Where did the summer go??????

OK, I'll try this again.........

I can't believe I haven't been on here since our trip over Memorial Day. The summer just seemed to fly by!!!

I guess I'll start with Softball..........Instead of Kristy playing in the youth league we decided to put together a team and play in the womens league. My boss (at the time) was excited to sponsor our team (out of his own pocket) and buy the girls new uniforms. Our team was called: Dakota Arms CrossFire. We had a great group of girls that just wanted to play softball and have some fun for the summer. We even had a couple girls from Belle Fourche come over and play with us. We held our own during the season and then went to Pierre for the womens state tourney. We had a great time and played some awesome softball.
(Kristy just hit a great one down the right field line!)

I also got the opportunity to start umpiring fast pitch. Sturgis youth has never played fast pitch until this year. They had a couple 10 & under and a couple 12 & under teams. I got to umpire most of the 12 & under games that were in Sturgis. It was so great to see the progress from the begining of the season to the end.

Kristy was chosen (only one from Sturgis HS) to go to a leadership conference in Mitchell this summer. Tammy and I drove Kristy and the girl (KP) from Belle Fource to Mitchell and dropped them off for 4 days. Instead of driving back, Tammy and I drove on to Sioux Falls and spent the 4 days there. We had a great and relaxing time. We went to several museums, Falls Park and the Butterfly House. We also managed to go to a few Fast Pitch softball games as there was a tourney while we were there. (KP & Kristy)

Tammy w/ Butterfly At Falls Park Butterfly @ Butterfly House

Sara and Emmalyn were able to fly in for a visit the end of July. She wanted to get out here before she started her new job in Salt Lake City. They stayed for about 10 days and we got to take Sara out for her birthday. It was so great to have a little one in the house for a while.........until she got sick..........I don't miss the all night rocking. During their stay we were also working and trying to get the booth ready for the rally. A lot of work!!!

Tammy's sister Debbie

and her Mom with Emma




Sara & Kristy at Dinner
Waiting for a table
Me and Emmalyn
Meagan and Emmalyn Emmalyns Backpack


The rally was REALLY slow. We were getting pretty worried about the middle of the week. Things finally worked out. Kristy didn't get to work with us at the booth since she has a job at the Community Center. We still had Katie work though!! We also served Breakfast Burritos for the first time, so we put Mom and Dad to work!!


Of course as soon as the rally is over, school is ready to start. Kristy did not play volleyball this year, last year was very stressfull. She played Fast Pitch Softball instead. Softball is not HS sanctioned, but it is a "club" sport. Sturgis only has a JV team since we wouldn't be able to compete on the varsity level. Our girls don't play fast pitch all summer like they do in Rapid City. Sturgis has had a team for about 3 years and had never won a game until this year---we won 3. Kristy had a lot of fun. She is a Junior this year and is on Student Council again. She is very busy with all the activities in school. Of course we are trying to make it to all the football games. We are 3-1 so far this year!!!!!!!!!! If you don't know the "history" of Sturgis Football ask me and you'll understand why this is so exciting.

We also had a lot of company in Sept. Barb & Chris (our rally friends from Wyoming) stopped by for a couple days. At the same time LeEllen was here. We celebrated Mom's birthday with dinner in Deadwood. We all had a great time.

Sara's best friend, Steph, and her husband, Larry came out for a few days also. We had a great time being "tourist". We went to Keystone, Mt. Rushmore, Hill City and Deadwood. They also did a great job helping Kristy with her homework. Larry does a great job coloring....he even stays in the lines!!

Steph & Larry @ Mt. Rushmore

I am once again officiating HS Volleyball, so I have been very busy with that. Tammy is really busy at work since her supervisor up and quit. That leaves only Tammy and one other lady (who hasn't been there very long) in the polishing dept.

Take care - hopefully it won't take me so long to update next time!!!