Sunday, May 29, 2011

A Successful Softball Season

Kamryn's first season of RBY softball has come to end (almost-we still have the team party). We definitely set out on a new adventure with this one. At the beginning, I was ready to quit. Kamryn was the youngest on a very experienced team. Her coaches were always expecting to win-no matter what the cost. However, Kamryn stuck in there like a champ and amazed Scott and me. She endured the harsh words and foul language and chose to focus on the positive. She insists she learned a lot and we have enjoyed watching her progress. Here are some highlights from the last play-off game. They were down in the third inning 7-1 and came back to win it 12-8. It was quite an exciting game! Way to go, Kam! This is definitely a mission field and Kam's ready to try it again next year!

After the game waiting to get their trophies.
Kam receiving her trophy from her coach.
Her team-The Sun Devils. (Kam kept holding her trophy in front of her face!)
Kamryn warming up at the plate.
Kamryn ready to come home from third base.
Way to go, girls!

Steel Magnolias

Katie was again involved in the spring play at her high school. They performed, "Steel Magnolias" a couple of weeks ago. The many late night practices paid off and the girls did a great job! The director cast the actresses very well and the play was a lot of fun to watch. (For those who have seen the movie, Katie played the part of Clairee-a funny, older woman.) Great job, Katie!

Katie walking on stage afterwards.
Our fam.

The cast.
Katie and Grandma Elgersma, who was able to come out for the play.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Troy Boy Turns 7!

Our youngest child turned 7 today! Troy has been excited about his birthday since we turned the calendar on May 1st. (Birthdays do tend to be a big deal in our family!) This year we (I) had planned kind of a big celebration for all the boys in his class, plus a friend from church. Since Troy's birthday falls mid-May you would think that the backyard, water-themed party I had in mind would be perfect for the steamy weather of So. Cal. Instead, the weatherman predicted unseasonably cool temps. and threatened rain. What to do? We decided to ax the slip-n-slide idea and rent a bounce house, which would at least keep the boys moving, and thus warm. Although cloudy, the rain held off and 10 little, active boys had a great time together running around the backyard. We bounced, ate cake and candy, shot water guns, threw water balloons and bounced some more. The only casualty was, thankfully, Troy (not someone else's child) and he ended up with only a minor bump to the back of his head. :) We will all sleep well tonight and thank God for a special gift in Troy!

Presents before school!
Excitement building.
Troy is happy to find the Star Wars III wii game. (He told me later that before he unwrapped it, he thought it was a book. So this was probably a look of relief!)

Troy is the first Elgersma child to have a real, live bounce house at a party.
Many, many boys.
Mom's attempt at a soccer ball cake. (It tasted good, at least.)
Organized chaos?!
Water fight!
A bounce house!
Wow! Where to start?
Seven year old JOY!
Reading the card. Love their faces.

That Bean Bag Game

A family from our church surprised us with our own personalized "bean bags" game. (We have come to find that this game has different names as you move across the country.) Since receiving it, Troy has been practicing in the backyard. (This boy is not competitive AT ALL! Yea, right!) They personalized it for us with our name and palm trees and a soccer ball. Perfect!




Saturday, May 14, 2011

Prom!

Katie's high school had their prom last night. There was a lot of planning and decision-making (drama?!) leading up to it, but it turned out to be a fun-filled evening. Katie and her friends looked beautiful and had fun dressing up and getting their nails done, etc. Here are some of the glamor shots.

Katie at home before she left.
Katie pool-side at a friend's home.
Katie and her date-oops! I mean her dad! :)
The three amigas~Erin, Sarah and Katie. (These girls are such a blessing!)

Lucky guy!

And they're off! The dinner/ dance was held about an hour and a half away at a beautiful mansion- type house. Katie said it was really neat.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Holland Festival Highlights

Today we got to experience our first Redlands Christian Holland Festival. It was a busy, but great day of fun and fellowship. We are blessed to again be a part of a community that loves and supports Christian education. Today reminded us much of the Fall Festival at CVC, but had more of a Dutch flavor. Kamryn was part of a Dutch dance group which has been practicing before school for quite a few weeks. They had three performances during the morning and were a lot of fun to watch. Each class performed a couple of songs-the younger grades wore Dutch costumes, even. Of course there were the usual carnival-type games, yummy food, and a rousing auction in the gym. A big highlight of this festival is the Dutch food, including ollie bollen. (Which is quite a big hit in this community.) We end this day with lots of good memories, full tummies and tired bodies.
Kam's Dutch Dance group.
The fourth and fifth grade Dutch Dancers led by Mrs. Wagner.
They were short some boys, so Kam had to fill in.

Mmmmm...Ollie Bollen!
Mr. Mercer leading the fifth grade band.
One of Troy's favorite games.
Troy singing with the first graders.

First grade cuties.
A friend gave Troy this chicken hat-just what we needed!
The auction.
These guys have a great time auctioning off fun stuff.
Scott came home with this.
We (and our neighbors) had a great time looking through the treasures.