jason's birthday and emmy goes to camp

We celebrated Jason's 44th birthday on Monday.  Bryce had to work in the morning, and Emmy was at the gym, so Jason and I had a little day date.  We went down to his land in New Kent and shot guns.  I did too!  After that we went to a local winery for a wine and beer tasting.  

We picked Emmy up from the gym and got Hibachi for lunch. 

We went out to dinner and then had the family over for cake and ice cream.  

We sent Emmy off to Tennessee on Saturday morning for a week at gymnastics camp with her teammates.  She was so excited to go.  They can't have their phones during the week and have little access to camp phones to call home.  Of course, Emmy called home tonight and I missed the call.  I'm going to beat myself up about it for the rest of my life!

Bryce was supposed to have his wisdom teeth taken out on Friday, but he had a baseball tournament that he didn't want to miss so we canceled it.  Then he got invited to go to the beach but couldn't go because of baseball.  We tried to keep him entertained since he was missing out on the beach.  We got to spend quite a bit of time with him this weekend.  He had a game on Friday; we went to see Toy Story 5 and saw a Squirrel's game on Saturday and then we had two games today.  Bryce will be busy this week and Emmy will be gone and we'll be getting a glimpse of empty nesting.  We're not ready!

summer days and nights

Bryce went to Virginia Beach with some of his friends this week.  They were going to a concert on Friday night at the beach, so they decided to make a week of it. 

Avery and her friends came down and spent a day with them. 

Bryce missed Avery's family beach trip this year because of baseball, so they were glad to get some beach time together.  

A beach trip is not complete without putt-putt.  

We've spent a lot of time outside with our neighbors recently and Callie loves it when they bring their puppy Olive. 

Emmy and I got dressed up in new outfits the other night, so we took a picture!

We had a family day at the pool on Saturday when Bryce got home from the beach.

We went to the rodeo on Saturday night.  Emmy has an outfit for all occasions.  I do not. 

The kids gave me a hard time about this picture, but it was the only proof I had that we all went.  

Emmy's friends (and sisters) were going to the rodeo is how we got wrangled into going.  See what I did there!  

The boys played golf today for Father's Day. 

Apparently the four of them played a round of golf last Father's Day so it's a tradition now.  

a wrap on atlee baseball

The Atlee baseball team boarded a bus on Thursday afternoon and headed to Northern Virginia for the state semifinals on Friday.  We went to school and saw them off.  It was pretty unorganized and uneventful, but Jason did bring an air horn, and you can clearly see how Emmy feels about it.  

Jason and I headed up to Northern Virginia on Friday for their game.  They won!  After they got cleaned up at their hotel, we were able to check the boys out for some afternoon fun before heading back for the game the next day.  The boys fought hard in the championship on Saturday but came up short.  It was a great season, and the team went 23-2 so they should be proud.  And they won the region championship.  They were sad and it was disappointing for the 14 seniors, but it just wasn't meant to be.

 

summer mode

This was the first week of Bryce's summer break and we're settling into a good routine.  Emmy has gym in the mornings; Bryce is working some days and still has baseball practice and some games. We celebrated Callie's first birthday on Wednesday.  She's been such a great addition.  

Thursday night was the region final and we won.  Now we're headed to states.  

Bryce has luckily gotten some playing time in during the post season.  There have been some injuries that have allowed him to get into games.  We'll see how the state games go.  

Two sisters at Emmy's gym got tickets to Megan Moroney in Baltimore at the last minute and invited Emmy to go. 

They had so much fun decorating their boots with bows.  

And concert merch is a must!  I'm so glad she got this experience and they had so much fun!

We all found ourselves at home on Saturday night and had a fun time playing Netflix games on the patio with our neighbors.  So thankful for the slower pace of summer vacation. 

welcome summer

Emmy enjoyed her second week of summer vacation at Cape Charles with some of her friends.  The girls planned outfits for weeks leading up to the trip.  They each had a color and had their nails done to match before traveling.  

Cape Charles is a cute town that reminds me of Nantucket.  The girls rode bikes to the bakery in the mornings for breakfast, enjoyed shopping in the downtown area and scooted around on golf carts. 

I hope this friendship that began in sixth grade lasts through high school. 

My girl is growing up. 

Bryce finally had his last day of school.  Friday was the last day, but he was exempted from most of his exams so after a presentation on Wednesday, he was done!  He is officially a senior!

Nana's birthday was on Thursday.  She and Emmy had both been gone on vacations but ended up getting home in time to get pedicures to celebrate. 

We were able to carve out some time on Saturday that we were all available to celebrate Nana.  

We hosted family for the afternoon and enjoyed snacks and drinks on the deck before ordering pizza and finishing with Nana's favorite strawberry pie.  

This little girl turns one next week. 

Playoffs started this week.  Atlee won two games to advance to the regional championship next week and then on to states.  

 

chase's graduation and MDW

Chase graduated on Friday night.  So crazy to think this is where we are with the kiddos.  Bryce had a baseball game scheduled for Friday night, but it got moved to Thursday due to incoming rain, so it was nice that we were all able to attend.    

Bryce and Emmy are going to miss him so much while he is away at school.  I don't think the reality of it has set it, but boy it will be an adjustment not having him here.  Emmy will miss him at school and his willingness to take her to do something on a whim.  Bryce will miss playing golf and going to the gym with him and we'll all miss him on Sundays for church and family lunch. 

I can't believe Bryce will be graduation next year. 

We came home from Chase's graduation party with five pounds of BBQ so we invited the neighbors over for a last minute get together on Sunday night because the rain finally parted for a few hours. 

Festive food is always fun. 

 

We went to a winery today with our friends Mike and Allison and some of their friends.  It was rainy but they had a covered pavilion, and it was a good time.  

goodbye middle school

Emmy's last day of school was Friday.  Monday through Wednesday next week are exams but she's exempt so she is done!!

She spent the night with friends on Thursday, so this was the first year she wasn't home for the obligatory last day photo.  Not to worry, I sent the sign and they obliged.  

Bryce had a game on Friday night.  It was another county rivalry game.  We beat Hanover 8-1 again!

It's grad season.  Emmy went to a graduation party on Saturday for her friend's sister.  

Bryce went to Dominion River rock on Saturday and he and a buddy ran into an old travel ball buddy. 

Bryce went to a grad party for two of his baseball teammates on Saturday night.  He has 8-10 parties to attend this season.  Bryce has two more weeks of school and is quite jealous that Emmy is done. 

 

prom and mothers day

Emmy kicked off her weekend with friends at Top Golf.  Jason and I went out for an early date night dinner in Ashland on the way to Patrick Henry for Bryce's game. 

Bryce had his junior prom on Saturday. 

Stunning

The Fam

Fake Rolex watches off Tik Tok shop were the thing this year.  And hacky sacks.  

Friends and baseball buddies. 

It was a little smaller group than homecoming.  Their group had dinner at a friend's house because there were so many of them.  I took Emmy to get her third hole while Bryce was at prom.  Forgot to get a picture.  

I invited my cousin and his mom down for Mother's Day so we could make brunch for Mother's Day.

If they only knew how much I love them..

I am so thankful for my mom and how well she loves me and our family.  

I planned a brunch menu with all the things.  I made quiche, my mom brought fruit and Dennis William made shrimp and grits.  Everything looked so good and was amazing.