Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We found a sweet deal on Padres tickets (travelzoo.com) and decided to make the drive down to beautiful San Diego the other evening to catch a baseball game. We talked the Barents family into going with us which made for an extra fun outing. We were really impressed with the park and although the Padres didn't come out ahead, we had our own highlights: the 2nd baseman tossing the caught fly ball into the crowd after what he thought was the third out (It was really only the 2nd-oops!); the crowd cheering the pitcher's first strike after walking four batters in a row, the fireworks going off right next to us after a Padres player hit a home run in the ninth inning; the guy selling hot chocolate out of his backpack thing; and of course, Cindy's delicious homemade carmel corn!

Movies in the Park

We decided to try one of the free movies in the park that Redlands has been offering this summer. As we sat "people watching" before the movie started, we realized we were part of a unique crowd. There were many kids running around between the lawn chairs and blankets that had been set up. There was a group of kids near us who were beating each other with inflatable hammers that their parents had been suckered into buying for them. Conveniently there were several vendors who had set up camp nearby. Thankfully, things did settle down as darkness fell. After some fumbling around with the computer, the movie finally got going and we did enjoy most of "Rango." We all got a little tired, though, and decided to make our way home before it was over. Here's to trying a new family activity on a summer Friday night!

Relaxing before the movie.

Troy found a good spot.

Caught ya!

Kamryn took our photo (after fixing Scott's hair for him!).

Kamryn humoring me at twilight.

Slippin' And Slidin'

Today we got to experience our first River Slip-N-Slide. This is a now infamous church activity that has grown and evolved over the years. It is a SERVE tradition to pull it out for the kids on the last day. It was a great time and thankfully there were no major injuries. :)

I don't have a shot of the full length of the slide, but here's a good view of the beginning. The kids come running towards the slide and then hurl themselves onto it. There aren't many rules except no standing up. The kids did a good job of waiting in line quite orderly.

I think this is where there may have been some "trash talking" going on between staff members.

Pastor Scott takes a turn.

And gets up smiling! (There may or may not have been an injury later on!)

This is Mike challenging Troy to a race. He has quite a determined look on his face.

Katie, Troy and Sarah take a slide.

Kamryn flies down.

Cousin Morgan was having a blast.

One of the cutest bathing beauties!

The fearless worship team. They were awesome!

Goofy one!

Troy and buddies.

Beach Day!

We met up with the group of SERVE kids at Huntington Beach yesterday. Actually a group of us from church headed out late morning and the kids finally arrived mid-afternoon. The weather reports of chilliness and rain were thankfully wrong and we enjoyed a perfect day. (We didn't want the kids from the mid-west to be disappointed!) People chose different ways to spend their day at the beach...

Digging...

Roasting hotdogs over the fire pit...

Jumping the HUGE waves...(Yes, the lifeguards were busy.)

Enjoying a snack...

Hanging out with friends...

Playing a game of football...

Roasting more hotdogs...(Side note: This is right before Scott dropped his perfectly cooked hotdog into the sand. :)

And still jumping waves...(This is Katie and Erin right before they got pummeled.)
What a great day!!

SERVE

Our church is hosting a SERVE group this week. Katie is on the leadership team and the rest of our family is involved in different ways. On Sunday morning it was great to see all the kids, who came from different parts of the country, and leaders in church. We were led in worship by mostly high school-aged kids. Nick, our youth pastor did a great job preaching also. After church all of us who are prayer partners got to meet up with the kids in a local park for lunch. It looks like this will be an awesome week of spreading God's love in the Redlands community!

Scott leading prayer before lunch.

Hungry kids finding some shade on a hot day.

This one's for Julie. Oma is taking great care of the kids. Miss you!

Big Bear

Some friends from our church offered us the opportunity to stay at their home in Big Bear this past week. We had a wonderful time together as a family. It was so nice to cool off a bit (and even wear sweatshirts!) and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.

The obligatory posed shot of the three amigos.

Kamryn and Troy were eager to try their hand at some fishing. We had no luck and thankfully made it in before the thunderstorm hit.

Troy contemplating life.

Enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Troy wondering where all the fish are. Actually we could see them hopping out of the water around us!

Not a great shot, but proof that I was actually on the trip too!

Staying warm.

The fam.

I like this shot of Kam.

Scott taking his job as boat captain seriously.

The Fourth

After a great pancake breakfast at church, we were blessed to be able to make the trip up to Visalia to carry on the Fourth of July tradition with the Grimmius family. We had such a good time catching up with many friends over the course of the evening. The kids could run free around their beautiful yard and swim to their hearts content. We ended the evening with Ernie's traditional fireworks display and then stayed with some friends overnight before heading home.

Tom and Vera leading devotions.

Troy with his summer look.

Sadie and Kam.

Dawn and I.

These friends are such a blessing.

Katie and Ash.

Crazy guys.