Trip to the "World" Series!

Troy's All-Star baseball team was honored to be invited to play in the "World" Series this weekend. Although they haven't won many tournaments, they are beginning to play much better together and have improved tremendously. (Thus the invite to play in this series, we reason.) So yesterday Scott, Troy and I made the trek down to San Marcos to watch Troy take part in the first big game. One thing we quickly noticed was that in this "World" Series, all the teams were from locations within a hundred miles of San Marcos. We renamed it the "Local" Series. Anyway, Troy's team did not put on their best performance. I think the boys were a bit nervous or maybe just focused on going to Legoland the next day as some of the families are doing. :) They are seven and eight year-olds and the focus is not always there. Troy (who is quite focused) in usual fashion was upset after the game. In his words, "Mom, we stunk!" He perked up pretty quickly, however, when we agreed to find the nearest Ruby's Diner for dinner. (A cheeseburger and milkshake seem to cure anything!) Since we were so close, Scott humored me with a beach stop to watch the sunset after dinner. We enjoyed sitting on the beach watching some guys do some awesome skim-board tricks, laughing at silly people we saw and literally were able to watch the sun disappear on the horizon... On a side note, Scott has become somewhat of the unofficial team chaplain. We had a father of one of the boys on the team hit with a sudden illness recently. This has kind of brought the team parents together in supporting the family. Scott was also asked by some team moms to lead in prayer before the game yesterday. Interesting, but good.

More Baseball

We enjoyed watching Troy and his team play out in Murietta today. They lost, but put up a pretty good fight.

I think there are like two kids following coach here. :)

Beach Day!

To escape the heat the other day, Kam, Troy and I headed over to the beach. For me, hanging out at the beach is the perfect way to spend a summer day. We missed Scott and Katie, but they'll have more opportunities, right?

Kamryn looking good in her new shades.

Troy pondering life.

Fourth Festivities

We had a great day here in Redlands on the fourth of July. This is the first year we've actually been around for the holiday. It had a festive, small town feel as we enjoyed several different activities with friends. We began our day with the pancake breakfast at our church. Here is Scott and our friend, Katelyn.

Then we headed down to watch the parade. Here's Kamryn holding her bag of candy. (You're never too old to dive out into the street and fight off little kids for candy!)

A view of the parade under our overcast skies.

It was fun to meet up with some friends and watch the parade together, especially since they have so many cute little kids!

As we've experienced in the past, the parades in Pella have tractors...But in Redlands we have trucks advertising Mexican restaurants! So cool!

While watching the Redlands parade, you could also observe members of a local church riding on a trailer holding Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam...

And if you keep looking closely, you'll see there's a man portraying Jesus walking behind the trailor, complete with Roman soldiers and patriotic army guys wearing fatigues following behind! (Where else can you experience that?!)

After our parade excitement, we went to some friends' for pool time, great food, lots of laughter and fun!

We ended the day by deciding to forgo the crowds at the U of R and just pull up lawn chairs at the end of the street to catch the fireworks display.

Now if only I could still get my kids to wear those cute matching Old Navy 4th of July t-shirts... Ah, the good old days!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Troy's spring baseball season has continued on into the summer months this year. He was asked to join an All-Star team and we decided to let him try it. To say there has been a bit of drama involving this team would be a huge understatement. (And it's not because of the kids! Let's just say there has been some parental competition.) Anyway, Troy was happy to get the All-Stars bag, jersey and helmet and for the chance to play some more ball. He's held his own out on the field and has earned a starting spot at shortstop. We're not only proud of Troy's athletic abilities, but his attitude and example both on and off the field. (I'll put up some action shots later.)

New Mexico

Last week our family was part of mission trip to Rehoboth, New Mexico. This is the second year in a row that our church has journeyed there to bless and be blessed. It was another great year with about 80 people going on the trip. One thing I really like about this trip is that it is made up of people of all ages. We had young families, widowers, high school kids, couples, singles, etc go from two CRC churches. This year we stayed at Rehoboth, but focused on a small CRC church in Window Rock, AZ. This meant that we would drive each morning about 40 minutes out to the church to run a VBS program and do some other projects. It was a wonderful week where much learning and blessing took place.

Who knew 17 and 18 year olds would get so excited about treat bags that I handed out in the van every two hours on the trip from Redlands to Rehoboth?! (First treat...Sponge Bob ring pops!)

More ring pop excitement.

Never had the opportunity to park on the highway and hang out for two hours until this trip. Due to a semi truck fire, this is what we did. Rachel, Mario, Kam and Troy outside Needles, CA.

Nick started a wiffle ball game on the side of the highway.

Katie, Kam and Troy throwing rocks into the median.

Our group checking out the window rock monument on Sunday afternoon. A woman from Window Rock church was our guide.

That's our group right in the "window."

Worship time in the outdoor classroom we helped build last year.

Prayer before VBS.

Troy earning yet another "puffkin" for learning the memory verse at VBS.

A highlight of the trip each year is hiking the Crevice.

Troy braved it for the first time and had some scary moments, but made it!

The "fab four" after the crevice hike.

Good times at Hawaiian shave ice.

Flashing some signs at shave ice.

Kamryn working at Window Rock Church.

My VBS group.

Katie and team leading worship at VBS.

Scott and our group were blessed by this closing song from members of the church.

Katie and her thrift store water shoes.

The group of us who worked at VBS for the week.

Indian tacos on the last day at Window Rock church.