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!

Summer Show Offs

As some of you already know.... Kate is our little performer. She loves to sing and dance and has already been to Nashville this summer to attend  Kids On Stage.  This is a camp that encourages those who are interested in music, singing, songwriting, hip hop, etc. the art of stage presence and confidence.  She learned how to play the harmonica and really impressed all those who heard her sing.  She has been gifted with a beautiful voice and has always been naturally more geared towards music and performing.  I guess we will see where it takes her in years to come.

Kate and her friend Abby Starr

This past week for the 3rd summer in a row she attended Summer Show Offs which is a show choir camp for ages K-12. Mary Smith is the director and she and her staff do an awesome job!  The different ages are split into groups and they all perform and sing...every child having their own solo part. It builds confidence and is such a good time for all ages. This year cousins.... Will, Sam, and Georgia came and watched the performance and they were all glued to the stage the whole time because they were so entertained. That says a lot since they are only 6, 4, and 2   Kate looks forward to this week every year!

Camp Mac drop off...

 Emma Grace and Lily

She is in cabin G-1

We dropped Emma Grace off at Camp Mac this week. She will be there until August 6!  She was excited because she knew how much fun she was going to have but a little nervous because it was going to be for 4 weeks! She has no cell phone while she is there so can only communicate with us by letters.  We got our first letter yesterday and she is a little homesick but says her senior counselor is a huge help with helping her feel better and have fun. We can also log on to Camp Mac and send her email messages and see pictures that are posted each day.  She went last year for 2 weeks and met a friend... Lily Smith. Lily is from Birmingham and Emma Grace has kept in touch with her over the past year. Lily and Emma Grace are in the same cabin this year... so I know they will have fun. I pray that Emma Grace's camp days will grow her into a well rounded young lady as she meets and develops relationships with girls from all over the United States and has experiences that she will remember for a life time.

We are going to STATE

This past week we have been in Tallassee, Al playing baseball at the Dixie Youth District tournament. Beginning last Saturday night with our first game against Reeltown, we continued to advance undefeated and made it to the championship game on Wednesday night against Auburn Blue.  WE WON! The final score was 9-4 and was a nail biter until the 6th inning when Opelika let loose at the plate and scored 4 runs securing the win. Auburn Blue had last bat but we were able to hold them. The boys were soooo excited. We are now headed to Athens, Al where the State tournament is held, which starts July 22.  It is a pretty big deal for these boys as they are the first 9-10yr team to represent Opelika at State!

Allstars Sub district Champs!

Opelika National Allstars Sub District Champs

We started district in Tallassee yesterday and won 13-3 against Reeltown.  Christopher played a great game hitting a double with RBI and had serveral outs at first and caught a line drive! We are so proud of him!  We are headed back tonight to play Tallassee.  Go Opelika!

Baseball and The 4th of July

Christopher with some of his buddies!

Christopher at first base

Kate and Belle

EG and Will

Will was so proud for hanging on

Christopher and Chase

Chimney Rock

Christopher jumping off chicken rock

Watching the fireworks

off the dock at Bama Park

golf cart parade

Alana and EG

EG and Anna Lynn

We had a fun holiday weekend starting out at the ball field with Christopher's first all-star game in Dadeville. We beat Auburn Orange in an exciting game after going into 2 extra innings. It was an awesome game with double plays and out of the park home runs you might see when you watch the pros.  The girls stayed home and watched the fireworks show in Opelika.

We spent the rest of the weekend at Lake Martin with family and good friends.  So relaxing and fun. We spent many afternoons on the tube, watched fireworks, grilled out, visited chimney rock and finally got to experience... Wilmarth Island.  (Chase a friend of  Christopher's  grandparent's place at the lake) It is the only inhabited island on Lake Martin and is so cool! Sunday  we got to spend time with my brother and sister in law and cousins. Check out the picture of Will above riding the tube with EG!  He had a rough ride and flew in the air but never let go of the tube.  Awesome shot.  Christopher and Chase had their turn and Grandaddy (my dad ) was finally able to throw them off.  I personally have no idea how they hold on as long as they do.

Monday our friends Matt and Alana and Christie and PJ came to join us for more food and fun. We started the day watching the golf cart parade at Bama Park which was a hoot.  Emma Grace and Kate got to hang out with some old friends... Anna Lynn and Abby Starr.  After lunch we took off in the boat and headed to Chimney Rock.  Christopher and Chase jumped off  "chicken rock".... where you jump if your too chicken to jump off the top.  After getting out of the boat traffic we had not gone far when we realized we were out of gas in the boat!  If you have to run out of gas.... chimney rock is the best place to do it.  The kids got the noodles out and floated in the water and we anchored the boat until our help arrived. Christie had her handy dandy radio so we could listen to some tunes and our captain Matt kept the boat anchored. We definitely made some memories!  We ended the day with some homemade peach ice cream! It was really good!

I am very thankful for the freedom I have been given and realize what a privilege it is to live in a country like ours where we are free to worship and live out what we believe. God is good! May we live everyday remembering the sacrifices that were made for us!