Summer Sizzler

Blake's Mustangs played in the Summer Sizzler tournament in West Des Moines this weekend. They played hard and ended up winning their first Sunday game and were placed to play the #1 seed team. They lost to the #1 seed 10-6. The other team was a 7 years old team and was a little suprised to find out they were playing 6 year olds.

The boys have worked really hard and are looking a lot like baseball players, but when they are done with a game they still like to be 6...

This is the Mustang's dog pile. Coach isn't too happy.

Two Houses, a Boat and Garden

It has been 8 months and we have made some progress on our master suite addition project. We are pretty sure we are going to have this paid for before it is ever done.

We have carpet, the walls are painted, the trim is in and the pictures are up. Nana Becky has been here and does approve. The bedroom is done, but the bathroom....

Mostly, we can't decide if we want a super cool shower or a jacuzzi. We would have it done if we didn't keep changing our mind.

We have installed the new LG High Efficiency washer dryer just behind the doors in the picture above. That has been a huge improvement. No more trips to the basement!!

This is the view from that attached office. Through those windows is the "other house" or castle...

The boys "tree house". This weekend will be their first time inside once they finish the ladder. Grandpa Al built the castle and Dave put it up on stilts.

Just in case anyone wondered - the boat is back in its summer home. Plans are to take it out in early August when we have a little vacation time. It got a new cover this year.

And finally a little tour through Amy's gardens just because.....

Two Birthdays are Better Than One

The Des Moines clan celebrated two birthdays on Sunday, July 6th: Kim's birthday on July 7th and Grandpa Al's on July 8th, (today). Blake Underwood (in the pink tied-dyed shirt) hosted the festivities with Nana Becky. He decorated the walls, made fortune place cards, skirted the cake table, and made fruit kabobs. Two cakes doubled the choices--a red velvet with cream cheese frosting for Al and a sweet pink and chocolate marble cake for Kim.

Hunter and a Lime

Happy 4th of July!

Annual Adventureland Adventure

The Goodrich picnic was Sat. All employees and their loved ones were treated to a day of fun at the ever famous Adventureland just outside Des Moines in Altoona, IA. The Underwoods and Jerdees headed out just after lunch with full bellies and plenty of rest. They started the day off walking the Plank.

Kokamo Cove

The new adventure this year was Kokomo Cove. A water park inside the park. We thought it would be great in August, but around 78 degrees and breezy the roller coasters began calling.

We all braved the Outlaw, Dragon (a few times), and Tornado. We passed on the Space Shot after Uncle Adam reminded us of the two people seriously injured when the brake line snapped at another park. Amy talked Kim into the Sidewinder after which Kim said, "Never again!" Finally it was time for dinner.

But first we had to take care of a very important task. The Silly Silo (spin until you puke, best on an empty stomach).


After they were spun around (no adult would be foolish enough to join them), we had dinner. No more left overs for daddy. They finished it all. Fortunately, this was all you can eat so we all went away stuffed and ready to be shaken, dropped and spun some more.

Bumper Cars

Believe it or not, the hightlight of the day really was the bumper cars. Amy and Hunter, Blake and Kim, Adam and Dave. Time to let all that pent up agression out or was it time to become little boys again? They laughed and crashed for a good 3 minutes. After that we were ready to go home.


We did one trip down the log ride and headed to the shop to get the lighted sword thing 'everybody' had to have and made our way to the farthest outreaches of the parking lot (don't come to the park after 10 am and think you can park).



After a long day with their nephews they could still muster a smile. It was a good day!

Hunter has his first sale!

Saturday morning at 6 am Hunter jumped out of bed and yelled, "Today is my sale!" We was in a hurry to get ready. Got dressed, ate breakfast and got his table ready with change, bags and his pad to track everyone's sales. We provided him a calculator but soon came to realize the only one's that needed a calculator were Nana and mom. It was soon left inside. Many customers were very impressed with his ability to add and make change in his head. He has always been quite skilled with math and money.
Hunter the Salesman. He sold this guy a TV, washer and dryer and a bookcase as well as several other odds and ends. Many walked away admitting he was so charming he could have sold them a box of rocks.
Hunter had a highly successful day. He met a Russian lady, a guy who's son lives in Iceland, a lady that wants to vote for him when he runs for President, a new friend that invited him over for a play date and a lady that kept coming back because he was just so "charming" as well as many more interesting people. He made everyone feel welcome to his sale, was willing to tell anyone why they needed to buy anything they were considering. Made some deals. Sold the old tee ball stand - threw in a wiffle ball free to close the deal. The buyer was about 80, but was sure she had grandkids that would love it.

The next day he got up and said, "Let's have another garage sale today!" Mom said, "NO, go back to bed."

Hunter, "The Heat," Underwood

Becky and Al here, reporting from our places in the sun.

The first baseball season ended yesterday with the Mustangs (Blake's team) winning 4 to 1. Lots of action, five quick innings, and the six-year-olds called it a wrap.

Blake sent a big one out to center field to bring in two runners. He never made it home, but it was a big contribution!

Hunter's Red Sox season ended with paper certificates for Team Effort. The coaches gave each team member a nickname printed on the award, something to signify their efforts. "The Heat" refers to Hunter's powerful, fast and furious pitching that took out three batters, one after another, each time he pitched an inning. However, after getting his fair share of chances to pitch, the others began to cry for their chances. So Hunter relinquished his spot on the mound in a show of good sportsmanship.
Ooops! Who is that? It's not The Heat. That's his dad, who pitched more during the last game than The Heat - what's up?

And what's this? - there's The Heat! Catching for his dad. Coach says, "To be a really great pitcher, you gotta do a little catching too!" The Heat's giving it a try.

As grandparents, we've entered a new era. No longer are WE the entertainment for our grandsons. Now they entertain US!