$10

This picture is worth $10!...well, $20 to be exact.  Would you believe that after being sooo busy for the past couple of months we were finally able to have my niece from Texas (Mackenzy) overnight with Gabi.  They are just about a year apart so they always have a good time when they get to visit.  With our schedule, we just have not been able to get them together like I wanted to.  Mackenzy came home with us on Monday evening after going over for Pam's birthday and we spent most the day together yesterday doing girlie things...namely, SHOPPING.  She told me she had not even been to our mall so you know I HAD to take her!  And HAD to take her to Charming Charlie as well!  Only one problem...the girls had no money to spend...so, I said I would take a picture of them that morning and I wanted them to make it worth $10 (to each of them).  Worked out well!
Us girls went from one end of the mall to the other and back, trying on clothes, testing out fragrances, picking out school options, etc etc etc.  It was a big hit!  Their fave part, or at least Gabi's, was trying on a formal dress at Deb - with the high heels of course! 

The girls did well with budgeting and actually ended up getting the same things...a cute little clutch from Charming Charlie and some items from Forever 21 (necklace and some barrettes).  SOOOO glad we were able to do this with Mackenzy before she left and so glad I was actually able to make good on a promise to have her over.  She is back in Texas today and we miss her cute smile already!

Christmas In July 2011

It could not have been a bigger contradiction...it was most DEFINITELY HOT HOT HOT for Christmas this month!  We have had a big heat wave the week prior and it continued into this weekend for Christmas in July at Jellystone in Fremont.  An annual tradition.  We shop for cute gifts...gag or otherwise being $5-$10 for each person and have a get together with the family while camping.  Always look forward to it.  Only thing missing this year was Trenton.

I had Addy this year, Gabi had Amber, Tyler had Presley and Ben had Chad.  Ben, of course, had to go after the gag gift for Chad and all I'll say is "let 'em hang!"  In the evening we always enjoy the family "sleigh ride" to look at all the Christmas decorations that the campers bring.  GREAT FUN! 

Lots of swimming, laughing, eating and Gabi even conquered her fear of the "speed slide" this year! 

Maw maw and the girls won "Biggest Snowman" this year with a basketball player to add to our collection of winners :) 

Aside from about an hour of rain, it was a beautiful weekend and I can say I was very thankful there was not a blackout and we were able to run our ac all weekend!  GOOD TIMES.

Take a look back here, here, and here to see how everyone has grown and changed since we started this tradition of "Christmas in July" - amazing how time flies!

Nationals

After recovering from Tyler's North South All Star game in Indianapolis and making the return trip on Saturday, we turned around to make Gabi's AYBT Nationals in Ft. Wayne Sunday through Tuesday.  Saturday and Sundays games were actual pool games...they would determine where each team would fit into which pool according to scores, etc.  Unfortunately the team had lost two on Saturday (Gabi was with us coming back from Indy) and Sunday's games we also lost (two of them).  Monday was a bit different.  This day was basically just practice for teams to get ready for the actual tournament today.  Our team won both games.  The first (against WolfPak) we won by a last second basket by Lizzy (20-18) and the second we won 16-10.  Gabi made one basket in each of the games on Monday.
Today was the actual tournament and we were pooled with four other teams. The first team we would face would be the team we had faced last (won 16-10). This team was very aggressive and liked to foul. In fact, one girl actually shoved Gabi after the whistle. The ref took her aside to tell her it was a "no no" - uh...this is Nationals...you would think the girls know that by now. Anyways, our girls seemed a bit slow and it was close all the way up til the last few minutes. Gabi had three points (free throws) and the score was 15-10. We learned we would face Team Elite (the last team we played on Sunday and got beat by 8 points). That team was good from what we could remember but thought we had a legitimate shot at winning and getting first place in our pool. The girls were very tired but they fought hard. We lost 18-34 and ended up getting second place. Gabi had one basket in the game and was a little heart broken that they didn't get first. We were proud though...she did well. It was a nice tournament and we were very glad to have air conditioned at Spiece Fieldhouse. The girls had fun looking at all the equipment, etc. in this place. It was actually pretty cool comparing feet and hands to some extraordinarily big basketball players. Gabi has come a long way in this league and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Aside from the out of pocket expenses here and there because of traveling, it wasn't too bad. Enjoyed the time with friends and really enjoyed watching our girl :) Very proud today!

