Playing Ball in the Big Stadium!!

On Saturday, The Lakers played their first game on the Big Field at the Mukilteo Little League Complex! This is a very big thing...each little league team gets 1 game on the big field...usually reserved for the high school age players! We had a beautiful day for a game....it was 70 and sunny....big field, late Saturday afternoon game, and sunshine...it was the recipe for a successful game! The boys had an awesome game!! I'm unsure of the final score, but I believe it was 12-2 or something very close to that! Gabe had 2 really good hits...one getting him a double! He had RBI's on both hits! We've also decided to change his name to Wheels Fox after one of his plays!! He was running from second to third and the short stop fielded the ball and was chasing Gabe trying to tag him out....well, he got those wheels rolling and beat him...barely!! I wish I could have had a picture of his face...it was priceless....he knew that kid was on his heels and he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him----he definitely has the speed! He also played short stop, pitcher, 2nd base - twice, and right field. He had a couple of almost outs....I think he was a little nervous about the big field...he had a couple of bobbles early on in the game, but then got calmed down and had a better second half! The Lakers have two games this week...so we have a very busy week ahead of us!!! GO LAKERS!!

Happy Birthday, Gabe???!!!

Sorry it is so dark, Gabe was blowing out his birthday candle in the dark!!! Toasting Gabe to a Happy Birthday year!

Yep, so we decided to finish off birthday week with squeezing in one more!! Gabe celebrated his summer birthday on Friday at school! We brought some yummy chocolate cupcakes and juice!! The kiddos had played kickball before the party, so they were very happy to see the juice! Everyone sang Happy Birthday, Gabe got to sign the birthday paddle, we ate cupcakes, they toasted a good birthday year to Gabe with their juice-cute!, and finished off the party with a game of Simon Says! The kids all had a very good time....and Gabe loved being the Man of the Hour! A good old game of Simon Says! Everyone has on their backpacks because it is almost time to call it a day!

Happy 35th Birthday, Shawn!!

Thursday was Shawn's big day!!! Of course, for those of you who know Shawn well, he doesn't want a big fuss to be made---well, lucky for him this year we had 2 baseball practices that consumed our Thursday evening!! We scarfed down an early dinner and then after practice met back at home and enjoyed his fave--homemade tapioca pudding! It was a little tricky to get the candle to stand up in the pudding, but where there is a will, there is a way! Shawn opened his gifts after pudding....he was so excited...he finally received his watch he had heard so much about, thanks to Mr. Grady!! It sure was a lot easier to have a secret when Grady was younger!! Last night I made Shawn's birthday dinner....he had previously asked for peppered crab---good grief! I had never even heard of this--I did a little research and then asked him to please choose something else!! He then chose steak and the fixings....well if you have followed my blog, you will know that I attempted the grilling thing last spring...did not go well! So, the poor guy had to grill his own steak---at least it was still mooing as he loves and not a leather purse as I would have done! After dinner, we went out for an evening walk....We have had the most BEAUTIFUL weather the last couple of weeks....I may be beginning to see what the Pacific Northwesterners love so much about their state--and what could keep them here through all of the rain and yuck! But all of you Kansas fans never fear--This Kansas native misses her legs sticking to the leather seats in the summer!! Ha!! Anywho....HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN!!!

Happy Preschool Graduation, Grady!!

Today we celebrated Grady's last day of 3 year old preschool!!! They had a little graduation ceremony where each student received their diploma and we then went back to the classroom for an icecream celebration! Grady has learned so much this year--it is amazing to see the progress he has made! He can write his first and last name, recognize and write all sorts of shapes, recognize letters and numbers, use scissors correctly, and he is beginning to learn the sounds of the letters! They also celebrated Grady's birthday today....poor guy was not feeling so hot on Tuesday morning, so we dropped off his preschool party cupcakes....would have hated the kiddos not to have snack...and went back home! But, Ms. Janet and Ms. Amy were sure to celebrate it today in the middle of the graduation!! He will start preschool again in the fall; going 3 days a week! He will also get to have the same teachers and a few of the same classmates!! But for now...it is HELLO SUMMER BREAK!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Grady!

