HaPpY BiRtHdAy GrAdY!!!!!!

Our little fella turned 5.....oh my goodness, how did that happen! I swear just yesterday I was convincing Gabe that his little brother wasn't broken, eventually Grady wouldn't cry so much...if we just hung in there! Thankfully he did stop crying...he has grown into a wonderfully delighful young man...whom we can't get enough of! He is the laughter every family needs....when times get tough, it's Grady that brings the best out in all 3 of us! What would we have done had God not blessed us with him?! From his quick entrance into our world, I should have known there would never be a dull moment with Grady around! We love our little Graders!!! So, enough with the mushy gushy mommy stuff!! A couple of weeks ago, I asked Grady what he would like to do for his birthday.....never fear, he had a list! First we were going to have lunch with Josiah at McDonald's, then after Gabe and Dad got home we would head to Chuck E. Cheese for playtime, then to Blue C Sushi for dinner, and back home for Trophy's Cupcakes! Wow, now he knows how to celebrate! So, his wish was our command...at least for that day! We had lunch with Josiah and Carla...the boys played for about an hour and a half....ate some yummy chicken nuggets and Mrs. Fields cookies for dessert! After Mickey D's we headed home to pick up Gabe and Shawn and headed down to Chuck E. Cheese for some game time! The boys (and I mean all 3) had a blast! Next stop was Blue C Sushi....this place is Grady's favorite, not because of the sushi, but because the food runs around the entire restaurant on a conveyor belt and you just grab off what you want! We then headed towards home for presents and cupcakes!!! Grady had a fabulous day....the next day, he said it was his best birthday ever!!! Thanks to everyone for the phone calls and gifts...he ate up every minute!!! HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY GRADY!

Red Sox VS. Marlins!

Last Wednesday was the the Red Sox last game of the season. It was a rematch with the Marlins.....it ended much better than the last time we met up with them! The final score was 11-9...but that was a lot better than the last score! Gabe had one of his best games of the season...he played 1st, SS, pitcher and center field! He had several great stops at ss and pitcher along with an out at 1st! He only got up to bat twice, but on his first up, he hit a double!! He scored 2 people in on that run! His next at bat, he hit a pop up, but fortunately the 2nd baseman wasn't able to get ahold of it! Even though the Red Sox didn't win...it was nice to end on a positive note....this was a trying year! Looking back, we should have played Gabe up to the next league. We have struggled with this nearly every year...Gabe is always the youngest because of his birthday, so when we saw the opportunity for him to be one of the oldest we thought that was the best decision....well, not this time! At the older age level, he would have had the play time he was ready for...a lot of times this year he was left standing, just waiting for someone to hit the ball! Thankfully, Gabe loves us even when we make the not so wise decisions as parents....we all saw this year through, and now, we hope not to make the same mistake twice....Lucky Grady!

Protecting the Fortress!

Since we have been having some sunshiney mornings and afternoons, the neighborhood has been a bustle of outdoor activity! The last couple of days Grady and Nathan from next door, have been playing in the wood collection! Gabe and Grady started this collection a few months ago....they go up in the woods in front of our house and collect sticks and other novelties! It keeps the boys entertained for hours--plus, their getting some good doses of Vitamin D! So, this morning after we dropped off the big brothers at school, Nate and Grady decided to turn the wood collection into a castle! If Janell or I would come close they would pull out their "swords" to rid the land of the enemies! There is nothing better than the imaginations of a couple of four-year-olds! They played all morning...they had a blast! We are sure going to miss our neighbors...we definitely got lucky!!
Protecting the land from the evil Mommies!

This picture was taken solely for the purpose of the blog! Grady said, "Mom, take one of just me, so everyone can see how cute I am on the blog!" Modest aren't we?!

Red Sox VS. White Sox

The Red Sox had a rematch with the White Sox yesterday evening! It was another trying game...fortunately, it wasn't our parents refereeing this game, but since Shawn duct taped my mouth, I was unable to voice my opinion! Thankfully, we do have a couple of other parents that removed their duct tape...and I was able to nod in agreeance with their concern in the amount of bad calls! I really wish the league would spring for "real" umpires....it would probably make the game a lot more enjoyable for everyone! So, I'll hop off of my soapbox and get to the meat of the blog! Gabe had a pretty good game...he played outfield the entire time, but he had several good stops and almost had a pop fly catch! It was about an inch and a half above his glove...a real heart breaker! The White Sox Coach even commented that one made him sweat because he was sure Gabe had it! He also ran in from Center field a couple of times to assist with Second base...a couple of our younger players (the ones actually playing the bases) were a lot more interested in playing in the dirt than in playing baseball last night! I think everyone will be excited for tomorrow night's game....I think the season has gotten a little long especially for our younger fellas! Oh, I guess you may be interested in the final score...it was a tie 9-9! One more game tomorrow night.....GO RED SOX!!

Grady's Graduation!

On Friday, Grady officially became a Kindergartner!!! We are so proud of him.....I cannot believe in a couple of months our baby will be in Kindergarten.....it seems like just yesterday, we were taking our other little fella to Kindergarten...crazy how time flies!

Grady walking up to receive his diploma!

On the way out.....with diploma in hand!

Grady and Miss Lilly! Last year they were little lovebirds...bringing flowers to each other, but this year Lilly is still pining after Grady, but he has moved on! He seems to have his sights set on the older women...A couple girls in Gabe's class! Geesh!