North South Game

Wow...what a weekend!  Started things off Thursday night with a VERY nice formal banquet for the Grange Insurance North South Game that Tyler was chosen to play in.  It was held at Primos banquet hall in Indianapolis at 7:30 pm.  My parents came as well and were able to mingle with all the players, North and South, along with the families and coaches.  Tyler looked tired, but said he was very excited to play the next evening.  They shared stories of the practices and their visits to the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and Camp Riley.  Tyler met some awesome team mates (one being Matt Neal - his brother Mike Neal from the Packers and his dad played for the Giants)

We decided to head to North Central High School around 4 pm on Friday before the game to do some tailgating so we had some time to kill in the morning.  Chad and family was coming early and they gave us the idea to check out the Indianapolis zoo.  It was a nice visit and Gabi had a good time.  Got finished right around 1 ish so it gave us some time to go grab up Tyler from University of Indianapolis (where he has been practicing all week), grab some lunch and head back to the hotel.  It was fun to meet some of the other team mates from the North team - one even gave Ben and I a quick show with a card trick (6 of clubs).

We ordered a Jimmy Johns platter and get together the foods my mom and I had prepared ahead of time.  Cookies, brownies, chips, watermelon, subs, etc etc was on the menu.  We took the cornhole and we were ready to rock.  It was fun to see other people having the same idea.  The Colts also set up a display where a couple of players and cheerleaders were there to entertain and sign autographs.  One happened to be from Notre Dame!

7:30 pm was kickoff and we were more than ready!  Ben's dad and brother, my parents, my brother and his family, Aunt Annnie and Aunt Becky all showed up for the big game.  What an honor to have such loved ones come to this.  Tyler was chosen on this team to play outside linebacker and the North team had chosen to rotate players in every three plays.  When Tyler was in, everyone knew it! In the first quarter, in fact, the first few minutes, Tyler recovered the South's fumble for a turnover!  He was also in on a bunch of solo and group tackles all evening long.  He had a GREAT game.  The North looked like they were on a roll until the South scored just before half time and making a field goal (the North defense held them from a td) making the score 10-0.  The second half came and the North pushed ahead to score a touchdown making the score 10-7.  The South got the ball, pushed forward and looked as if they would score again, but the North defense held them AGAIN.  They were forced to go for a field goal making the score 13-7.  We knew with the few minutes left in the last quarter all we had to do was score to win by 1 point.  We drove down field, in fact, we thought we would get that touchdown but just couldn't get it in.  The South held on and the North was defeated 13-7.  That's okay though, Tyler played hard and he knew he played his best.  That is all that mattered.  This game was a HUGE honor and it was fun for him to play in.  The best of the best playing in this game.

Tyler was honored to have such a wonderful fan base come and support him as well.  I went to bed with Tyler sleeping in my parents room as I checked my facebook one last time before bed only to see Tyler had written on my wall...
"words can't express how much you and dad have done for me this past year. i know you are going to miss watching me take the field on friday nights and i will miss it too. thank you for all you've done and coming to watch me play for the last time. i love you"
I just layed there and cried for a few minutes...trying to soak it all in.  Tyler was sad.  Sad it was over.  And I was sad.  It took me a while to actually wrap my head around it all.  We have some WONDERFUL AWESOME memories of Tyler playing football, and it has come to a close.  This chapter is over.  A HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported Tyler throughout his football career.  I can only say that this support has carried him through some rough times.  We love you all!  It felt all too much like standing on that field at North Central High School last night after the North South game as the parents and players were talking and mingling on the field together.    The stadium lights were all on so they shut off half of them to start shewing them off to close up shop.  The lights went off one by one....and it was done. 

Four Points-St. Joe Part 2

The common denominator for Gabi all day was four.  4 points each  game.  She played three games today (1pm, 3pm and 5pm).  The first against Spring Lake winning 38-2, the second game against a fourth grade team, Windy City winning 35-19 and the last game against the fifth grade team, Windy City winning 37-11.  This was the first tournament where the team has won ALL their games.  Gabi was SUPER excited.  She played hard all three games.  We are VERY proud of her and the team!  Thank you to maw maw and paw paw, uncle Dave and grandpa for coming today!  She loves a crowd!

St. Joe Tournament

Highhtailed it to St. Joseph, Michigan today for Gabi's 3rd AYBT tournament.  Gabi had games at 10 am and then at 4 pm.  The first team we played, we have played before.  We beat them but the score was alot closer.  The score today...3 to 39...well, actually 3 to 64 but they stopped adding to the score at 39.  Gabi had 11 points for the team.  This girl is a go getter as you can tell in all the pictures. 