I can not believe it has been 4 years ago since Grady made his grand entrance into our lives!! He has brought so much joy to our family....I think Gabe put it best a couple of weeks ago--he said, "Can you imagine how boring our lives would have been without Grady?" He is right....Grady brings so many laughs to this family---he truly is a blessing! We actually celebrated his birthday last night....currently, as you all know, baseball rules every aspect of our lives! So, we had the Lee Family over for dinner and presents!! We had a wonderful evening....Grady created the menu--with some food pyramid coaxing from Mom!--hot dogs, hamburgers, mac and cheese, watermelon, cantelope, jojo fries, baked beans, and lemonade!! After dinner and cake, Grady opened his presents...he received so many wonderful gifts---Thank you! He received a kitchen set, pots, pans, utensils, food, a leapster, a Royals shirt, a skateboard, transformers, coloring book, a sock monkey, magnifying glass, books, bike, a leakless semi truck from the Cars movie, gift card, money and dinosaurs galore!!! He was so happy with everything....all we did today was play kitchen...we cooked up a storm, the sock monkey and dinosaurs are well fed! We did do a little birthday celebrating today--we had a picnic lunch at the park and played for a while and feasted on some yummy cupcakes tonight after supper before heading out to the ball game! He made sure everyone at the game knew that he was now 4---I'm pretty sure the better half of Mukilteo is now aware that Grady Fox turned 4!! What a wonderful birthday....can't wait to see what this year holds for him!!!

Lakers vs. Yellowjackets!

Tonight we had a game against the Yellowjackets.....one word.....ouch! The Yellowjackets came to play and our fellas looked like they were still recouping from Memorial Weekend! Gabe had an O.K. game...he batted in the only score for our team, by getting an R.B.I. for his best buddy, Charlie!! He played short stop, right field, pitcher and second base. He stopped a couple of balls at pitcher and assisted an out while at pitcher. Our better games definitely seem to be the weekenders....it seems like our little fellas are a little exhausted during the mid-weekers! We have another game on Saturday---we'll keep our fingers crossed!

Hiking on Mt. Rainier!

On Sunday we started out bright and early for some hiking on Mt. Rainier! It was supposed to be a beautiful day with temps in the low 70's and sunshine....so Gabe and I dressed for the occasion! We both were sporting summer attire, while Shawn and Grady wore what we would find out to be a little more suitable Mt. Rainier hiking attire! The last time we hiked there it was October...the snow had melted, except at about 7,000 feet and higher, so I was not thinking there would be snow now...for goodness sakes it is summer!!! Well, once in a while I have to be wrong...and Sunday was that day! We get out at Paradise and the place is totally covered in snow...the other hikers are unloading ski gear and snow shoes...so Gabe and I in our summer gear seemed to be a little out of place...well, the guys jumped out and walked around a bit, while I sat in the car, hiding the fact that I am a goofball! We were able to hike in 3 other places...we were unable however to finish any of the trails....too much snow for my open-sided Ahnu hiking shoes!! Coming down one of the higher trails, Gabe and I had quite a time...he kept sliding down all of the snow covered trails, so being the genius I can be at times decided to go around the steep snowy, icy trail. I had just watched Gabe slide down-I sure wasn't going to give Shawn anything to laugh at....he was already having too much fun with my hiking attire!! Well much to my dismay....I gave Shawn, Gabe and Grady plenty to laugh at.....I ended up waist deep in snow---I had to crawl out on my hands and knees back to the icy, snowy trecherous trail! The whole time my wonderfully caring husband was laughing hysterically, but never fear, he did ask if I needed help once he caught his breath---He was also quite bummed that I still had the camera....Thank Goodness...that was the last thing I needed...a picture to remind me how stupid I can be sometimes! With that behind us, we ventured back to the Army...Gabe and I soaking wet, but laughing at ourselves none the less! The rest of the day was pretty tame...we saw some water falls, lots more snow, what appeared to be bear scratches on a tree, and lots of beautiful scenery!!! All in all it was a wonderful day....plenty of memories made on that adventure!

Summer has arrived....for now!!

Today we were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day, so we decided to head down to Edmonds beach! The boys and Shawn started out beach combing, while I enjoyed the sunshine, a book and my favorite pasttime...people watching! While beachcombing the guys found some jellyfish, crabs, snails, and an eel! Gabe was so warm by then he decided to go for a swim....I never actually touched the water, but I could tell from others going in that it was not warm, but Gabe tried to convince me through chattering teeth that it wasn't so bad! The boys played in the sand for a while and then we decided to fly some kites! It was a perfect day to fly kites, there was just a light wind...we were able to get the kites flying really high! After that we walked over to the Beach Cafe for a "lupper"!! After dinner, we grabbed a milkshake and headed down to a park that overlooks the sound in Mukilteo. There really isn't anything special about this park, but the boys love to roll down the hills, plus the view on a clear day from this spot is hard to beat! The boys attempted to play a game of leapfrog and had the chance to watch a kid flying a huge model airplane....what a great way to start off our Memorial weekend!!

The Jet's 6th Practice!!

At Thursday's practice the team found out they would be playing a 4-year old team for the end of the season game, so they spent most of the practice working on their throwing and stopping the ball! They also practiced running the bases...a crucial part of the game! and had another scrimmage! Grady played third base this time, one ball came rolling to him, which he stopped and he was then supposed to throw it to first base...well, the coach said "Get it to first", so Grady took out running it over to first base---we'll have to work on that!!