July Happenings

After vacation, we had a triathlon the next day at the J.  This is usually a favorite for the kids, but this year, was a little disorganized.  Someone volunteering, accidentally had Baylor do another lap on his bike, and therefore messed up his time.  He was really upset when he finished because he worked so hard, and came in at the end of his age group.  Finley and Atticus did pretty well, and I think they had fun doing it.  They like swimming in a pool over swimming in the lake.

With our busy schedule in June, the kids only participated in two swim meets this year.  Baylor did well in breast stroke this year, and has improved all of his strokes.  This was Atticus's first year, and he did really well!  He didn't want to do any meets this year, but I think he will next year.  Finley gracefully swam across the water like she has in the past.  We really think it could be her sport if she chooses it to be.

We celebrated my Dad's 70th birthday back home.  We went out to lunch at Pear Tree that afternoon.  I always enjoy eating there.  That evening we took family pictures, and then had cheesecake to end the night.  The best gift he got was the news that Asa and Kelsey are having a baby!  She is due at the end of January, and we can't wait to have a new baby in the family.

On Sunday, we spent the day by the pool, and then had dinner outside.  The kids shot off fireworks, and thankfully no one got hurt.  Atticus became a pyro this year, and made me a nervous wreck.

Tuesday was the 4th of July.  We went to the neighborhood pool that afternoon, and then had the Brawners over for dinner.  We kept it pretty low key since we had celebrated already in Kirksville.  We shot off a few fireworks, and called it a night.

Later that week, Caroline and I took the kids up to the monastery to see Sister Wilhelmina.  She was a founder of the monastery, and passed away in 2019.  They went to dig her up this past spring to move her into the Church, and found that her body had never decomposed.  She had not been enbalmed, and was buried in a simple pine box. Her body was perfectly preserved.   There is now an investigation to see if this is a miracle, and that she might be a saint.  I'd like to go back again someday when we can stay for mass.  

Andy went down to the Lake of the Ozarks with some friends.  I was happy he was able to get away for a few days.   

Softball ended for Finley a couple of weeks ago.  This is not a sport that she loves, and she decided that she doesn't want to play next year.  I think this will give her more time to do swim, and she loves that so much more, but I always do get a little sad when a chapter closes for each of them.

Atticus finished up his baseball season.  He loves playing with his buddies, and they have a good little team.  He looks forward to playing again next year.  

Finley had the cutest little going away party for one of her friends who is moving to Texas.  It was a pool party themed, See ya later, Alligator.  The girls all had a blast, and Finley will miss Mey.

This past week, I took the kids to do a little Pickle ball at Chicken n Pickle.  We ate lunch after we played for awhile.  As we sat there, we talked about where our dream vacation would be.  Baylor said Italy because he really likes pasta.  Finley said Paris.  Atticus said Las Vegas.  Does that not sum up each of their characters.  We later asked Briley since she wasn't with us, and her answer was Greece.

Lastly, we played at a few parks with the Brawner kiddos.  Summer is flying by so fast, and we are trying to get a few more fun things in before school starts back up again.  We are enjoying these few weeks of no practices or games so that we can on a whim go to a park.