Happy 4th of July 2011

This year, our 4th was a little stranger than normal.  We celebrated with my entire family earlier than usual - one of my brothers and his family (at least his kids that are still living at home) have moved out of state.  And all their packing and such was taking place right around the 4th.  So, we had one last get together at their house early, complete with lots of food and even some fireworks at the end.

And then on the actual day, we had my parents and one brother over for a very small cookout.  Instead of going to see fireworks (our fireworks family - The Halls - moved out of state last year) we stayed home and enjoyed a show put on by Ryan and Doug.  Our state legalized fireworks to be shot at home just this past year, so that is what we did.  And I of course had a great time taking photos of the fireworks.  I love night shooting - and this one was a challenge since I've never really gotten good firework shots.

One of the desserts I made and took over for
the last big family gathering.  The other one
was homemade mint chip ice cream - that
picture did not come out very well.

One of many fireworks Ryan had fun
shooting off for us.

Doug & Ryan with sparklers. 

Aaah . . . Xbox Fun

Ryan and his friend enjoying Xbox

And, apparently it was crazy hat day at our house.  Ryan has gotten into collecting some pretty strange hats.  The one Ryan has on is pretty normal for him.  Just out of the camera view there is another hat, like the large one that Derek is wearing, that Ryan got from the circus.

A Great Combination of Things for Us

In the beginning of June, the Science Museum had a - are you ready for this - Star Wars Lego building competition.  It was open to all ages.  And since we love both Star Wars and Legos, how could we not go?  Well, I was not feeling that well that day and so the boys went without me.  I manned Doug with my camera and off they went.  They had a great day and came home with lots of pictures.

Ryan getting ready to build for the competition

His creation in the beginning

Room full of builders

Building away

Look at all those Legos

Coming along

Ryan's building completed - he made Jabba's Hut

The inside of Jabba's Hut - I like the fish hanging on the wall

New to Lego Land is a Star Wars section.  How cool is that?

Ryan and Darth Vader

Ryan and Max

After building they were able to go through the rest of the
museum and enjoy the exhibits.

Ryan pulling himself up on one of the exhibits -
on the hardest level

Lunch

Ryan enjoying his chicken strips

There's an exhibit there that distorts your face.
It's always a hit with the kids.
This is Ryan's grumpy old man face.

And, I'll leave you with this cutie.

Just Had To Celebrate This One!

When I heard it was international donut day (back in June), I knew that we just had to celebrate!  After our summer Friday activities - summer movies, a science class, and on this particular day lunch with my parents and brother - we headed over to our nearest Krispy Kreme for their Donut Day specials.  We got a dozen donuts and ate one in the store before bringing the rest home.  Such yummy goodness!

Ryan by the Krispy Kreme trailer

Just Go For It - From my photo website

This was originally posted on my photo blog.  If you would like to check that sight out, click here.

Just Go For It

And, finally, the end of the football pics. At least from this season. Sorry it took a bit to get to the last picture, but after enjoying the long holiday weekend for the 4th of July, I decided to take an "extended vacation" for the week. We had a surprise visitor (well sort of surprise, we knew he was coming we just didn't know when for sure). My son's longest friend - since kindergarten - was here to visit for the summer (he moved out of state last summer) and we were able to have him over for most of last week.


Okay, back to football. When I first started sharing these pics I made reference to sharing with you things that I learned through watching this football team. This team was made up of mostly new to tackle football players. They were playing against some teams that have played for four seasons together. Those other teams had the drill down. I mean they would show up with their matching bags slung over their shoulders and chanting as they marched over to weigh in. Even the moms had blinged out shirts with the team name on it. It was crazy to watch how much some of those parents really got into it.

Anyway, our boys were new and really wanted to learn how to play tackle. One of the things I found so amazing, even though we didn't score hardly at all, the boys would leave that field with smiles on their faces. Mostly because the coach made it fun for them. He was super encouraging and always pointing out their improvements every chance he got. It was great to see such positive reinforcement taking place.

So, things that I was inspired by watching these boys - and in lieu of a quote, I will share some of my thoughts:

Everything is always more fun and more productive when you are encouraged.

