Our "new" pool!

Over past two weeks we have lived in our "new" pool. Thanks to one great family, we have been able to enjoy a big swimming pool in our yard this summer. We were a bit nervous early on that we would not be having our own again, but our luck has changed and after a slow start to the summer it is up and running.

Jaylen and Gracie's first swim of the summer.

We have had lots of friends join us for fun in the sun and water too.

We have even gotten to share the fun with one of our Auntie's. Auntie Amy don't forget your suit when you come home. We hope to have time to take a quick swim with you too.

Just relaxin'

Two of my favorite girls

Fun with our neighbor Lexi.

Thank you to Deann and family for the wonderful addition to our yard, we can not thank you enough. Thanks to you this summer has been GREAT! We have enjoyed our pool almost everyday and have enjoyed the water with many of our friends, which makes the summer

that much more fun.

The Fourth of July

I am once again going to let my very talented and loved sista Jen do what she does amazingly well and tell you about our Fourth of July festivities.

http://jenbaum-laughoftenlovemuch.blogspot.com/2010/07/fourth-of-july-festivities.html

Almost every year since my parents have had their lake cabin we have gone there to celebrate the Fourth, this year was a bit different. Joel was wanting to stay back and help Grandpa Donnie finish up the haying for the season, so we all decided to stay back too. I have to admit, that I really did miss being at the lake and I felt terrible leaving Dad and Mom to celebrate by themsleves, but I knew I was making the right choice.

It was the first time ever that we got to celebrate with our friends at our own place. The day turned out to be beautiful and we enjoyed it to the fullest. All exept for Dad, who threw his back out helping mommy get an extra table for the day. He ended spending the day on the

couch and I am pretty sure he didn't even know anyone was around

after he took his pain meds and passed out.

Our yard was filled with friends, fun, water, games, smiles, and laughter and IT FELT GOOD!!! Here are just a few photos that Jen did not have included. Thank you to all of our friends and family for a wonderful day!

Becky and Olivia

Nichole and Aaron

Willie

Jack and Olivia playing a little Bocce Ball.

These two were by each other's side almost all day. They are truly best friends!

Taylor and Alex

Kelly and Will

Jack

Another Bocce Ball game

Jaylen, Alex, and Logan

Just chillin'

What is wrong with this photo? One kid too many??

Auntie Jen

and Daddy.

My love is getting taken away!!!

I love to mow and make our lawn look nice in the summer time,

BUT two things have made quite the change.

First of all there was this guy

and then....

this young lady decided to give it a try!

I know I should be excited about this big change, but I have to be honest and say I am a bit torn for three simple reasons..

#3 I am losing a job that I love to do.

(I guess I will have to be in charge of the weed eater now)

#2 I have to deal with lawn mower lines that are not quite straight and circles in the middle of my freshly mowed lawn.

#1 MY BABIES ARE GROWING UP WAY TOO FAST!!!

I love you both and I am excited for the fact that you are growing up to become more responsible and even like to help mom out (sometimes). Just do me one favor....

STOP GROWING UP SO FAST!

Casselton Legion Baseball

Sights like this are what the Baumgarten family watches all summer.

We love baseball and we love our first baseman.

Thanks to this amazing grandstand we can now see the entire game. There is enough room to see, cheer, and support your favorite team.

Although this summer, has been a learning experience for all of us.

John still plays first base and hits the ball with power,

but he has not seen as much playing time, which has been hard for our whole family. Don't get me wrong, everyone needs to take their turn on the bench, to learn, observe, and support their team, but it is just different this year. It is so very hard to understand when you are 16, love the game, and want to play.

The season has been different for John to watch, instead of play and different for our family to sit back and watch instead of getting all nerved up and cheering until we don't have voices left.

(You will still hear us cheering on each player on, especially our favorite pitcher, Jonathon Lubbers.)

We still do not miss many games, but it is hard to watch your son sitting on the bench, getting frustrated when you know he has the skill and the heart to play.

