Hot Day at the Park

Tuesday morning, the kids and I met up with some friends at the park. Ruthie had a play date with Baby Brooklynn. It is a good thing we started our day at 9:00AM b/c the humidity kicked in. The girls had a lot of fun. It took awhile for them to interact together but eventually the girls were following each other up and down the slide.

The kids are hot and sweaty from playing. Ruth had a bath as soon as she got home. She was so dirty and sticky.

Gramma Visiting

Phil's mom, Mary, came up this weekend to visit. She had a fun time with the Nord crew.

Wrapping Up All Star Pool Play

Game #2-Highland Park
Final Score-Am. Johnston winning 19-4 (4 innings)

Andrew hit a home run this game. I was sitting off to the side in the shade visiting with my SIL Sara. We knew Andrew was up to bat but once he hit the ball, the crowd was cheering b/c it was hit out of the park. I was too slow at getting my camera out to get a better picture of him. Clare ended up video taping it though.



Game #3-Ames
Final Score-Am. Johnston winning 11-1 (4 innings)


Pitched 1 inning-striking all 3 batters up.


Clare and Brett
Clare is into taking pictures and also video taping at the ball games.


Game #4-Central Iowa
Final Score-Am. Johnston winning 21-1 (4 innings)

Andrew co-captain






Andrew's team advances to finals starting on Tuesday. It will be a tough first game. It will be against Johnston's National All-Star team. Stay tuned!!

Critter in the House

My kids would LOVE to have a pet but unfortunately we will not be getting a pet of any kind soon. We've had fish over the years, but the kids don't think they are 'fun' to have as a pet. My nephews received a Guinea pig for Christmas last year. Anyway, we are 'borrowing' Herkette for a week. My girls are LOVIN' her to death, giving her LOTS of attention.

All-Stars Game 1

Andrew had his first All-Star game against Ankeny on Tues. He has 3 more games this week and IF his team wins their pool, then they'll move on to districts.

Andrew is batting 4th and hit a single here in this photo.


Trying to steal his way home.





SAFE!!!!


You can't tell from the photos here, but a storm quickly blew in. The game was able to be called in 4 innings since Johnston won by 10 runs. Final score was 13-3.

Clare playing in a pick up game next to the field Andrew was playing on.


Ruth calling out to her brother in the dugout. So cute!! He is standing in front of #8 talking.

4th of July

We spent our 4th in Ottumwa to celebrate my grandpa's 91st birthday. After unpacking our stuff, we headed to my uncle Mike's house for the celebration. Soon we found out that the guest of honor was sick. BUMMER!!! This was a first for my grandpa to miss the celebration. It wasn't the same without him. My mom, Chris, and I went to visit him the next day and he was feeling better.

My grandma came for a little bit but then went back home to be with my grandpa.


Natalie, Ruth and Olivia


Sara and I


My mom and I


Ruth liking slide on the bounce house.


The boys hangin' out.


Checking out some of the fireworks.


Happy Anniversary Chris and Sara!!!!

Park and Paintin' Nails

In our neighborhood park, there is a family that owns a horse and its fence backs up to the park. This is the first time this year Ruth has seen 'Brownie.' She was over checking it out.





After the park, Clare and her friends came back to our house. They wanted to paint their nails. Ruth was up for it as well, putting her feet out for someone to paint them.