The Porter Crew: June 2011

So far, our summer has started off very eventfully! The kids and I took off to Florida with Ryan's parents in mid-May for a long weekend in Seagrove Beach. It was wonderful. The days were not blazing hot yet, the water was cool, and the beaches were not crowded at all since school was not out for most kids. The only negative was that Ryan wasn't able to be there with us. It would have been perfect if he and I could have snatched a few quiet walks on the beach together.
The kids and I came back from the beach on a Tuesday, and our house was quite a mess from a new roof being done. Thankfully they were almost finished, and we didn't have to stay with the noise for long since the kids were singing in a homeschool concert that night. The next day, we left early to head to Murfreesboro where Ryan's ECS baseball team was playing in the state tournament. We made it just in time for the second game which we ended up winning 10-2 against University School of Jackson. By this time, it was SO hot!! I found it hard to believe that I had wanted pants down in Florida just a week prior.
Ryan was pretty busy with his team that day, so the kids and I hung out at the hotel pool for a while, then headed up to shower and get ready for bed -- we were SO tired. The next day, Thursday, it was kind of rainy, but it cleared up, and we were able to play in the state championship game against Webb Academy of Knoxville. It was a game to remember!! When we got there, the game was still 0-0 in the 3rd inning (we were the home team). My first thought was, "Oh no, this is going to be tight!" And it was. Even though we scored the first run, we ended up behind 4-2 going into the 7th inning. Our guys amazingly tied up the game in a comeback, so we headed into the extra 8th inning. Webb's first batter hit a triple, and my heart just sank. However, the Lord had other plans, and somehow, that guy did not score, and we got 3 quick outs! So, with our guys back up to bat, our first batter hit a single; second guy struck out; third guy hit a bomb over the center field fence to win the game! It was so fun!!
So, now we are back in Memphis with 100-degree weather getting ready for VBS next week. Oh, and I forgot to mention that while I was in Florida, our camera stopped working. I have a few pictures from our trip plus the lake close to my parents' house that had risen quite a bit. The tournament pictures were taken with Ryan's camera.

First view of Tchula Lake as you get onto The Gravel Road

Not a great picture, but this was a BEAUTIFUL full moon that we saw rising over my parents' farm.

This is right down from Mama and Daddy's -- the water level is usually behind the first strip of trees.

Meredith's new tutu swimsuit

Will and Grandpa

Will is thrilled to be out of the van!!

Even at sundown, the light was pretty bright -- hard to get all the kids smiling.

I still remember taking Maggie to the beach for the first time 5 years ago!

The water was cold but calm, and the kids LOVED it!!

Maggie had just been running through the water and tripped over the sandbar, flipping into the water. At least she came up laughing, and I caught it on camera!