Hali's Softball

Hali has been playing T-ball this month and had their last game today. It was really fun to watch her progress throughout the season. It was quite a switch for us to go from watching Carter's games to watching little girls. We forgot how slow and comical T-ball is. And girls are hilarious! Hali's team was the Alligators. The other teams they played were called the Dandilions, the Blueberries, and the Pink Panthers. Only girls teams would be named so cute! One game we watched had more hugs than high-5's. They even used their good housekeeping skills while on the bases, well most of them. There were a few girls in the outfield who liked to cover up the bases with dirt. But the players running the bases would either look at them with bewilderment or bend down and dust it off with their hand. And the cheers they would say for each other were just too cute!Hali liked playing near the pitcher's mound since this was where most of the action was.

And what kid doesn't love it when it's their turn to bat?

And the most important part of the whole game, was the treat afterwards!

At the end of the game today, they had pizza and each girl was given a metal. Hali was so excited! She wants to hang it on the wall. We're sad that our games are over for the summer and look forward to next season.

Yellowstone National Park

Where did we go today????

This video cracks me up! We were at Fountain Paint Pots in Yellowstone National Park. It is a mouthful to say and Hali gave it her best and I love her smile at the end! The paint pots looked like bubbling mud.

My mom & dad and sister came up for the weekend. Since Kari has never been to Yellowstone, my dad thought it was time she went and invited us to go along. It's been a long time since I was there and the kids have never been. As we entered the park, the ranger gave all the kids a picture list of animals and birds to look for throughout the park. The kids took this so serious! Carter said a few times, "I didn't know Yellowstone would be so fun!"

This was the coolest spring! The water was a deep blue and so clear. The kids were so fascinated by the steam, or "smoke" as Paige called it. When ever we walked through the steam, it smelled like boiled eggs and we didn't like that so much.

This spring was huge! The wind was blowing the direction of the path and it was a little hike to the top of the geyser. By the time we got around it, we were all a little wet and Carter's glasses were fogged up most of the way. It was entertaining!

By the time we got to Old Faithful, Paige's little legs were done. She loved the piggy-back ride!


Old Faithful was awesome! The kids were so enthralled and learned more about the pressure inside the earth.

We saw some elk and buffalo, but to the kid's disappointment, no bears.

We entered the park in West Yellowstone and came out on the south end and came home through Jackson, WY. It ws an all day trip and we had a great time. We enjoyed spending the day with Grandpa and Kari!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Carter's baseball season ended the first part of June and we have really missed those evening outings to the ballpark. Each player in the Cal Ripken League was given a free ticket to the Chukars Minor League baseball game for tonight. So Todd, Carter and I went to the game and had such a great time! All the players lined up by the 1st base and when each team was called, they ran along the sidelines toward 3rd base.

Carter is the 3rd one from the front and wears the #8 jersey.

It was so neat to see all the teams lined up along the sideline! The players and coaches all had the biggest smiles. It was great!

After the parade, all the teams exited the field and watched the "big boys" warm-up. When it was time for the National Anthem, the Chukars and Ghosts (from Casper, WY) lined up in front of their dugouts and the little kids got to run across the field and were stopped on their way across to salute the flag. It was an awesome sight!

Carter loved watching the game and never seemed to get bored. I asked him a few times if he was ready to go yet and he shook his head quickly and said, "No." The Chukars won 7-4. Todd and I enjoyed spending time just with Carter. He's ready to go again!

Gone Fishin'

Carter went fishing today for his first time! He has been waiting for this day for a few months now. He went with his scout group to the greatest pond, where only kids under 14 can fish. They don't have to have a license and neither do parents. Parents cannot fish but can help the kids. We had a great time! He caught a fish and as soon as it was being lifted up out of the water, it wiggled off the hook and swam away. Carter was so disappointed. It took him another 45 minutes to catch another one. He only believes he caught one fish, not two. I guess he doesn't believe in catch and release. When it came time to divide up the fish between the boys, Carter said he didn't want to eat the fish but still wanted to take it home. Not sure what he wanted to do with it! Maybe mount it? It was a prize and he was so happy.

Not Just a Stubbed Toe

I was getting ready for the day yesterday when Carter walked in, actually hobbled in, and sat on the stool and told me he had stubbed his toe on his door. Like a sympathetic mom, I looked it over then wiggled it. That's what you are supposed to do to make sure it's not broken, right? WRONG. He hollered, "That hurts!" I suggested that he go rest on the couch until his toe felt better. I really didn't think he would do it, but he did. Then to make matters worse, he stubbed it on his bed post last night.

By the evening, it was starting to turn colors and by today it was blue and purple. He walks on his heel which he says is pretty sore now too. He has been very tough through it all, never once crying.