Opening Day

So Haley had Opening Ceremonies for Softball yesterday and she was so excited!  The ceremonies were short and sweet and geared completely to the girls and having FUN!  There was music and girls dancing everywhere.  The ceremony itself was a parade of players, first pitch, and the banner contest.  It was over within 20 minutes then there were games, food, and music.  All the kids had a blast and didn't even mind that it was windy and cold.  We can't wait to watch her play her first game.  Games start on Monday night, but we just happened to get a bye that night so we have to wait clear until next Saturday to play.  I guess it gives us something to look forward to this week :)

Forgive me for all the pictures, but I couldn't resist!  She looks so DANG CUTE!!!

The 2011 8U Cubs--Cute girls!

Parade of Players.  All the banners were homemade and very creative.  They had a winner for each division and all the kids helped carry it onto the field as their names were read with fun dancing music in the background.

Haley at the Cake Walk--Hunter had already won a HUGE cake :)

They had a T-ball hitting contest and everyone was cheering as Haley whacked the ball and gave those bigger girls a run for their money!

Here we go again . . .



Hunt and Coach Mike

Yesterday was Opening ceremonies for little league.  Hunter also had his first game against the Dodgers.  They did great and had a blast.  We've had one little girl that wouldn't even practice with the team, but she got out there and had a blast.  I think it's because she has a great coach!  This is Michael's 3rd year coaching the T-Ball Red Sox and he is well loved by the kids and parents.  I love seeing him get so excited about a bunch of 4-6 year olds going out to play ball!                                                                                                   The ceremonies were good and they ran on time which is great when it's cold and windy outside.  I'm not sure the little t-ballers understand the whole process, but 2 of our kids won prizes that were raffled off so they were excited.  After the ceremony we headed to the game at another park and got warmed up a bit.  I was excited to stay for most of the game before heading to Haley's practice at another park.  When the day was over we had left the house at 8:30 in the morning and didn't get home until around 2:30.  That's a long day for a 1 and 2 year old who are used to naps and regular meals :)  It's going to be a busy season with 2 kids playing in 2 different leagues.  Michael might be able to make it to 1 of Haley's games, which is to bad!  I love watching the kids compete and have fun playing sports, but I'm always happy to see the end and get my family back for a while.  I'm glad Michael is coaching and it's truly a  family event!  I even spent last Saturday with Haley at a Softball Clinic.  I got my own glove and learned quite a bit.  It's so fun to go out and actually play catch with your kids.  Hunter is getting so much better and can even catch a lot of the balls thrown at him.

Do you think we like the Red Sox?

  

This is what I dealt with.  Snot and cold winds.  Gross . . . I know!



Haley really wanted to be out on the field with Dad and the T-ballers!  Her opening ceremonies are next week

 

Here's all the kids and coaches . . . they're sizing up the competition :)

Michael is soo good with the kids and they really look up to him.  This is him with Hunters friend Tanner.  He looks like he's lost in all that equipment.

Throw me the BALL!

Eye on the ball . . .

Check out that Stance!



Here they are herding the kids onto the field.  Cute kids!

Haley insisted on a picture of "the girls" even
though she looks like she just got out of bed.  

Bad Day

Upstairs bedroom

So I guess you could call this a bad day!  These are some pictures of my parents house yesterday as they watched it burn.  We are so grateful that nobody got hurt and they were even able to save some of the furniture and clothes.  It's still a sad thing!  My Great-grandparents built this house and it holds a ton of amazing memories that will never fade!  Right now it's killing me not being in Panguitch, but there isn't much for me to do there.  I'm hoping to go up soon, this is one of those things that makes you really need your family close!  I will be forever thankful for the memories and things I learned spending time with my grandparents during the summers.  The house has changed a bit over the years, but the love that has been there for generations has never changed.  We'll still have many more memories to make when things are fixed or even if there's a new house in it's place.  There just better be a front porch for us to enjoy!  Thanks for all the prayers and help that has been offered in our families behalf.  I am so thankful for the community of Panguitch to help especially since I'm not there to do it!

View from the top of the stairs

My mom's sewing space.  Her new serger melted into the table.

This is where the woodburning stove was and the kitchen in the background

The futon on the bottom is where my kids usually slept

Birthday Photo Shoot

Since Haley and Hunter just had birthdays, I wanted to take them out for a quick photo shoot.  We ended up including everyone and had fun.  Some friends joined us and we got some cute shots.  It's easy when the kids are so dang cute!

Oh my Heaven LOOK who's SEVEN

My little girl just had her 7th Birthday.  I CAN'T believe how fast she is growing up.  I see a teenager just around the corner!  Haley had a fun birthday.  We spread the gifts out throughout the day which made her happy.  She had softball practice at noon so she got a few gifts before heading out.  A new bat bag, cleats, and batting gloves oh and don't forget the bat!  Man this girl is spoiled!  Most of the stuff she needed anyway so we just saved it and wrapped it.  I think she was most excited about the bat bag--it's Pink!  She is such a daddy's girl and loves anything baseball!  She was excited to go to practice and use all her new equipment! 

After practice we rushed home to get ready for her party.  She invited 6 friends over for treats then we took them all to see Gnomeo and Juliet.  It was cute and the girls all had a great time.  We made it a fairly low key party because last year she had a huge one.  She was thrilled!  I think I realized how grown up she was when I saw her opening her gifts from her friends.  Earrings, a dress, and more clothes.  She did get one Barbie that she was just as excited for.  Haley is such a joy to us!  She keeps us laughing all the time!  She is an amazing example to her little brothers and her parents to!  She has taken the challenge to read the Book of Mormon everyday very seriously and reminds me most of the time.  I think it's my favorite time of the day.  Haley excels at school and LOVES learning.  What a blessing it is to get to be her Mom and watch her grow up!  Here are a few pictures from the festivities of the day.



Haley chose to have a brownie sundae instead of a cake (I thought it was a GREAT idea), but being the good Mom I am we forgot to sing Happy Birthday so lucky Haley got 2 brownies.  She didn't mind a bit!