July 2021

Lots happening in July!

We missed July 4th at Jon and Whitney's last year, so we were glad to be able to go this year. Kids are prepping here for a water balloon fight.

Jordon ducking a balloon from somebody

Uncle Jon with his "game on face" after Jordon got him- he's ready for revenge

Jordon working with Kinleigh and Kyndal on making their bracelets

Karli pitching to Uncle Don- everyone wanted to try hitting off Karli since we know she's a beast with her pitching.

Karli showing her pitching talent, striking everybody out on their first time through the batting order.

Tristan pitching to Uncle Scary (Tim)

Don and Kinleigh, wiped out after the July 4th activities

This was the boys' first time in an airplane. Jordon's 13U baseball team with 643KC was playing in a tournament in Gulf Shores, AL so we flew to Pensacola, with connecting flight through Atlanta. Don drove down with the baseball equipment, and we drove back so we could do some other things on our way home after the baseball tournament. They were excited to fly. Jordon has an 8th grade trip to Washington DC coming up in the Spring so wanted him to fly before he made that trip. Covid still prevalent, masks still required on airplanes, but we were 16 months into the pandemic so everyone was used to the drill. We later heard that Covid infections spiked in the region we visited shortly after our trip, so glad we were able to make the trip before the spike in cases. Tristan at this time was still not able to be vaccinated, as vaccines were not yet available for  his age group.

Don and Tristan on the beach near where we stayed at Gulf Shores. We were on the western/southern side of Gulf Shores, not far from Fort Morgan. The place where we stayed was still doing repairs from damage due to Hurricane Sally that hit them in September 2020.

Tristan playing in the sand with cousin Andrew, Megan's son. He is too cute, calls the boys (Jordon and Tristan) twins and his brothers.

Jordon's 13U 643 KC team with Coach Stratton, in a huddle with a prayer before a game.

Jordon's team did not do well, as they were up against stiff competition from the southern boys, with a mix of AAA and Major teams, after having just moved up from AA to AAA level of play this year. They started out like 0-6 but managed to win 2 games and barely lost the last one. It was also very hot, and since the boys were also on vacation, many of them spent time swimming and at the beach which I'm sure wore them out. But it was a good experience and nice for Uncle Dale, Aunt Sharon, Megan and Steven, and Andrew to get to see him play a few games. 

At Kravers Seafood in Daphne, Alabama- so good!

Playing at the pool with Andrew

Don's birthday happened to fall on a day when we were on our trip. Sharon found him this cake. Good picture of ol' Pops.

At Mo's Landing, Gulf Shores, AL

We found this place in Gulf Shores and thought the name was hilarious. Don felt the need to strike a Lil pose. They were closed so we didn't get to try their hot dogs.

I think this is Tristan's name in the sand at the beach.

We went exploring the beach at night.

Pirate mini-golf with the crew

At The Yard, Milkshake Bar in Gulf Shores, AL

Riding the ferry to Dauphin Island

First ferry ride for boys

Fort Gaines

Next stop- Mobile, AL, Wintzell's Oyster Bar- love the southern food

I enjoy older homes, and we stayed at one in Mobile that was on a historic registry.

Thumbs up from Jordon. They like to stay at different places too and are good sports for wherever I pick to stay.

Where we stayed in downtown, Mobile, AL

Air Museum at USS Alabama

On deck at the USS Alabama, Mobile Bay, AL

I thought this was interesting- the "hospital" quarters on board the USS Alabama

Don and I took a picture together in front of this clock in Fairhope, AL back in 2003 when we started dating. Here we are at the same place, 18 years later.

Beach at Fairhope, AL

Love the cross in the distance, visible from the back of the treehouse!

Our last stay before heading home from the trip- this was a treehouse in Hope Hull, AL. We all enjoyed our stay here. It was out in the middle of nowhere. 

Tristan and I enjoyed lounging in the hammocks.

Treehouse had several bunk beds and could sleep a lot more than our family....there were more beds up on the top level as well.

Tristan with his beloved dog Raleigh. That dog drives me nuts in many ways but the boys love him.

At the end of July, Jordon had another surgery to release contractures of his left hand from his burn injury when he was 8 and 1/2 months old. This is I think his 3rd z-plasty he's had through the years to give his hand more room to stretch as he grows. It was getting tight and bleeding some at times with sports like basketball, prior to the surgery. He's had a little nerve damage this time after this surgery; it is sensitive to force and he has some tingling at times but he's still been able to play the sports he loves.

Tristan was nominated this year to the MO-KAN All State Showcase. He made it a goal of his to earn one of these when he played this year. He called it the All-Star game, lol. Through the season, there are some games where there are opportunities to earn a nomination from the coach of the other team for performance, effort, or attitude. One of his teammates and friends, Braden, was also nominated, but they did not end up playing on the same team. He was excited about the ring he got, as he's not been able to earn any rings with the competitive teams he's played with so far. I think he equates it to his Super Bowl ring, ha!