Relay for Life - June 2014

Lucas' classmate, Aaliyah, had been in remission for cancer the entire school year.  Just a few weeks before school was out the cancer was back.  Some of the kids wanted to walk at the local Relay for Life in her honor.  

Mea, Kiersten, Mya, Ava, Gracie, Bo and Lucas. 

{I totally just guessed on Mea and Mya, no clue}

Our luminary for Aunt Ann.  

The kids huddled up while the names of all luminaries were read.  

This part gets me every time.  

Sad.  

Remembrance. 

Cancer sucks.  

I miss my sister.  

But I had a great track walking partner all night long.  

growing little boy

Leading up to his first birthday, this growing little boy was learning and discovering everything.   

"Running" to the street in his jeep.  

Play set swinging. 

And sleeping.  

I love those cheeks!  

More joyful walking practice with his puppy.  

He loves going up and but hasn't mastered going down.  

Pig farming.  

Under the table play. 

Playing ball.  Ryan is obsessed with any kind of ball.  

Ryan and Memphis. 

Climbing on everything!  

He took his first steps on July 13.  

Happy, perfect, growing boy.  

on the farm

We love a good day of playing on the farm.  These pictures were from spring planting 2014.  

It's sooooo tall! 

Tractor ride with Grandpa Steve.  

Farm child rite of passage.  

It's a good day for this mama to get some farming and tractor time, too.  

Dirty and dusty, but no one I'd rather ride in the buddy seat next to.  

And on another farm three hours away, several weeks later…

T-Ball

 Lucas' first season of baseball started this summer.

It doesn't seem to matter what sport… he loves them all!  I expected some playing in the dirt and getting bored, but the coaches did a great job of keeping the kids focused and busy.  Lucas' dirty clothes came from practicing sliding (which was his own idea - they don't teach that in t-ball), not from playing in the dirt.  :-) 

He soaked up all of the advice on how to stand, swing, run the bases, catching and throwing.  

Getting tips from Coach John.

Talking strategy with Clayton.

Team talk. 

Gramma came to watch!  

First base advice from Bryce.  

Rush to the ball!

Focus.  

Swing!

Home plate!

Little miss, getting her practice time in.