Will's First Baseball Game

Will had his first baseball game this past Sunday. I am one proud Mama. Baseball has always been a big part of our family. I grew up going to all my brother's, Jon's, games. I can't remember NOT watching baseball on tv and going to games is a natural pass time. Case in point...my mom and Ken have been touring around the US the past couple years going to baseball games, trying to hit up every stadium in the US. They're in Denver right now, my mom got her $1 hot dog on her birthday. :-) Anyway, my mom took all of us to Will's first Mariners game when he was only 4 months old. And my brother Jon got him his first Mariners' jersey. Now it's Will's turn to be the star of the game. To see all these little buggers in their grown up game gear is by far one of the cutest things I have ever seen. These kiddo's were amazing...sitting in batting order, hitting, trying again, running, stopping (harder than you think when you're 4 and really want to hit ALL the bases), getting grounders, throwing, touching the bases, running off the field to get helmets and sit in order, then grabbing their hats and mits and running back out on to the field.
Will is number 6, we were hoping for 7 b/c that's Jeremy's number but they did it by height and he needed just a tiny bit more growth to be 7. But then we realized 6 made sense, b/c my number was 5 in sports growing up...so we have 5, 6, & 7. There are about 6 teams within the Shetland division, all named after MLB teams...so Will had a 1 in 6 chance of being a Padre...and he got it, it was all meant to be. They play for about an hour, this time it was 3 innings. Everyone bats, and everyone plays. Nobody sits down when there's an out. And at the last bat, everyone runs home.
I think Will had a good time...he seemed to have fun, he hit really well, didn't hit the tee at all, and caught quite a few grounders while at shortstop. He also made up a little song about how much he loves his team.

Molly is not one to be left out.

My Little Man

Heading in...and loaded with lots of toys to keep a 2 year old girl busy for 1 1/2hrs. (not that she played with any of them!)

Walking in this way, was their idea. Holding hands, a little team of their own.

Team Cheerleader

Asking Peter if he wants to warm up, play catch.

Warming up.

The "other" team. The Cubs. (I was proud that they had TWO girl players. One even had two braids coming out the "ear holes" of her helmet. It was so cute.)

Molly wants to be part of the team so badly...she's showin how she can "run" too. Cheerleader, HA!

Pre-game pep talk.

Brother...You're my Hero.

The Padre's just before the 1st pitch. Love this pic.

Hey...You're cute. What's your name?

Clapping for the first hit. (check out Molly at the end. She had to be right there, IN IT, the whole time...all the other sibs...could care less. :-) )

For some reason, this pic cracks me up...so serious.



Look at his cute little nervousness. Feet perfectly on the base and his hand balled up in a fist.

He's headed home!

Will's Baseball Career Begins

Will's first baseball practice as a member of Carlsbad Youth Baseball was this past Saturday. He's in the "Shetland" division (they're all named after horses) and his particular team is the Padres. Lucky boy, getting his home town team! It was exciting to meet his coach, teammates and their families. I hadn't ever really thought about the fields they would be playing on, but it made sense. We pulled up and it was a cluster of 3 "mini fields." Loved it, just right for all these little munchkins. Seeing these 4 year olds in "grown up" gear, just got me laughing. Helmet, baseball pants, baseball belt, and cleats. Next week they get their uniforms, a shirt and hat. We have one more practice and then their first game. Will was very excited to go get all his new gear and has practically slept with his new mit ever since.

Look at that stride.



Will's in the navy blue shirt and pants.


Checking out his stance.

We could tell Will was a little nervous b/c he wouln't bend his knees or move his feet when he was hitting.

Our official scorekeeper.

Here's to Old Friends, Here's to the Best of Friends

My friend Terri and her family were visiting San Diego and I was such a lucky lucky girl to be able to spend a day with her, her hubby, Ryan, and their adorable little boy, Connor. Terri and I were the best best best of friends in grad school in San Francisco. We met at USF while getting our Masters. She was my go to girl and her momma even took care of our Lady when we would head home for Christmas. She was the first (and only) CA friend to visit us when we moved to WA, and we all (including Will) flew down to Lake Tahoe to attend Terri and Ryan's gorgeous wedding. That was the last time we saw them...3 years ago. Fast forward to today, and it was like no time had passed at all. I was DELIGHTED. We jabbered and talked and hugged....I enjoyed every minute of it...and I realized how much I miss her. And our friendship. So we vowed to stay in touch, and visit visit visit. :-)
We met at Balboa Park in San Diego. A beautiful collection of museums, buildings, walk ways, gorgeous water fountains, yummy restaurants, and fun fun stuff for the kids-a carousel, mini train, and trolley rides.

Me and Terri, we decided to eat lunch at this fabulous restaurant called the Sculpture Court Cafe. They had beautiful sculptures throughout and a grassy area the kids could run around in and climb on more sculptures.

Connor, Ryan and Terri

Isn't that just the prettiest. I think she's so darn pretty.

One of the fun rides for kids, Will chose the "Blue Angel" of course.


While Will flew the airplane, Molly rode the carousel.

Boarding the train, in the background, Terri, Connor and Ryan, in the foreground, Molly and Jeremy.

They had these gigantic stuffed animals (like you get at FAO Schwartz in NY) riding the train, so Will chose a car with a gorilla, if you look closely, you can see the giraffe further back.

Going through the tunnel.

This is the beginning of the gorgeous buildings, museums, and walk ways.

This is outside...just...a gorgeous way to walk outside. Doesn't lead to anything, could have just been a plain ole sidewalk...but they made it an archway of beautifulness instead.

I think Will's waving...but I'm not sure why, or at who.

I love the spontaneity of this picture...look at Molly's smile and her little foot step and the way Will took me by complete surprise with a big hug.

Mommy says, "careful Molly, don't fall in." Brother says, "careful Mom, don't fall in."
Everybody takes care of everybody in this family...HA!