Vacation Bible School

We have a lady in our community that loves to put together Vacation Bible School each summer for the kids and she does a wonderful job. Brooke went every day for 1 week 9-11:30. She learned Bible verses, Christian songs, stories from the bible, played games and made crafts daily. The kids look forward to this every year. Cassidy was disappointed when she discovered last year was her last year to participate.

The girl to the right of Brooke is her very best friend, Hope. Believe it or not they are the same age. Brooke loves to have Hope over to play. We are always asked if Hope can come over to play. I am sure she will have withdrawals while in Montana. She and Brooke were not in the same kindergarten class but were inseparable in the 1st grade since they were in the same class. We will see what 2nd grade brings. Her class had 17 kids with only 5 boys.

They had a water balloon toss on Friday. It was hotter than heck out so this was fun for everyone.

On Friday the kids get to experience something very special. Fleece material of various colors and themes is bought for tie blankets for sick kids. The kids stand in a circle around the blanket and say a prayer for those who will receive the blankets. Then they get to take part in tying the edges of the blankets. Those who don't know how to tie are taught or someone sits with them to help. The girl Brooke is sitting next to is one of Dylan's close friends. (Wink! Wink!)

Cassidy had basketball camp every morning this week so she wasn't able to help out like she wanted to but she did get to count money on the last day. The person with her tongue hanging out is Autumn, one of Cassidy's best friends.

I love this picture. When all the kids are finished with crafts (when they tied the blankets) then it was time for the helpers to do their part and finish them up. There were blankets there that had race cars on them but ironically the last blanket was the pink Winnie the Pooh. I did give him a hard time but he didn't care. He's cool like that.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

What a ball game it was. This was the first game with temps in the 90's and very humid. Typical Kansas! Cassidy is really enjoying the ball season this year. She has improved immensely from 2 year ago. She started to play last year but with coaching issues we chose for her to end the season very early. She played 2 games (sitting the first).

She has an awesome line drive that gets her doubles and even triples. The last year Cassidy played she would shy away from the ball in the batters box because they were coming in fast, but this year it has clicked for her and she is the only one that will swing at pitches close to the strike zone to get a hit. Pitchers are still having a hard time finding the strike zone. Batter have to take what they get if they want to hit. Hitting is her game.

Cassidy plays short stop, 2nd and 1st. Friday night Cassidy was playing short stop and had a grounder hit to her, she stopped it and made the throw to 1st base for the first out. Two batters later she caught a line drive that went right past the pitcher and into her glove she tagged 2nd base for a double play to end the inning. It was AWESOME!

I (Leslie) had signed up to coach but was not choosen (all political). It is hard to watch games and see mistakes that should not be happening at this age go on time after time and try to keep quiet. This should be fun and sneaky at this age. I have taught Cassidy how to play aggressive but the coach holds her back. Although there are times that Cassidy makes plays that she knows are right without listening to the coach. She loves the sneaky part. For instance, when a batter is walked if they make it to 1st base before the pitcher is in her cirlce with the ball, the runner can proceed to 2nd base. Many players and coaches don't know this rule. Cassidy gets away with it a couple times before the pitcher catches on. Cassidy's coach does not want her playing this way but it sure charges up the crowd. Just seeing the grin on Cassidy face when she safely makes it to 2nd base makes it worth it all. We are half way through the season. Maybe next year she will have me (Mom) as the coach.

Cassidy is growing up fast. She is maturing mentally as well. She finished basketball camp last week and has volleyball camp next week. Cassidy has been babysitting for 4 little ones. The oldest being 7 and youngest 1. The one year old loves Cassidy. The other night she was babysitting but had a game so I got the job. While on my lap he saw Cassidy at short stop and wanted her. It was cute. She is enjoy freedom this summer with no set babysitting schedule and Brooke being old enough to take care of herself. Cassidy spends time with her best friends Autumn Weir and Morgan Wayman. I am sure you will hear lots of storys about them.

Play Ball!

This is Brooke's 5th game and she's loving it. We may be conceited parents but she is one of the best players on the team. What do you expect, Mommy is the coach. She has won 3 games and had our second loss last night. This was one of the worst games yet.

Her second favorite position is pitcher. Her team consist of 14 girls with 10 of them understanding the game and wanting to learn. So making the lineup is very difficult. I try to do it the night before the game otherwise there is not enough time. I have tried everything from stacking the beginning of the lineup to staggering the hitters throughout, but still no luck with a happy outcome.

