Softball Season Comes To A Close

Wow...I have been waiting to blog for over a week now but just haven't had a chance to get to it, nor have I had the motivation to sit at my computer besides checking my emails/facebook quick (after being on it all day at work).  But...it's finally Friday & I actually have a little time to sit down catch up before doing a second coat of paint on the walls/ceiling that I am working on leading to our upstairs.

Anyways, this past Monday marked the finish to another fun softball season for Charlie & his team.  He has been playing in a men's softball league all summer with several of his close friends.  At the start of summer they had games on either Monday nights or Wednesday nights weekly, and then when it got down to tournament time they dropped down to only having games on Monday nights.  The guys had a great season, and it was a lot of fun chatting with my sister(s) & friend Jen while watching the guys play! 

Here are a couple pictures my sisters Kasondra & I captured at their last game:

Team VIP

Sponsored by "Valley Industrial Powder Coating"

"Staycation" Camp-Out

This past weekend Charlie & I enjoyed a CAMP OUT over at my sister Kasondra, and brother-in-law Jeff's acreage with a bunch of friends.  Kasondra and Jeff even went as far as buying fun outdoor lights that they hung on their deck, TIKI TORCHES, and they also decorated signs for each of the tent sites we set up.  Ok, so you may think it sounds a little cheesy but that's ok we don't care because we had a blast!

On Friday night the guys went GOLFING in Alton and then we all met up at Kasondra & Jeff's to camp out for the rest of the evening.  We did some grilling, played several YARD GAMES, enjoyed catching up with each other just talking outside on the deck, enjoyed S'MORES BY THE FIRE & then headed to sleep in our tents for the night (or just out in the open on a mattress as Justin did).  The weather was perfect for TENTING!  We thought about initially going camping up at the lakes or something but by the time we'd get up there Friday night and get everything set up we just didn't think it was worth even going that far because Kasondra & I had to be back home Sunday early afternoon as we had a benefit concert that evening and Charlie also had to work.  So instead we decided to have a "STAYCATION"! 

Getting the tent sites set up

Kasondra & I tried to come up with a "Camp Out" name...this is all we could come up with lol ;)

We thought it was better than what the guys came up with "Camp No Lake."

The cute "Tiki" Deck

(The tiki torches really helped keep the bugs away too it was great)

You can see how humid it was Friday afternoon when we set everything up

my lens was just steaming over

Bean Bag Toss & Frisbee Games all set up

Kasondra really didn't want me to take this picture because we were all hot & sweaty

but...camping's not about looking cute right?



Then on Saturday we slept in, got up and cooked BREAKFAST OVER THE CAMP FIRE, packed up our campsites and picked up all the yard games to got ready to head to the BEACH.  We spent the afternoon in Paulina where we did some SWIMMING, laying out, played a little Frisbee in water, and grilled lunch at the park nearby.  When we had enough sun for the day we headed back to Jeff & Kasondra's house and those of us that we still hanging out (Charlie & I, Jeff & Kasondra and Josh & Jen) all got cleaned up and we headed to "North Forty," the MINI GOLF course just North of Sioux City.  It was another beautiful night to be outside and we had a great time together!  We then headed home & enjoyed a good night's rest in our own beds again.

Charlie busy cookin' everyone breakfast over the fire (it was so yummy!)

Frisbee Games in the water to keep cool 

Us girls working on our tans

Fun times mini golfing

 Myself, our friend Jen & sister Kasondra

The final hole...

Just the two of us

On Sunday Charlie & I had an early LUNCH over at Dad & Mom Zomermaand's as I had to be in Orange City that afternoon by 1:00 p.m. to set up our sound system and sound check for our benefit concert that evening.  Charlie's Aunt & Uncle (well mine too now), from Florida are down visiting so the whole family was going to be at dad and mom's for the afternoon to share lunch and visit.  It was nice to see everyone briefly while we could.  Then like I said, that evening my sisters and I had a BENEFIT CONCERT in Orange City to raise funds for the MISSION TRIP that Charlie & I and the rest of my family along with Rachelle Hope & her band, BMX Biker Jon Greer, and some members from the Life Light Missions Team will be going on this coming January 2012.  The event went great, we had a great turn out and we raised over $1,500 that evening.  We felt so BLESSED and are excited to see how God may use each and everyo one of us on this trip!

