A Summer of Softball

All 3 of our girls played softball this summer, and Alan coached Elisabeth's t-ball team, so it kept life busy.

THE RED SOX

Leilani was still able to pitch this year - which is her favorite position. Her coach used her a lot in the "closer" position - as a relief pitcher to finish the game. But she got to be the starter a few times also. If she is having a good day, she can throw strike upon strike!

When she wasn't pitching, she played short stop, 2nd base or outfield.

She improved her batting by putting more power behind it this year. She was also a ball "magnet." She got hit by the ball more than any other person on the team. I'm not sure she had even one game that she didn't get hit by a pitch.

She was quick to steal and run once she got on base.
The work all paid off over the season. Her team took the gold medal (first place) in their league.
We were very proud of her, and can't wait for next season!

THE BOB DOGS

Emilyanne played her first year of actual softball - where the girls do the pitching - so there were lots of walks.

But when she got on base, she ran as fast as she could to steal and score runs.

Emily rotated between 2nd base and outfield. By the end of the season, she was making some great plays at 2nd.

She did a good job backing up the pitcher and getting the ball where it needed to be.
The hard work paid off for her team too. The took the silver medal (2nd place) in their division. Emily had to miss the final game, because it was on Sunday, but she was able to get her awards at the team party.

THE TIGERS

Elisabeth played t-ball, so she got to play all the positions. If they could stop the ball and throw it somewhere, they were doing well. :)

Getting to wear the catcher's mask and put the balls on the tee was always fun. Especially when the last batter just ran the bases and let you tag her out for practice!

Elisabeth's team did a great job hitting off the tee this year.

They didn't steal bases, but they ran as fast as they could once the ball was hit. They don't even keep score at this age, so there are no playoffs, but they had a good time playing ball.

Fireworks

We didn't go to any big fireworks shows this year. Instead, we just did fireworks in Grandma's backyard and watched the neighborhood displays (some of which were pretty spectacular!)

It was a good time with family. We celebrated Travis' birthday and our country's birthday at the same time, and had leftovers together for days :)

4th of July Breakfast

We started Saturday, July 3rd very early at the ward 4th of July breakfast. It was held at Emerald Park, which is always fun for the kids.
We had fun eating with cousins ans playing with friends.


Dad helped cook the breakfast, and was decked out in his Mickey Mouse finery!
The young women did their traditional face painting. Leilani was excited to be one of the people doing the actual painting this year.

The playground provided lots of fun!

Alan and I in our matching patriotic Mickey T's. We didn't play as hard as the kids, but we still had fun!

Summer Reading Programs and Rewards

I've been looking for programs that will reward my kids for reading this summer. I thought I would share what I have found so far. If you know of any others, please let me know!

1) Chuck E. Cheese

If the kids fill out the reading chart for 2 weeks, they can turn it in for 10 free tokens. You can only turn in one chart per day, but the program doesn't expire until December 2010. So, you could get tokens every two weeks. (If you can get your kids in and out of there with only 10 tokens, it is probably a good deal. LOL)

http://www.chuckecheese.com/promotions/pdf/RewardReading.pdf?utm_source=EmailBlast&utm_medium=2010_06_01_newsletter&utm_campaign=EmailMarketing&utm_nooverride=1&link=text

2) Borders

This one is for kids 12 and under. You read any 10 books, list them on the form, and take the form to Borders by Aug. 26, 2010 and pick a free book from their special selections.

http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_doubledogdare

3) Scriptures for Kids

This one is for families wanting to promote scripture reading this summer. It is a summer scripture challenge sponsored by Deseret Book. They want to promote reading the Book of Mormon. They have ideas for a kick off family home evening, and various printable reading charts (based on reading ability and length of time you want to do it). At the end of the challenge they will have certificates to be printed, a wall of fame, and the possibility of winning gift certificates to Deseret Book. It ends August 31.

http://scriptures4kids.com/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=6&Itemid=73

4) Barnes and Noble

At Barnes and Noble, you only have to read 8 books. Just print out the passport on their website (or pick one up at the store), fill in your books and information and take it to the book store before September 7, 2010.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp


5) If your child reads 10 books over the summer, you can order them an official Oregon summer reader certificate. The certificate has the national Collaborative Summer Library Program artwork on it and is signed by the State Librarian and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/oregon.srp.certificate.shtml

6) If you go to the public library and sign up for their summer reading program, you get a free book for each child.

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_9728_319_2195_43/http://ceppcontent.eugene1.net:7087/publishedcontent/publish/library/library_news___events/kids___family__summer_reading_events.html

They give teens free books too.

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_9728_319_2195_43/http://ceppcontent.eugene1.net:7087/publishedcontent/publish/library/library_news___events/teen_summer_reading.html

And they have a summer reading program for adults.

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_9728_319_2195_43/http%3B/ceppcontent.eugene1.net%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/library/library_news___events/summer_reading_s_for_adults__too_.html

The nice thing about these programs is that you can over lap them. For example, while reading your books for Border, you can count the time for Chuck E. Cheese. Hopefully these programs will help keep my kids motivated the entire summer!

Fire Trucks and Ice Cream -

We recently went to a fundraiser at Baskin Robbins for the volunteer fire department. Scoops of ice cream were only .39 cents, and the kids got to climb in and see the fire trucks.
Alan was nice enough to get in line for ice cream while the kids and I toured the fire trucks.
Ben, of course, was in heaven! He had to pretend he was driving every truck they had.
The girls all wanted to try driving too.

After the kids had their tour of the fire trucks and asked every question they could think of to the firemen (and women), we went in and had ice cream. It is not often you can get two scoops for under a dollar these days! It was a fun - and economical - night :)

Leilani's First Temple Trip

Leilani was able to go on her first youth temple trip the end of March.

It was a very special experience - her Uncle Chris baptized her, her dad and her grandpa confirmed her, and her mom was there to help her out of the font and into the showers.
I can't believe that our first child is old enough to be in Young Women and go on temple trips! But I am glad that I am Young Women's president so that I can be there with her :)

Spring at Crater Lake

We were able to go snow shoeing at Crater Lake before the program closed for the season. We went with both sets of grandparents and took all of the kids.
Everyone went snow shoeing except Grandma Bevans (my mom) and Benjamin. They played in the snow and shopped while they waited for the rest of us.
The girls love to go on this hike. They still remembered most of the Ranger's spiel from last year, so they were the first ones with their hands up to answer questions.
I think Grandma and Grandpa Walker really enjoyed the hike too. It was a perfect sunny spring day, with lots of beautiful scenery.
The ranger asked Elisabeth if she wanted to go, and she eagerly said "yes." The age limit is age 8, so we were planning on having her stay and play with Grandma and Benjamin. She did well, though, and enjoyed going with us.
My dad got tired of waiting for slow people, so sometimes he took off on his own trail to find a great picture or to move up in the line.
It was fun to take pictures and enjoy the outdoors.
I hope this can become an annual family tradition. They provide the snowshoes for free, but my dad thinks we should invest in some (he and Mel and Illene own their own) so we can go hiking without the ranger. I have to admit that would be fun.
When we were done with the hike, they played around in the snow for a bit.
We took some pictures and then met back up with Benjamin and Grandma Bevans.
Benjamin had a good time with Grandma, and enjoyed the day as much as we did, I think. I just wish I could convince the young women that they want to come and try this hike out. I think they would enjoy it!
We stopped for one last picture on the way to the cars, so we could show how deep the snow was. It looks really deep, but they actually have quite a bit less this year than normal. It was a good day, and we really enjoyed the time spent with family.