Blazer Basketball Camp

Corey and Tanner spent last week attending basketball camp. They had a fun time. They participated in contests, played games and got to get a snack from the concession stand each day. :) Kannon was wishing he was old enough to go but it was just for 2nd through 7th graders.

There was quite a gym full of ball players.

Future Blazer Basketball Players

Zone Tournament

Dustin's baseball team wrapped up their Zone Tournament last weekend in Paragould. They won! That means we go on to the State Tournament which is in Little Rock. That means staying in a hotel a few nights - - Corey is so excited about that! The boys like when we play in Paragould because there is a playground right next to the ball field. Dustin had a great tournament and is glad to be heading to the State Tournament.

Dustin, knocking in a run.

Way to go Ricemen! Little Rock here we come!

A new park in Jonesboro

We have had a few days of cool weather (80's) this week so we decided to head out to the park. They just opened a new playground at Craighead Forest Park. It is called Fort Rotary. We had visited it earlier in the summer but it wasn't quite finished but now it is ready for playing. It is a great place for hide-n-seek and also just great for running and climbing.





We also visited the other Rotary park where the basketball courts are always the favorite spot for my boys.

The next Michael Jordan :)

A perfect afternoon at the park!

A Day in Memphis

Corey, Tanner, Kannon and I went to Memphis for the day. I had gotten a free Pink Palace Membership on the Internet so we thought we would go try it out. We went to the Zoo for the morning and then over to the Museum that afternoon, with a picnic lunch in between the two. Of course, the zoo was great. We are anxiously awaiting the new Teton Trek exhibit to open in October. It is going to have bears, wolves, elk, and other forest type animals. There is a big lodge being built that looks a lot like the lodge in Yellowstone. We are excited to visit that this Fall. A standard visit to the zoo for us always includes: Animals of the Night, Northwest Passage (polar bears & sea lions), the Herpatarium, the Panda Bears (which always includes the 5 minute movie) and the snow cone stand. We love the Zoo!

It was a hot day which was good for us because most of the animals were in their water holes swimming but also bad for us because we didn't have our own water hole to get into. We found lots of shady spots though and really enjoyed that snow cone.

A few shady spots along the way

Then it was off to the Pink Palace. The Pink Palace was actually a mansion built by the owner of Piggle Wiggle Grocery Stores. The city bought the mansion from him when he ran into financial trouble. The mansion is actually pink hence the name The Pink Palace. There is a museum part, an I-MAX and also a Planetarium. We strolled around the museum and then went to a program in the Planetarium.

There was a whole room of moving, grunting dinosaurs. I am not a big fan of dinosaurs but the boys enjoyed them.

The constellation program was interesting. Corey had studied a lot about stars in 6th grade so he recognized a lot of what was being presented. Kannon said he felt like he was at the dentist (because of the chairs being tilted back) :) We picked up dinner on the way home and made it back just in time for Dustin's ballgame at 6:00.

A fun day!

Happy Birthday Dustin

Dustin's birthday was June 26th. He turned 18! I can't believe that!! We had ice cream cake after his ballgame that night and then had the family over a few days later for a more official party. We celebrated Corey's also since his was just a week earlier.

Look at those smiles - I think they are ready to cut into that cake!

Dustin got money, clothes, and a new baseball bat. Just what he wanted.

Another video game - can you tell he is a little excited.

The birthday boys! We love you Corey and Dustin.

T-Ball Party

Kannon's T-ball team had an after the season party at the park last week. They played on the playground and then had snacks. The coach then handed out trophies. What happy little boys they were with their trophies. Kannon loved everything about his T-ball season. He is already asking about next year.