Wyoming Summer Vacation 2016

 We took our family vacation to Wyoming.  No trip to Wyoming is complete without Yellowstone National Park and Old Faithful!

 Will actually had a Radiology conference in Jackson Hole Wyoming.  He had classes each morning so we slept in, sat by the pool and exercised while we waited for him to finish each morning.  The hotel resort area was great at Snake River Lodge.

 We enjoyed a dinner theater in downtown Jackson-hole.  It was a unique evening in that
 the electricity in the entire town went out for almost 3 hours.  They had just finished cooking our meal when it went out so we were still able to eat and enjoy the entertainment.  We watched a great musical called "The Ballad of Cat Ballou"

We had a great trip.  We enjoyed time at Snow king mountain in Jackson-hole where they had a ropes course and downhill sleds.  We went hiking and white water rafting and the kids and Will enjoyed a 2 hour horseback ride. 

Baseball/Softball 2016

 We went to TONS of baseball and softball games this past summer.  As long as the weather is nice we love every minute of it.  Owen played on 2 teams.  A city rec team called the Dawgs and a traveling team called the Yankton Twins. Here he is with his good friend Evan.

 This is Owen's signature pitching pose.  We laughed so hard whenever he would do this on the pitching mound.  They are still so young that they have the opportunity to play several different positions.  So far he enjoys them all.

 Just finished winning a big game and got to play on the artificial turf here in Yankton.

 Jillian played her second summer with the Yankton Fury White.  They have so much fun together and are a great little team to watch. They love to sing and cheer in the dugouts.  You will even catch them dancing sometimes!

She played second base and center field.

July 4th, 2016

 We celebrated July 4th the way we usually do.  We enjoyed activities and supper at Lands Lutheran and then we headed to the farm to run around and shoot off fireworks.

 Will and Paul enjoying the homemade pies!

 It would not be July 4th without the crazy balloons!

 Here are the cousins up in the old barn.  Paul and his brothers used to shoot hoops in there.

This last picture is a sad one to look at.  After we left the farm that night, we got a call that there was fire at the farm.  Long story short the barn to the far left in this picture burned to the ground.  Paul's grandparents actually lived in that barn while the farm house was being built many years ago. Its sad to see something with such history and sentimental value burn up but we are glad it was only the barn and that nobody was hurt.

June 2016

We kicked off June by celebrating Paul and Darlene's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Natalie, Jay, Will and I hosted the open house for many of their family and friends at the USF college campus where they met.  It was a perfect day celebrating a perfect couple! 

 Our first cut of hay for the summer.  We had friends out for supper and somehow they ended up helping load hay by the end of the night.  Be careful about accepting invites from us in the summer :)

This is the look of money well spent!  I told the kids if they read 10 chapter books this summer I would give them $100 cash!  They all accepted and completed the challenge.  It kept them busy reading all summer long which I loved to see.

 Owen got to attend a FCA football camp with his cousins up at SDSU.  They love spending time together! The girl cousins came to my house for the week and we had a great time as well!

Lauren attended her first FCA camp in Spearfish at the BHSU campus with several other YHS athletes.  It was a great experience!

Track 2016

 Lauren with her friend and running mentor Savannah after a tough race.  They made lots of memories together throughout the past few years.

 Lauren having one of many talks with Coach Youmans after a race.  It wasn't a great track season for her.  When you grow a few inches in just a few months your running takes awhile to adjust.

 Track season can be brutal.  Its usually cold, windy and many times it rains as well! Her siblings are always there to watch though.

She mostly ran the 1 mile, 2 mile and the 3200 relay.

Spring 2016 Happenings

Will took Lauren and Jillian to the cabin in Hot Springs for a weekend turkey hunt.  They had a great time and Lauren got a nice turkey!

Spring time means kitties around here!!  Once and awhile we even get to watch them being born.  Ruby had 3 kitties in this litter.  She has had 3 litters and 13 kitties in her short life. 

One of our favorites!  Just kidding- we love them ALL!!

AWANA Grand Prix awards night

 Awana end of the year awards

We finally had time to squeeze in a friend birthday party for Owen at the Lazer barn.  The boys had a blast!  They did the indoor and outdoor course.

Madelyn  participated in the Girls on the Run program throughout the Spring.  She really enjoys running and we hope she will stick with it! 

Last day of Middle School for Lauren

Last day of 6th grade, 2nd grade and 4th grade. Jillian is recovering from a black eye after a knee to the eye during a slide in a softball game this past weekend.

Dance Recital time! Her smiles in these pictures say it all.  She loves to dance!  Lyrical costume.

Madelyn and her friend Sydnee.  Tap costume

Madelyn and her teacher Mrs Timera.  Jazz costume

Easter 2016

Well Easter weekend brought us a mini snow storm!  I honestly can't remember why they all decided to bundle up and head outside but I do remember they had fun! 

 While the men and kids were playing outside we were inside getting ready for Easter Sunday

The Easter baskets were full on Easter morning

 Heading to church

Grandma Darlene made an awesome dessert.  We didn't even take time to sit down at the table.  We just devoured them right at the island! 

These pictures say it all.  We played Bean Boozled and it was a hoot!  You take turns eating random flavored jelly beans.  You might get pink grapefruit or you might get vomit.  You  might get chocolate or you may get dog poo.  It really is fun!  

We ended the weekend with a  few games of Dutch Blitz