Sometimes it really is not whether you win or lose, but whether you improved from one game to the next.

Never give up. Always try harder and put in the effort to improve.

Approach obstacles with a smile.

Don't compare yourself to others, you are - or at least should be - your only measure of success.

The photo from tonight is from one of two touchdowns that our team scored all season long. Both of them were in the last game and the boys really loved being able to make those two touchdowns. If they had given up, they would have never known what that felt like.

Ryan's Last Tackle Football Game

And, finally, we are at Ryan's last tackle football game.  The season went by so fast, and before we knew it they were playing in their final game.  The boys practiced and played hard.  They had a lot of fun, and learned a lot.  All the new players seemed to get over their tackle "shyness" by the end of the season.  It was really neat to see each player grow during the season - and the team got better and better with each game.

They did have their difficulties though.  I think we lost four players during the season.  I lost count after a bit.  And, we also lost a coach.  That was a pretty strange situation.  He happened to quit coaching during the one week that Coach Alex (whom I considered to be head coach - and all the boys liked him a lot) was out of town.  He was going to miss one game.  And the other coach quit during that week and informed the parents that we would have to find a parent to step in as head coach or the game would be forfeited.  A couple of the dads volunteered.  And then when we showed up for the game, there was Coach Alex.  He came home early from his business trip to be there for the team.  You could tell that really meant a lot to the boys.

And so, here are a few pictures of the final Voltron game.

Breaking the huddle for the play

Ryan holding onto his defensive player

Both teams taking a knee for an injured player.  He got up and
left the field on his own.

Ryan listening to his coach during halftime

Doug's Trip

In April Doug had to go to Vegas for a couple weeks - training for work.  And since, we lived in Vegas many years ago, the casinos and gambling in general just aren't that appealing to either of us anymore.  I mean for me, every time I spent money on gambling I would just imagine how many pairs of shoes I could have bought.  Instead he visited a certain store featured on one of our new favorite shows - Pawn Stars.  If you can get past the way they talk to each and how mean they are to one person in general, it is a very interesting show.  I'm amazed at how much history gets brought in there. Doug was able to visit their real store location Gold & Silver Pawn.

With Ryan having a new iPod (from his birthday) Doug set them up on messaging and we were all able to video chat every night he was there.  Isn't technology cool?  So, he got to hear about all the ins & outs of what we were up to while he was gone and he got to keep us updated on the antics going on in his training class.  Other people sure are strange sometimes.  It made his trip go by much faster.  I just didn't like having to look at my image in the corner of the screen while chatting.  It was a little strange to me.

The outside of the building - as they show it on TV.

The store is run by a family.  It's three generations.  And the
youngest generation's best friend works there too.  His
nickname is Chumlee.  He's not the brightest guy in
the world and they are pretty mean to him about it.
It is frustrating to watch - until you realize they are
mean to everyone just about - especially "the old man".
He's just a grump.

Part of an ad campaign for TV features these bobble head
dolls talking.  I think it's so funny that Chumlee's bobble head is
sold out.  Serves them right for talking so mean to him.  One
of my favorite episodes involves Chumlee and a pair of
Nike Air Jordan's.  He taught them all a thing or two that day.

A Dinner Treat

One evening, Doug gave "the boys" a treat for dinner.  We had had bacon for breakfast, and saved the bacon grease.  Doug added the dog food to the bacon grease and heated it up.  It actually kind of smelled good.

Dog food fit for a couple of beagles.

"The boys" love the smell of that food cooking
just for them.

And now, for a new kick returner

Another Saturday . . . another game.  In this game, the coaches decided to put Ryan in as a kick returner (is that a word?).  Each time there was a kick, Ryan and one other player were the two designated to return that ball.  On the first kick off, Ryan got the ball, and off he went.

Ryan waiting for the kick off.

Ryan on his first kick return.

Talking over the plays on a timeout.

The Huddle

Halftime

Ready for the play.  Ryan is the second from the right.

July Calendar Page

July 2010 - Fireworks with Ben, Brittany, Baylee and Payton