6 months Recap Part 1~ August 2015

I know, I know...it has been SIX months since my last post.  Hard to believe 6 months has even passed.  My last post was on Andrew's baseball but that is where I'm going to pick up.  I'll share a few of my favorite pictures from Andrew's baseball, which was a BIG deal and an awesome experience for him and our family.

Andrew's All-Star Team won State, which advanced his team to represent Iowa at Regionals in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Fast forward 7 games in Indiana and his team once again, won and were Central Region Champions.  Then immediately the team drove to Taylor, Michigan to play in the Junior League World Series.  Andrew's dream had come true.  This experience is hard to describe, just had to be there.  The boys were treated like royalty.  They met so many boys from all over the US and world too.  It was the neatest experience for everyone and so, so many memories too.  It was the most fun 2 weeks of our lives.
                                                                  Fort Wayne, Indiana

                                                                    Taylor, Michigan

Andrew pitching

Johnston All-Stars and siblings

Proud Parents and very sweaty too

 LOOK at the size of this pool!  The girls were in heaven.

                                               


Andrew's team played excellent but ended up in second place in the US.  Pretty darn awesome.  Their last game was on Saturday, Aug. 22, against Puerto Rico and then quickly drove home to be ready for school on Monday.

But it didn't end there.  Once they returned home, there was a Welcome Home Rally for the team and the boys were invited to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the City Council meeting.

 

Local news stations interviewed Andrew and later put on TV.

Olivia stayed back to work, but was cheering loudly for the Central Region.

Here are few of the professional pictures to capture Andrew in action on the field.

Andrew's homerun going over the fence

Andrew coming home after his homerun

Reality...school and heading back to work.

5th Grade and 1st

Olivia-11th & Andrew-9th

District 3 Champions

Johnston had to play against Ankeny in the District Championship game Monday night.  The game was delayed to play at 7:00 since a heatwave has hit the state the past few days with temps feeling in the 100's. The game was a nail biter all night for everyone, but pulled off the win to move on to State July 25th.

Andrew hit a double, trying to score home.

Score!!

OVER...Johnston WINS!!

Feeling pretty happy

Andrew with his buddies from the Aces.

Last Year for All-Stars

This will be the LAST year for Andrew to participate in All-Stars.  Next year he will be playing baseball in high school, so no more Little League.  Can you hear a sob?  He has been playing LL for the past 9 years, where has the time gone?

Last week was pool play. Andrew played against his cousin's team.   Kip even pitched to Andrew while at bat.  It was hard for them to stay focused and be serious in the game.  Unfortunately, Andrew hit a home run off of him.

My cousin's family came to DM to watch the BIG game between Kip and Andrew.

Bracket play started today.  It was a scorcher of a day... heat index of 106.  Good thing there were a lot of trees for shade but after 2 hours, Ruth was ready to go home.  Johnston beat Ankeny 9-3.  They'll play again tomorrow.   Whoever wins tomorrows game will be the District Champs and move on to playing at State. 

Playing shortstop

July 4th

July 4th is a tradition for my family to get together for great food, company and of course fireworks.  Not only do we celebrate our America's birthday but we come together to celebrate my grandpa's birthday too.  August 2013, my grandpa passed away.  With this holiday being a tradition of getting together, my family likes to have a cookout and getting a bunch of fireworks to let off in memory of him.  Here are some pictures to recap our time together.

Pretty table decorations

My mom showing the girls her latest cross stitch work.

My uncle has a HUGE yard for the kids to play in.

Just chillin'

Happy Anniversary to my SIL and brother.  My brother couldn't get away from work, so he didn't come down.  Sara's mom, Myrna joined in on the festivities.

My cousin Michelle and I with my sweet grandma, 94yrs old.

 Grandma with most of her great grandchildren.

Andrew with Kip and Brett

Mom and I

The FAMILY

Eat Up!!

4th of July Parade

I took the girls to the July 4th Parade.  This parade is popular for many locals and hard to get a spot.  Luckily the night before I put out a blanket on the curb to save a place for us.  I'm not the only crazy one who does this.  The whole street is lined up with blankets and chairs the day before the parade.  Fifteen minutes before the parade, Phil dropped us off and our spot was empty, just waiting for us to arrive. 

Our neighborhood friend noticed the girls and brought over a handful of candy.

There is Olivia walking in the parade with her friend.

Time to pack up, the parade was winding down.

Here's to another Urbandale July 4th Parade down in the books.  Off to Ottumwa to celebrate the 4th.

Long Time No See

Last Friday, we had some visitors.  Phil's brother Danny and family stopped over for the day for the kids to play and also to have lunch.  It just so happened that their cousin Jill and family just moved to Des Moines area the day before.  We invited them over for lunch and to have a little mini reunion.  We met Jill's children for the first time and all of the cousins had fun playing and being together.  We last saw Jill in April while interviewing for a job but Danny on the other hand, hasn't seen Jill in years.  Now, with Jill living closer, hopefully we won't go years without seeing each other.