2 and out this All Star season

Sadly, Parker's season on the All Star team was short-lived. They ended up losing about as badly as the first game even with Parker playing a great game. The coach chose to start another pitcher who struggled and was pulled out in the first inning after 4 runs with no outs and the bases loaded. Parker came in and got the next 3 kids out. He pitched as many pitches as he was allowed (this time 75 based on his age) before returning to short stop.
Parker had another great game at bat. He was up 2 times and both times came away with doubles. The first time on base, Parker's coach sent him stealing home where he was called out (even though he got under the tag). The second time on base, he got in a pickle between 3rd and home and ended up winning a great battle and scoring with loud cheers from the crowd. ( The announcer said that it's the longest pickle he's ever seen in Little League - the other team really knew how to field a pickle and never dropped the ball. Thank goodness Parker's a fast runner.)

Parker is already missing baseball and wishes he could play in the fall......if only we could find a league that doesn't play on Sunday.

EFY Santa Barbara

This year both Bryant and Erin were able to go to EFY (Especially For Youth). Since we had 2 going, we decided to send them to Santa Barbara instead of BYU. Erin didn't like that idea at first, but she ended up having as much fun this year as she did in years past. It was fun for me to drive them up the coast and drop them off at beautiful UCSB right next to the beach (and it was a bonus to have my friend, Linda, come with me).

Both Erin and Bryant stayed in the same dorm but on different floors. In fact, Bryant's room was directly above Erin's. I got them situated with their bags unpacked and beds made before Linda and I left to spend some time with Rachel in downtown Santa Barbara.

Erin and the boys in her group

Erin with the girls in her group

Bryant and the boys in his group

Bryant and friends in the cafeteria. Both Erin and Bryant RAVED about the food - the cafeteria is ranked as one of the best in the nation!

We are so grateful to be able to have our children attend EFY each year. They come away from the week on a spiritual high and with lots of new friends.

Our All Star

Parker made the All Star team again this year and we're so proud of him!
Parker was chosen to be the starting pitcher for the first All Star game. He did such a good job! He threw 50 pitches (darn pitch count rules) and struck out 4, fielded 1 out, and only walked 1 in the 2 1/3 innings he pitched.

Parker also had a great game at bat. He hit doubles both times he batted. He ended up being stranded on base and never got to score (there was only 1 other hit on our team).

It ended up being a rather frustrating game with only the 3 hits and no walks on our team. We lost badly and are now in the losers bracket. Hopefully we'll do better in our next game.

Parker's new hobby

Parker received a ridiculous amount of money and gift cards for his birthday. With a hole burning in his pockets, he just had to rush out to spend it all. So he made a list of things he wanted and we went shopping. His favorite purchase was his bow and arrow. He's loving this new hobby.

Girls Camp

This year was Erin's last year at Girls Camp and my first year going as a leader. Even though we were at the same camp, we hardly saw each other while we were there. Erin was in a cabin with the YCLs (youth camp leaders) and I was in a cabin with our Beehives about 1/2 mile away.

The week was packed with fun activities, devotionals, and yummy food (way better than I expected). Here's the highlight reel from our week at Girls Camp:

Our ward banner

Me with 2 of my Beehives, Cami and Riley

Erin, Rylee, Ana, and Meagan in the dining hall

More food - this time with Deidre and Brianne

Erin helping teach line dancing

Sarona, Bailey, Riley, and Kate playing games in our messy cabin

Playing the animal game in our cabin - I realized I'm too old to be on the top bunk.

Erin, Brianne, and Deidre leading their scripture study group (before getting ready for the day).

Me with 3 of my Beehives - Sarona, Bailey, and Jenny.

I went canoeing with Sarona who was content to sit in the middle of the canoe on the floor. She wasn't too excited about being out in the middle of the lake.

Erin and Brianne went kayaking on the lake

With the encouragement of some of my Beehives, I decided to do the zip line. I had no problem climbing up, it was the jumping off part that freaked me out. I closed my eyes and counted down and forced myself off the ledge. It ended up being super fun!

Erin and Rylee tried to show me how to play Cups - but it was way to confusing for me!

The last night of camp, Bishoprics come up to spend the evening with their ward. Rick was the one to come from our ward and it was so nice to have him around for the evening. After dinner he held a devotional followed by a ward testimony meeting. Then he surprised us with strawberry shortcake - yum!

At the end of our ward time, I made my rounds saying goodbye to all the girls. It was sad leaving them early (even if it was only by a few hours), so I snuck into the Beehive cabin to play one last game of Animal. I feel so lucky to have had the time at camp with our wonderful young women.

Erin's last week as a junior

The last week or two of school for Erin was crazy. She had tough projects to finish in her AP classes, yearbook distribution multiple afternoons, a choir concert, awards banquets, final exams, and graduation to attend. After many late nights with next to no sleep, the year is finally over and Erin is officially a senior - WOW!

Here are some of the highlights from the last week:

Erin had her hawaiian themed choir banquet at our church. She received an award for the "Most Dedicated" in the chamber choir and her name will go on a plaque in the choir room for that award. She also received the "Worker Bee" award.

Erin with Erin - a senior in the chamber choir

After dinner and awards, the choir had a dance party. Erin had fun dancing with Corrie.

Tuesday night, the yearbook class had their awards banquet. Erin received the "Most Likely to Burst Out in Song" award.

Erin with her friend Misa

About a month ago, Erin received a letter telling her that she had made the Honor Guard. She texted me and asked what that was. We found out that the Honor Guard at her school is a group of juniors who have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher. Those students get to present the seniors at graduation.

I was bummed to think that I wouldn't be able to see Erin in the Honor Guard or singing in the choir at graduation because tickets are hard to come by. Luckily, each Honor Guard member was given tickets for their parents AND a parking pass to the teacher's lot so that we didn't have to fight for a parking spot.

It was so emotional to watch Erin and the other Honor Guard members as they held their garlands and led the seniors into graduation. I think I'm going to be a wreck next year when she finally graduates.

The Concert Choir sang "You Raise Me Up" and did a great job!

After singing, Erin rejoined the Honor Guard and I snuck out to go on a date with Rick.

Congratulations Erin on a job well done so far in high school. We are so proud of you and look forward to helping you make the most of your senior year!

Bryant's last week of middle school

It's hard to believe that we now have 2 high schoolers in the house. Bryant is officially a freshman now. He had a great last week of school with an awards ceremony, a field trip to Knott's Berry Farm (no pictures, though), and promotion.

The 8th grade awards ceremony was held Tuesday evening. Bryant scored with the following awards:

• 2nd semester honor roll
• Principal's honor roll (making honor roll all year)
• President's honor roll (signed by President Obama for making honor roll all of middle school)
• Elite Fitness Award (he was able to squeeze in his testing around having a cast on)

Congratulations Bryant! We are so proud of you!

On the last day of school, they have a promotion ceremony. It's short and sweet and to the point. The principal talked for maybe 2 minutes and then the students were introduced by their advisement teachers followed by the principal releasing them to high school. The whole ceremony lasted 30 minutes. Not bad for having over 300 promoting 8th graders!

Bryant shaking his Principal's hand

We took a few pictures, dropped Parker off at his school, picked up Erin who'd left school early, and headed to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast.

Look out Chaparral - Bryant's on his way!