KYS Summer Track

Over the past few months when anyone heard that Evie loved running they told us to sign her up for the Knoxville Youth Athletics summer development track and field program.  She was very excited to go to every practice despite the heat.  Her very favorite thing was when they let her run the cross country trail at Hardin Valley Academy.  The long jump was really the only field event she cared for, and even then should would rather run that jump.  We saw huge improvements in the jumping from her first practice to her last meet though.  She also got to work on passing the baton in relays, which was new to her.  Overall, it is a great experience for kids to learn about different track and field events then compete on Saturdays at Tom Black Track.  

 Meet #1 ~ 4x100 relay

Meet #1 ~ Long Jump

 Meet #1 ~ 800 meter race

Meet #1 Results: 7th in relay, 5th in 800 meter, participant in Long Jump

 Meet #2 ~ Long Jump.  It was amazing to see her go from barely jumping at the first practice to seeing her use great form to jump 7 1/2 feet.

Meet #2 ~ 100 meter dash.  Comfortably crossing the finish line first!

Meet #2 ~ 400 meter race

Meet #2 results ~ 1st in 100 meter, 3rd in Long Jump, 4th in 400 meter race

Reading between events.  We all learned you need patience for track meets!

Boo @ the Zoo

Fall Break

Day one of fall break was a washout, so we went the dollar movies to see Cars 2.  Andrew liked it much better the second time.  We headed to the pumpkin patch yesterday afternoon and then drove on to Fall Branch to help peel apples for apple butter.  The kids loved peeling and being able to help.  They weren't so excited by the (long) process of cooking the apples today.  They stirred a couple of times, but had more fun playing with the dog, running around, and getting tractor rides.

 Wandering through the corn maze

 Tractor carts

 Andrew found his buddy from school last year on the bouncer

 Awesome contraption

Camp BaYoCa

Evie and I got to go to Camp BaYoCa this past weekend.  She had lots of fun, and is already asking about going there for summer camp.  Can she really be that old already?!

Go Vols!

We took the kids to their first Tennessee football game today.  They have been to a few orange/white games and have been begging to go to a real game.  I had no idea if they would sit still or how I would feed them.  Concessions and food allergies don't really mix!  However, the section we were in had expanded concessions and they stayed in their seats until the end of the game.  It was a very fun day!

 Our friend, Buddy, won tailgater of the game

 Awesome view

 from our seats in the Tennessee Terrace

 Go Vols!

 Dobyns-Bennett Band from Kingsport

Fun family day

 Watching the band on Papa's shoulders

 Evie got a pretzel as big as her head

Take me out to the ballgame

Papaw Rick got us all tickets to go to a Smokies game as part of Andrew's birthday celebrations. We decided to still go after saying goodbye to my grandfather on Thursday. Turns out it was good timing, because having fun with the kids provided a much needed break after a tough weekend. Robert coached a guy playing for the Suns and arranged to have him come out and sign a ball for Andrew before the game, so that was really neat too.

The gang at the Smokies stadium

Uncle Robert's buddy, Kevin Mattison, came out and signed a ball for Andrew. He has a fan for life now. Andrew made sure we all knew when #4 was up to bat.

He was so proud of his dirty ball. Apparently a used baseball is way more special than a shiny new one.

The kids got to go on the field and participate in the balloon bust relay

It was hilarious!

The chicken run!

Take me out to the ballgame

Evie's first Smokies game

We were entertained by the ZOOperStars! throughout the game. They were so funny!