Play Ball!

Baseball is in full swing around here. The boys have played three games each and only have like 18 left. Yes, we have an intense and crazy season. Practices started in early March and the tournament ends the middle of June. We nearly eat, breathe and sleep baseball for 3 1/2 months. Thankfully the boys are enjoying it more and the girls have been fairly containable thus far. We'll see how long that lasts as the season progresses. Trey's team has THREE games just this week. Toss in Josh and Matt's 2 games plus 2 practices and man, and I wonder why I don't cook anymore.

Between scouts, YW, baseball and Rich's tough May and June call schedule I don't know how we are going to fit in swim team that will start in one month. That one will be tricky with the girls. Hopefully the church things will take a break during the summer. Just thinking about it all makes me tired!

Trey's still on the Orioles (coach pitch) and has moved into the infield this year as well. He plays third base and had his first out tonight when he fielded the ball on third and threw out the runner on second. He gets on base 95% of the time which is great for my heart. I just get so nervous when it gets close and he comes up to bat.

It was perfect weather for baseball tonight. We finally got our first game we weren't all shivering the entire time. After playind 3rd base for a couple of innings, they warmed him up at 1st base, but then moved him back to 3rd. I was a bit nervous to think he would be playing 1st for two reasons. 1- Gotta catch the ball and get the out and 2- Gotta catch the ball so you don't knock out all your teeth! Trey steps up to the plate. He hit a solid ground ball past second base to the grass.Runs to second, third and then home to score in on the next batter's hit. (Note the opposing teams catcher only has one leg. Tbis little boy is amazing! We played against him last year in t-ball. He can hit the ball and run the bases with the help of one of his crutches and has amazing balance.)Trey's run made Kaitlyn proud. OK, the smile really might have been from the Cheetos and diet Sprite she and Brynn were snacking on and the fact she was on the bleachers instead of in a stroller. But just maybe.Josh and Matt are still on the Braves and have lost by 1 run twice and won by 1 run once. Matt earned 2 game balls and now I'll have to keep reminding him that when he doesn't get another one all year. Matt is playing pitcher (they stand next to the pitching mound) and has done a great job. He played right field 99% with 5 other outfield fielders last year, so to be in the infield and get real outs puts a smile on his face. (And helps ease his freak out when I tell him he has to stop playing with his toys or friends and put on his uniform). Josh is almost always first base can can finally catch just about anything that comes to him. It's such a relief knowing if the other player can get the ball to him, he'll probably get them out. That just wasn't the case last year. Matt has turned into one of the best batters on the team too. I don't know how many times last year it came down to the LAST swing and I was praying he didn't strike out. T-ball is very fun to watch. There are always a few good laughs when the kids (ages 4-6) run bases.

Here are a few pictures from the past few games.
(PRESEASON GAME) Matt playing pitcher and Josh playing second baseOur lefty MattGame ball #1 Trey playing third base in a game last week.
Heavy hitter- Trey man
Brynn enjoying the dandelions
Katilyn joins in the fun.Matt playing pitcher. Gotta love the helmet and backward cap. Matt is #4 and Josh is #5. First baseman Josh.Matt's scores! I love this picture. How many six year olds can play under the lights? It looks like a big league field to me. Josh smacks one to the outfield.
Game ball #2. Matt threw the ball to Josh on 1st for 4 outs in one inning. Way to go!There you have it. Where else in the world can you find lights on a t-ball field or 12 men putting down a huge tarp over the field after the game to keep the infield dry if it rains? Only in Lexington.

Go Braves and Orioles!

Tuesday Tell All: Professional Help

From the topic title you might just think I feel compelled to write about the professional help I need to achieve mental sanity and stability, but thankfully I have an exercise bike and blog that keep me happy and moving in the right direction. The actual TTA meaning is this:

For what activity would you want professional lessons?

OK, that is a large topic to cover, and while I do want to hit on a few, I thought I would share things I have got down to a science- no professional lessons needed in these areas.

* Changing diapers. Had YEARS of experience on this one. I am currently in the standing up change age. No laying down around here. They just drop their diaper (which they do all by themselves and happily run around naked until I chase them down) and I swoop in and wrap one around them. Saves time and hopefully messes on the floor.

* Scrubbing bathrooms. With 3 boys, it seems like mine could be scrubbed down everyday. I know the girls learn by example and they must watch me clean one of the bathrooms daily. I'll admit that I've found them more than once quiet in the bathroom while they take turns using the toilet brush on the bowl, floor and tub. Nice.

