Dugout Days

Dugout Days 2025 was another hot, exhausting, fabulous weekend of pure fun! This year's theme was baseball "Heroes and Legends".

The boys insisted on partaking in all three nights of the carnival and spent plenty of cash at the games. The ping pong toss to win a goldfish was where the majority of their money was spent. The first night ended in defeat, however Mason had earned 3 tokens and only needed 1 more to take home a fish. 

Mason and Tucker spent all of Friday afternoon digging in the attic for our old fish tank and supplies and setting it all up on my kitchen counter. They were certain they were going to bring home a fish!

Mason was cleaver enough to realize that the tokens he earned from the carny looked exactly like his dad's poker chips, so instead of wasting anymore of his hard earned cash he decided to bring his own 4th token back to the carnival and exchange them for a fish.

Tucker of course followed his big brother's lead and pocketed not just 4 but 8 tokens from dad's stash. Needless to say, we came home with 3 goldfish.  While this may have been a bit shady, I do think the carnival took plenty of our money throughout the weekend and could afford to "give" us 3 fish in return.

Baseball Season

We survived another crazy season of baseball! Chasing two teams was not easy but thanks to family and friends the boys somehow made it all or most of the games and practices.

This was Tucker's first year and he was a bit hesitant at first but quickly picked up some skills. By the end of the season, he was hitting quite well off the coaches' pitches.  He was our Crazy #8 and we could not have been more proud.

9 and Under Mustangs with coaches Jamie Rapp and Jenn Griess

Mason had a great season and even started as pitcher. He also did well as catcher and had his first ever grand slam. #6 aka Magic

11 and Under Mustangs with coaches Aaron Baumann, Reid Ely, and Jason Hajny

Ortmeier Homestead

My dear friend Lindsay invited Toni and me to stay in her childhood home across the road from Camp Fontenelle. Her parents purchased the 1904 Victorian home when she was a baby and we had a blast touring the beautiful area. Unfortunately, Lindsay lost both her mom (Wanda) and dad (Ric) to cancer in the last two years. They are now both buried along side her brother Chris in the Hartung Cemetery located within the camp property.

She and her siblings are getting the property ready to sell. I believe it was good for her soul to show us her stomping grounds, share childhood memories and make new memories in the place she will forever call home. 

We even took some time to hike the camp trails along the Elkhorn River. It was a gorgeous day and such a peaceful place.

The elephant steps looked steep but I encouraged the challenge. Somehow we made it to the top but not without some sliding in the mud with uncontrollable laughter.

Brunch on the patio with Wanda's tea cups. She would have loved that we were using them.

I got to stay in the "turn of the century" bedroom. It was very large with lots of fabulous windows. I am very thankful that Lindsay waited until we were leaving to tell me about some of the ghost experiences they have had over the years. So much history in this place!

Camp Joy and Hamilton's

While Jentry and I were exploring DC, Mason got to spend 4 nights at Camp Joy. This was his 4th year attending camp and he absolutely loves it!

Grandma Bose picked him up from camp and then he got several more nights in Harlan County being entertained by Uncle Chad, Aunt Kelly and Oxford Turkey Days.

This kid was living the summer dream!

Stonier Banking School

This year my employer provided me the opportunity to attend the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania. The executive program is three years consisting of both in person classes and interim assignments. It was a grueling eight days of class but if all goes well, I hope to graduate in June of 2027. 

Penn's campus is beautiful and so full of history! The university is the oldest in the States being founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. I also enjoyed staying in the heart of Philly at the Westin Hotel.

Year 1 Group #1