Tennis Tournaments

Summer tennis held their tournaments all last week.  Team tournament play was on Tuesday and Singles tournament play was on Thursday.  Both boys always look forward to tournament week and both boys made us proud not only with their playing ability, but their sportsmanship.  Great boys, if I do say so myself.   :)

Several photos are below but you can see an entire album of tennis photos by clicking here.

Jonathan has enjoyed having Melina and Zack in his tennis class this summer.  

Melina, Jonathan and Zack - first day of summer tennis 2013

Team tournament day...

You can see Melina in the foreground and Jonathan on the back court.  Their team did well that day!

Jonathan

Megan, Jonathan and Brenda

Melina

And then Jackson arrives to stir up trouble...

Adrian looks understandably concerned....   :D

You definitely always know when Jackson has arrived!!   Poor Megan...   :)  

Jackson, Adrian, Jonathan, Megan and Melina

Singles tournament day...

Jonathan in a match.

Happy after winning his first match.   :)

Jonathan and Jackson

Jackson and Megan

Jackson... resting??   :)

Aviel surrounded by the fellas.

Jackson, Adrian, Zach and Aaron

:)

Perhaps this is why he lost that match???   :D

Jackson and Adrian - last day of summer tennis together.

Jackson has grown up with his tennis buddies, particularly his best pal, Adrian.  They have been friends since they were 5 years old.  Hard to believe they will both be seniors next year.  Whew, that sure went  by quickly...

Here is an earlier look at those two...

Adrian and Jackson  (2006) 

Jackson and Adrian  (2013)

Mama's Birthday Celebration

We were thrilled when Kerry, Candace and Susanna were able to stop for a night on their way to visit Rachel and Stephen this week.  Hannah arrived with them and is staying for a summer job here in town.  (Yay to having Hannah here all summer long!!)  The timing on all of this was just perfect in that we were all able to be together the day before Mama's 81st birthday.  So, we gathered for a family dinner and celebration.

First we watched a DVD photo montage that Daddy made for Mama.  It was sweet and funny and beautiful.  :)

Okay... have to laugh at the lovely fly strip shown hanging above the kitchen counter.  Did I mention we had a potluck a few days prior and the sliding glass doors were open a LOT?  And we now have a ton of 'pet flies'?   Ick....

Then dinner.   :)

Jonathan, Kerry, Megan, Susanna, Hannah, Anna, Matthew, Marvin, Julie, Mama, Daddy, Jackson, Candace

Kerry, Megan, Susanna, Hannah, Anna, Matthew, Marvin, Julie, Mama, Daddy, Jackson, Candace, Laura

Serving up Julie's yummy homemade Coconut Cake!

I truly have to say that it is a joy and a privilege to call this lovely woman my Mama.  

Making Cody a Boffer Sword...

Yes, that really IS a real thing.  :)  You may remember that Jackson and Jonathan have long had Boffer 'weapons' that they joust around with.  Jackson even participated in an after school Boffer club for a year that he hopes to get re-started this coming fall.  What is a Boffer sword, you ask?  It is a piece of PVC pipe covered completely with foam (we use the foam matting you can purchase in the camping section of Walmart to place under a sleeping bag) and then completely covered in duct tape.  The result is a sturdy but safe 'weapon' that kids (of all ages, apparently!) enjoy jousting and 'fighting' with.  Truly, it isn't violent at all.  But it sure IS a great energy release!!   :)

Cody had been wanting to make his own so this past week Jackson and Jonathan brought him over to do just that.  Assembly doesn't take too long, especially if you have multiple sets of hands helping.  Below are several photos but you can see an entire album by clicking here.  

Cody, Jackson and Jonathan wrapping the PVC pipe with foam.

Then you begin to cover it all with duct tape.

Jackson taking a quick text break...  :)

Jonathan preparing an end piece.

Cody with his new Boffer weapon!

Jonathan, Cody and Jackson

Then it was on to the fun stuff!  A Boffer War outside!  

It was Cody and Jonathan against Jackson.

Mann down!!   :D

Aaaaaagghhhh!!!   :)

A surprise new competitor emerges from the house!!

This picture cracks me up!  I love the look Cody has as he watches Marvin and Jackson.   :D

When all else fails, abandon your weapon and just jump on your competitor??   :)

Jackson and Marvin

Marvin realizes he isn't as young as he used to be!   :D  (but he did pretty well, I think!!)  

Jonathan, Jackson and Cody - fun day!