1950's finest

Grandpas Bob and Tom both turned/turn 70 this summer and both celebrated with family on the water in  

All-Star Baseball

S was selected to participate in a series of "All-Star" events for Hamel, after the regular season wrapped up as the team's catcher.  The crew has been taking their show on the road to play other metro cities the past several weeks.  Fun to see the kids play under the lights, on turf and and against other travel talent.

Fall Ball

After a cancelled summer season, E's back on the diamond for an abbreviated "fall ball" softball season... and has aged up a bracket to 12U.  Full-sized balls and distances, and pre-teen competition that appears to be twice the size of the girls of 10U.  

We'll take some lumps, but it feels great to be back.  E pitched a few innings in her first game, and knocked out a couple hard grounders... but Champlin Park showed us what 12U should look like and delivered a thumping.  

Looking forward to the season!  

Kavanaugh's

Another fun extended Backer family vacation at Kavanaugh's this year.  

Lots of time fishing, swimming in the pool and lake, playing sand volleyball, tennis and pickleball, making ice cream runs to Madden's, biking, playing old guys vs. young guys basketball (and daughters vs. dads), and sneaking a quick 18 at Pine Beach West. 

And, new this year, was an excursion to Pine River Riding Stables to gallop through the nearby forests on horseback. S's horse Titan was quite the trouble-maker, adding even more excitement to an already pretty fun adventure!

Super Stars

After knocking the rust off at the Shootout, E's MN Stars AAU squad put together a nice run over the next three tournaments (Eclipse, Battle for Mom, Summer Jam), winning the Battle for Mom event and stringing together six straight victories over the three weekends.

E had a 10 point game in that stretch, improved dramatically on a personal defensive goal, got to match up with her other co-star Ava from her Wayzata 5-2 squad, and is beginning to form some strong, new friendships.

Fun in Fairmont

Another escape to Nana's to escape the summer heat and get in some relief and relaxation on, in and alongside the Fairmont lakes.  

A lot more Scrabble this time, some new fun with hammocks, and some rare success fishing... the most productive (7), largest yielding (a 24"/10# channel catfish), and most adventurous (the cat snapped my pole and line and was flopping at my feet and on my lap in a single person kayak!) outing we've/I've ever had on those lakes.

Minor League Runners Up

Sawyer's Hamel Red minor league squad stared 0-2 with two U-G-L-Y loses, but fought back to earn the #1 seed for the post-season tournament and wound up bringing home the silver when it was all said and done.  S finished up with a tough hitting slump, but found her groove at catcher, 2nd base and stealing bases and made some big plays in the tourney for her squad. 

Hardly an obstacle

Plymouth's new 13+ outdoor fitness course was no match for Sawyer & Jack!

Bella's Birthday

E's first COVID-life playdate with more than one kid was a bike ride, takeout ice cream and park playdate with her bestie's for Isabella's 10th birthday.  Fun too see those smiling faces and hear those giggles together again!