However, the team has had quite a bit of success during the regular season and they have even won a few different tournaments, which make the season fun for all. The success helps and John does look forward to what may be in the future for them. For us the best thing about the season so far, is that we have watched our son grow into a

responsible, respectful, passionate young man and

we are so proud of him.

When he plays his love of the game shows and he gives it his all. He seems to forget about the first game where he watched the game from a totally different angle.

HE PLAYS TO BETTER HIMSELF AND HE PLAYS TO WIN!

Thank you John for all of the days/evenings we have shared together, as we watch you play the sport you love. There is one month left of the season and you and your team have had an amazing run. Keep up the good work and hopefully another State Championship

will be in your future.

This little guy will be there to cheer you on and watch your every move.

I think in this photo he is saying....

"Wow that is my big brother Johnny B and

I want to be just like him."

A Day to Remember!

This post is in honor of a very special woman, whom many of my childhood memories revolve around. Unfortnately, she lost her battle with cancer just a little over a year ago so her memory is with me now. When my kiddos asked me if we could bake cookies yesterday, (yes it was the hottest day of the summer) it quickly reminded me of all of the hours we spent cooking and tasting at Grandma Catherine's house. All three of the recipes that we used yesterday came from her kitchen.

For those of you that do not know who Grandma Catherine is let me tell you a little about her first. Her house was right across the street from my childhood home, so it was visited many times throughout the week especially during the summer, when my visits turned into daily if not hourly. You may ask why this ordinary lady across the street was so wonderful, well my bestie was her grand daughter. Each summer Hilary came to stay with grandma and you bet I counted down the days until she was out of school and would arrive. We did everything together and were always by each other's side. To make a long story short, she was the best thing of summer. Since I spent so much time with Hilary, Grandma Catherine became a huge part of my life. She was the most generous, loving, intelligent lady you would ever want to meet. At any given time her house was home to many neighborhood children and anyone else that dropped on by. Her door was ALWAYS swinging open and she had the BEST stocked freezer of snacks in town. Now mind you, these were not prepackaged sugar snacks, these were straight from her heart and due to many hours in the kitchen. She raised an amazing family of 5 children who have multipied into close to hundreds. Her family meant everything to her. They are all wonderful, intelligent, generous, talented people that would do anything for you and I am very proud to call them family.

Maybe the saying, The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! is true.

So here are the items my children made by themselves with just a bit of guidance from me, just like Grandma did with Hilary and I so many years ago.

First to start was Jaylen. He made Catherine's famous Monster Cookies. If you asked any person that grew up in Rutland back in the 80' s and 90's, they would remember these cookies. They were delicious. (Hilary I saved one just for you, tears to moisten it and all.)

Jaylen loves to bake and

and help me in the kitchen.

His favorite thing in the kitchen is to crack eggs and he is by far the best cracker I have.

Just look at the concentration on his face and

what is with that tongue? Jaylen does that really help?

"Mommy, can I please lick the spoon?" I hear from my helper. "Not until we are done mixing, then you will be able to lick it clean."

"Yes!!! I knew she would let me. This stuff is awesome! thanks Mom."

Don't his cookies look great!

We even made three truly MONSTER cookies. One for Daddy, one for Jerrin and Jay to share and one for Mommy and Gracie. John was not going to be home so he missed out.

Next the ingredients for Gracie's recipe for

Surprise Cupcakes! I love these things and was so excited to make them with Gracie Rae.

These are one of the best memories I have of Catherine. We ate many of these during the summer months, but I would visit her regularly during the school year too.

Although there was never a time that she did not have a stash in her freezer for us

to munch on together. I would often see Catherine when I would come home to visit mom and dad and I always was welcomed with a hug and an invitation to come get a cupcake.

Jerrin's choice was to make Puppy Chow.

He was not feeling the best so his time in the kitchen was pretty short, but we still had fun.

Another scrumptious recipe that everyone loves. Thanks Jerrin.

After a day in the kitchen it is time for a rest for the boys.

Thank you Grandma Catherine for everything you taught me about life, family, love, and baking. You will always hold a special place in my heart and I am proud to say that I, along with your family will keep your spirit burning while we teach our children what you have taught us.

Rest in Peace until we meet again!