Blaine's Christmas Recital

Oh my goodness.  I love the Christmas recital the best.  All the students did so well ... and Blaine, although he tries to say he doesn't like it, continues to progress.  He definitely has a gift and aptitude for music.  Mrs. Pam is so wonderful as his teacher.  She gets his playful side and understands that he also plays sports.  She knows just how to challenge him without frustrating him.  It's pretty magical!

So happy that so many in the fam came out to see him play ... :)

Day 3 ... final games

Thursday was another HOT one.

The boys had made it to bracket play ... with a record of 2-2 in pool play.

They ended up winning their first blacket game - look at their faces!

Pure adrenaline after that win!

It was a good second game, but we came up short.

Blaine and his buddy Braeden

All the little sisters - dressed for July 4th!

Jarrett attempted to use GameChangers to score the game,

but it got too complicated!

Love this pic that they took at the tourney - 

they sure know how to get parents to spend $$!

These were our pins that the boys traded with the other teams in the tourney.

And this was the best part of the day!!

2nd day of ball ....

So, we already established just how HOT Orange Beach could be in the dead of July.  Day 2 was no different.  We showed up, played hard and came away with 2 wins on the day.



          

One of the best things ever invented for sweltering days is a rag thingy called a Frog Tog.  Basically its this rubbery material that you can stick in ice water and keep cold.  Then wring it out when you need to cool off and put it around your neck or on your head like Blaine above.  Made me think of Clifford the big red dog!

       

Not such a bad day when you realize you get to end it like this!

             

      Jacob and his buddies and Blaine with Braeden.  Fun times for all!



           

And because Aunt Beck was with us, we were able to sneak in a date night!  This restaurant was yummy and had pretty views off a nearby pier while we waited!

Let the Tourney Begin!

The boys were ready!  First day of tourney play.  One word described how it felt ... HOT.  Seriously, ridiculously, skin-meltingly hot.  Thankful for the dads that brought a generator, a tent and box fans.  We affectionately named that area 'VIP SEATING' ... ha!  Lots of Frog Togs were used ... and kept on ice ... we made sure there was LOTS of water ... and sunscreen!

pregame prayer

Pregame chant ...

        

GO FALCONS!

Warming up in centefield ...

        

Jake with his buddy Hunter ...

VIP SECTION!!!

   

Bowdie sporting one of the fans the younger sisters made for us!

Not the outcome we wanted ... trying to cool down afterward!

SPLASH!

The kids weren't the only ones having fun ... our dads are just kids at heart!

We have arrived!

So we arrived late Sunday night at Orange Beach.  So grateful to Beck for driving us - I was in NO condition to be operating a vehicle - sleep deprivation tends to make that a bit dangerous!

Monday we woke up and had mostly a free day - the boys played in the courtyard, on the beach, in the ocean, in the pool.  Basically anywhere they could!  The coaches took the team to the pin trading event and let us moms stay at the condos.  Then we cooked out for dinner - and walked across the street to ride go carts.  A blast!  Just so so sad that Bowdie was home working while we all played.  Love that man!

On to Orange Beach ... and more baseball!

So ... as if Cooperstown didn't provide enough baseball,

right after church, we washed up clothes, repacked and headed south to the beach!

This time it was Blaine's turn ... his team was playing in a tourney down there.

By we, I mean me, Becky, and the boys.  Bowdie had to stay home a few days to go to work.

I was so thankful that Becky was coming so that she could drive.

Because I was completely fried from our early morning flight!

So here we are ... packed and ready to head down for round 2!!