Cydney's Birthday Weekend.

The weekend before last, we celebrated Cydney's 6th birthday. It was a whirlwind weekend. Saturday, we started the day with a soccer game followed by her birthday party that afternoon. Sunday we spend the afternoon at the American Girl store.

Cydney putting the candles on her cake. She designed the cake herself.

Cydney posing in front of her 'tea party' table.

Chandler actually let Cydney hug him...only because it was her birthday.

Dress up time. The girls got all dressed up for the tea party.

All dressed up and ready for the Tea Party.

Blowing out her candles.

Sunday morning, ready for church in her new dress.

Lunch at the Bistro in the American Girl doll store. We had to borrow a doll because she hadn't picked her's out yet. We had to discuss her selection at lunch.

She finally decided on Kanani. She is the doll of year for 2011. Cydney liked her because she is from Kaua'i. She decided to wait until next time to get a doll that looks like her.

A successul day. She is happy and I am broke!

Ready for school on her actual birthday, Monday the 26th.

Ready for her first dance class. She got all of the dance tights, ballet shoes and tap shoes for her birthday.

Leaning how to use the bar in dance class.

First Day of School

The kids started school yesterday, finally, after a long, hot, and very dry summer. Cydney started kindergarten at the Elementary School and Chandler started the 4th grade at the Intermediate School.

Ready to start the day!

Cydney posing with Bo. Her teacher is Mrs. Turner. She is very nice and we have heard very good things about her. She will be a great teacher for Cyd. She knows two other kids in her class from preschool and she has lots of friends in other classes.
Chandler is the big kid this year. No longer the new guy...he walked into school by himself without dad. Just a drop off at the front door. His homeroom teacher is Miss Ishmael. He actually has 4 teachers, this is his first year to change classes.

Cydney at her desk. She is doing great. She can already find her class by herself which is a great achievement. The kindergarten hall is in the middle of the school and kind of hard for a little kid to find.

Just before school started, Mike took each of the kids for a little get-away. Cyd went to the circus and Chandler went to Oklahoma for the Quarter Horse Show. I hope to have pictures soon. The pictures have not made it from Mike's iPhone to my computer yet.

Cyd has started practicing with the Saints for soccer. Her team moved up to the next age group since half of her team needed to move up. Chandler has started practicing with the Eagles for baseball. They both begin their seasons on September 10th.

The puppies are doing great and growing bigger every day. Cyd named her puppy Mr. Martini, after Martina. We will call him "t" or "tini".

Newest Members of the Family.

Earlier this summer we lost our beloved Aussie, Martina. Even though she was our dog for such a short time, she was part of our family and we loved and miss her so much. While Martina will never be forgotten and she will always have a special place in our hearts, we are very excited to have 2 new Aussie puppies. We have two little brothers, 7 weeks old and ready to be ranch dogs.

When we woke up this morning we had no idea the day would end with these two precious little boys at our home...

Two little fellows, soon to be ranch dogs.

The one on the right is Chandler's. He named him Mr. Beaujangles, we will call him 'Bo'

This one is Cyd's. He still doesn't have a name yet. Cydney is still working on that.

Chandler showing off a handful of puppies.

Cute, cute, cute...

Posing and ready for their first ride in the green cart.

Off to see the barn.

Riding in style.

We will be starting our busy sports schedule again soon. Only a short break from softball. Chandler begins practice for fall baseball tomorrow for the 'Eagles'. Cydney will play soccer again for the 'Saints'. Then school begins in 3 weeks!!!

PLAYOFF TIME!

Cydney has been very busy playing softball! Her team has been though two tournaments. The Fury have had a great season!

Cydney playing outfield at her first tounament. The city tournament was held June 17-18.

Cydney makes a hit!

...waiting on first base.

hanging out in the dugout.

...heading towards home.

The Fury takes 1st place in the city tournament. They are headed to the district playoffs.

This is what softball is all about... the snowcones after the game!

FATHER'S DAY

Mike enjoying a nice quiet day at home.

Daddy got a nice new rug for his office for Father's Day.

The rug looks great in his barn office!

ENJOYING THE DECK IN THE SUMMER!

CYDNEY LOSES ANOTHER TOOTH!

TIME FOR DISTRICT PLAYOFFS...

We started the 4th of July at the ballpark.

Entering the gates to a much bigger ballpark...

playing outfield in a really big ballpark!

After winning the game, the family had a great time picking blueberries at a local blueberry orchard. It was VERY hot...

Our bucket of blueberries.

Finishing the holiday with sparklers on the deck!

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

Getting her hair done for the big game. Don't all ballplayers need their hair colored red?

Cyd gets a high five from Coach Jason.

Cyd with her first place trophy.

The Ranger's Season Comes to a Close...

I have not posted lately because our life has revolved around baseball....We are involved with baseball at least 4 nights a week. Some nights we have kids playing at the same time in two different towns! Baseball in a small town is very intense.....

Chandler's team, the Rangers, have had a difficult year. Most of the kids are playing ball for the first time. The good thing is they have all worked hard and have learned to play together as a team. Chandler has learned two new positions this year...catcher and 2nd base. He absolutely LOVES playing catcher and he is very good at it!

Chandler warming up before a game.

Having fun in the dugout.


Chandler pitching the best game they played this year! He had 8 strikeouts.

Chandler showing off the gameball he won that same night. Besides the 8 strikeouts, he hit a double and a triple.

Tomorrow night is his last game of the season. We are however still going strong with Cyd's team. Her team is in the playoffs....more to come with that....

Catch up Postings Part II

LTC Weekend

Easter weekend was different for us this year. Instead of our usual family dinner and easter egg hunt, we loaded up to spend the weekend attending the LTC convention. LTC is a program for 3rd through 12th graders that expands their knowledge of a specific Bible topic. LTC stands for Leadership Training for Christ. The kids participate in various activities that enhance their knowledge of the Bible. This year's topic was the book of Revelation.

Chandler receiving his plaque and medals at church service the week following LTC. He only participated in 4 events since this is his 1st year and he wanted to see what it was all about.

Chandler's puppet show group. They were so good. The script was funny and creative and incorporated Revelations. The boys earned a gold medal!

His Bible Bowl team. The competition takes place Friday night. They answered 75 questions about the book of Revelations. His group consisted of 3 3rd graders and 1 4th grader. They earned a bronze medal.

Chandler is on the far left, the brown puppet with brown hair. He was 'Jack.'

Chandler also received a bronze medal for service projects and a bronze medal for daily devotional.

When the kids returned home Easter afternoon, they found the Easter Bunny had left some treats in the yard.

SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Since this is a sports family blog, it is time to incorporated sports pictures! The weekend after Easter, Cyd's softball team participated in a softball tournament in a neighboring town. They actually started in Thursday night and won that game. They then played Saturday...for 5 games...after alot of hard work they made it to the championship game!

Cyd hitting off the t. She wears red and black and her team name is the "Fury"

Cyd and all of the girls of the "Fury" were so proud of their 2nd place trophies!!!

More sports pictures to follow. We are crazy busy with baseball. Chandler played in a tournament last weeked and both play at least 1 game per week. We are spending at least 4 nights a week involved with baseball. They are definately serious about their baseball here!