Fall Fun

Homecoming 2024!

Owen is looking pretty good all dressed up

And Gracie is beautiful again.

Look!  We match!

Chase came over to "officially" ask her to homecoming the week before the dance.

She was surprised and it was a success.

Homecoming parade

Owen looks a little bored.

But Gracie is definitely having fun

The whole weekend was beautiful, sunny, and warm.  

Much better than last year during the parade.

Chase picked Gracie up to go to Hartsburg for pics

Owen wasn't quite ready yet.

I love this pic of Gracie and Kate.

This is a good one, too.

Kind of crazy, 3rd homecoming together.

With softball friends

Chase, Gracie, Kate, and Pryce

Lainie and Gracie

More pics

with Nova

The junior class met down at the Katy Trail in Hartsburg again this year for pictures.  There were a lot of kids down there.  I thought that I got a pic of Brook in there, but I can't find it.  Then Chase and Gracie went out to eat at Chick Fil-A, of all places.  Then to the dance.  

Freshmen HOCO at Talleys

Talleys hosted, as they did with Gracie's freshmen class.  There were so many kids there - very good turnout for that grade.  I'm so glad that Owen decided to go, even though he only gave me about a week's notice to find something nice to wear.  They all went over to Talleys' around 6pm and had dinner, took pictures and had fun together.  Then away they went to the dance. 

Peter, Owen, and Knox

Then Bentlage Boys

They clean up pretty well.

Peter, Walker, Owen

Bigger group

More fun with some wrestling buddies

Messing around

I think there were 50 kids there!

Pretty fun night.

They were so thoughtful to take a picture together at the dance.

Parents get to have fun too!

We waited a little too long for the outdoor pic so took another inside.

Gracie only stayed at the dance for a little over an hour before coming home to change and then going to Chase's house.  Owen stayed until around 9:30and then went to Bonnot's for his after party with his friends.  Gracie was home around 11pm and went to bed, but I believe Owen stayed up a bit longer than that.  He was a little tired the next day.

Napping after his late night.

Brookie and Gracie

These two are a hoot.

Pretty entertaining to watch them.

Second Visit:  Mizzou

Regardless of where she ends up, it's pretty awesome that they wanted her come on a visit and do all the things.  The Mizzou visit was a long day and Gracie got to see a different perspective of Mizzou athletics.  She started at 6am, going to their lift/conditioning in the weight room. Following that was breakfast in the dining hall.  Then practice until around 11am.  She toured MATC and met with academics, nutrition, and strength/conditioning.  She got to see sports medicine and meet with the team trainer.  Coach Anderson took us on a tour of campus and then toured the locker rooms, before meeting in her office to answer any questions.  Gracie had to come back on a different day for the pics, as their photographer wasn't available.

I think this is my favorite

At this point, I don't know if Gracie will end up playing softball at Mizzou; there have been several commits since we went on her visit, and little communication from the coaches since the photo shoot.  This was such a fun experience for her, but at the same time, Mizzou is one of the most competitive schools in the nation for softball, and the SEC is the best conference.  I know her hopes are high to be a part of this and she's so close to her goals and dreams, but not quite there.  Such a roller coaster of a past month.  There is nothing that can prepare someone for the stress and anxiety that a prospective student-athlete will endure during recruitment.  Again, very surreal and we are so proud of what she is doing and what we know she will do.

Yes... pitching

Gracie debuted her varsity pitching career against Eugene on 9/28.  We were missing a key pitcher that weekend and Gracie was called on by her coach.  She hadn't pitched since last year and that did not go well in JV.  However, she had thrown for batting practice a couple times and seemed to do ok.  I would call it a win in many ways.  For one, we won the game.  She pitched 2 innings to give our other pitcher a break on the day of a tournament.  She didn't hit anyone, didn't walk anyone, allowed only 2 hits, zero runs, and struck out 2.  It was a good day, and she hopes to not have to pitch again.

I never thought I would see this again.

Not bad, for not being a pitcher

She was very happy to go back in at 3rd base in the third inning.

Brookie took a break.

Game vs Jeff City

Gracie got to play SS again.

There are so many pics that you can see her smiling.

Here is another after a grand slam.

On first after a single

Getting a lead

Supporting Friends

Owen and crew went out to Gans Creek to watch Sean Burns run at a home meet for Cross Country.  Sean is in the middle. What a great group of kids!  I really hope that Owen follows through with track in the spring.  He will have so much fun being Sean's teammate if he does.  The Burns kids are so good!

Owen and his buddies at the XC meet.  It was a little different having an evening meet under the lights.

Sean's mom, Alana was so impressed with Owen hobbling around the course.

I did something new!

There's a first time for everything.

I lightened up my hair and it is very noticeably different.

It is a bit lighter than I thought it would be, but it's a good change.

And here is Gracie's school pic this year!

Owen was sick on picture day and we're still waiting for the retake day to be announced.

I actually ordered prints to put in frames, since the ones I have are three years old.

Time to update.

We are almost done with fall sports.  Last regular season softball game is tonight and we play our first district game on Thursday.  Should be interesting, as we may not have our starting pitcher again.  Owen has 2 more JV football games, and there are also 2 more Varsity football games before post-season.  I'm sure it has been a frustrating fall for him, not being able to do anything, but hopefully he will be cleared to do all things this Wednesday!