We did summer baseball

We put a Canton team together and did a summer baseball league.  It was the perfect extension of the season.  I was thrilled to have 3 of my boys working for the same team.  I even offered to be the manager setting up the games, fields and umps.

  It was truly a joy to be involved in something they enjoy so much.  I love watching Nick and Shane play together and having Nick bring Shane out of his shell.  Nick played a leading roll among the boys.  Our team was mostly Shane's grade with some folks from a few grades higher.  Chris coached with Mike Ryan, Mike Bernabucci, Pete Cowenhoven and Matt Keefe.

The season was great - the league had a range of teams - some where high scoring on our part and some were really competitive.  We ended the season top seed (largely in part to all the games we played)  We had a tough loss to Farmington (who was playing most of their JV HS team) and had a final loss in Simsbury against the Sabercats.

Love this pack up picture.

Cheers to a good season of ball together for these 2 - you do bring out the best in eachother.

Thanks to dad for tackling another season to be with you both.

 

Drew goes to Silver lake and we are down to 2 Dudes

Drew was able to move his summer schedule around - he missed the coach Arch basketball to attend week 5 and be part of 'Y'all Mean All' week.  As we drove in we met his counselors and they looked so full of great energy.  

He was a little hesitant - however when one of the cool counselors came over to help grab his things - she said 'I bet you are excited to not have your mom telling you what to do all week'!  You must be speaking his language!!  

He stayed in a cabin with 3 other boys that were also scheduled for 'game on' that was cancelled.  I am glad they all had each other.

Meanwhile, this is what shopping with Shane looks like.  No, we didn't get that bag of rice - but he sure thought we should.

Nick stayed back for a pretty awesome Patriots opportunity with Ethan's family.  Here is a capture of the boys the night before.

I had to pick Drew up early from Camp (Friday night ILO Saturday morning as we were headed up to Lobster Lake)  I LOVED how chatty he was - he LOVED the week.  Took them up on early morning dip every day.  Happy to actually shower, slept on the floor, moved his mattress around, ate lots of camp food, bought sunglasses and just had a kid camp blast!  He was so full of all the best energy,  I wanted to bottle it and soak it all in!

Headed to the RI campground!

Summer isn't meant for staying home right?!?  With the kids camp cancelled this week we opted to add an additional day to our RI camping weekend.  The Briggs rented this rig, we picked it up early, grabbed Frankie and headed to RI.

Let the adventure begin!

It was a SUPER hot weekend - so the best place to be was IN THE WATER.  Looks like it was cleared out a bit for the boys to do a few chicken fights.

First night we all got to sleep in the RV and crank the AC.  it was chilly.  Chris got up at 3am to turn it off - than at 3:25 to turn it back on!

My Friday morning office location

The boys - happily outside figuring out what their next move is to be.

My Co-worker for the day

Making more room at the camp site to become more legit.  Tent up over the table for some much needed shade.  Boys put their tent up to store their stinky belongings in.

We are starting to look like legit campers.

The Bernabuccis' and Robin's turned us onto campsite living.  This is a favorite location for them.  Can you see those water slides behind me?  They were significant!  We all lapped them.

THe Briggs finally arrived!  Guess it was a long day in the office for Rebecca- or we just didn't have cups =)!

There is just something about this photo that is adorable to me in many ways.

We played El-President while the kids played marathon cornhole.

I spent a little time as president and lots of time as asshole - without too much in-between

it was such a HOT weekend.  These 2 spent LOTS of time in the RV together.  Glad they have eachother!

Look who is their snuggle buddy

breakfast of champions!

Check this out - Christmas in July at the camp ground!  The boys scored some christmas camp store cash!

Anyone want to hit the beach?  Rebecca's idea caught on and it was PERFECT!

The ocean had ideal waves and we went around 5ish so we missed the true crowds.  This was such a great idea!

Kelly, Jeff and Lilly were there too!  Total win as I love that we found them right away!

Boys of summer!

Spike ball is all the rage these days - Shane loved it from Camp and was thrilled to share it with his buddies.

Boys of summer - younger generation.

Girls of summer!

Latte the lap dog.

evenings will filled with biking around and exploring the area as a gang.

El Presidente round 2!

Thanks for yet another great summer adventure!

 

Life on a boat

We took this small window of opportunity to hang with the Mays and Briggs on the May's boat in Lake Liliana.  Had to capture this shot with Drew as he was being pretty fabulous today.

A rather boy heavy expedition today

Mr. Briggs showing us how its done.

Another great summer day with buddies in the books.  

On the way up here we found out that Drew and Nick's Silver Lake camp week was canceled.  it was crushing as it really takes some logistics planning to link all these camp weeks and balance the summer.  I hate that COVID still can impact stuff like this.  Drew is re-scheduled for Week 5 but I just couldn't make it work for Nick.....

 

Shane goes to Silver Lake!

Shane is our first to be able to enjoy Silver Lake summer camp!  Craziest part is the conference that fit him best was called 'Fun in the Son'  The SAME conference I went to in 1991.  You know who my counselor was?  The same guy in this photo - Brian Lapis.  I cannot believe Shane is blessed to have him too!  How wonderful that he devotes his time to this week summer after summer!

We loved thinking of him and all his adventures this week at camp.  Nick stayed home working and Drew rocked the Simsbury Farms golf, tennis, swim camp.

We went to go pick him up Saturday morning with Wendy poking her head out the window looking for her person.

Not a bad place to hang out for the week.

We have SHANE!  Only Shane right now.  Wish he had more stories to tell - but the grin on his face is happiness enough!  Time to go home and hit the baseball field!

July Odds and Ends

Love some of the everyday-ish things about summer.  Here the boys are helping with an Oma Sue & Goomba project - but chilling at the end. 

She brought a stuffy down to use as a pillow.  This dog surely appreciates soft things.

Years of riding on a wonderful hand-me-down bike from Rebecca and we opted to purchase a legit bike.  Technically all the kids can (and will) ride this!  The guy let us include his matchy matchy helmet and gloves.

 Nick actually has a job this summer working maintenance at Parks and Rec - its ideal as it isn't a tons of hours - just enough for him to need to be responsible.  Its not his dream job - but always important to check out different jobs to know what you like and what you don't.  He is hoping for a job on a golf course next summer!  Look out Mr. Fashion.

Summer baseball league had Chris coaching and Nick and Shane on the same team.  This photo was 2 seconds too late and Nick was standing with Chris.  I appreciate that while Chris never had the opportunity to play baseball - he was happy to coach the boys and be involved.  He was a big reason for the success of this summer season.  He surely has learned plenty about baseball.

We came home to a fun birthday party celebration for Bella!!  This group of neighborhood kids is pretty funny - love that Drew just joined in!

Mientje was in the DC area with her family.  Her husband was doing training out there.  I was able to stay late after one of my meetings and actually catch up with her and sherry.  Don't we all look the same as 20+ years ago?

Random night out to dinner with the May's after a pickleball game at their club.  Nick was working and had just finished.  We got him a Uber to our dinner spot.  Genius!

I dropped Nick off with his buddy Ethan for early morning golfing and took these 2 for a walk on the trails.

love the Frisbee dog water bowl?