The Division Champion Cardinals

I mean come on!! This picture is just too much.  I appreciate his cheesy grin and cute little booty popping pose more than I can say.  It is perfection.

The cardinals had a incredible season.  They went 9-1 and ended up being the division champions.  They came so far over the course of the season.  It ended up being the uncanny ability of nearly every player to get a hit that put us on top.  Hank and Hunter shared in the pitching and catching responsibilities.  I was so impressed with Hank's ability to make plays and always have his head in the game.  Although our tournament play was a little brutal, we still managed to make it to the state tournament in July.

Hank really battled on the mound this year.  He had some ups and downs but never gave up.  It takes some real courage to put yourself in the most intense position in baseball.  He handled it like a pro and made some ESPN worthy plays sliding and diving for foul balls.  

When Hank was playing catcher, I feared for the poor kid running home from third.  Hank would sacrifice his body to stop a runner from scoring and had some pretty amazing success.  No one was getting past Hank!

Perhaps the most improved aspect of his game was his hitting.  He was our lead off hitter all season and for good reason.  I'll have to ask his stat taking grandpa, but I'm pretty sure he had a 9 game hitting streak.  His confidence at bat was awesome to see.  He walked up and got a hit on the first pitch most games.  

I can't discuss the season without mentioning his most devoted fans.  His little brothers came to every game this season.  Sam and Max love to watch Hank play.  They look up to him so much.  I couldn't believe how Sam just sat on the bleachers with me and really watched the game.  He's going to be a ball player for sure.  Max watched about half of the game and then had to resume his responsibilities as the master of the playground!

These two win the prize.  The last game of the season was not for the fair weather fan.  It was freezing, and windy, and we ended up blowing a 6 run lead and losing in extra innings.  Oh and it didn't get over until 10:30!  They stayed through it all which is not surprising since they came to almost every game this season.  Having them there meant the world to me and Hank.  

Of course Hank had many other fans throughout the season.  Lucy and Isabel managed to take a break from their rigorous dance schedules and catch a few games.

Of course Jeri, Scott and Griff came to many games as well.  I can't say it enough, Hank's grandparents are the best EVER!  The Jones', and the Royster's were also cheering Hank on anytime they could.  I know how hard it is to get to these games when it's your own kid, let alone your nephew.  I appreciate it so much. I'm so sad the season is over.  I look forward to these games and can't get enough of watching my boy play.  Something tells me I'm not going to have a shortage of games to attend over the course of his life!  I'm so proud of my Hank-man!! 

Prince Sam

Oh to be adored as much as Sam.  This little dude gets the royal treatment around here.  Whatever Sam wants, Sam gets.  Simple as that.  He insists on either Hank or Max getting in the tub with him and they drop whatever they are doing to join him. 

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They especially love washing his hair and making crazy hair do's with the shampoo.

What's that Sam?  You want chocolate cake for dinner?  Done.

How about some chicken for dinner?

Only if it's from Chick-fil-A.

You want to wear Ninja Turtle jammies all day?  Why not.

How about a nice healthy breakfast Sam?  Oh you want Lucky Charms...ok.

You want to get in the pool with Wax?  O.K. buddy, is the water warm enough for you?

Lately he's been requesting either Hank or Max read him a story before his nap and bedtime.

So of course that's what happens.

He kicks and screams when Randy and I brush his teeth but for some reason he will let his brothers do it.

So again, that's what usually happens.

Whenever we have a birthday party to go to, Sam is right in the middle of opening their presents and blowing out their candles.  Everyone just lets him do it too.  Probably because they know if they don't, they will hear his deafening scream.

After all the drama and money involved with getting his teeth fixed a few months ago, I'm sad to report the fillings have already fallen out.  I was physically ill about it.  He didn't even do anything drastic to lose them.  They simply fell out.

In true Sammy form, he'll continue to rock the snaggle tooth and manage to look adorable.  I can guarantee I won't be dumping anymore money into those teeth.  That is unless he asks me to, and then I probably will! 

Sam even has the cutest girls in the neighborhood catering to his every need.  The other day, Kennedy played baseball with him for an hour and then drove him around in his power wheels while he laid back and ate an otter pop.  When Lennon comes over, she does whatever he wants too.  She came downstairs one night when they were playing and said "Annie, Sammy doesn't feel very well".  It was the cutest thing I've ever heard a little kid say.  He was milking it too, pretending to be sick so she could take care of him.

