June 2008 Archives

Since one of my favorite hobbies is making scrapbooks, the kids now expect them. I made Brandon one specifically for his baseball years. Gretchen wondered if I was ever going to do the same for her. I decided that for this little athlete I'd have to do an all-sports book. So I just finished working on that and got to look back at the the things she's been doing. It includes her baseball years (all seven of them), softball, basketball (six years so far), gymnastics (7 years), the year she played pee wee football, a couple seasons of soccer and track, and her penchant for the eXtreme sports (rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding). Reviewing it all made me think back over many things. Yes, all the bruises, the skinned knees, the sprained ankles and stoved fingers, and the broken ankle (see the "When am I a Bad Mom" post); but also, how much these experiences have helped to make her such a great kid.

Our family, Brian's parents, and aunts and uncles on the Hallberg side all gathered for a family trip to Niagra Falls. It was a bus trip since 11 of us do not fit in any one vehicle other than a bus. Sightseeing events included the Maid of the Mist boat tour, the Journey Behind the Falls, the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservancy, the Skylon Tower, an IMAX movie, and walking around Clifton Hill.  A lot of stuff for two days, but we all had a great time.  Photos are on FLICKR.