Summer Basketball

Andrew LOVES basketball!  That's an understatement.  He plays whenever he can; however he can.  That means he's playing on the Wii, which he does almost every day.  Over the summer, his high school team has had three tournaments.  He was unable to make the first two due to youth conference and EFY.  He wouldn't have missed either of those opportunities, but wished there was basketball at both.

Yesterday was the final tournament.  I went to watch the boys play.  They played a little rough at first, but brought it together.  Following are just a couple of action shots of my boy.

Taking a shot.

 Guarding some big dude.

 Blocking shots.

Rebounding.

Before the season can officially begin, we first have to begin school and finish the soccer season.
I think I'll enjoy the rest of summer before I even think about all that school stuff.

Barry Manilow Concert

In February my sweetie bought tickets for us to go see Barry Manilow in April.  Due to an illness, the concert was moved to June.  It was a hot day outside but not inside the Resch Center.  They were instructed to have the temperature set at 60 degrees.  Not bad, but terribly cold when it's blowing directly on me.  Just before the concert began, we moved to some open seats which were much nicer without the draft.

He does a great concert.  For starters I know just about all of his music.  Secondly he has the crowd sing along with certain songs.  He told some stories about his childhood and growing up in Brooklyn, NY in the roughest high school in America.  He spoke about his grandfather who was a huge influence in his getting into music.   He never took an intermission.  Just a fabulous show.

By the way, the two jumbo trons were great for being able to see.  He showed some video clips and at the end of the night he sang a duet with himself.  He showed some video from way back in the early 70's and he sang along and created a duet.  It was so cool.  I'd go see him again.

When we got there, we were given red glow sticks.  When the lights went down and the show started, all you could see were these glow sticks everywhere.  I think it's for Barry so he can see how many people are in the audience.  Otherwise, with those bright lights in your eyes, how could you possibly know how many showed up?  Here's the one and only picture from the night.

Cousins

When I was a kid, I had some cousins that lived far enough away that it was a treat to see them.  Well, my son has two cousins that don't live very far away and yet they don't see one another nearly enough.  Last week, Andrew and Tim got to spend a couple of days together.  On Sunday we had a family function (which I totally forgot to get my camera out) and a teenage bonfire.

Tim spent the night on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, Andrew finally got the training tool he's been after.  His dad built this contraption to help Andrew build his leg muscles.

 Tim got his turn after Andrew had the inaugeral turn.  Both boys said it was tough to pull that tire.

 When Pat was here the Sunday before, these two were upstairs and this is what they came down wearing. 

 I think each one is goofy on his own, but together they're even sillier.  They put these costumes on and went out on the tandem bike for a ride.  Tiff said she couldn't help but laugh as they rode past their home.

I'm so thankful for these two young men.  They're great guys with high standards and each has a desire to serve.  One idea.  It would be nice to leave these articles of clothing at home when you're out being of service.  Yes, even you Batman.

Two Days in Minong

 This week we spent 2 days in Minong, WI.  I've never been there before but since our friends have a "cabin" on the lake, we were invited to spent a few days with them.  This is their home from the lake.

 They have some very friendly fish in the shallows.  In fact, if you throw them small pieces of bread, they will come up and eat it.

Cami knelt in the water and one of the fish ate right out of her hand. As she stood in the water they swarmed around her legs. At some point she ran out of bread and tried touching them. She got very excited when she was successful.

 We went for a ride on the pontoon boat.  Dennis asked if Tom wanted to drive.  He didn't but Cami hopped right up and asked if she could.  And she did.

 We anchored out in the lake and some of us went swimming.  The water was very warm.

 Megan and Cami got to go tubing.  Cami wanted to go faster.

 Tom went swimming with Pat and Cami too.

 Cami and Megan didn't get a very long tube ride as our boat broke down and we were stranded.  A kind neighbor took Dennis back to our beach and he came back to rescue us.

 Megan and Cami took Rufus out in the paddle boat.  I'm not sure Rufus was having a good time.

This morning we had a light rain and this was the view from the beach.

It was a fun couple of days to get away.

Heat, Heat, Heat!

A horrible picture but you can see how HOT it was outside in the sun this afternoon.  It wasn't really 81 in my house.  I took the thermometer outside to see what the shade temp was.  I brought it back in and it was on its way down before I took this pic.  The last few days have been most unbearable.  We're promised some normal 80 degree temps beginning this weekend.  That I can deal with.

Water Kickball

Last night we hosted a water kickball game in the field behind our house.  We invited some people and Bishop invited more people.  It was so blasted hot that we decided to make it water kickball. 

First base was a homemade slip n slide.

 Second base was the kiddie pool which, by the way, often had kiddies in it during the game.

 Third base was just a base and home plate was a puddle of water on a tarp.

 I planned on playing, but ended up watching Brock and Adam and at the end even got to hold baby Ava Rekow, Luke and Shanna's little one.

I did get to catch up with Dean a bit so that was good.

 Here's Andrew in second base.  He looks like he's holding his bladder.

 Papa brought a monkey home from work and Adam loves it.  It's actually a sling shot monkey that screams when he's launched.  Kind of funny.

 Eric came over while we were playing and did what measuring he needed for our new septic system.  I think he's giving Pat the bad news on the cost.

 Amy always gives me some good pictures. 

 Drew has his eye on a fly ball.

 Bishop Newell helping or listening to Cami.

At the end of the evening we had to have a song as part of FHE so we sang, "If You're Happy and You Know It."

We had a great time with wonderful people.  Thanks to the Thornes, Roes, Bohls, Templetons, Rekow and Haffners for making it a good time.