Our 4th of July

For our Independence Day celebration we did our traditional BBQ and fireworks at home. Rick, Cami and Skyler came and celebrated with us.

A little game of beanbag toss.

Uncle Rick showing us his juggling skill.

His poor little ears are sensitive to loud noises...these came in handy!

Skyler putting on the firework show.

And a good show it was!

Hooray...Daddy is home!!!

We started our summer off with the return of daddy! What a great way to start the summer. Alan got home 3 days before Father's Day. He got home during the night so when the kids woke up in the morning their dad was home! Brikelle was the first awake and the first to see him. She literally screamed (a happy scream), jumped in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck and wouldn't let go. It was priceless. Due to the stomach bug that kept finding Braden and Bailee, we had a very low key Father's Day at home. But Alan just being back home and with his kids made for a very good Father's Day for him. We did manage to get some archery in for a fun little activity.

White Sox Coach Pitch

Bailee decided she wanted to give baseball a try this year so she was part of the White Sox coach pitch team. (It just so happens that her dad's favorite baseball team is White Sox so that was pretty cool for us!) She had no prior experience with baseball whatsoever so it was all new to her. We were fortunate enough to be friends with the coach and his wife so they took good care of Bailee and she had to be the most improved player on the team. All the coaches worked with her and did such a great job at helping her. She went from not knowing how to hold the bat correctly to actually getting some hits! She did AWESOME and her season was AWESOME! It definitely was a busy season but it was so much fun. Her team took first place in their division and lost the playoff game to go to the championship game by just two points. The playoff game was such a nail biting game...it's the best baseball game I've ever been to! Bailee got an AWESOME hit that game and the entire White Sox fans section cheered and cheered for her. It actually brought tears to my eyes because all the parents were just as excited as her own parents were for the hit she got. To make it even better, Dad got home just in time to be able to be a part of the playoffs. Way to go White Sox!!! And Bailee, we are so proud of you for being brave enough to participate in and try new things. You are an amazing young girl and Mom and Dad love you so very much!

She was really nervous for her first game.

She was "baseball ready" everytime!

On the field before the playoff game...it was treated like a pro game...so very cool!

Receiving their playoff trophies.

Her biggest fans!

So happy to have Dad home and at the game!

Uncle Rick was quite proud too!

Team trophies