Aunt Dorothy, Alex and Amber come to viit

Friday we went to the big MC because my Aunt Dorothy drove down from ND and brought her grandkids, Alex (14) and Amber (11). Damon and Alex have a great time together! Friday the girls got a pedicure, did a little shopping and the boys did a little fishing. On Saturday we went shopping, mini-golfing, shopping. Then we decided to go to a movie....the girls (except me) went to Mama Mia and the boys and I went to Step Brothers. For the record, we asked about 5 people that had seen the movie if it was appropriate for a 14 year old boy and they said "yeah, maybe a couple parts, but it's not too bad"....during the movie it became crystal CLEAR that this movie is NOT 14 year old boy appropriate. I suppose that's why they have a rating system, but when you ask around you would think some one would have said NO. Oh well, too late. They boys thought it was hilarious and Terry and I swore them to secrecy. I'm just glad we didn't take the 11 year old girl, we would have had to walk out most definitely! Sunday my dad had to work and Amber went with family friends to Wall-E. The rest of us went golfing...girls vs. boys. We had a great time until it started pouring, we got 11 holes in! I'm in the "needs improvement" category for golf....I only lost one ball OB, but found two, so I wasn't the only one to shank it to the right on that hole. :)  I wasn't too embarrassing (I don't think), so maybe Terry will take me golfing a few times before it gets too cold. 

Alex, Damon and Terry

Alex 
Damon
Aunt Dorothy (she looks a lot like my mom)

My mom

Wisconsin Wedding

We went to Terry's cousin's wedding in Wisconsin...it was beautiful! It would have been better if we could have stayed longer, but other than that we had a great time! A few photos to share...

Mini-golf, boys vs. girls (girls totally kicked butt!)

The bride and groom, I love this shot

Damon and the bride, note there is a water park attached to the hotel, so in between dancing he and his cousin Jack hit the slides at the water park! Classic that he danced with Tia with his towel still wrapped around his waist!

Misc. Photos

We leave for Wisconsin tomorrow...I should be sleeping as Terry said we are leaving at 6:00 a.m. Yikes. Therefore, not many words...just a few photos, enjoy.

E, Damon and Corey at the July 4th parade...

My dad and I...

Caroline, Ethan's sister, after swim lessons...

Happy Birthday Roni

Well, a few weeks ago Roni's BF called me to ask if we wanted to join them for a surprise birthday weekend in KC for Roni. How sweet was that of Scott?!? I really, REALLY wanted to go, but Damon's baseball coaches got in their only tournament that same weekend (you would think since I'm married to one of those coaches I would have some input, not). Anyway, so I was trying not to call Roni for fear I would ruin the surprise....well, I kept so quiet I didn't even wish her a happy birthday. Yep, that's me, friend of the year! Ugh. So, sorry Roni....HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I will make it up to you with a cold beer, cheese curds or something on a stick here! Until then, a few pics....Love ya girl!

Baseball Tournament #1

A few pics from the weekend....

Damon up to bat on Friday against the CR Angels.

Damon playing center field.
Damon and Clayton

We had our first baseball tournament with this team. They boys started out like rock stars and played the CR Angels. Both teams played hard, unfortunately we lost 5-4. But the coaches and parents on the other team had great sportsmanship, so we were hoping for a rematch at the end of the tournament. No such luck, Saturday the boys didn't play well at all and lost both games. It was disappointing to say the least, they looked so sharp on Friday, so to lose that spunk was frustrating for all...including assistant coach Peterson. Damon was in tears by the time we got in the van, he didn't bat well and blamed most of the loss on himself....I told him it takes an entire team to play that badly (it was U-G-L-Y). Sunday they redeemed themselves, too bad it was too little too late to get into the championship. The boys played their hearts out and ended the tournament on a high note. Grandma Trish, although tired from coming off mids, got up early for the 8:00 a.m. game...and boy was she glad she did. Terry has moved Damon to the outfield, he hates it, but honestly he's smart out there and you know if a ball is hit his way, well, he catches it. Outfield has become a lot more lively this last year, the boys are getting bigger, faster, stronger and it shows. Anyway, back to proud grandma....a tough catch was hit to Damon in center field, no worries....he made a SUH-WEET catch and with the help of the short stop (the coaches son) giving him a heads up on the runner, "One, one, one!!" Clayton yelled. Damon squared and came up firing. He threw the kid out at first with a throw that even Terry was impressed with...I don't think the first baseman had to move an inch. It was awesome and I yelled like those annoying moms do. That was one highlight of Sunday's game, but Damon hit the ball well and he fielded well...it was a great way to end the weekend.

Damon and My Parents

Damon had a pretty good birthday, they won their baseball game, we ate at Fuddruckers and E spent the night. He got a loose fitting UA shirt and shorts, money, a baseball that is suppose to measure speed and I net to chip in to. We're talking about having a few kids spend the night in a few weeks for more of a birthday party....we'll see....

My mom is the best. She scrubbed my bathroom and my kitchen floor. Although not impossible one-handed it's not the easiest trying to keep stitches dry while scrubbing floors on your hands and knees. She scrubbed floors, cheered at Damon's baseball game (sometimes a little loud and embarrassing!), shopped with me, talked Damon into Fuddruckers because she knows he loves it, cheered at another baseball game, chipped golf balls with Damon in to his new gift, played with the dog, and lost her sunglasses. My mom packs more into a single day than anyone I know, young or old. She's the hardest working person I know and she's been that way her whole life. Although we had our moments while I was growing up (I had a snotty early teen years, I know that's hard to believe), I admire her, respect her and love her very much. 

My dad, what can I say...I've always been a daddy's girl. I watch him at Damon's game be supportive and he loves being there. He likes to get right in your face (in Damon's case right behind home plate as he was pitching) and look directly at you as if he's trying to send you a message: "I believe in you, but if you make a bad throw I love you anyway and the next one will be better." He's always been my rock, my support, my cheering section and I love that he's now in Damon's corner. He's always the one to talk, not yell; to reason, not argue; to encourage, not scoff. I hope I can be half the parent to Damon, as he was to me. I love my dad.

My biggest regret this weekend, I some how didn't get a picture of Damon and his Grandpa together. And I didn't get one of he, grandma and grandpa...I've been slacking in my camera duties!

Lucky Number Thirteen

Damon turns 13 tomorrow and I can't hardly believe it. I have mixed emotions about: proud of him for being a pretty good kid, amazed at how far we've come since 1995, shocked and sad at how fast the last 13 years have gone, excited to see what new adventures and experiences he will have in the future. Happy 13th Birthday Damon, we love you very much. 

As for the cake : Hy-Vee white cake, white frosting. Damon also requested Special K bars, so that's my homemade contribution. Cakes, especially the decorating, are not my specialty...although I would love to take a cake decorating class sometime.

Damon has a baseball game on his birthday, but after that Damon, Grandpa Stahl, Ethan and Terry will all be golfing a quick 9 holes. I'm going to send the camera with them. Then we'll go out to eat, Damon's choice. If I had to make a guess we'll end up at Fuddruckers. Not my favorite, but also not my birthday. That's the beauty of birthdays...it's your day!

Happy Flag Day everyone!