Last Summer Hurrah

We love to camp. This summer we didn't get to do it nearly as much as we usually like to. We only went once or twice. We did make one final (somewhat last minute) trip to Balch Park, the last weekend before school got started.  Matt and Mandy decided to be adventurous and go with us. It was the triplets first camping trip which was fun.

I didn't get very many pictures, because my camera died almost right away. With the few pictures I did get, you can definitely get the gist of how things went. How did things go? Lets just say that it wasn't all good, clean, fun. ;-)

There is a natural attraction between kids and dirt, that's for sure.

Two of the triplets, Evan and Ethan.

All of the kids basically looked like this most of the time.

Kyle moved so much dirt in his dump truck, he exhausted himself.

These pictures were taken by Mandy the morning that we left.

Carter, Kyle, Macy, Cameron

 The adults were definitely out numbered, as always.

The dirt was the least of our problems. We all got eaten up by mosquito's, and the meat bees were incredibly annoying. We did manage to have a good time in spite of the bugs, as you can see by the (mostly) smiling faces of the kiddos!

Lots of Family, Lots of Fun

My Mom and Step Dad (Grandma Lou and Grandpa Charlie) recently came out to California for a little vacation. They had timed their trip to coincide with the arrival of my new niece Piper. They flew into Fresno and spent a few days with Nolan, Melissa, and the girls before the kids and I drove up to get them. We spent a whole day and night in Fresno so that we could have plenty of play time with the cousins before bringing Grandma and Grandpa back to Bakersfield with us.



Cameron and Carter being silly with Jordan

 Kyle being silly with Grandpa Charlie

 Cammie quickly discovered Jordan's makeup.

It's so much fun having another girl around!

 Baby Piper 10 days old

 Ice cream at the Ryan House

 Once we got Grandma and Grandpa back to our place, it was all fun and games for three whole days.

There was Sprinkler Play

 Card Games

Stories

 Pool Play

 And tons of pictures!

The visit was short, but we got a lot done, and lots of quality time spent.

We love 'em so much.

At the Splash Park

What could be better in the summer heat, than getting together with friends to play in the water? Almost nothing! So we made a point to do that with a few of Carter's best friends from school. The kids had an absolute blast!

Meyanna, Carter, and Hunter

 One of the best parts of this particular splash park is the

giant bucket that fills with water and dumps out all over the kids.

All of the munchkins waiting as the bucket fills...

 ..here...

 ..it..

 ..goes!

 Cammie with Meyanna's little sister Alaundra, enjoying a snack.

 Hunter squirting Carter.

 Carter squirting Hunter.

 Buddies!

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Visits with Chris and Penny

Gregg's brother Chris, and his wife Penny came for a weekend visits this summer. The kids just LOVE them, and we were all excited to have them stay with us for a few days. 

Uncle Chris is an elementary school teacher and wrestling coach. So, naturally, his visit with the boys should start with a coaching session, teaching Carter and Kyle how to wrestle. It was so funny to watch. Kyle really got into it.

 They were laughing so hard they could barely do it.

 Of course Cammie had to get in on the action.

 Don't forget Uncle Chris!

 At dinner Kyle and Chris wouldn't stop goofing around.

They were the cutest little pair.

 Cammie and her Auntie Penny.

 At the end of the night Cameron wouldn't go to her own bed, choosing instead to curl up with Uncle Chris in his bed.

 A couple weeks later the kids and I had the opportunity to go to Clovis and stay with Penny for a day and night. Uncle Chris was out of town so we got lots of quality "Auntie Time".

 The kids spent several hours in the pool while Penny and I hung out.

While we were in Clovis I got a call that my brother Nolan, and his wife Melissa, were in the hospital having their baby (a week early.) The hospital is less than two miles from Penny's house, so the morning after my niece was born I got to go to the hospital and surprise them!

Here is Piper Lou Wardle at about 12 hours old.

Later before we left town Penny and I took the kids to

River Park for some window shopping.

 We had so much fun! We might be making this an annual summer trip!

Summer Ball

Carter played Tee Ball this year. He was on a team with his friend, from school, Hunter. The season was Tuesday and Thursday evenings, for 8 weeks. It started with two weeks of practices only, so that the kids could learn how to play the game. Carter was nervous about starting because he didn't know how to play. We explained that most of the other kids didn't know either and that is why they have coaches, to teach them. That put his mind at ease. 

The first few practices were pretty funny. There was a lot of day dreaming and butterfly chasing, and a little bit of actual tee ball playing. By the end of the season Carter's team (the Red Sox) looked pretty good. Carter got one good hit from a pitched ball (instead of using the tee) and it happened on the day that Grandma B and Grandpa Art were there to watch. He was so proud of himself.



Here he is all suited up for his first game.

 

He's number 3 in the middle.

Playing outfield with Coach Dustin

Getting a "grounder" between first and second base.

Here's Cammie, cheering on her big brother.

What a handsome little guy.

Up to bat!

Carter was at the front of the line to shake hands with the opposing team after the final game.

With Coach Richard at the team pizza party.

Carter was very excited about his trophy.

It's proudly displayed on his dresser with his team photo.

One last huddle with the guys.

If you ask Carter about tee ball he'll tell you all about his trophy. He'd probably tell you that he had fun. But he doesn't want to play again next year. Baseball just isn't his thing I guess. We all knew that by about the third practice. He didn't really like it, but we are proud of him for sticking with it until the end. He went to every game and every practice (save one, but that was because he was in Fresno with Grandma.) He's been asking to do BMX racing next. Maybe that will be more his style. :-)