This kid, has everyone wrapped around his finger and I'm sad to say I'm the worst one!  I can't help it.  We all love our little Sammy-boy.  Such a little rat!

Killer Bees!

The Killer Bees have had such and awesome season.  Bless Randy's heart for coaching these kids.  He is such a positive, fun coach.  The kids really learned how to play together this year.  It's been so fun to watch Max become more confident and aggressive.  

Here he is in action...

He's such a stud!  I'm so proud of him.

Hank was on the sidelines every game cheering his bro on and offering advise even though Max didn't ask for it.  Got to love big brothers.

Kate, Sarah, and Izzy came to his last game.

Grandma Jeri, Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Curt, Grandpa Griff, Colby, and Jenni also came to many of his games during the season.  My kids support system is pretty unreal.

Way to go on an incredible year of soccer Max!  I love to watch you play!

An End to Another School Year

After our camping trip, the kids had one final week of school before summer break.  I can't believe my little Kindergarten baby is nearly a 1st grader!  I became so emotional during his end of year program.  Once the kids graduate from Kindergarten, it's never the same.  Max is so ready to move on, I just wish I was as ready as he is.

He knew every song and every action during the program.  I know I'm biased, but he is the cutest Kindergartner at Snow Springs!

He's not too cool to embrace his grandma.

He also has the most beautiful and supportive grandma's cheering him on.

Mrs. Mower was such a fantastic teacher for Max this year.  She is sweet, kind, and loves her students.  Max learned so much this year and is so prepared for 1st grade.  I can't believe what a good reader he is.

Max definitely earned a snow cone the size of his head!  Way to go little buddy!

I'm so mad I didn't get a picture of Hank with his teacher, Mrs. Budge.  Last year was rough so I've be pleasantly surprised by his teacher this year.  She has challenged Hank and made him like school again.  He did so well in every subject but math continues to be his forte.  He's got a little group of "math nerds" in his class that have surpassed the rest of the class and do work they shouldn't know until next year.  I really hope his teacher next year continues to challenge him. 

Hank had the responsibility of holding the Reduce sign in their program.

Anyone who knows Hank knows he hates singing and dancing in front of a crowd.  He did it anyway but let's just say it wasn't his favorite memory of 3rd grade!  Grandpa Curt, Grandma Jackie, and Grandma Jeri all came to watch him perform.

I volunteered to help with field day, and was less than impressed.  I remember field day being the event of the school year.  It was competitive, there were ribbons, and it lasted all day.  Snow Springs Elementary doesn't roll that way.  I was super bummed to be in charge of the hula hoop/jump roping station. Can you say lame?

Here's what Hank thought of the hula hooping station.  He wouldn't pose for a picture with his friends and pretty much acted way too cool to acknowledge his mom. 

Good thing I ran into this drowned rat!  Isabel will always give me a hug and pose for a picture.

I think my sadness this past week is mostly because me kids won't be attending Snow Springs next year.  I've grown attached to that school over the past 4 years.  The entire office as well as Hank's diabetes aide have told me how much they are going to miss seeing him every day.  We had a great system in place but unfortunately will have to start over at the new school next year.  I am not a fan of change but it is a huge part of my life right now so I may as well embrace it.  Let the summer begin!!

Goblin Valley

The beautiful landscape of Utah combined with the Jones' "burb" can only mean one thing...CAMPING TRIP!  Sarah and Brett kindly invited our family to join them on an adventure in Goblin Valley over Memorial Day Weekend.  I'm so glad we were able to go.  Camping is so much work but so worth it, especially when you are traveling with 5 little boys.  Just watching them enjoy nature, get dirty, and do boy things was good for my soul.  It is such a spectacular place.  Between Sarah and I, I think we took nearly 500 pictures so sit back and enjoy!

Once we set up camp, the boys started digging with shovels, playing baseball and exploring.

Randy, Hank, and Max took off up the mountain so Sam and I opted to take a less strenuous hike with Sarah and Brett.

What a darling family my little sis has.

Speaking of darling...

