It's FINALLY summer!

After a very WEIRD spring, I guess summer finally settled in around here! We were worried there for a while! But now that it's here, we are enjoying all things summer!! Baseball, yard work (well, maybe not "enjoying" that one!), bike rides, golf and pool days!



This is Boston and his good friend, Sophie, who lives across the street. They were so excited when Brian brought home a truck load full of dirt! They quickly "volunteered" themselves to help unload it... they did a great job- even though more dirt got on their clothes than in the wheelbarrows! AHHH! Thank goodness for "Tide with bleach", right???!!




Too bad the "volunteering" didn't last long... I think it is fair to say NO ONE likes to do yard work or wash cars... too bad Brian has a "fetish" about BOTH of these things! That stinks for Pade and Grif!!




Oh... and I guess it stinks for me too! URGH! I have to say I really HATE weeding... but let it be known, I do, occasionally, get involved in a little yard work! But with 3 boys and a husband... I'm lucky it is only "occasionally"!!! ;)
















We've DEFINITELY been busy with baseball... Grif plays on an 11 yr. old competitive team called "HitStreak". We have played in MANY tournaments already... some local, some NOT so local! We've been to Phoenix, Ft. Collins, Pueblo, Woodland Park, Longmont, Aurora and Colorado Springs. The rest have been around here though. He is doing AWESOME and has a good little team! It has been so fun to watch this team grow and get better each year. They are learning so much and improving every game. We have played over 30 games already (with all the tourneys and the league play) and we're still not done yet! We play until the middle of July. It's a good thing we like the other players and their families! We've spent A LOT of time with this group this spring and summer and have loved it! Grif plays pitcher, outfield and a little bit of 2nd base. He has hit the ball well this year- three triples, many doubles and singles and is still hoping for that homerun before the end of the season! Boston has been the "bat boy" many times and loves to hang out in the dugout with the big boys! Hopefully, some of the baseball "mojo" will rub off on him!






With as much baseball as Grif has played this season, there were bound to be a couple of injuries! He has had a few collisions while running the bases, had a sore arm from pitching and has already been hit in the head 3 times by wild pitches. See the red circle on his cheek below his cute brown freckle in the above photo? That mark was from the helmet- thank goodness he was wearing one! It is the protective circle piece around the ear- you can totally see where it hit! There have been a few "battle wounds" including the imprint of the baseball strings on both arms and legs from getting hit! Ouch! Go Grif, way to take one for the team!!





For Mother's Day this year, my family got me a new bike! I was really excited and it's been fun to switch up my exercise plan a little bit! Boston learned last summer to ride his bike without training wheels so he goes on rides with me sometimes. We have a great time!





With Brian being an avid golfer and us having three boys, you can be sure the "Rhees Foursome" has hit the links more than once this summer! All four of them love to golf and I, personally, would rather lay by the pool with a good book and a diet coke! It works out perfectly!!!






A little "backyard fun".... with the weather finally getting warmer, the boys spend lots of time outside on the tramp and playing any kind of game involving a ball! They have enjoyed having time off together and so far, they aren't tired of each other yet!! YAY!!!





We were VERY excited that Paden lettered in Academics this year. He works really hard and juggles a very busy schedule so this was a great accomplishment for him. He is hoping to add a golf letter to this over the course of his high school years. That would be great but we recognize the importance of good grades and are very proud of him for lettering his freshmen year.





















Last, but certainly not least (according to Paden anyway...) Paden got his "driver's permit" last month. Oh my hellen keller!!! Kill me now! It is completely freaking me out and I am seriously dying! He passed his written test and can now drive with a licensed adult until he turns 16. Fortunately, he doesn't need his own insurance until he has his license so I have a little while longer until I'm footin' the bill for that one! He needs to log 50 hours of driving with an adult- Brian and I take turns being in the "hot seat"! He's learning more each time he drives... I don't know if I'll EVER be comfortable with him behind the wheel though! EEEK!!!