VICTORY!

All smiles after the big win!

Huddling up

Sam's football team, the Serpents, played their first game of the season last night. They ended up winning by a safety. The boys played really well and the starting center (Sam) had a great game! It has been a big jump going from the first and second grade division to the third and fourth but he is handling it well. The first few days he wasn't quite sure he wanted to play this year but he has adjusted to the more aggressive play and the more assertive and demanding coaches. He is having a good time and winning makes it even more sweat.

GO Wildcats!

It is soccer season again for Ella. She is doing a great job this year! She is a little more aggressive this year and got close to scoring a goal in her first game. She dribbled the ball down the field but couldn't quite get it in the goal. Her favorite position is still goalie and she was very disappointed that she didn't get to play goalie in the first game. She is having a fun time.

Back to School

Sam had meet the teacher on Wednesday and headed back to school on Thursday. He said he wasn't ready to go back to school but I think there was some excitement to be returning. He has really enjoyed his first few days.

Ella had her meet the teacher on Thursday. She is more than excited to go back to school and has been counting down the days. She enjoyed going to meet Miss Kim and playing in her classroom. I think they are both going to have good years!

Tourney Time

The Nationwide Tour comes to our country club each year for a golf tournament. We have never been before but Sam really wanted to go watch the golfers on tour so I took him out there on Sunday afternoon. It was a nice day weather wise and he enjoyed seeing his friends and watching some of the golf (in that order). He was a little surprised about how much slower it is watching golf live than on television. Luckily, our club had a tent where you could sit in the shade with complimentary ice-cream which helped pass the time between golfers. We did get to see the eventual winner play through our spot on the ninth green which was exciting. Sam is already hoping to return next year.

Silver Dollar City

Look ma, no hands! Ella, Grandma and Sam on the kids' coaster.

Ella and Sam on the frogs

We finally made it down to Silver Dollar City this year. The heat this summer has been crazy and I haven't been wanting to brave it but we did. My mom took a day off work to join us and the kids had an absolute blast despite the heat. Surprisingly the lines for the water rides were not too bad. We tried to keep cool and had a good day.

Night at the K

The whole crew

Ready to cheer on the Royals!

One of the things Sam asked my mom for, for his birthday were tickets to a Royals game. So this last Friday we headed to the K for buck night, Friday night fireworks and baseball. Despite the heat we all had a good time and enjoyed watching the Royals win! The fireworks show after the game was also a big hit.

Fourth Festivities

Ella and Laura watching the fireworks.

Sam and Bobby with pieces of a bucket that was blown up earlier. Notice part of the bucket is still in the tree.

We were at the Siegels' again this year for their annual Fourth of July bash. This has always been the favorite holiday of my dad and he is usually the most excited in our family leading up to the event. I think this year his excitement was surpassed by Sam. He was ready to go hours before the party began and talking about all of the fireworks he was going to set off. He got a lot of fun things that he could do at the fireworks stand and spent the afternoon lighting bee, after parachute, after firecracker. His big excitement of the day though is when Bobby arrives. Bobby is a friend of the family who makes homemade fireworks that can blow almost anything up and he is Sam's hero. Sam must have followed him around for the first hour begging him to light more of his "bombs." Ella mostly played inside during the afternoon not liking all of the noise. Her favorite things were the purple smoke bombs and the sparklers. I think everyone had a good time celebrating Aiden's birthday, America's birthday and spending time with friends and family.