We started out the month by taking Papa Ron to a Cardinals' baseball game. Emily, Mom, and I headed out to meet him and we had a lot of mishaps (we kept driving in circles trying to catch up with Papa Ron in his car, Mom slammed her foot in the car door, we got lost in a bad part of town, Mom accidentally only bought 3 tickets, and so on.) It was a really hot night and the Cardinals lost, but we enjoyed being with Papa Ron and Mom and I laughed until almost midnight when we got home.
I went to a Stephens try-out ready clinic (hosted by Mikayla, the Mo Jrs. 14s coach) as well as other clinics and open gyms for Missouri Juniors and CMVBC. I decided that I would try out for those two teams. The coaches for CMVBC asked me a lot of questions when I came to their open gyms about who I was related to, where I played before, etc. and asked me if I was coming to tryouts. Dad took me to one on Father's Day. That is one dedicated Dad!
I had a dentist cleaning this month, which I love! Dad and Aunt Lisa were planning to go to Tucson to visit Papa Rick and Nana Peggy, but the flight was canceled and they ended up coming back home. It was nice to have more time with him. My youth group trip was also delayed by a day because Michael had Covid, so our family was all able to go to the Frankenberg Fest. It was really hot and I didn't get in the pool, but I enjoyed visiting with Mom's family (as much as a teenager can.)
I truly enjoyed my time at Unidiversity, the youth camp. I love the leaders and the teens in my youth group. I met a lot of cool people from all over the United States, including Micah from St. Louis and Zach from South Carolina. I'm so boy crazy! Michael surprised us and flew out for the last day once he felt better! We all drove back in the van together and a few hours from home, one of the youth friends tested positive for Covid. I was a close contact and never got it even though 4 others got it on the bus! So lucky, because volleyball tryouts were the next week!
I was nervous and excited to go to tryouts. There were 54 girls trying out for the Missouri Juniors team! We were worried that there wouldn't even be enough for a full team! It took a while, but Mikayla called me to offer a spot on the Missouri Juniors 14s team! She said I was the last one she called because she was fairly sure I would accept. I surprised her by saying that I still wanted to try out for CMVBC because I promised the coaches that I would come to tryouts. We found out that only Landrie made it from our team. It was very bittersweet to hear that Taylor and Lila didn't get a spot, among other teammates. However, the girls that accepted are really good and it is going to be a very competitive team. Mikayla wants to take us to several national qualifiers and regionals! I really think we could make it to Nationals in Chicago! Mom unofficially accepted my offer though, and I called Mikayla after to tell her that I was accepting her offer. The next day, the CMVBC coach called to ask me what I was thinking. He said they left messages and hadn't heard from me, but we never got the messages. I politely declined the offer.
This week, our family drove to Gulf Shores! We went part of the way and stayed in Tupelo, MS and went the rest of the way the next day. It rained the whole first morning we were there, which was Mom's birthday. We finally got to go on the beach in the afternoon and the waves were pretty rough. We ended up finding a good spot to dig for shells and got some really cool ones to take home! Jack, Thad, Caryn, and Lil came down that night and we hung out. Jack is in youth group and Thad went on the Unidiversity trip, and Lil will be going next year. I really like her; she is really nice. The next day I did some swimming in the ocean with Mom before we were supposed to go on a dolphin cruise. It was canceled because of a thunderstorm, so we went to a Breakout Room. It was so much fun! We needed a lot of hints and broke out in about 63 minutes. Lil and I worked together on the locks. The dolphin cruise was rescheduled for the next evening and it was so cool to watch the dolphins play and have pink bellies! We also went to get Matt's ice cream three times while we were there, and I got a keychain, sticker for my water bottle, and a sweatshirt. We made it home in one day and it was a long day, but good to be home and see Athena and Molly!
Hanging with Papa Ron at the ballpark
Warming up for volleyball tryouts
54 girls tried out for Missouri Juniors
Not as many for CMVBC
We are just a bunch of readers, any chance we get!
I miss Athena when I am gone!
Playing Mario Kart with Emily
Our group is ready for Unidiversity (Nate, Calvin, Jack, me, Katie, Elizabeth, Olivia)
We added the adult leaders (Bill, Thad, Michelle, Lillian)
Saying good-bye to Mom
Playing in the river in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains
The whole gang (including other Missourians!)
We were missing Michael
Heading to Gulf Shores!
Eating at Texas Roadhouse in Tupelo, MS
First night on the beach
Getting in the water with Mom
Mom, "bruh"
Enjoying Matt's ice cream for the first time this trip
A stroll on the beach at night
Souvenir City (the shark lost its teeth the next day after a storm
Ready for the dolphin cruise (which was canceled the first night)
Break out room instead! (Meltdown)
And Matt's Ice Cream, of course!
Beach day!
Check out my guns!
Waiting for the dolphin cruise
The dolphin cruise that was
Most of the gang
Gazing at the dolphins
View of Gulf Shores beach
Attempting to reenact Emily's fear of the water
2022 Boyer
Ellie Boyer :)
"Don't get a picture of my dogs!"
I was in a mood that night
Another reenactment
A big hole (that I didn't dig)
Another evening stroll on the beach
Gazing at the swimming pool
Dining at the Sunliner Diner
Hitting practice
Athena's new trick
Playing with Mom in the waves
Dolphins playing in the waves
Writing my name in the sand