Well that is all I have for now and I should really get to bed since I have to work tomorrow so you all have a great Friday tomorrow & a wonderful weekend!

~Jamie~

Welcome Home Troops!

Sunday afternoon Charlie had the honor of escorting the troops who were on their way home from Afghanistan down Highway 60 through Sioux County.  I had the afternoon free & thought it would be neat to show support for our troops by welcoming them home as well.  Being that Charlie was working and the rest of my family was out of town, I thought it would be nice to have someone ride along with me.  So, I stopped by Crown Point (Assisted Living Home) where my Grandma lives in town and I thought she might enjoy getting out and going for a drive.  So, we took a little drive to Hospers, parked our car, got out and waited for the troops to come down Highway 60 shortly thereafter.  It was pretty neat to see the support from the surrounding communities.  There were people lining the off ramps and exits of Highway 60 all the way from Worthington I believe it was to Sioux City before the troops finally arrived home after being away for a period of time on active duty.  I can’t imagine the emotions the troops and their families must have been feeling that day as they were once again united.  Tears just came to my eyes as we welcomed them home that day by waving flags along the side of the road.  What a huge commitment not only for the troops but also their families.  I know it would be extremely tough on me for my husband or any family member to be away for an extended period of time off in another country fighting for our country and not knowing what danger they may be in daily and if they are ok.  So if you are a veteran or are currently fighting for our Country…A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU!  You are truly appreciated for your commitment, time, and for the work you have done for our country.

My grandma & I

Charlie escorting through Sioux County

The first two busses of troops

Family, friends & the community showing support

The final two busses of troops

Friday-Date Night!!!

Friday was a busy day for me.  I woke up pretty early as Charlie was out the door for work by 5:00 a.m. and I just couldn't really fall back to sleep after he left (so I layed in bed and and tried to fall back asleep off an on until about 7 and then I finally decided to get up).  I got ready for the day, ran some errands around town, and then ran to Orange City to hang some posters up in the local churches with my sister Kasondra.  This coming Sunday we are having a benefit concert in Orange City, IA to raise funds for a mission trip that our entire family is going on along with Rachelle Hope & her husband and professional BMX Rider, Jon Greer this coming January 2012.  Which by the way-YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO!!!

The rest of the afternoon I spent several hours on my computer doing some legal research for my criminal law assignment.  School has been going pretty good for the most part so far, besides learning the ropes around how LEXIS all works (LEXIS is an online legal research program).  But I am happy to say that I officially completed my first assignment today and am anxious to see how I did.

Then Friday night, I was pretty excited as Charlie & I had planned a DATE NIGHT.  Let me tell you, this was very needed and it had been quite awhile since we have been able to get away to just spend some quality time together- "just the two of us".  We headed up to Sioux City and on our way up we drove through some car dealerships and test drove a few vehicles (which we really kind of enjoy doing).  Then when we got to Sioux City, we went to eat right away as we were both pretty hungry.  One of the salesmen from the dealership we stopped at in Le Mars had suggested we try the "Japanese Steakhouse" in Sioux City (which is where the old Coyote Canyon used to be) as he said the food was really good and it's a pretty neat experience too as you are also entertained while you are waiting for your food.  He said that they chef's come out and cook on this big metal grill right at your table.  This sounded a lot like what we had at our resort on our honeymoon and we really enjoyed it.  We are always up for trying new restaurants and we both really like Chinese/Japanese food and steakhouses so we thought why not give it a try.  Boy was the food good and we had such a fun time together-it was just something differentt than your normal restaurant.  Anyways I just thought I'd share a couple pictures that I took that night.  (Yes I love pictures!  Funny story actually...one of the ladies we sat by at supper asked when we were taking the pictures below..."So, is it like your Anniversary or something?"  You would have gotten a good chuckle at Charlie's response I'm sure-I did anyways.  He said,  "No, she just really likes pictures.  Well he knows me well I guess right.)

School...