* Cleaning the glass door. I can't stand smudges on the front glass door since it's the first thing people see when they come to your home. My neighbors must think I'm compulsive (which I probably am), but it makes me happy knowing it looks clean because you never know who might just drop by.

* Driving carpool. OK, so I'm not always the first in line, but I have only been late one time for pick up this year. I think that qualifies me as a good chauffeur. So, if you need a lif, call me. I'll pick you up. Oh, and I do accept tips- like trips to McDonald's for ice cream. Yummy.

* Yard work. Got practice on this one today. When Rich got home from the hospital he didn't even try to take over the lawn mower because he knew I wouldn't release my grip. He just started helping by picking up random toys and moved the play set over so I could cut the long grass underneath. He knows me too well.

* Talking on the phone. The girls have mimicked me on the phone from a young age. At least I'm almost always talking to family. Love a good chat with a loved one.

Now to the real topic.....

* I love to take a sewing and quilting class. I am self taught and if you've seen my work it shows. I made tied quilts a few years ago for our parents and grandparent's Christmas gifts. After I gave one to my Grandma Nance I told her to not look to closely, since she was a home economics teacher and seamstress. Since I brought it up, she kindly started giving me tips on how I could have done the binding a bit better. I just smiled, because even though her way was the right way, it just sounded like it would take so much longer! Maybe if I took a class I could learn some tricks of the trade, which would still allow me to sew quickly, but greatly improve my sewing ability as well. I also would I love to learn how to crochet or knit. My Aunt Gloria taught me how to crochet the edges of burp clothes, but I have never completed anything else. My one and only attempt years ago looked like a very lopsided scarf instead of a blanket. I had put so much time into it, that seeing it look so horrible made me sad. So I tossed it in the garbage and never looked back. Seems like I should try once again.

* I'd love to take a cooking class. I have issues with coming up with ideas for dinner. If Rich has to eat the same "Spicy Chicken" enchiladas or 4 types of soup for years on end he might just start eating out. (Which is a big statement!) Poor guy. Maybe a class would inspire me to be a more dedicated chef in the kitchen. Though I would settle for a cookbook filled with recipes my family would actually eat. That would be priceless!

* I would love to take golf lessons. Rich loves the sport and I could see us having a great time on the links in future years. I took a few years of golf when I was a teenager. We would hit a bucket of balls and then practice putting as a group. At the end we all would take a turn making a put and the winner could pick out a golf ball when we got back to the club house. I won a few balls that summer (hot pink, baby pink, baby blue and purple as I recall), but I don't think it was the lessons. It was from the years we often spent Saturdays at Trafalga playing a round of 18 miniature golf holes that won me my prizes.

* I would love to learn about photography. I love pictures. They are the best way to capture memories. I used to be better about taking video, but my little camera is always in my bag, so it's just easier to document things with still shots. I need to buy a higher quality camera first, but someday, I'd love to snap images that could pass for shots clips from a magazine. Someday.

Thunder Over Louisville

Last night we made our annual trek to the Louisville riverfront to experience the big kick off event for the Kentucky Derby which is always run on the first Saturday of May. There on the banks of the Ohio with Kentucky on the south and Indiana on the north you can watch the greatest firework show in north America- Thunder Over Louisville. For two solid weeks The Derby Festival has various activities celebrating the most exciting 2 minutes of sports- the Run for the Roses. Every year they start with Thunder Over Louisville (air show and fireworks). They also have the Pegasus Parade, the Great Steamboat Race, a marathon, the Great Balloon race (hot air balloons), the Balloon Glow (hot air balloons), a basketball game and other smaller activities. It is a very enjoyable time to live in or close by to the city.

I have LOVED the Kentucky Derby since I was a child. We watched it every year on TV. I loved the Dan Fogelberg song and when Rich was accepted to the University of Louisville for medical school, the first thing the name Louisville brought to my mind was that the greatest horse race was run there every May. So to hear that the city threw a huge party leading up to the big day was music to my ears. Who wouldn't love a free enormous firework show in the city you live in? This night may well be my favorite night of the year in Louisville. I have attended every year we have lived in Kentucky except in 2005 when the girls were 3 weeks old and Rich was on call. Instead of waiting for hours on the great lawn with 750,000 of your favorite friends, we all huddled up in my room and watched the distant fireworks from the second story window. It made me sad that we weren't there close enough to feel the booms on your chest, smell the smoke and often get a few bits of fireworks in your eyes. OK, maybe I didn't mind missing that last bit, but you get the picture.