Brooke's most favorite place on the field is 1st base. She does a good job of catching the ball thrown from other players which is so important at this age level. She has improved lots from last year. We were always on her about paying attention, especially in this position. This year she plays it like a pro.

Mommy giving last second pointers. This year Brooke actually listens.

Her third favorite position is catcher. All of the advanced girls like to catch. I think that is because of all the action. I never have to worry about who to put in that position. Brooke is disappointed in me because she want to catch but I very seldom put her there because I need her on the field.

Making another out. The look in Brooke's eyes when she makes an out is so warming to my heart. This is what keeps me going. It is not only Brooke that I get the look from but many other players as well. The dad that pitches for me has a daugher playing and last night she ran after a runner and got her out. She was so excited about it that she came running to me (not her dad) saying, "I did it, I got her out", and gave me high five.

=0>Tim and I still coming to grips with the fact that Brooke is a second grader and we have a high schooler and junior higher. Where does time go???

Kansas Style Fishing!

After fishing in Montana these two men decided they would venture out to do some Kansas fishing. Tim and Joe went to a creek beside Council Grove lake and set limblines lastnight. It was an all night event. The creek was called Munkers Creek. Tim now calls it Lunkers Creek.

This is what you catch in Kansas. The dark one is a 12 lb flathead and the other is a 9 lb channel cat. Now these are what I call keepers. Tim says the flat is small but the channel is huge. Joe named the flathead Herkamer. WHY??? Don't know.

Friday after work Joe and Tim headed to the creek. Joe has a 14 foot v bottom aluminm boat thye used to set the lines. Not sure if everyone knows how to set limblines but here it is. While in the boat slowly going along the side banks you grab limbs hanging over the water and you tie a piece of twine that has a hook on it with live bait. You usually use bluegill. Tim showed Joe some of the dangers involved. While reaching for a limb he yelled stop, stop, STOP!!! Confused Joe did see the copperhead sleeping on the limb Tim was getting ready to grab. Minor excitement snake escaped and so did Tim. You have to check the lines every hour so the fish don't get away. Flathead only bite during the night. They hate sunlight and don't much care for the moon either. Flathead are known as the T-Rex of the deep. Some reach 50 to 80 pounds. Maybe next time.


Tim and Joe got back so early that no one else was awake to take pictures so they took turns holding the fish and posing. Had to do Uncle Dennis' BIG fish photo trick with these large hogs.

The Men in the Mountains of Montana

Highlight Lake at Galatin National Forest just north of Yellow Stone National Park. This is where we caught lots of Cutthroat and Brookies. A beautiful day Dylan threw snowballs at us. Weather was perfect!

Dylan at Holden Lake waiting to put the boat in the water. Beautiful morning accompanied by magpies squawking all around us. Dylan thought he would climb the mountain beside us. He made it most the way up before remembering what the mountain air does to his lungs. Spooked up lots of mule deer.

Killing time waiting on the boss to let us into the gate for the boat ramp.

The canyon was gorgeous with steep cliffs on either side. We were visited by bald eagles and mule deer. But mostly walleye and trout.

Tim caught this one taking its perch. These fisherman were silent and apparently unproductively. I really want to watch one snatch a fish but no luck.

Canyon Ferry Res. We gave up on the walleye and went after rainbow trout. Much to Uncle Dennis' dismay. He doesn't mess with trout since discovering walleye fishing. Walleye are much more tricky to catch. Nothing like a good rainbow fight though.

The crew as pictured by Dylan. Tim, Uncle Dennis and Joe Wayman.

This beautiful picture of Highlight Lake.

Dylan holding a rainbow trout. Canyon Ferry. All the trout we just about the same size. Lots of fun to catch. They jump alot, you get them close to the boat then they strip your line and head to the sea so you can pull them in again.

This was one of the best fishing trips I have ever taken. From the scenery to the weather and of course lets not forget Uncle Dennis' graceous hospitality and excellent guiding services. He has a great boat, knows how to use it and knows where the fish are. When at home he is who all the locals call for the fishing report. Just don't report to Leon between news, dinner and shower time.

Enjoying the break between the spring rains!

Mothers Day, wow what a day.

The day started off with rain then changed to sun followed by drizzle before raining again. The kids took advantage of the time they had and enjoyed the 4-wheelers mudding around.