We ate at Silver Beach Pizza in between game times with some of her friends from the team and then enjoyed the carousel and of course, the beach itself.  Water was cold, according to Gabi, so we were glad time only allowed us about an hour and a half to swim. 

Our second game was a nail biter and we were excited that Jenny, Travis, Mackenzy, and my parents were all able to make it to watch.  This team was from Stevensville and they were 5th graders...an even advantage.  We stayed ahead for most of the game and won the game 18-16.  Gabi had one basket that game.  You could tell the girls were a bit tired from the sun and water fun.  We go at it again tomorrow - three games in the afternoon.  Go, go, go...

Orientation IU Bloomington

I feel like I have been in a whirlwind this past week.  Camping from Friday to Monday and we turned around to go to orientation at IU Bloomington on Tuesday after lunch with Tyler.  INFORMATION OVERLOAD.  He took a calculus test on Tues evening to try and test out of a class at 6:30pm and we were set for day one on Wednesday at 8:30 am.  The kids went one way, the parents another and we met up for dinner.  Ben and I actually skipped out on a couple of the sessions since we had an understanding on some of the material they would cover anyways (we had been over it with Trenton) so we did some campus touring on our own and did some shopping for IU gear. 

Before skipping out though, we did shake Mr. Herman B. Wells hand - the story goes that your child will have good academic performance if you shake his hand.  I was sure to do so. 

We were also able to check out Tyler's dormitory building he got assigned to (forest).  Glad to find out he has air conditioning.  It was certainly hot these past couple of days.  Hoping he is not assigned to the top of the dorms (for moving in purposes...)

 

After meeting up with Tyler for dinner we went and checked out the stadium and Assembly Hall, both of which Tyler is extremely excited to be part of with the student crowd during games. 

This morning Tyler did his scheduling.  He was excited to find out he has 9 credit hours already from taking ACP classes in high school.  This is a definite plus considering he will need 26 credits to apply to Kelley next year.  His courses are as follows for the fall semester:
Monday and Wednesdays
11:15-12:30 Survey of Hip Hop (web based)
1:25-2:15 Volleyball
2:30-3:45 Writing the World (lecture)
4:40-5:30 The Computer in Business (discussion)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:30-10:45 Read-Learn Techniques
12:20-1:10 Basic Accounting Skills
Thursdays only
3:35-4:25 The Computer in Business (lecture)
No Friday classes
We got Tyler's books on order and headed out by 1pm today.  Walked away with lots of freebies and plenty of IU gear to sport.  Most importantly, we walked away knowing Tyler is excited about the coming school year. We are anxious to spend time there with the rest of our family as well...to share in this experience, just like we do with Trenton at North Central.  Tyler is ready.  He is officially an Indiana Hoosier.

Fourth of July Celebration

Last year we got everyone together on my side of the family to do some boating on Lake James for the fourth and LOVED every minute of it.  We were a bit jealous though, of my brother, because he was able to camp during that time last year so we went ahead and put our reservations in early to go camping with him this year for the fourth.  We also invited our side up again to go boating and for a cookout.  This time at a little bit less crowded lake but still close to Jellystone.
We were VERY excited because the weather looked AWESOME and we had some great sites together.
Friday itinerary - RELAX RELAX and RELAX, tried our hand at family BINGO.  NEVER win, but we try.  S'mores and pudgie pies!
Saturday itinerary - Picture time with Yogi, park playing, and walks.  Tyler wanted to do the hot dog eating contest, gave it a good run but only finished 3 by the time one guy finished his 5...Very hot that day so LOTS and LOTS of water activities, including the splash pad, pools and waterslides.  Caught the fireworks at Lake James...not the best show, but it was cool to watch the boat parade around Lake James.

Sunday itinerary - Lake day!  Uncle Kenny and Uncle Rusty both came with their boats to do some boating, tubing and skiing.  Great day for it!!  Mackenzy rode up with my parents for the day and we were able to spend her birthday with her.  Even got her a cake for our cookout after the activities!!!

Monday itinerary - Relax a bit and head on home. 

GREAT WEEKEND!
Highlights of the weekend would include meeting Chad's new addition (Ruby), lots of laughs (pirouetting by the fire - Ben), Gabi trying to learn to ski (skiis were a bit too big so it was difficult), Presley going down the waterslide and tubing with Gabi, enjoying the "tajmahal," hot dog eating contest, and lots of family time.  Couldn't get any better than this!