2001 I was 6 months pregnant with Josh and Matt and needed to fly back to Utah so I could deliver where we had family. We flew out of Louisville on Friday night, just 24 hours before Thunder. I was sad I couldn't witness the show, but I was in no condition to walk miles and miles to and from the car and I didn't fully realize how incredible the whole thing was. I didn't really know what I was missing.

2002

We headed downtown on a whim because I wanted to see the air show. I still was in the dark of the significance of this event and thought 3 children 2 and under would not have been a great activity. Once we were in the city and you saw the masses of people and felt the excitement there was NO way I was headed back home before we saw this thing through. Somehow we survived 10 hours downtown with one diaper, one bottle, a handful of snacks, light jackets and Josh's intense dislike for the airplanes. We ran into Kip and Kristen Norris from our ward and ended up with them and their friends on the great lawn- the prime view spot. The show far exceeded any expectations I had. They put out 2 barges on either side on one of the bridges. The barges go off simultaneously and there are fireworks on the bridge as well. The show is set to music and last for about a half an hour. It's like the biggest grand finale you've ever seen from start to finish. It was magical to say the least. I was hooked.

2003 We headed down around 5 PM after the Hamilton's had secured a spot with some of their friends the West’s. We joined Josh and Tiffany Madsen (and Keenan) and Jim and Marcie Alcorn (and Hayden). It was so wonderful to spend the night with some of our very best friends.

2004 My family had traveled with me back to Louisville from Utah with the kids after a visit, since Rich, a third year medical student, and was stuck down in Madisonville, KY doing his general surgery rotation. Happily they were in town Thunder weekend. This year my family were the ones reserving our spot on the lawn. We headed downtown around 2 PM, with a blanket, DVD player and a few snacks. It was killer hot. Thankfully we had a bit of shade a tent the group next to us had erected. My dad went off in search of drinks and after we consumed 2 64 oz drinks none of us need a restroom break because we were so dehydrated. Todd and Kristi Hamilton joined us that evening after they rollerbladed down River Road from their apartment in Melwood. Kristi was like 6 months pregnant. What a nut! The most memorable parts of the wait were the totally Kentucky family next to us that had thick accents and a little boy that kept shooing away people trying to sneak in and sit in our spot. My Dad thanked him for his efforts, gave him a small bit of change as payment, and boy did he keep the unwanted guests away! The other unforgettable moment was when Kristi asked this random stranger to stop smoking. She told him she was pregnant and he needed to stop. It's funny, but it was nice to sit and not have to breathe in the smoke. We always joke that Thunder is the only outdoor event that you could come home smelling like you were in a bar. Thankfully the show didn't disappoint and my family loved it all. It only would have been better if we hadn't gotten stuck in the Ambulatory Care Clinic's parking lot and downtown traffic and gotten home at 1 PM. My family's flight was around 6:30 AM the next morning, so they left exhausted. It is never fun when a 20 minute drive suddenly lasts 3 hours!

2005 This year was the most memorable one by far and yet our family went all alone! The weather was beyond horrible. That morning it had hailed and rained and kept almost everyone home, but not us. Well, I really should say, it didn't deter me. Rich had no intention of going, but I wasn't going to allow that to happen. I went to Wal-mart in search of supplies. I ran into Todd and Kristi and her parents who were in town visiting. When I said we were still on for Thunder they thought we were nuts. I could see in Kristi's dads eyes that he wanted to go, but Anna was small and it would have been a rough night to sit through. We left our home around 6 PM and even though we still had to park miles away because of the road closures, we walked down River Road alone. We stopped at the splash park and got the boys a hot dog and then made our last push toward the lawn. Just as we passed under the freeway overpass the rain struck again with some added sleet. The diehards that had camped out all day were huddled in their tents while the unlucky ones without that necessary protection ran toward the underpass for safety. We got to the grass and found a few tents scattered on the hill. It was crazy to see how empty it was. Instead of being scrunched in tight we had our pick of the whole park. Just to tease Kristi I gave her a call once we got our tent, tarps, hats, gloves, coats, umbrellas and game boys in place. I told her the place was packed and they were silly not to come. I think they might have believed me for a brief second, but then I told her we had the pick of the place and were one of the few crazy ones that made the journey in the cold and muck. An hour before the fireworks began it began to rain again, and sleet and nearly snow. On a last minute thought I tossed in a small play tent I got at Target and it saved us. Rich and I huddled under our tarp with our umbrella across our faces trying to keep dry and warm, while the boys played games inside the tiny tent. By a small miracle the storm let up and by the 9:30 PM start time the rain had stopped and we were able to enjoy an amazing show with only a handful of people.