The boys, and the adults were fascinated by the different types of rocks and sand.

They played for a long while and then we decided to head back to camp and fix some dinner.

Sarah made this beautiful bouquet with flowers we found on our hike.

Boys and fire are a match made in heaven...or hell!

It's a miracle one of these crazy boys didn't end up in the fire.  Sarah and I made some pretty tasty tinfoil dinners and then it was time for s'mores!

Sam was pumped!

Max was mesmerized by the fire, but what 6 year old boy isn't?  Everyone settled into our tent at a reasonable hour and we made it through the night without much of a problem.  Sam woke up in the middle of the night a little scared, so he slept next to me on my comfy cot.

This is the perfect thing to wake up to in the morning.  Everyone slept pretty good so we were ready to head to the Goblins.

This is what it's all about.  Quality time with the family is the best time.  I've never been to Goblin Valley and it didn't disappoint.  It is a haven for little boys.  They ran around for 2 solid hours and climbed every rock they found.  We had so much fun which is why I took about 1000 pictures!  

Sam was a little hesitant at first but by the time we left, he was a climbing fool.

Randy, Sam and I followed Max through this narrow little canyon.  It proved to be a little treacherous for a 2 year old but Max had no problem climbing his way to the top.

My kids are little rock climbers.

Hank was always 100 yards ahead of me but I managed to snap a few pics of him.

Hank is such a sweet older cousin to Jack.  It's so cute to see Jack follow him around.  It wasn't that long ago that Hank was following his older cousins around.

Max was killing me!  He would climb to the top of a rock formation and then patiently wait for me to take a picture of him.  He is the posing master. 

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

Exhibit F

Exhibit G

You get the idea. This one might be my favorite, hand on the hip.

He even agreed to pose with me for a few pictures.

Such a cute kid.

Cutest cousins.

Tucker was running around like a mad man, hence his absence in most of the pictures.

Sure do love my sis.

The Griffin family gives Goblin Valley their stamp of approval!

We went back to camp and Sam crashed for over 2 hours.  Randy and I also took a little catnap.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  Our other children however, kept themselves occupied.  Hank was smashing every rock in site with a hammer.

Max dug a hole and he had a blast climbing out of it and sliding back in.

Pleased as punch.

Brett hit a lizard with his sling shot and Max was amazed.  Here they are trying to determine if it was dead.

Sure enough, dead.  Max was pretty happy about it.  Brett also taught Hank how to burn holes in wood with a magnifying glass.  It pays to have a scoutmaster on hand.  I think a few camp outs a year with Uncle Brett should be an adequate substitute for the scouting program.

When everyone woke up from naps, we decided to embark on another hike through the slot canyons.  It was a little ambitious with our young crew but surprisingly enough, they did great.

My boys sure love their cousins.  It's so cute to see.

Around this point in the hike, I decided I would turn around with Sam.  He was exhausted and I knew I would end up carrying him the entire way back.  Brett was unsure how far the slot canyons were and as luck would have it, they were just around the next bend.  Hank, Randy, and Max joined everyone else and had a fabulous time hiking through the narrows. I'm sad I missed it so I will have to go back.  Sarah took some great pictures for me.

Everyone was in great spirits as we returned to camp for our final night.

The little ones took a break in the burb and watched 101 Dalmatians while we made dinner.

The sunset was spectacular.

The tunes were blaring, the quesadillas were flowing, and the fire was blazing.

That is until the weather decided to turn on us.  From out of nowhere, gusty wind and rain surrounded our campsite.  Our tent was caving in on one side and the babies were freaking out.  We had to make a call, stay or go.  No one wanted to leave but we weren't sure how bad the storm would get.  At 10:30 when it showed no signs of stopping, we threw our gear in the truck and got out of there.  I cringed at the site of our wet, muddy camping stuff piled on top of our food, luggage, and garbage.  It was disgusting but we didn't have the luxury of packing everything up nicely.  The kids slept the entire way home and we rolled in around 2 in the morning.  It was a brutal end to a fabulous trip.  Although Randy and I spend the next day cleaning up all our stuff, I have to say the trip was 100% worth it.  It was just the break we needed and we managed to make some amazing memories with the Jones Family.  This won't be our last camping trip of the summer.  I can't wait to go again.