Pierce and Jake

Pierce goes with Jake (Jeff's boy) for a a two night 4-H camp. 

Boy surrounded by blue

Blue suit, blue water, blue slide, blue sky (can't see), and Mom's favorite blue eyes...Oh, and possibly blue lips since it was only in the 80s.

Fun in the sun

Owen has this pose mastered. It's called "hold your arms in front of your stomach when somebody is taking your picture."

Pool Pals

Pierce finally cooperates long enough to snap this photo with his friend Brent. The boys each had a friend over last night, so Mom was really outnumbered around home. 

Palin' around at the pool

Owen thinks he is giving his friend Mason bunny ears. Little does he know that Mason is so much taller that it doesn't matter. 

Time for another haircut

Owen enjoys styling his hair with the water. I guess it is time to head to the barber. 

Gotta get it just right though

 

"I'm too sexy for my shirt..."

 

"...and I do my little turn on the catwalk."

When I saw these pictures this old 80s song started playing in my head. I apologize for those of you who may not know the tune.

Campin' with the Kelly's

We had a great time camping with Trent and Amy Kelly (Kunkel) and their three girls. The only one missing in this picture is sweet, little Gabby, as she was already headed to bed. After long days on the beach, the kids were ready for bed early. Trent decided to give the kids tractor rides one evening; hence, the big tire in the picture.

Gretchen

I couldn't resist putting this picture on our blog. The three Kelly girls are quite the trio, but Gretchen (the middle child) definitely does her best to try to steal the show. Eric had a lot of fun teasing them, so much so that the boys actually started getting jealous.

Initiation

The boys were initiated into the Kelly clan by having a piece of parachute cord put around their wrist. The process involves fire, but fortunately, Trent and Amy were willing to do the honors.

Pierce's turn

 

Great memories

This is my favorite picture of them all. Both Owen and Gretchen can't get enough of the camera. 

Off to camp

Owen enjoyed his first overnight camp near Gretna. Like Pierce, he wants to go for a whole week next year. Pierce will be doing a two night camp next week. 

Bus riding

Owen and his friend Mason got to ride the bus from Tecumseh with one other person, a girl. She was apprehensive about riding with the two, but Owen told her "It's O.K.; we're pretty nice boys."

So long Mom...

Owen takes off for the bus right away and doesn't look back. 

Making friends

Owen didn't have any problem making friends during the one night he was at camp. In fact, the boy with the red hat has become a pen pal this summer. (Notice he is still wearing the same shirt as when he left on the bus. I guess hygiene is not enforced at camp.)

Baseball season

Owen got to play on the same team this year, and they had a winning season, despite having a lot of new players. As usual, Owen was more concerned with drinking Gatorade and chatting with his friends.

Action shot

Owen takes a practice swing before batting. Too bad he didn't actually swing more in the batter's box. He did, however, quit jumping out of the box or falling down, which was a drastic improvement. 

Big boy baseball

Pierce moved up to the next age group and got to play with 7th graders who looked like grown men. His coaches were very patient with the new ones, and we saw a lot of improvement by the end of the season. 

Close Up

 

Owen's birthday

Owen turned 8 in April. With all the end of year activities we didn't have a party with friends until school got out. He wanted to do Chuck E. Cheese and a movie. 

Recital time

The boys had their piano recital to finish out the year of lessons. Pierce says he doesn't want to play next year, even though he is a natural at playing. He thinks the guitar or drums is more for boys. 

Owen's first recital

Owen finished his first year of piano and got to play in the recital. He never wants to practice, but he loved performing for an audience.