2006This year was spent in the quiet of our home with 2 newborns. We gazed out of the window with longing as the fireworks in the distance danced and shimmered in the night. Rich was on call at the VA and my mom was in town helping with the babies and packing. That night I vowed to return the next year.

2007 We were now resident of Lexington, but that didn't keep us away from Thunder. Thankfully Rich had the day off, but the boys had baseball games in the morning and early afternoon. Even though we didn't get off to an early start, we still got to enjoy the show that night. Both Madsen families went down early and got a spot and we joined them around 7:30 PM. The night was cool, but pleasant and the fireworks and friends were worth the trip back to our old stomping grounds.

2008 My sixth thunder was a week earlier because of Passover. We once again had baseball until 4:15 PM, so we had to rely on the old gang to get a spot. After a few phone calls, they found a family in my old ward that offered to save us all a spot. Later we were surprised when we found that they weren't on the lawn, but instead a bit further east right on the river. I was concerned the view wouldn't be as nice since the "bridge to nowhere" was in our field of view, but I still thought it would be fine. We rolled into Louisville around 7:30 PM after a brief bathroom and food stop at our old McDonald's near Crestwood. We parked off of Zorn Avenue on River Road and started our long walk toward the city. The air show zoomed overhead as we moved along. We passed this fantastic front of an old home that faces the river. As we walked the wind blew, my ears ached and I was grateful we wouldn't have to wait too long until the show. We finally arrived and were greeted by the Josh and Tiffany Madsen, Tyler and Cynthia Madsen and the Hamilton's. Here's Rich, Todd and Big Josh.Me, Tiffany and Kristi. It was nice to be away from the massive crowd, smoke and ear piercing speakers. The boys ran wild while the rest of us were able to visit and passed the time jumping up and down trying to stay warm, shielding ourselves from the rain with our trusty golf umbrellas and counting down the minutes until 9:30 PM. The boys played with Keenan.Kristi and MeJosh soon asked when the show was going to start. I told him we had about 45 minutes to go. He then complained, "Why did we have to come so early!" OK, the rest of the bunch had arrived ages before us, while we happily rolled in around 8 PM. We're turning into such softies!We were lucky did didn't have to wait forever because Brynn was a basket case and very cold. She couldn't understand why her hands felt like ice cubes and her toes were frozen. She kept trying to take off her shoes and coat to fix it. Not quite the correct solution. Kaitlyn was quiet pleasant the entire night. The Hamilton's were ready for the show. Sadly Anna wanted nothing to do with the fireworks. She huddled in until she fell asleep. While the show didn't have quite the wow factor as past years with our slightly obstructed view, it still was a spectacular event we shared with lifelong friends.After the long walk back we all were ready for some warm air and rest. Soon the boys had the DVD going, the girls fell asleep and we were home to Lexington by 12:30 PM. A perfect night for all!

P.S. One more thing....Seems like I'll be out shopping for one of these soon. Our well connected friends had 2 extra 2008 KENTUCKY DERBY tickets, so Rich and I will be going to Churchill Downs on May 3. Can I say I am FREAKING OUT EXCITED! Oh my goodness, it's a lifelong wish being fullfilled. Just ask my Mom. I only wish my Grandma Beardall was still alive so I could tell her I would be there in person. She loved horse races too and I would call her every Derby day to remind her to turn it on. Good memories.

Random bits of life...

The big question is why the heck am I awake right now? Why after I tuck the kids in bed do I not just crawl into my own that very second? First off, Josh is asleep on top of my bed as I type. He came in complaining that it was too hot to fall asleep in his bed. He was out in 10 seconds flat. I need to go up and move him. Secondly, Rich is on call. I am terrible at going to bed when he's not here. I guess it's because I don't like going to sleep alone and that I can stay up late typing emails, reading or whatever and there's no guilt. Except that I'll be very tired in the morning. That while that is a tried and true fact, the sleepiness never stops me from staying up late. Even when I'm groggy when the alarm goes off I don't mind since my house is clean because I stayed up and straightened it, my laundry is done because I folded it at 11 PM and I got 2 whole hours of ALONE time with no one asking for a drink, diaper change, popsicles or change of doll clothes. Two hours of adult heaven. Priceless. Now I'll just hope I can somehow fit a nap in tomorrow. Doubtful.

Today I spied 3 robin eggs in my little nest under the deck. I am thrilled. I am really trying to not get to attached, but it's so hard. I know what day each egg was laid, I am going to see them right after they hatch, when they have fuzz and then feathers. I know I'm going to pray for the birds and so will my kids. It really is such a miracle to see new life. It just all has to go well. The girls watch me get on my knees and peer in between the boards to sneak a peek. They have no idea there is a nest with a bird and eggs underneath, so when they go on the deck they kneel down where they are and put their forehead to the grounds. It's like we are doing ritual prayers in the backyard. Such a site to see I'm sure.

