The Outdoor Campus

Yesterday I took the kids to a place called The Outdoor Campus at Sertoma Butterfly House. It is free of charge and has about 2 miles of walking trails. Part of it is wooded and part goes through prairie grass and around some little ponds. We didn't go on all the trails but we went on some. The kids had a lot of fun. Afterwards we went to the Sertoma Park. It has 4 different playgrounds all next to each other and a big covered picninc area. There were all sorts of things for the kids to do. We plan on going back next week and doing some more exploring and take a picnic lunch. Olivia has a big spider bite on her leg that I am assuming came from there. She seems to have a slight reaction to bites so when she gets one, whatever kind it is, it gets swollen and red. This one you can see the two marks in the middle where the bite is. It doesn't seem to bother her though. She actually got two bites, mosquito I think, on her head and the hair fell out around the bumps. So she has two little bald spots where the hair is just starting to grow back. Luckily she has tons of hair and it kind of covers it up! Kind of wierd... Anyways, we had a fun day and look forward to going back!

More Medals

The kids all had their last game last night. Michael went to Makenna's. She got three hits and an out at home plate. She was very excited when she got home! I went to the boys' games. They did a good job too. Afterwards they got their medals for playing this year. It was a fun season but I'm glad it's over. It will be nice having our evenings to stay home and relax in the backyard.

Maddi's Trip - Day 3

Maddi is on day 3 of her trip. She made it to Nashville yesterday. They stopped along the way in St. Louis and went to the Gateway Arch and the Martin Luther King Bridge. They ate supper at my Aunt Peg's house. Then she went out and played basketball with Grandma Walba. Today they are going to my sister, Katie's gravesite. Maddi knows Katie's story so it will be neat for her to get to go there. I think they will also go to my grandpa's gravesite. Maddi remembers him. He just died on March 14th (Katie's birthday). Tonight they will go to dinner with Aunt Peg and Uncle Rufus. She is still having a great time and enjoying all the things she is geting to do!

Softball

Last night at softball Makenna's team got their medals. She has ahd a really fun season. Her coaches have done an amazing job with the girls. They was always positive and made them feel good about their efforts. They also took time to help the girls whenthey needed it. After the game he called them out one by one to get their medals and then they did a team cheer. Wednesday will be the last game for all the kids. It has been fun but I'm glad it's done!

Zane and Dillon also had games last night. Dillon got to play catcher, which he loves. Zane did a good job hitting last night. I think it was because he wore his lucky socks! The other kids had their usual fun of playing in the dirt and running around. The weather was really nice so it was a great eveing to be out and about. To top it all off, the coach brought the snacks to Makenna's game and brought enough for all the little brothers and sisters to have some so everyone got to come home with a treat!

Basketball Clinic

Zane is doing a basketball clinic this week. He is having fun. The coaches are really nice to all the little boys and they get Mr. Freezes after each practice! They are learning dribbling, shooting and passing. Tomorrow is the last day and they will get a t-shirt. He wanted me to come today and take pictures of him so we stayed for alittle while to get a few pictures. Then we went to the park and played until it was over.

A Visit from the Walbas!

Last week my parents came to visit. They got in Tuesday night and left Monday morning. It was a lot of fun. We went to ballgames, got ice cream, went out to eat, went swimming, went out to see the horses, had friends from Brookings over, stayed up late visiting, went to Falls Park, and my dad taught my Sunday School lesson for me on Sunday! I was glad they got to stay as long as they did. We only get to see them once a year and it gave the kids time to get to know them and feel comfortable with them. It also gave them time to just sit on the couch with them and talk or play. That is where the memories come in. Going out and doing lots of things is fun and does make fun memories, but just being able to sit and talk and be with them provides even more memories.

When they left Monday, they took Maddi with them. She was very excited! They are headed to Nashville to the family runion, then to my brother's house in Virginia. They are going to get to go to Washington DC for several days. They will go to as many sights there as they can. Maddi took her digital camera (a fun surprise for ehr) with her so she can take pictures of her adventures along the way. They will spend a week there and then on to my other brother's house in Ohio. There they will get to see a few church sites. She will also get to swim, play with cousins, go to parks and a lot of other stuff during her 3 weeks. She will get to see 11 of her cousins while she is gone and 3 of my brothers (one will be in Nashville for the reunion) and their wives, plus all of my aunts and uncles and cousins. We will miss her while she is gone, but I'm glad she gets this opportunity. She does so much for me and our family. This will be something special just for her.

Fun at the Park

Friday was a beautiful day so I took the kids to a really fun park that we discovered. It has a really nice playground with a lot of shade. We played for almost 2 hours and had a little picnic. The park also has a pool so we went swimming afterwards. The girls go to the big pool. It only costs them $1 a piece to swimm all day and I take the other kids to the smaller pool with me. It is free to go there. We swam for about 2 hours. The kids had tons of fun. On the way home we stopped and got popsicles. It is only a few miles from our house so it will become a weekly adventure. I loved swimming when I was growing up and I'm glad that we found a place I can take all the kids by myself so they can enjoy it too.

Father's Day

Here is our yearly "Ode to Dad"!

My Dad, he is the greatest guy.
I’ll tell you all the reasons why.
He lets me sit up on his lap
And take a little afternoon nap.
When I’m thirsty, he shares his drink.
He likes me even when I stink!
He’ll go outside and we’ll play catch.
He’ll let me win a wrestling match.
He gives me hugs when I am sad.
He makes me laugh so I feel glad.
He’ll tuck me into bed at night.
He’ll give me kisses and squeeze me tight.
He helps me as I learn and grow.
He teaches me all I need to know.
He listens as I sing my favorite song.
When he does chores, I get to tag along.
We sit together and read a book.
He helps me put a worm on a hook.
He wipes my nose when it runs.
He wipes my eyes when my tears come.
He cleans my scrapes when they bleed.
When we’re on walks I get to lead.
He takes me for horse and wagon rides.
He cheers when across home plate I slide.
My daddy loves me all the time.
I think he’s cooler than a shiny new dime!
So now you know the reasons why
That my dad is the greatest guy!

A Word Of Caution

Today Zeke warned me of something very important. When there are cops or cars going fast you should Never Eat Soggy Waffles! You can only eat soggy waffles when there are no cars. I thought this was something that you all should be aware of. More wise words of a 3 year old!

Sara's Wedding

Saturday we went to my friend, Sara's wedding. I have known her since I was in 5th grade. She is my oldest friend (that I keep in touch with) and we have managed over all these years and miles to stay in touch. I was so happy for her. She looked beautiful and so happy. Her mom passed waay several years ago, but I know she was watching. Her dad was there to give her away. John, her new husband, lost his father a few years ago too. They had flowers and candles at the front of the chapel representing the two parents who could not be there in person. It was really pretty and I was so glad we lived close enough that we could go.Sara and her dad before the ceremony.

Sara and John after the ceremony.

The kids waiting for them to drive away.

The getaway car!