Opelika Nationals at State Tournament

Opening Ceremony

Christopher and Tyquel after their first win

Dug out pic

Some of Christopher's biggest fans

Cliff and Tyquel dancing... this cracked us all up

Retreiving their district flag... this brought tears to my eyes!

Receiving their runner's up trophy!

Me with my buddy!  One proud mama!

The Opelika Dixie Youth State Tournament was such an awesome experience for Christopher.  He had such a good time growing as a baseball player and cultivating some neat friendships with his team.... these are guys he will more than likely be playing with through middle and high school.  Great group of boys!  They did really well, staying in the winners bracket most of the tournament.  They ended up as runners up to being State Champs in the 9-10 yr old league which is further than we ever thought we would go and further than any other 9-10 yr old team from Opelika has ever been.  They had nothing to hang their head about.  Christopher was the first baseman for the team and did a superb job, making very few errors.  It has been so neat to watch him mature and see him get better since he started the year.  He really hustles after a pop fly and gives 100% every play.  Great effort by the whole team.  I  spent the majority of the week in Athens  coming home once to go to work but drove back that same night.  It was so hard being away from those guys and missing 2 games...one of those being their first loss.  We as parents all became very close and really got to know each other.  The hotel we all stayed at  had a common area with a pool, pool table, ping pong, and video games so the boys were in heaven when we weren't playing baseball.  We all became like family. Good times and memories that will stay with us forever!

EG Is home from Camp!!

Emma Grace with her counselors

Getting ready for the zip line

Kate on the zip line

EG showing us how it is done

Christopher getting ready

Being silly!

We recently picked Emma Grace up from camp after 4 weeks! We were so happy to see her and hear all about it!  She had a blast and could not stop talking about it on the way home.  So different than when I dropped her off.  On the ride up there she was so nervous and would have turned around and gone home if I had agreed. After the first couple of days at camp, that quickly changed into I never want to go home!  She made so many neat friends from all over Alabama and the United States!  The memories made while there were so fun to hear her tell and the person she has become being a part of such a unique place is priceless!  She has grown up sooo much and I am so proud of her.   I was pulled away while there to tell my story about Emma Grace and her experience with camp and I couldn't be more excited to share.  It was so worth any sacrifice I had to make to send her and have a feeling we will be going back next year.  There is something to be said for getting kids away from their cell phone, the computer, and all the expectations that are placed on them and just letting them be kids.
 While we were there Christopher and Kate (who went to the 2wk term last year) were able to participate in some of the activities that are offered during the 4 week term.  It was so fun to have all my kids back to together.  We have had a busy summer with the three of them going in totally different directions most of the time, but I guess that is what summers are for.  So glad to have all my babies home and back together! 
So,  now  with a 7th grader, a 6th grader, and a 4th grader we start a new chapter! Wow!! They grow up fast!  Hard to believe! We are thankful for the fun times had this summer and the opportunities to grow in each experience given.  I always tell my kids to make the most out of every opportunity and I think that is exactly what they did this summer!