I saw a street sweeper in my neighborhood this morning and felt so privileged. Growing up in Salem this was a luxury the tiny city could not afford. It happily buzzed right next to the gutter and got up all the little rocks and leaves. I was so pleased. It saved me a job. I'm one lucky girl. Sorry mom, you'll just have to keep sweeping your own gutters!

Our neighborhood is full of "popcorn" trees. I can't get enough of the arrival of warm days and lovely trees. It's even more impressive when the sun is shining and the sky is bright blue.

If you can believe it my NCAA tournament brackets actually came out on top of the Jackson Bash. I took 1st place. Hard to believe since I had UNC winning UCLA. No one saw a Kansas victory coming. Not sure how I fared on the Nance one. When I tried to pull it up tonight, I realized the site might be shut down. I think Jeff's upset bracket beat me, but I'm still not sure if I could count that as a loss since he had 2 brackets in the mix. It's like Mike Golic from Mike and Mike in the Morning. Everyone was giving him a hard time for the multiple brackets he filled out. I think that's cheating. I'm a one bracket girl and going to stay that way.

Somehow we have avoided any major rainfall the past 2 days. They had predicted major storms and yet we got only a few drops. Thank heavens. 21 inches so far in 2008 sound like plenty to me right now, but just watch, in August they'll start complaining of a drought again and ask people to ration their water on their lawns (though most don't water them anyway). After one major downpour the city officials will say never mind. Crazy stuff since where I come from drought means water shortage for years instead of days!

I watched the 2nd half of Lord of the Rings: Return of the Kings today with the boys while I rode the bike. Love the movies, but have only ever watched them all once in the theater years ago, though we own the all boxed sets. I love the books even more. If there ever was a part in a movie I would have LOVE to play it would be Eowyn. Really. She goes to battle and when her Uncle King Theoden of Rohan is knocked off his horse by a flying Nazgul, she comes to his aid and battles the fiercest opponent possible- the WitchKing leader of the Ringwrath. Just before he is going to kill her the evil king says he should die since no man can kill me. Eowyn flings off her helmet exclaims, "I am no MAN!" and puts a sword through the dark face killing him. Awesome. Truly a brilliant bit of fiction.

The boys baseball started for real yesterday. I love it. There is nothing like being at a game on a summer night with the smell of hamburgers in the air, the roar of the crowd on an exciting play and the ting of the bat. Love it. The boys played awesome (post to come). I was very pleased that our days of inning after inning of left field are behind us. It's infield time this year and the boys couldn't be more thrilled. Matt even got the game ball. Who cares that Josh and Matt lost by 1 measly run and that Trey's team got trounced 12-6. They were stars and I was one proud momma!

Today I put Kaitlyn's hair in pigtails and for the first time they looked really cute. So glad that after 25 months we are seeing improvement on the hair front.

Yesterday the girls found these old umbrella strollers in the garage and can't get enough of them. In fact Brynn has some teeth marks on her arms proving that she was in possession of the one Kaitlyn desired. Also note Brynn's PJ's at 11:30 AM. It was her second pair after her bath. She's killing me! You can see from this photo this morning that Kaitlyn's got a mean bite, but Brynn's often quick enough to avoid getting chomped on. Here I was trying to take a picture of them playing and suddenly Kaitlyn tried to bite Brynn's arm. She pulled away just in time and Kaitlyn was wise enough to not clamp down on her own skin. And here was Brynn's latest make up production. Trey was seriously scared she had cuts on her face. Nope just berry scented lip gloss.

I think mighty Stanford has been cursed. Yesterday it was announced that their head coach Trent Johnson was leaving the Farm for green pastures- aka LSU. What is going on with the Pac-10? First Monty jumps ship and now hangs his hat at Cal and then Trent goes and runs off to the SEC. Bad for them. Maybe good for us. I think we could get some pretty great tickets for the LSU Vs UK basketball game at Rupp next season!

After months of being in a hibernation type state, our little hermit crabs are finally becoming active again. For ages the only time they would pop out of their shells was when I would dunk the poor things in water. It's so fun to hear their little click, click of the rock from in the kitchen while I typing on the computer.

And a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Rich's Dad on the 8th of April. We love you. Also a birthday shout out to my brother-in-law's Andrew on his birthday TODAY (4/10) and Kris who celebrated his on the 7th. Good times!