We went to Chet and Christy's for the day. They have lots of land with trails for the 4-wheelers. Dylan spent the day at the bottom of their land by a pond. He and Derek made a trail down the waterway below the dam. This first picture, Dylan has burried his 4-wheeler and Derek is helping him out.

Another picture of Dylan after spending the entire day on it. He has been waiting for this ever since he fixed HIS 4-wheeler. Dylan had them loaded before Tim and I got home from shopping. He did it all himself. Even backing up the trailer that he went to borrow from a friend. Sunday morning he couldn't wait to leave.

You might think by looking at his face it is only mud but the truth of it is that he was riding where cattle roam so some of it is green sticky stuff. Sorry! He loved every bit of it. No worries in the world.

Showing off what he can do on his new toy. By the end of the day he handed his Dad a fist full of parts that use to be the 4-wheel drive.

This is the girls 4-wheeler that we purchased quite a while back and were never able to ride because of problems right and left. Took it over to Chet and Christy's house where there are many mechanics and had them look at it. It took them about 20 minutes to have it running. Brooke would ride for a while and then have to quite because her thumb was tired from holding the throttle. The problem of it is, she likes to hold it at full throttle all of the time. No in-between. While helping Dylan fix his 4-wheeler I caught a glimpse of her bailing off as she disappeared on the side of the house. When getting her attention she informed me that she was turning a sharp circle and the 4-wheeler started to tip and the last time it happened she got her jeans wet from the grass so this time she wanted to land on her feet. I had no idea that she had even experienced it the first time. It was hard for Dad and Mom to watch the little dare devil. Cassidy was almost as bad. She doesn't like to sit and ride she wants to stand she claims it makes it funner. She surprised her Dad and Mom because she likes speed. She was even riding over Coreys ramp in the pasture. Whew!!!

These are our beautiful girls growing up too fast. With them being in the sun on Friday for field day at school their freckles have really come out just like their mothers.

School Coming to a Close...Yipee!!!!

We thought these clouds looked as close to mountains as we'll ever get in Kansas.

Our school year is coming to a close. The kids have only 8 days of school left. They can hardly wait. Dylan has started his 1st job, it's washing dishes at the local cafe. He fixed his 4-wheeler so when he is not working he is off riding around. Let me rephrase that, he is trying all kinds of stunts elsewhere so his parents can't see. Someday we will catch him. You will notice below we have no pictures of him on the blog.

Cassidy's spring concert. In this pictures she was recognized for singing in the honors choir. The teacher picks the best from the school to go perform with approximately 100 other students from surrounding schools. Cassidy was devastated with the unexpected recognition in front of the crowd. The dress she is wearing is one that I made for her the night before. When we went shopping Cassidy came to me with this pattern and wanted the dress. I told her I didn't think it looked like her. Well, I was wrong. Tim and I think it looks great on her. The only catch is, now she wants me to make more. Like I don't have enough to do. We had a parent come up to us after the program to tell us how much Cassidy is growing up. As you can see the leggins are back. Beside Cassidy is one of her very best friends, Autumn. We love Autumn she is an awesome person and a great companion for Cassidy.

Brooke on her field trip. The class went to a farmers market in Lawrence. Each student was able to pick their own spinach. Brooke was eating it right off the plant. Other kids were frowning at it. She couldn't wait until we got home to cook it for supper that night. She also tried raw asparagus and loves it too.

Cassidy playing her flute in the concert. She struggled playing this instrument and one day something clicked and we have not heard any complaints or protest since.

Brooke being the monkey she loves to be. This is another picture from her field trip. After the market they went to a park to let the kids burn off energy before sitting on the bus for their 1 1/2 hour trip home.

We have had nothing but rain lately and we are thankful none of it has been severe here for us. One town 40 mins. south of us received 6 inches of rain in 1 hour Thursday evening. Glad that missed us. Amazing lightning show yesterday morning. Tim and I watched as all the lightning bolts hit the radio towers over and over on our way to work. Way cool!

Ball has started for the girls. I am coaching Brooke's team. After a year off, Cassidy has decided that she loves softball. She looks forward to practice when they do have it. Rain has kept her team off the field. Dylan of course is not playing due to his job. He is working towards a car/truck, we will see.

Bathroom remodel job is almost finished. Kainaan is still welcome to come down and approve it. And there is always that kitchen job next. I do want cabinet doors on my cabinets though.