Game #4 and undefeated

The Angels are 4-0, and they nearly had a shutout last night. Final score was 11-1. Brendan's first at bat was a double, and earned him two RBI's.

It's hard to get good pictures during these night games (I dislike using flash). Changing the shutter speed makes me end up with blurry pictures since the shutter stays open longer, and he doesn't stay still for more than a second. They have a daytime game this Saturday so hopefully I can get better shots then.

Visit day #2

After the kids got home from school we drove out to Anclote Park (a small beach just west of us). I managed to get a few cute pictures.

This squirrel looks like he's going to dance.

Anclote Park

Lunch with Pam

Erin still isn't feeling 100% so she stayed home today, and the two of us went to lunch with Pam. Tonight we are going to the beach (Howard Park) for sunset so I'll have more pictures then.

This coaster says how we feel about having Pam here!

Pam and Brendan

So sweet. They were playing tug-of-war with the fake handcuffs, and stopped just long enough for me to take the picture (you can see that they both have them in their hands).

Surprise visit from Pam

Well, not really a surprise since she decided and told me last night that she was going to come, but until yesterday we hadn't planned to see each other until December. She arrived this morning at about 11am, and will be here until Tuesday morning. A quick visit, but I'll take any of them that I can get!

Pictures soon.

Game #3 continued (and finished)

Due to the rain delay on Tuesday the Angels and Phillies played their game on Thursday night, and once again the Angels came out victorious. They are undefeated, 3-0.

I love being a "baseball mom", and absolutely love watching Brendan play. It's one of my favorite things to do (seriously). The ball field has been our home away from home for nine years.

And now Sean is taking pictures of his brother while he plays, too. I love it.

Sean the photographer

One of Sean's electives this year is photography, and it required the purchase and use of a 35mm camera. No digital cameras allowed. We have been looking at them for a few weeks, and Sean (like his mother) loves the older, vintage cameras. We found one today, an older Minolta, and he loves it.

Not only do they have certain categories to photograph (legacy, humor, sports action, etc.), but they will be developing all of their own film in class, too. He is really excited about this class, and is looking forward to each of the challenges. Next semester (Photography II) is all digital.

Game #3

They made it two hits into the game before the downpour started. Within five minutes the field was flooded. Next game is Saturday, and hopefully we'll have better luck with the weather.

Just being silly

Sean and Taylor on the way home from McDonalds this afternoon.

Birthday party for Maddox

Maddox turned four a few days ago, and since Tony has him this weekend we had our own birthday celebration for him tonight. He was so excited when he came home from the pool with Brian and Erin to see a birthday cake and lots of presents waiting for him.

I feel bad because I didn't have time to make a birthday cake for him. I always make homemade birthday cakes for my family.

These two of Maddox with his cake are dark, but I still love his expression in the one of Tony lighting the candles, and have to laugh at the one of him with his head down while we sang to him.

When he's here he is always riding Erin's scooter, so I got him one of his own. He was so excited.

Play-Doh!!!

Sean and one of his best friends, Taylor. She came over (lives a few houses down from us) to have cake with us.

Riding his new scooter in the house.

Game #2

After being down 1-9 the Angels came back and won 11-9! Bren had an awesome double, and played great despite the heat (it was 99º today-unusually hot for us).

Erin had a blast dancing and singing to Taylor Swift on the way home (we have a convertible Volvo for our rental while my BMW is having service this weekend), and after the heat during the game Sean enjoyed the breeze, too.

Four at once

A mouth full of missing (4) teeth. This makes 6 total lost so far, but having four at once seems like a lot missing.

A gift

I got a package from Pam today (see below). Included with the two gifts was a note that made me cry, and reminded me of how blessed I am to have her in my life. It took me 32 years of my life to find a friend like her, but it was worth the wait.

Thank you, Pam. I love you.

Back to baseball

First game of the season, and they beat the highest rated team in the district 12-3! Brendan had three amazing hits, and earned four RBI's. He advanced to the Juniors this year (t-ball, A, AA, AAA, Majors, Juniors, and Seniors from youngest/least experienced to oldest/most experienced). It's a larger field, and much more strict guidelines for play. He loves it.

This ball was GONE!

I'm so happy that baseball is back. I love watching my boy play.

Sean in the bleachers watching his brother play.

Jaguars vs. Colts

Love to see the Jaguars play (no matter how good or bad they are), and I am so excited that Pam is coming down to go to the Jaguars vs. Colts game with me on Thursday, December 17th! We were planning a trip in January, but decided to bump it up a bit so that we can watch our respective teams (yeah, she's a Colts fan) play one another in Jacksonville. I'm so excited! I get to spend four days with her just the week before Christmas...that's all the Christmas I need this year!

Lazy day

Erin and I were both home alone today, and she spent the entire day writing a story or doing this:

She had two chairs pushed together in front of the sliding glass door to make a bed so that she was "comfy" while she read. Love this girl.

Catching up

I'll have more to post soon, but for now I'm just trying to catch up in school, help the boys catch up (they each stayed home with me for three days last week), and continue to recover.

Be back soon.

Oh my aching back

In 2005 I herniated two of my lumbar vertebrate, underwent spinal decompression, and have been just fine for the past four years. Just over a week ago I lifted a box, and apparently completely ruptured one of those two disks. I'm unable to sit, stand or walk. I have five prescriptions to try to relieve some of the pain, swelling, etc. until later this week. I'll be having back surgery on Thursday or Friday (I'll know after I meet with the surgeon on Thursday).

So I'll be right here in my bed where I've been for two days now. I'll be here studying and reading so that I don't get behind in my classes, and then I'll be back in my regular routine on Monday.