

Mason worked so hard to learn to ski. He's so super close and did get up for awhile one day.

He's up!

Mason and Papa playing Farkle

Bryce skiing.  He was awfully bossy to his driver!  Haha!

Keeta had her birthday on vacation!  She got a special hat and ice cream cake!

Pie Face!  Madison

Pie face for Mason!

Jodie got pie in the face!

Matt lucked out!

No pie face for Grandma Baker

Papa Baker was ready, but no pie face

They all escaped!

Nate

Zane

Bryce wouldn't really do it...

Mason was all over this game!

Brent's went on top of his head!

Matt knee boarding

Lots of card playing!  Zane learned pitch!

Bryce was making a sandwich with crackers, ham, and gummy worms!

Yum!?!

Mid-afternoon Bryce would just fall asleep wherever...

Go-Cart time!  Mason is pouting...he wasn't tall enough to drive one!

Waiting to ride

Getting buckled in.  Bryce was excited to ride with Marcy!

Mason still isn't happy (Madison is)

STILL MAD

Brother vs. Sister/Brother vs. Brother

Matt hugging Mason.  He's still not impressed

Brother in laws

Zane enjoyed himself!

We wore them out!

Playing cards with the birthday hat on!

Arcade time!

Racing!

Cool dude!

One of Zane's fabulous prizes!

Row, row, row your boat!

Great exercise!

The slide was really fun!

Splash!

Bryce loved the slide!

Zane burying himself!

Mason trying to hide from the camera

Bryce cleaning up!

Poor Zane got a terrible case of swimmer's ear.  This is the morning we left.  He fell asleep

After the Ozarks, it was time for Camp Grandma!  The boys spent the week on the farm while I had some school meetings and got my classroom ready for this school year.  They had so much fun there!

Zane spent his first few days like this!  Poor guy!  The doctor said his ear was so swollen she couldn't even see into it!

Playing Life!

Zane mowing

Mason sweeping the yard after Zane mowed

Bryce giving Papa the ride of his life...

Bryce "helping out"

Picnic in the pickup

Break time!

This looks dangerous!

The boots!

On their way to see Aunt Marcy in Ragbrai

Tattoos and bracelets from Marcy's team!

Waiting for the bikers!

Patience...

She's here!

Marcy's cheering section!

The boys played ball on Dad's old baseball field!

During our week here without the boys, I had my first professional development day.  Our boss had a hamburger truck come for lunch and it was delicious!

L.C.'s for lunch! Yummy!

TWINNING!  The three of us showed up in the same shirts!  Unplanned!

It's hard to believe that summer is ending for us this week!  I go back to school on Thursday and the boys go the following Thursday!  I'm excited about bringing them to my school this year!  It'll definitely be a change for us!