Summer lacrosse

I don't know how this kid does it, but he plays up to five games per weekend on scorching hot summer days, on blazing hot artificial turf.  And he does it with a smile.  He must really love this sport!

Baseball

Rudy and James were both out of town, so Brady and I decided to grab dinner at Chipotle after his lacrosse practice.  As it happened, the UVA baseball team had just wrapped up their triumphant return-to-campus pep rally after winning the college world series.  A large group of the team was eating at none other than the same Chipotle.  

It was very cool to see the warm reception and minor celebrity status these young men received, and the grace with which they handled it.  They could not have been more polite.  We didn't really follow the team this spring (we were busy watching every minute of the Women's World Cup!) but it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement when it walks right into the same restaurant!

His treat

Brady loves to save his money and use it to take us out for special treats.  James was at work and Rudy at Oma Papa Camp, so I was the lucky recipient of a froyo date!

Happy 40th!

This year is the big 4-0 for James and I!  James decided he wanted a party, but only a week or two before his actual birthday.  That wasn't realistic, so we've morphed that into a 40th birthday / graduation party later this summer.  To celebrate on the actual big day, we had quite the family fun day:  bowling, Avengers movie, and dinner out at the clubhouse with Nana and Popsie!

The boys wanted to do a scavenger hunt for the presents...

When James told me he wanted this Google Cardboard, I really thought it was some sort of joke.  Apparently not...

The cat, helping with the wrapping paper...

Finishing out the day with his favorite, homemade carrot cake:

NINE!

We were at Oma and Papa's house for Rudy's birthday because Brady had a lacrosse tournament.  I think it worked out pretty well for Ru, since we went to the Adventure Park and he got gourmet cupcakes to celebrate!

Raspberry

I can't pick a favorite fruit because I love so many, but raspberries are definitely toward the top of the list.  My parents planted shoots of the raspberries from Grandma's house at their house.  Those plants have taken over an entire corner of their yard, so I dug up a few plants a few years ago.  I haven't tended them as I should (or at all, for that matter), so they are limping along on their own.  I was thrilled when I got a few ripe ones this year!