Well I'm happy to say that I have just about survived my first two weeks of paralegal classes.  The first class I am taking is Criminal Law.  So far I have enjoyed the topics that are involved in this area of law (maybe because my hubby is a cop so I like to tell him everything I am learning or quiz him to see if I know more than he does...lol).  But no really, I have enjoyed the text reading so far, and my instructor is great.  I attend 2 live lectures a week and so far they have been very informative and interesting.  My instructor has been so helpful to me as a new student in explaining things and walking me through several different ways to conduct legal research-which let me tell you can be quite confusing.  Who knew trying to look up a specific case would be so tricky.  I'm sure once I figure out how exactly to use LEXIS (an online legal research website program) things will seem like a piece of cake, but for now I'll keep on pushing through it.



Well I think that is about all that has been new in our lives lately.  I have off tomorrow so I think I'll plug away at completing my first paper/assignment, other than that we have a wedding to attend on Saturday night for some friends of ours (Josh Koedam & Jessica VanderWilt) and Charlie works the day shift this weekend so hopefully it will be a fun yet relaxing weekend & maybe we'll get to spend a little time together in the evenings!  I hope you all have a great weekend as well.

~Jamie~

Time with my Niece & Nephew!

Last night I got to watch my niece Gracie and nephew Jax for a couple hours while their parents had a party to go to.  It's been awhile since I have watched them and we sure had fun together.  We first watched a little Curious George, then we took a walk to the park and had fun running around playing on the jungle gyms and eating fresh cherries for a "snack", walked back home, made some cookies (and of course ate the batter), watched a little of Beauty and the Beast while the cookies were cooking and then got ready for bed.  They must have had a long day and played hard, because I don't think it even took 5 minutes and they were both out.  

I think Gracie was pretty excited because she got to crack the egg

The best part...licking the spoons :)

Yummy warm cookies!!!

I love my nieces and nephews and the time that I get to spend with them-I am one lucky Aunt!

2nd Time Called Out for SRT

For those of you who may not have heard, Charlie got called out as an SRT (Special Response Team) member for his second time to assist in a situation that took place at 370th and Jefferson just north of Orange City, IA yesterday.  I headed home for my lunch break at 12:00 p.m. yesterday when shortly thereafter I received a call from Charlie asking if I was home and if I could get his duty boots, pants, and SRT gear together...I knew what that meant.  Although, I got butterflies in my stomach I kept my cool quite a bit better than the very first call he received.  I don't know if it was because it was the second time around now, or if it was because I had no clue what was all involved in this specific situation at all.  Either way, I just tried to remind myself that he is trained in what he does, they have protective gear for a reason, and everything is ultimately in God's hands.  I was happy to receive a call from him shortly after 3:00 p.m. to hear that they were done and that everyone was ok.  Here is the report that was released regarding the situation if you are at all interested in hearing the story:

NEAR SIOUX COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) -

     A tense situation came to an end Tuesday afternoon in rural Sioux County, Iowa resulting in a man taken into custody.

     It took a joint SWAT team with officers from Sioux County, Plymouth County and Le Mars police to get a man out of a home. That man was Gilberto Trejo-Olmedo.

     Authorities say Olmedo was wanted on several charges including operating while intoxicated, interference with official acts, and disorderly conduct.

     Trejo-Olmedo is an employee at a dairy farm, at 370th Street and Jefferson Avenue, north of Orange City and also lived on the property.

     It all began around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday morning when Sioux County officials attempted to server their warrant.

     When they arrived at the home, some occupants warned that Trejo-Olmedo, who was sleeping in the basement at the time, may have been armed.

     Officers proceeded to clear the home and employees at the dairy.

     Negotiators worked for more than an hour and a half to get Trejo-Olmedo out, with no success, until about 2:00 p.m.

     "Ultimately what the SWAT team did is administer some gas into the basement, which did bring him out shortly there after and we took him into custody," said Sioux County Sheriff Dan Altena.

     Trejo-Olmedo was taken to the Sioux County Jail where he faces an additional charge of interference with official acts resulting from the standoff.

     His bond has not yet been set.

     Tune into News 4 at six... to see you how the sheriff's department is using a new type of "tip line" to find suspects like Trejo-Olmedo.

There is also a short video that was shot by Channel 4 news out of Sioux City shortly after the arrest was made...and yes Charlie is in it, you should be able to spot him, just look for the tall guy ;)   Here is a link to the video if you're are interested in seeing it:  http://www.ktiv.com/story/15069912/update-man-arrested-identified-following-orange-city-ia-standoff?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6043984

I hope you are all having a great week!

~Jamie~