Saturday, October 14, 2017

baseball season

Somehow Mom got suckered into letting all three kids play baseball this year which meant three different teams and three different practices to go to.  Now normally, I would not let my three year old little girl play sports at all yet, but last year when I coached Gus' team I let Nora join since she was already there every day and she was interested.  Ever since then she would ask when t-ball started again.  I thought I would be able to convince her not to play this year, but I had no luck bribing her with anything.  So I caved.  She loved it again.  She is pretty darn good for such a tiny little girl.  As I have said before she does not get that from me.  She is following in my mom's foot steps and being a sporty little sister so that she can  keep up with her brothers.  So anyway, sports are slowly taking over our lives more than I like, but the kids all seem to happy about it.  Here are some highlights...
Even though Nora only had one friend on her team, we ended up having practice at the same time and place as bunch of other friends so we would usually stay afterwords to all have a picnic dinner together.  These evenings made it much more fun for Mom.
Jimmy was on the same team as his friend Sampson and his cousin Finn (not that I got one picture of them together!).  His team did pretty well and won one playoff game.  Jimmy always tries hard and does his best which makes me so proud of him.  He got two triples which was pretty exciting.
Gus had three buddies from school on his team and always had a good time.  
Nora and Francie were also good little spectators at many games...
And the best part of all is when the season was over!  Nora was excited about her trophy... and the snacks.  I think the snacks were her favorite part.  She will definitely keep playing for many years as long as there are snacks.
And a special thanks goes out to my grandfather, Don Woods, for founding the St. Francis Baseball League over 60 years ago.  
He is surely loving seeing all his great grandchildren still being a part of it. 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

jimmy's first communion and confirmation

On April 29, we were very blessed for Jimmy to make a big milestone as a Catholic.
Along with the rest of his 3rd Grade class he made his First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
It was special that he got to do it with his cousin, Jake, as well.
Having Mimi there to be his sponsor was very special.
We are so proud of our sweet Jimmy who is growing up so well and growing in his faith.
We had a small celebration afterwords at Spinatos.
It was a blessed day.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

easter 2017

Jesus is Risen Today!!!
Time to check out the Easter Baskets and then hunt for eggs!
Our cousins parked their RV in our carport so they got to be there in the morning for the egg hunt.  Then they joined us at the cathedral for mass.
We managed to round all the kids up for a few obligatory posed family pictures.
I am always happy to get one of these...
Then time to get brunch ready...
Nora helped Nat crack the hardboiled eggs...
Baabee came over to join us...
We set up kid brunch outside so the grown-ups could have a nice leisurely meal inside..
Our cousins headed out that afternoon to start their Arizona National Parks adventure.  We were sad to say goodbye, but felt so blessed that they came to visit.  We enjoyed our afternoon with the aunts playing games and enjoying the lovely weather.  Angie did more hairstyles (who knew you could French Braid a baby's hair?), the kids did some Easter crafts, and we played cards.
Some people got in some naps in the sunshine...
I took a little time to take some pictures of these sweet sisters...
Before the aunts had to leave we got in some swim at Baabee's.  
We sure love when they take the time and money to come visit us.  We love them so!  It was another great Easter with many blessings.