Baseball, Baseball, and More Baseball

I don't know about you, but we received a lot of rain in April and May causing a crazy baseball season for us.

With 5 children playing baseball, a lot of rain meant a lot of make-up games for us and even a few doubleheaders. In the month of June we lived at the baseball field. Our calendar was filled with baseball for 22 straight days. The season began without games on Sunday and as we neared the end of the season we were running straight from church to the ball field. It was crazy, but crazy fun too!

Sometimes we even had two games going at the same time, and I'd run back and forth trying to catch everyone bat or field the ball.

The weather did get better and who can complain when you're watching baseball and you have a view of the mountains in the background? It makes you slow down a little and appreciate the beautiful scenery that God has created for us.

Because we love baseball so much one team just wasn't enough for  Thomas. It just so happened that some dear friends of ours were playing in a tournament near our house and they were short a few players. They asked Thomas to join them and he had a blast! With a few more games on the schedule Thomas ended up moving in with them for a few days. These boys are like long lost brothers. They know how to get into a lot of trouble together.

Since Thomas got to go home with his buddies they kidnapped Rachel (and Rebecca) too! It was only slightly quieter in our home for those few days. ;)

Since Little League baseball wasn't enough for us we hit up a Rockies' game with our St. Louis Cardinal loving friends.

The outcome was fabulous considering I went to the game with very low expectations. I mean come on, the Rockies were near the bottom of the barrel in baseball and the Cardinals were probably going to go to the playoffs again.

Guess what? The Rockies won! It was a great game if I do say so myself. 

What made the game even better was that we got to hang out with our sweet friends at the same time. It will definitely be a memorable game for years to come. I'll never let you forget it, Mandy. ;)

March Happenings

March found us with quite a full calendar. Along with Lenten services on Wednesday evenings we added church softball to our schedule and also began a little baseball for 5 of our children. Palm Sunday came at the end of the month. We love that Sunday and children were super excited to help out with palms again this year.



Opening day of baseball was cold and dreary. In fact, it was canceled when we arrived at the field. It was that kind of a season for us. 

Fall or Summer?

I found some photos from last month that I forgot to post.

With the strange weather around here it's hard to figure out when summer has ended and when fall has started.

It's warm enough to run around in the sprinklers,

but leaves are falling all over the ground.

So, is it summer or fall?

Hmm? I wonder what these boys think?

Park Day!

Since getting my point-and-shoot camera I rarely carry my big, heavy SLR around anymore, but I had a portrait session coming up and decided to wipe off the dust and practice a little when we headed to the park.

We met up with friends old and new and had a blast!

The sun was a scorcher, but it didn't slow anyone down.

Next to the playground is a little grassy area and pond where the geese like to graze.

I asked Rachel to pose for me and she happily obliged

There were children everywhere. How do you keep track of them all?

The light was quite lovely under this pergola, so naturally, I asked for some models.My goal, at the park, was to come home with tired children. I'll tell you now that I succeeded after they ran around all afternoon. ;)

Just before we left the children found the stage area and decided to sing Father Abraham. It was such a hoot to watch. They sang and danced until they couldn't stop laughing.

Our Baby is Five!

Just one week after Elizabeth's birthday comes Anna's birthday. They're like two peas in a pod being just one year apart. Can you guess what Anna wanted to do for her birthday?

It was another trip to the zoo for us on Anna's birthday. We tried to check some of the animals that we didn't see the week before.

I suppose making regular trips to the zoo makes it so one doesn't have to see all of the exhibits on these same day, right?

The sliver backs were snacking which made the rest of us a little hungry too.The downpour the week before caused the carousel to close for obvious reasons.

Elizabeth was super disappointed, but all was well when they gave us a raincheck and she was able to ride along with Anna!

Since I seem to get dizzy on the carousel, in my old age, my Lutheran Stud rides the carousel with the children while hang out and to get footage.

Have you ever seen the penny thing? You stick a penny into the machine above. It gets melted down into this. Pretty cool, huh?

It seemed like a lot of the animals were eating lunch when we came by, as was this rhino. He paid no attention to us. He was focused.

This ass, on the other hand, wanted to jump the fence and get us. We actually thought he was going to do it too.

The sea lions wanted to play too. They kept swooping down and putting on a show for us.

We couldn't leave the zoo without a stop for ice cream for the birthday girl!

And to be spoiled even more, Kellee made these awesome Snow White cookies for her.

This sweet baby of ours is now 5 years old! Yikes! Isn't she the cutest thing, ever?Happy birthday, Anna! We love you. Now stop growing up!