Zayden's All-Star Baseball Season

Zayden was nominated for All-Stars this year and these boys had a phenomenal week playing ball.  In the end they went 2-2, but they played hard ball and it was great fun to watch them.

Zayden enjoyed catching, pitching, 3rd & 1st bases, and center field this week.  He's versatile. (wink)

Catcher's gear in the heat.  Daddy helping him.

My favorite place to watch him play is catcher.

He struggled at bat the first night and then found his groove.

This year's team was a wonderful group of young men and 3 great coaches.  Our character and sportsmanship were kept at a high level all week.  It was especially fun to share this week with his good buddy, Clayton.

Each set of grandparents made it to Iowa for 2 games during our busy week.  The best cheerleaders!

It's always difficult to let good things end, and this baseball season was no exception, but the victory just wasn't ours to take this year.  It was a wonderful year of growth, learning, and fun and we are so thankful for the memories.

United States Semiquincentennial (July 4, 2026)

Happy 250th birthday, America!

You're a bit of a mess, but so am I sometimes.  We still believe in the design of this nation and are happy to be patriots who celebrate our identity in Christ first, and our country second.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We discovered a few years ago that we have a perfect view of the city fireworks display from our front yard and so the word is spreading and this year we had a yard full of cheer, which filled my heart up.  We got out the sno cone machine and enjoyed the evening.

Art work by Mia - our front walk is not curved but "panoramic" photo made it curve.  (shrug)

octoball pit and spikeball saw some action....

Our friends are in town!!  Xavier met these boys 4 years ago and we are so happy to see them when they come from Colorado each year!

throwback... 2022; same order - Cade, Xavier, Quinn

activities from our afternoon as a family and a few fireworks videos (because I can't resist)

The fireworks were beautiful and plenty loud even from the house!

June 2026

In a flash the month of June zoomed by us and we're halfway through summer.  We spent June making memories, staying busy, investing in relationships, and having fun!  Some of the highlights...

VBS - a resounding success.  So many highs this week and so many memories to store up!...

My co-leader excelled at encouragement, calm, and execution of what needed done.  The perfect match for my chaotic brain!

The balloon drop that tried to steal my joy....

Regular season baseball ended...

Supper out and ice cream dates with friends....

Worship...

Flowers and fairy gardens and delight in Creation...

Camp and North Dakota...

Father's Day...

A steak lunch, cookies and milk, a new level (without a bend) and a hat for this handsome fella.

Xavier turned 16!

Golf cart rides to look at the fairy trail and play at the new park...

Our first minor league baseball game.

Baby snuggles...

Mike and I celebrated 21 years married.  Sometimes 21 years looks like recognizing work is a disaster and bringing your fella a soda...

Evenings with friends...

A bridal shower...

Swim camp...

More golf cart rides....

And church softball league (I'll have to wrap that up in it's own post)...

Celebrating birthdays (and father's day and anything in between) with the Tallmans....

We filled every moment possible and relished the rare quiet day at home.  I went into my classroom and worked on lesson plans and Mike navigated some lows at the university.  June was good to us and we're thankful for all it brought us!