Asa's 8U Baseball Tournament

It was a joy to watch Asa and his baseball team play hard in their tournament games this past weekend! They won 3 out of their 5 tournament games, which put them in 3rd place! We are so proud of how hard Asa played. He hit every time he was up to bat and scored many runs for his team. He played 1st base and 2nd base for most of the games and he made many outs. He loves to play baseball! We had many family members and friends come to cheer him on. I even kind of lost my voice from all of the cheering! Brian took some professional pictures of Asa in action. This coming weekend we get to cheer on Eli and his baseball team in their tournament!

 

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun filled weekend celebrating the 4th of July! We made the kids a special 4th of July colored breakfast and took them to the Ham Lake Freedom Festival. Some friends from co-op had a blacksmithing station set up and it was fun to see them working in action. The kids enjoyed food and live music. Karen joined us for fireworks and it was an amazing show! The next two days we spent on the lakes swimming, boating, and fishing. Papa joined us for a 4th of July barbecue on the 4th for dinner. 

 

The boys caught some big fish!!

Drew and Bekah were in town visiting their families and they stopped by our house for a visit. They are dear friends from camp many years ago. They live in South Carolina now and it was wonderful to catch up and meet each other's kids. 

A little over a week ago Asa got to spend the night at Papa's house. He had so much fun! They went on bike rides, out to dinner at Key's Cafe, had a bonfire, and watched some movies together. Asa told me, "Mom want to know my most favorite thing that I did this month? It was staying the night at Papa's." 

So sweet!

Brian photographed a wedding while Asa was at Papa's so I took Eli and Greta out to dinner at Tasty Tacos and our for dessert at Sweet Toppings. 

End of June

We sure have had a busy June! We went to pick strawberries this past Monday and then I made strawberry shortcake from scratch. It was delicious! 

Asa and Greta and their friends helped out at the concessions one evening during a baseball practice for Eli. They were happy to make a bunch of tips!

Yesterday Greta and I had high tea together at The Mad Hatter Restaurant and Teahouse. It was fun to get dressed up and spend some special time together. I love seeing big smiles on my girl's face.

It was delicious! 

I framed these baseball pictures of the boys and put them in their bedroom. It has been such a fun season for them! They both won their last season games this week and they will have their tournament games next weekend and the weekend after. We love cheering them on! Brian has done an amazing job assistant coaching both of the boys and their teams.

At Eli's game last night Brian told Asa he could help out in the dugout and be the team manager. He took the job seriously and he was very helpful and encouraging! It has been great to see Eli do such an awesome job with pitching and playing catcher this season. Asa has made many double plays and his coaches tell the other kids to have an "Asa attitude". He is always so positive and happy!

Brian, Asa, and Eric coaching Eli's team last night. 

Asa did an awesome job playing catcher too!

The other day I took Asa on a lunch date to Key's Cafe. He brings joy to everyone he meets.

Last Friday we had a fun afternoon walking around the Coon Rapids Dam with Papa. 

The kids playing at a park with Auntie Karen. 

Our associate photographer Autumn is getting married next June and she asked Greta to be her flower girl! Greta is so excited to be a flower girl again. She asked her with pretty cookies. Brian will be photographing her wedding and we will all be attending her wedding. We are so happy for her!

Eli and Asa out on the kayak with Dad.

For the past two weeks the kids have had swimming lessons. They did great! Eli and Asa completed the swim program and Greta will finish the swim program soon.

Greta showing off her cute new swimsuit.

Eli practicing the guitar.