Baseball and camping

 The outfield sure can be boring I guess. 

 Lots of action as the catcher though. 

 We put the tent up in the back yard again.  Josie lasted until about 4:00 AM and came in with Dad.  At 5:00 AM Lydia and Colton ran in the house screaming bloody murder.  I checked the weather forecast for rain, but I forgot to turn the automatic sprinklers off.  Oops.  That's a camping 'trip' they won't forget any time soon. 

 Josie wanted to wear a dress this morning, so I talked her into a photo shoot as long as she was looking so cute. 

edited

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Moving

I guess it is that time again.  We are moving.  Our third and final rotation.  I am excited about it, but at the same time, I am tired of starting the friend making process over.  I am tired of disconnecting utilities, changing insurance, and making U-turns because I don't know my way around.  That being said, I am glad for this adventure Mike and I have been on.  I've been able to see a lot of cool places and meet a lot of great people.  I've had experiences I never thought I would have.  I've seen the good and bad in lots of places and the nice thing is, Mike and I get a lot of say in where we end up. 


So, our next move will put us about 1 hour west of the beach, 2 hours east of the smoky mountains and in the heart of basketball country.  We are moving to Raleigh, North Carolina!! 

Ever since we found out about these rotations, I have wanted to go to NC.  It's beautiful.  You get the beach, you get some beautiful mountains.  You get seasons, but not harsh ones.  (And after freezing in Michigan last winter and frying in Texas this summer, I am ready for some temperate weather)  There are a lot of opportunities for Mike there.  He will be working on a product launch for an insecticide for potatoes.  (Since my Daddy-o is a potato farmer, that could be a very good project- win points with the father-in-law)   We move right before Christmas.  It's going to be a little crazy. 

(Oh, and the photo of the mansion is the Biltmore Estate.  The largest privately owned estate in the US.  It is in Asheville, NC and I really want to go see it.) 

Fianlly cooling down

 For family home evening Colton taught us how to make Minions.  He was very proud of himself.  And if you come to our house right now, you will be greeted by these little yellow guys hanging on the wall. 

 Mike is coaching Colton's coach pitch baseball team.  There are lots of ups and downs coaching a team, but at the end of the night, Mike is a great coach. 

 Colton at bat. 

 It is finally starting to cool down here in Texas, so what do my kids decide to do?  Have a lemonade stand.  We were very grateful to our neighbors who supported the cause.  The kids were pretty patient waiting for customers too. 

 The school sponsored a fun run fundraiser.  Here are the kids beforehand with their matching shirts.

 Last Saturday, the kids went with their primary classes to the temple.  Afterwards Josie kept telling us that Mommy and Dad, and LaLa (how she says Lydia) and Colton all needed to go to the temple.  Right Now!!  (Because everything Josie says is with conviction and vigor)

 Lydia plugging away at those laps. 

 Colton running his heart out at the fun run. 

 The kids had Monday off of school so we went to Chuck-e-cheese.  They love that place.  And for pretty cheap, it keeps them quite entertained, so I guess I really don't mind it either. 

 Josie 'sleeping' on the playground.

 I joined Lydia and Colton for lunch.  I love how after I snapped this photo I noticed the sign in the background.  (If you can't read it, it says, Please refrain from taking photos in the cafeteria.)  Ooops.

Someone was throwing away this like-new bike, so I snagged it, pumped up the tires, adjusted the chain, and now Josie is loving riding on a big bike. 

 Touching the temple. 

Lydia told me, "I even got to go inside"  She still doesn't realize she was only inside the visitors center.

I took Josie to a pumpkin patch with some friends from church. This slide was so fun!  Thanks for the photo Emily.