Baseball Guy

Shane got to play T-Ball while Nick and Drew had their other sports.  I ALWAYS think about, worry and wonder is Shane is young for his grade (being an October birthday SO many folks OPT to hold they kids back)  Sports seems to have this interesting divide where its the age not the grade so Shane played among his age (not the grade).  I won't say he is a super star - but I am quiet confident that he could have held his own with his grade.  One more vote of confidence on our decision.

He was on the only one on his team to hit is (from the T) into the outfield.  Go slugger.  Guess those brothers are good for SOMETHING!

Off to First base

Nick got to play a little first base coaching - cute to see them together.

Sure quick fielder too - Great little program that our rec apartment put on.

Great Job Shane!

Play to your strengths

Wayne and Diane had a ceremony to attend this weekend and we were thrilled to be asked as babysitters.  Life with these 6 is actually easier (except during meals).  They played for a while outisde, but than I offered to take them letter boxing and they were SUPEr excited.  So I left Chris to prep dinner while I took them to do some Land Nav - 

No my best idea. 

In the Army I was HORRIBLE at land nav - I am NOT kidding.  I couldn't find the points during the day and when I found out there was a night course I almost threw in the towel.   But somehow I passed and now I was singing myself up for exploring the great outdoors with 6 kiddos!  Thankfully they were EXCELLENT hikers and didn't complain once (except when Drew got a HUGE piece of wood stuck in his leg - but that was o.k. to complain for that....)

Here we go.

The kids LOVED it -til it started to feel like we were getting lost and we hadn't found a single letter box....  I swear we were darn close.  Over 2 hours of hiking and NOTHING.  O.k. maybe a frog or 2

Blake had the suggestion of sleeping here tonight.

Well, I pulled an od Army trick and found a road than followed it home.  We were SO excited to see our car!!  Yeah,  We went home and Chris had fire up LOTS of Tacos - Its amazing the VOLUME we could all eat - feeding 6 kids has got to be the hardest part.

Than I was given permission to turn sweet Blake - 

Into a Leadbetter - just like that!

Diane and Wayne arrived as the kids were falling asleep to a movie - we hoped they would all stay, but the idea of starting the day on Sunday at your own home kept them motivated to push on.  With a big move ahead of them - I can appreciate how every weekend is numbered and we were thankful to have our number on this one.  Love you guys!

School is almost out

and I admittedly am horrible at getting the kids out the door.  Chris is SO helpful in the mornings with breakfast and our TIMELINE.  He literally walked away to check up on some emails before his meeting and THIS is what happened.  YUP, we MISSED the bus.

Thankfully the bus makes a loop so we can catch it at the base of our street.  It was so cute getting down there as Shane said - my heart is beating so fast!!  Guess he is ready to learn!!

Only a few more weeks boys - we can do this!!

Memorial Day weekend

Here we go!!  My sister and her family arrived Saturday afternoon. 

The cousins LOVE being together so now is the time to capitalize on that.  Its awesome really.  We were so thankful that my folks were basically booked so staying with us was a wonderful option (in my opinion)  I know its great to stay with my folks - so I will take second place....  here are some shots from our weekend together.

Sunday made for the perfect canoe trial run.  With Jason to help Chris it was almost easy!

Canoeing with a crew

Up on the island

At least the island has beer - guess we can stay =)

A little picnic in the park.

I managed to get us all in

Twizzlers??

Next up, an afternoon at Oma Sue and Goomba's pool - Love that somehow, the kids end up on the 'high top'

Except for this little bugger.

loved trying to catch them all in the pool

Monday Morning  - Memorial Day - 

A day that my sister and I remember for YEARS being in the band, flag girls, marching.  I used to think every town had a wonderful Memorial day parade honoring those that have searched this great country making the ultimate sacrifice.  However having lived in so many different towns, I realized were pretty lucky - Texas didn't have this, neither did Virginia.  So these little parade became even more of a treasure to me.  

Here we go all decked out in our Red, White and Blue.  My sister and I both wanted to catch Nick holding Maddies's hand

This was our first time at the Canon/Collinsville parade.  

Great bunch of convertibles, the volunteer Fire men and trucks, the band was AWESOME (didn't get a photo)

Later that afternoon we HAD to go to the Simsbury Parade to compare.  The fife and Drum corps were awesome - but as far as high school band performances - Canton takes the cake!

Great afternoon and exactly what I feel like Memorial Day should be.

Bike rider

We were about to have a full house for Memorial Day weekend.  Chris was just fine with it - but he was even more excited when I told him I scored a babysitter for a few hours so we could escape for a bike ride and some beers - It was simple and wonderful and really just a few hours.  A great reminder to make time to do something together.  It was also a great reminder to me that I USED to be faster than this guy.

Summa' Summa' summa' time

Sunday May 17 and its HOT HOT HOT.  

Time to get the winter cover off the pool and dive in.  Literally!!  I was so thankful to be there to help my folks open the pool.  I honestly can't say I did a whole lot other than keep the motivation going.  Chris is the best one for the heavy lifting (those bins are HEAVY!)

in all our years of opening out pool - we have NEVER swam in it the same day it was open.  Than there was these 3 - Pool temp 59 - no problem

Ready for summer kiddos

It was such a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon on my folks back deck.  Oh how its changed through the years.  Here we are celebrating my Rodan + Fields Promotion Gin + Tonic style.  Truly a weekend well lived.

With the opening of the pool, the bathroom apparently moves outside too.

Thanks Mom and Dad for such a beautiful afternoon.

Soccer Star

Drew got to enjoy the local I9 Soccer program - I helped to coach (thus no photos).  Being our 3rd and being 3 made me wonder how he would do -

He is a smart ass - 

when the team did introductions they said their name.  

When I asked Drew's name he said 'no one' - yup, that was his response.  

Smart ass

 I also remember when Nick first played soccer, he enjoyed it, but he wasn't terribly tenacious or knew to follow the ball - 

Drew - NOT THAT PROBLEM.  At 3 he was good.  Really good.  To the point that I kept asking him to pass the ball (but I often let him just take the ball down and score)

He loved it

At one point we separate the team and had them scrimmage.  Our team was getting clobbered (yes they are 3 year olds so honestly it didn't matter) but at one point, I did give Drew the ball and told him to forget passing...  just score...  and he did.  Shocking.

Our 3 boys are SO different and I LOVED watching him play and enjoy sports.

He is our Elli Manning..... (birth order wise....) just sayin.....

Nick was playing Flag football with Chris across the way soaking in his football time.  Shane - well he was soaking in the donuts and chill time with Oma Sue and Goomba.