BAM or Bust!

NOTE:  If I ever get Kaitlyn to get the photos off the little blue camera, I can post pictures I didn't have to steal from Kaitlyn's facebook page...

Back in 2007 when Terry was working in Minnesota, we took a trip to see him and visited the Mall of America or BAM (Big Ass Mall) as we like to call it.  Kaitlyn was in 5th grade at the time and said she wanted to go back to the Mall of America for her 16th birthday.  Fast forward to 2012 and she will be 16 in August.  Due to Terry's August work schedule, mid-July was when we could manage a vacation.  We told the girls they could each bring a friend on this mini-vacation, mega-shopping trip.  Kaitlyn brought Matyson Leydig and Aubrey brought Jordan Kelley.

First leg of the trip, headed to Marysville.

 Maty and Kaitlyn say "Hi" from Hiawatha....

 The girls wanted a photo of crossing into Minnesota.  A few seconds later, Aubrey was throwing up in the flowers in front of the sign.

 Hangin' with Jimmy Neutron

Fruits of their labor --

 Kaitlyn's shopping is on the left, Maty's is on the right.

Kaitlyn was saving $100 for Miss Me jeans.

 Dressed up in some of their new duds for the fireworks show...if we ever find it!

While you are waiting for the Minnesota photos....

CVL 12U Girls Fast Pitch Champions!

The CG State Farm team finished the regular season undefeated. The tournament was in Hillsboro.  We won our first game of the tournament on Monday night, which meant a return to Hillsboro on Tuesday night for the championship game.  We beat Hillsboro 11-0.  It was pretty short and sweet!

Aubrey at bat -- she waited it out and got the walk.

 Our amazing pitcher, Melissa Filkin, a.k.a Mel, a.k.a. Flickin

She's also a pretty good catcher....

 Our awesome catcher, Allison Hodges, a.k.a. Alli, a.k.a. Hodgeson

She's also a pretty good pitcher....

 Team photos after our final win

Coaches:  Shelby and Taylor Morgan

 Pointing at Bailey Lewis' jersey #1, because they are #1

 The Diva and The Princess

(most of the players had nicknames their coaches always called them by)

 With their medals, signed softballs for their coaches and a plaque.

They will also be receiving t-shirts that declare them league champs.

 Just for fun!

Brings new meaning to a princess traveling by "coach", doesn't it?

 Or maybe this is her throne.

Our coaches did a nice job and I think the girls had a lot of fun.

Aubrey's softball team played a HOT doubleheader Friday night against the two Marion teams.  We won both games.  Aubrey had a good hit in the second game that got her to 2nd base and she also slid into home for the first time ever! 

Home Safe Home!

(this isn't the time she slid, obviously)

Team photo with coaches Taylor and Shelby Morgan

Tournament games are Monday and Tuesday in Hillsboro.

(photos courtesy of Terri Lewis)

Thoughtful Thursday

Bravettes Rock UDA Camp

Jordan Jimerson and Kaitlyn

performing in one of the group routines

Kaitlyn performing in another routine
learned at camp

ALL- AMERICAN GIRLS

All six of our dancers that tried out for All-American

made the team -- Lauren, Kaitlyn, Jordan, Casey, Shaylee and Brier

WINNING!

You can just barely see the two trophies they had already won 

and were winning another one.

SUPERIOR TROPHY

for 27 Blue Ribbons -- they each performed three routines at camp

and received all blue ribbons.  They also got first place for their

home routine.

Kaitlyn and Matyson

But it wasn't all work and no play!

Pinterest Project

I "heart" Pinterest!

I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to make one "someday" so I pinned it on my craft board....

Thursday I decided it was "someday".  I already had a frame that I liked that was missing the glass anyway.  So I went tromping around our yard in 100+ heat cutting small limbs off of trees.  I trimmed them to size and arranged them on the back of the frame, then just hot glued them on. 

After the glue had dried, I decided it needed something else.  I had an initial ornament that I cut the ribbon off of and replaced with fishing line so you can't see it.  I hung it from the same nail as the frame so I didn't have to attach it to the sticks.  I like how it turned out.  It shows up better on the wall in real life than it does in the photo here.

I have already started my next Pinterest project.

I just have to find the right frames for it.....