Batter, Batter, Batter!

Pop and I were talking about all the baseball games and softball games we have attended over the years.  Between Lindsey and Caleb and now Maddie, we figure we are well over 1000. Wow!!  There is not much we have not seen or heard at the ball park, so little surprises me.  I have to admit, I watch the games a little differently now.   In one aspect, I am still highly competitive, but I could also care less if Maddie wins or looses.   I want her to be well coached (and she is), learn about the game, and enjoy playing.  With two little ones also tagging along to the ballpark, it can be quite entertaining and challenging!  They played the same team one afternoon and again the next morning.  To make things more interesting, both teams had lime green uniforms!

These two, especially Reed, are all about some eating!! That also keeps them entertained! It also doesn't hurt when there's a fun hill to play on!

Lindsey helped out in the dugout!   Maddie was getting ready to play!

When  Uncle C was little, he and I had a little pay to play deal!  He got a little money for each hit!  Maddie is now getting the same deal - A dollar for each hit and two for each homerun! One year, Uncle C actually bought a tv for his room with all of his earnings.  I don't think I ever told him, but we were planning on getting him a tv for his birthday, so we both came out pretty good that year!

Running the bases and headed for home!

That's a cute little three year old under that blanket watching a little Mickey Mouse!  And a cute little 22 month old eating everything he can get his hands on!!

Back to the ballgame!  Another hit and another score!

They won big and ended with prayer!!  

Game two!  Same two teams, but this time they played at Maddie's home field. This  time Reed and Lillian get to take a little wagon ride - and enjoy  another snack! Before we left home, Princess Anna stopped by  for a visit.

Just a little pregame fun with the coaches!

And a little more fun entertaining these two!

Maddie is the youngest on a team that consists mostly of girls that also play on a travel ball team.  She is doing a great job!  She is having a great time and learning so much!

Another big win is in the books!!  She has 5 games in 5 days!  Nana is headed back next week, and just can't wait!

The After Party

The fun continued after Maddie's party was over.  While Pop was cooking up some crawfish and all the trimmings, Jeff and Adrienne brought out the ole pie in the face game!  So much fun!!

The birthday girl had  a really good day!

Even Reed got in on the fun!

I have to be honest- I just don't get it!  I just don't see how anything that takes so much work and is so hard to get into is worth it!!  However, this bunch loves them!!

Jeff gave Reed, Lillian and Eli one to "play" with before the little rascal had to join his friends in the pot!  They were fascinated!

Before long, everyone was ready to dig in!  (This is only part of them.)  Notice those shrimp-those are all mine!

The next morning we headed to church for "Jacob's Ladder Sunday".  This is the wonderful preschool that Lillian and Reed attend.  I thought this would be the perfect time to get a family portrait.  Lillian didn't think so, though!

I would love to say that the they sang and had a wonderful time!  However, it's just not to be!  Maybe  next year!

Seven

It seems impossible that our sweet Maddie is SEVEN!!  She has grown into a gymnastic loving, softball playing, bicycle riding bundle of joy!  She is a sweet, tender hearted, independent, and helpful big sister.  She is simply a joy!  Before I share pictures from this year's party, I took a little stroll back through the first 6!  

One! I think it's safe to say that we've all changed a little in the past 7 years!!

Two!



Three!



Four!



Five!   We came straight from the ballfield!  Guests were waiting when we got there!




Six!



And now this year! Seven!

It's actually a lot easier now that they can basically entertain themselves!!

The water balloon toss was lots of fun!

Cupcakes, pizza and more!! Special friends and family make the day even better!

This was one tough pinata!  It did not want to come down!

Time for presents!!

Lillian and Reed got a few presents, too!  However, Reed's favorite thing is eating!!  

The party ended with a roller coaster ride, and a somewhat friendly ball game!

I think these two cuties enjoyed the festivities!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!  We love you!!!

Parks, Puppies and Ducks

We had 3 sweet little visitors several days last week.  We didn't do anything special, but we still made lots of special memories!!  Reed mastered the stairs on this trip, so that made life very interesting! He managed to only get one small goose egg!   

This picture was taken as we were headed home!  They were getting in just a little rest before the drive!

They enjoyed helping take care of Levi!  While I was putting him back up, they enjoyed reading a few of Aunt Taylor's magazines!  

Mrs. Catherine has the best hill to roll down, and the cutest puppy in the world to play with!

Papa's fish are very well fed when these three are here!!

Once again, the park didn't let us down.  It is a little more challenging now, because that cute little 21 month old wants to (and does) climb all the way to the top now!

Hide and go seek and a little fun in the sand!

I tried to get a cute picture of all three together, but Reed didn't think that was a good idea.

On the way home, we stopped by the duck pond in Uncle C and Aunt Taylor's old neighborhood.  This is always a hit!

Before we headed to take them home, we met Christie and Rylie at Chick fil a!  So much fun!!

We had a special visitor!  Gracie was eating there with a friend! Everyone was super excited about seeing her!

Next up, a  big birthday and mud bugs!!