Hanging with our friend's the Hansen's

Thanks to my mom watching the boys, we got to spend the weekend with our friend's Chris and Jodi. A few years ago we decided that one weekend a summer we would plan to hang out. In the past we have tubed down Apple River, the Iowa River, camped in different places, but the Hansen's now have a lake house at Lake Ponderosa and they are nice enough to share with us for the weekend. (thanks- Jodi :) )

Even just resting and relaxing on a boat- a person does get hungry and thirsty.

Eric and Chris have been friends since they met in freshman orientation in college.

Eric and I enjoyed hanging with great friends and enjoying the beautiful weather!

Jammin with the Go Fish Guys

On Friday night we went to the Go Fish Guys concert at church. If you ever want your children to dance and sing to Christian music- you might want to check their music out. Zach received a backstage pass to meet the guys in person from Bible School. He was happy to get their autographs on his Vacation Bible School shirt.

My mom and 2 nieces also enjoyed the concert with us.

The Go Fish Guys in concert.

It was Alexis birthday last week and tomorrow is Cassie's bday, so we had to have a little cake and celebrate their special day. On Saturday, my mom watched all 4 kids, so Eric and I could have our annual weekend with our friend's the Hansen's. My sister, Sherri stayed home with my dad, since he just got out of the hospital. The kids enjoyed spending time with Grandma Sandy and their cousins.

Tennis Season ended

Our tennis season ended last night, with a 0-6 record, unless you count the 2 forfeits 2-6. Even though it was a losing season, I enjoyed every minute of it. The teams we competed with definitely had more experience then us. One of the teams- were two college kids and the girl is the captain of her college tennis team and they were rated last year. And her parents were the other team and the man used to coach high school tennis. My skills (or lack there of) came after my mid 20's and were all taught by Eric. In my opinion, Eric is a great player and carried the team, but I did think I improved in the games we played. The three times we played the team with the coach it went 8-10, 9-11, 8-10- so we held in there, but just couldn't pull it out.

I hope to keep playing, because I do enjoy the game. I am hoping Zach and Cale will start to like it also. Maybe next year, there will be more teams and we talked about trying our hand at some men's and women's singles league.

Happy 14th Birthday Alexis!

It seems like yesterday Alexis was this little, adorable baby girl. And now she is almost all grown up into a beautiful young lady with her permit. I just can't believe that she is able to drive.

Zach and Cale really enjoy hanging out with Alexis, she does a great job with them. I wish all my nieces lived closer- the boys like them so much and of course I love them!

Camping

This past weekend, we enjoyed spending the weekend at Saylorville camping. Friday night things started a little rough. We store our camper in the summer at a golf course in Ankeny, when we went to go it, the camper was behind several truck loads of sand. It's kind of a long story and hard to explain, but with the help of a 4 wheel truck and lots of prayer, Eric and his buddy got it out. The boys were excited and I was too, because the other option was going to have to be our tent. Eric's parents Marvin and Dianne joined us on Saturday afternoon. It was nice to have them out and enjoy the beautiful weather together.

Eric cooking our supper for us.

Cale and Grandma Dianne. It was Dianne's birthday this past Wednesday and didn't get around to doing a post to wish her a Happy Birthday. We sure do appreciate her more than words can say. She comes to our house every Wednesday and watches the boys for us and give them a break from daycare. This summer, she stays into the evening so Eric and I can get our tennis matches in and she is also so willing to watch the kids whenever we have something going on during a weekend. Cale ask fairly consistently, "Is it a Grandma day?" He loves to stay home with her.

Eric and Marvin got a couple games of bean bags in- I think that's what you call it.

It did get a little chilly at times this weekend. It sure didn't feel like middle July that's for sure. I even packed our winter coats, not knowing how cold it would be at night. We had to wear a couple of layers, but thankfully we were able to leave the winter coats in the van. Zach enjoying sitting outside playing his nintendo ds.

Grant Street Gang

This past weekend was Summer Fest in Ankeny. A group of us from the neighborhood decided to give the sand volleyball tournament a try. We were pretty excited when we won the first match and we moved on in the tourn. Our only practice is in the backyard of one of the neighbor's, playing in the grass with a net less than 5'5" off the ground was not quite enough for our next match. We held up pretty good in the first game to a group of "kids" at least 10 years younger, better in shape and obviously play sand volleyball on a routine basis. But, in the end they beat us. It was a double elimination tournament and we regrouped before the next team. They beat us in the first match, but we came back to win in the second match, the tie breaker we just couldn't hold on. It was a lot of fun and we hope to do more tournaments in the future together.

A few things I realized, I am a lot better in my head than I actually am. I kept thinking I can get that ball or I can move that fast and would be short of reaching the volleyball, my legs just didn't quite move the way I though they used to, what is happening?? My body or my memory??

Grant Street Kids

Cale down the slide, Zach on deck.

Getting in line, waiting for the fun to begin.

Zach trying to go as fast and as far as he can go.

Cale was a little hesitant at first, but once he tried it, he kept going and going.

Our neighbors seem to enjoy buying inflatable toys for thier kids, which work out great for our kids to enjoy- this is one of the 5 different inflatables that one of our neighbors own. It's so fun to see the smiles on all the kids faces and it really wears them out.

Vacation Bible School

This week Zach went to Vacation Bible School Monday through Thursday 6-8:30 each night. He seemed to love it. I have such wonderful memories of Bible School when I was a kid. I remember always looking forward to it, so I was happy that he also liked it. The theme was "Backstage to the Bible. " It was a curriculum that a music group called the Go Fish Guys designed . Their website: www.gofishguys.com . I had really never heard of them, but I am now a fan. During Bible School Zach got a CD with several of their songs. Some of their songs are basically pumped up versions of the classics, but they stick in your head all day and it just makes you want to dance around. What can be better than singing Jesus Love Me with a beat.

In a couple of weeks, the group is coming to our church. Zach is excited about seeing them ( and actually me too) and all the Bible School kids get to go back stage to meet them.