Baseball Bashes

This is is what a group of 10 - 5 year olds, 2 - eight year olds, and a three year look like playing tee ball....at our 5 year old's birthday party!

Tyler is 5!!! Of course...we have been doing some serious celebrating. Since we love a good celebration, we had 2 - a family party and a friend party. Tyler's passion for baseball made his summer birthday celebrations easy - baseball all the way.

We began the week celebrating with family on his actual birthday - with a picnic on Nate's rooftop and to the Twin's game. Thanks to Nate for sharing his rooftop patio with us. Thanks to the Twin's for kicking some White Sox bootie!

Then tonight....the friend party. We had a ballpark, ballpark food, and ballpark activities. Tyler loves his friends. Tyler loves his baseball. It was a perfect night.

There Was Baseball Decorating - Created by Mom

A Backyard Ballfield - Created by Dad

A Reading of Rocky the Rookie at 2nd Base

Warm Ups - Look at the Concentration of these Rookies

Of Course, There Were Baseball Cupcakes

Singing of Happy Birthday


Goody Bags for All

Thanks Friends for a Fun Night

The family party started at Nate's Rooftop Patio. It was a perfect location, a few blocks from the Metrodome.

We Enjoyed a Picnic on a Beautiful Day

More Baseball Cake - This Time a Baseball Cap and Ball

Then to the Game to Watch the Twins Beat the White Sox 13-5

To Top Off - The Kids Got to Run the Bases After the Game

At age 5, Tyler is full of passion, heart, enthusiasm, care, and love for his friends and family. He has learned to be a great friend, a caring big brother, and a loving son. I can't wait to see what the next 5 years brings to our lives with him in it! Happy Birthday, Ty -Do!

Little Gymnast

When did our baby girl get so big? She takes her own classes, does her own activities, and makes her own little friends.

She LOVES her gymnastics class!!! It is especially fun for her because she spent an entire year watching her brother get to go, but she wasn't old enough yet. Now she is...and it is her very own. It doesn't hurt that she looks pretty cute in her little leotard.

Well Rounded

Those of you that think the Kahl and Thomas children don't have a shot at becoming anything except athletes, need to watch the below video. It's official - these kids are well rounded!

4th of July in Small Town USA

There are many things that small town America does well. Admidst these things done well, I think one of very best is - the 4th of July.

Inwood, IA is one of these small towns. The 4th in Inwood is a true celebration, a coming together to acknowledge and share in what makes our country great. Celebrating with the people of Inwood is our family's tradition, and has also become the tradition of some of our friends. It is a tradition we look forward to every year.

As kids are starting to get a little older, and more kids are added to the mix, the 4th develops a whole new excitement and wonder. It was sad to say goodbye to friends and family after such a fun weekend. We are grateful for such fun times of memory-making.

A few pics to recap the weekend:

Tyler, Kenna and Luke Thomas at the Inwood Parade

(we waited a long time in the rain...but it sure was fun)

Kenna, Tyler and Sophia Whitney at the Parade

The Whole Group of Friends (less Elise, Ben and Jacob) after the Fireworks

Luke Loved Throwing Rocks in the Puddle at the Haugland Farm

Sprinkler Fun on the 5th

Tyler and Kenna Cheering on Luke as He Takes the Plunge through the Sprinkler..GO LUKEY!

The Tree Ate the Golf Ball - Luke, Kenna and Tyler Looking for the Ball (many hours were spent running and playing in Grandma and Grandpa Kahl's big yard)

This is One of My Favorites....it says, "Hey Get me out of this Pen of LITTLE Kids"

A Trip Complete

12 States + 8 Stops + Family and Friends = Awesome Trek to the East

The Last Leg

We just got home - back to Mitchell - 2 hours ago - Sunday, June 28. We said "so long beach" on Friday, June 26 and started our trek back to the midwest. We were sad to say goodbye to the beach life. We molded right into the beach bum lifestyle. The rest of our time looked a little like this:

Walks on the beach

Cousin Play Time

Sand Castles

Boogie Boards



St. Louis Arch

And finally...our final destination - back to the land of the World's Only Corn Palace

Now, it's back to reality. Can't be beach bums forever...

Little Mermaid

We have our very own mermaid. She was made for the water!