I THOUGHT Summer Was Over...

But... then there was a lot more that happened before school actually started. About a month of things to occupy time that didn't all involve sports competition (still working out/practicing/getting better). SO FUN! I am way behind and there will be much more to update after this post (which I started about two weeks ago, then got busy).

Right after softball ended for Gracie, we took the kids to Iowa to help out at DuRochers' for their final camp of the summer. Owen helped Lucas with outdoor activities and Gracie was promoted to a jr. counselor this summer. Owen came home after 4 days of camp and Gracie stayed for a whole week. I think it rained a lot, so Owen was a little limited in what he could do outside to help, but Gracie stayed 3 nights in the cabins with girls. Then she stayed to help with a reunion that was scheduled for the following weekend. It was a good time for both of them.

After mud sliding with Ryleigh

Never.

Nobody wants you to go there.

Lucas and Owen outside for camp

Owen came back Wednesday evening so he could make it to the football pictures and the last day of summer practice/scrimmage on Thursday. He played a lot in the scrimmage after sitting out during the first game. It was at Moberly and we got to see Newhams/Bryce because Boonville was there too. Then the following Saturday we spent some time at the LAKE! It was hot and it was great!

Happy to relax a little!

I love hot days when the lake feels amazing!

Owen swimming!

The only thing missing was Gracie.

But... we got to go again the next weekend when Annie and Chad came down! Two weekends in a row! I cannot remember the last time we were able to do that. However, the weather was not as great and only mid 70s instead of mid 90s for temps. I did not get in the water, but it was still a fun day!

Riding on the boat!

We went to Reefers' for lunch and Owen tried the paddle board again.

Nick threw the kayak in.

Gracie on the paddle board

Chad and Owen relaxing down below.

I think Chad actually took a decent nap.

More boatin

Riding with my parents

Obviously we were having fun.

They were sent to the bow of the boat to help it go faster.

Nick and Owen had this job on the way back.

It was a really fun day. We got to see Anna and her family and spend a few hours at the Reefer residence. The kids all swam, but it was a little too cold for me... not the water; the air temp.

In the meantime... we've been trying to make more progress in the basement. Baby steps.

Shower corner - it will eventually be so nice.

Since then was have put the floor in and placed the toilet and vanity in their spots.

When Gracie was finally home, she didn't stay long.

She spent a couple different nights with Nova, and I think she might have stayed at Kate's, as well.

More lake time with Nova.

During the MSHSAA dead week, while a lot of Owen's friends were on vacation, Bonnots took him to Six Flags with them. He had a blast, but did find out that his friends do not like big coasters. I think he rode a lot of rides with Kate; ironic. Kate went with Pryce, Owen went with Rowan.

Looks like a raft ride

The group of kids plus Julie and Emily

Owen even found an evening to take a ride on Sonita.

Nick got her out and saddled, which sparked Owen's interest.

Owen really doesn't look small anymore... at all.

Still lookin good.

I took a day off from work to give Gracie a ride up to Ames. She wanted to see something different from Mizzou. I'm ok with Iowa State I guess. We got to stay with Annie, which is only about 30 minutes from Ames, so worked perfectly. She brought her kids up both Friday and Saturday to watch for awhile. We had lunch with Gracie on her break and then watched the scrimmages in the afternoon.

Gracie requested Hickory Park, of course and it was just as good as it always has been. We took River with us and Annie took Kaia home (Kaia didn't feel good). We stopped to see my red-headed crazy runner friend, Traci, on the way back to Annie's. It was great to catch up with her. It has been so long since we actually went running together, but so good to see her. Then it was a somewhat early evening for bed. Gracie was pretty tired, and so was I.

Back at it, early Saturday morning...

Gracie got to play a little shortstop

She made it on base every at-bat.

Stole second

Catching

Group pic after the camp

I think Gracie enjoyed seeing something different from Mizzou. I don't think she has ever gone to a softball camp besides Mizzou. She said it was slower paced, but she likes the coaches and she liked the way the scrimmages were structured. She likes Ames, and said that she feels like it is a pretty good and safe town to live in. I reminded her that the weather is much different between November and March.

Gracie with the head coach

Aces girls with an ISU player who was formerly an Ace

It was kind of crazy that we knew people when we got to the parking lot on Friday morning.

Here are some mid-mo girls in attendance.

I feel like this happens very frequently on road trips.

Tired on the way home.

We left right after the camp to get home for Owen's Red/Black intrasquad scrimmage. There were a lot of activities at this event and thankfully the scrimmage did not start until 7pm, so we had plenty of time.

Owen got in on a lot of the JV plays and seemed to do pretty well. I am going to learn football in the next four years, I think.

They had a reveal of new uniforms and decals for helmets.

Nick got to help him out with that.

We do have some news regarding football, but I will save all that information for the next post. I also have many more pictures and information to add, but will enjoy this for now. We got pictures back and Owen looks great! Much more to come with the start of the new school year.