After the graduation, we came back to the classroom and had ice cream! Grady and I had a lunch date with Carla and Jo, so I opted out on the ice cream...but Grady shared a spoonful! YUM!

Grady and Ms. Janet

Grady and Ms. Amy

Red Sox VS. Marlins

On Saturday the Red Sox faced the Marlins! Gabe had a good game....the Red Sox not so much! The final score was 15-5....Gabe had 2 really good hits...he got out on both, the first one was legit, but the second one had my blood pressure on the rise. From our view point and everyone else in the stands, he was safe...unfortunately the only person's opinion that counts saw it as an out! Bum! There were several questionable calls on Saturday...and the Umpire was one of our parents...go figure...the calls definitely weren't being made in the Red Sox favor! Oh Well! Gabe also played pitcher, 3rd and left field! He has several great stops at 3rd and did a fantastic job at pitcher! He stopped several balls at pitcher...and even threw a ball from his back to home---it was a great throw, right to the catcher, but unfortunately he dropped it! It seems to be a reoccuring theme lately! The Red Sox have 2 more games before the end of the season...hopefully they will be able to pull out a couple of wins!! GO RED SOX!

Happy Early Birthday, Grady!!

Grady celebrated his birthday today at preschool!! His graduation day is Friday....check back on Friday'ish for pics....so, they celebrated today! Grady and I made these tasty little treats for his class...they were a hit! I made these last year, but looked like the real deal this year! I had all of the parents questioning me about them...they really looked like ice cream! He had a great day...being "King of the Classroom"!!! HaPpY EaRlY BiRtHdAy, GrAdY!!!

Gymnastics!!

Grady had his first evening gymnastics tonight! His new coach's name is Miss Nicole! There are only 2 kids in his class, so there is a lot of one on one time! Tonight they worked on the beam and bars! Grady can now flip completely around on the bars! At first he was pretty timid, but in no time, he was flipping around and around! Gabe really enjoyed coming along to watch little brother.....but, I think he also enjoyed watching the other gymnasts!! The perk of going in the evening is that is also the time the competition gymnasts are practicing...so you are quite possibly watching someone who could be in the Olympics one day!! Grady has 4 more classes....we'll see if we can't get him Olympic bound by then ;)

Red Sox!

The Red Sox had a make up game against the Dodgers on Thursday! It was a pretty good game...the Red Sox won...I'm sorry, we've had a crazy week, so I cannot for the life of me remember the score! Gabe had one good hit during this game, scoring from it! He played shortstop, first base and out field...he had some good fielding and an out at first! On Saturday, the Red Sox had a match up with the Diamondbacks! These two teams were evenly matched, which made for a very good game! The final score was 7-7....both teams fielded the ball well and had trouble at bat! Gabe struck out once and got a hit on his other at bat...it was a line drive up first, so he got out but at least he got a runner in! He played shortstop and center field....he didn't see a lot of action in the outfield, but he did catch a pop fly at shortstop...and almost had a double play if the first baseman would have been ready for the ball! It was right on target, but the kiddo at first is our youngest player and I think he was so excited that Gabe caught the ball...he wasn't thinking the ball would be coming to him! The Red Sox have a game tomorrow (Wednesday) night....keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies!!! GO RED SOX!!

Weekend Sight Seeing!

So, while visitors are here...we try to squeeze in as many sights as possible! On Friday, we took advantage of the sunshine and headed down to Snoqualmie Falls! The falls were really roaring...it was absolutely gorgeous! We took time for a little ice cream break....yum! We then headed back towards home, picked up Shawn and feasted on some yummy fish! It was such a beautiful evening we decided to dine at The Tin Fish.....I have mentioned them before...they have the absolutely best fish tacos, plus it overlooks the Puget Sound in Mukilteo! So, while dining outside on their patio, you have a view of the ferry, the Sound, the mountains...it has it all! On Saturday, Shawn and Joe took out early for a fishing trip on the Columbia River! It was an all day affair...they had a great time....and brought home Sunday's dinner to boot! They fished for Chinook Salmon and Sturgeon---I'm not sure what was more entertaining though, the fishing or their crew mates! You'll have to ask them about that! On Sunday, we started off with a big breakfast at the cafe and then headed off to church! That afternoon we decided to go on the Underground Tour in downtown Seattle! Our tour time wasn't until 3:00, so we also did some walking around in Pioneer Square! This is the original Seattle...along with what is underground (a fire destroyed most of what was then Seattle in 1889). The area is rich in history and a few of the original buildings have been preserved and restored...the area is amazing! The Underground Tour was one of the few things we had left on our Seattle to-do list! We are really down to almost nothing on that list...which I guess is good, since we are pretty much down to no time to do them! Now, a little disclaimer for anyone toying with the idea of going on the Underground Tour, I'm not sure I would do it! Oh, I know that sounds horrible...but unless you can get a discount coupon or something, I just don't know if it was worth the money! Yes, I learned quite a bit....but, the tour company has to lease any underground area from the current building owners, so that sort of limits the amount of area you cover on the tour! We were only underground for about half of the tour...a little disappointing...I had heard a lot about this tour, and I think I had my ideas of what it would be like...and it didn't fulfill my expectations! With that said, I'm so glad we took the tour...it was definitely something I wanted to do....but, if someone were visiting, I don't think I would put this on the must do! Thanks for visiting Mom and Joe....hope you are getting some rest!