Lucky Me, Part 3

Look at the view from my front porch! Doesn't get any better than sitting in a rocking chair, reading a book, drinking coffee, and enjoying the view.

It is taking FOREVER for the leaves to change this year! It must be the monsoon rains we have had cause that is the only thing noticeably different this year to make the colors so late.

While Alex and I were driving home from her tournament this weekend I had to snap a few pictures. This is how we know we are getting close to home. The mountains. The purple ones in the back...that's the ones the song is about. I have no proof of that but I'm pretty sure of it. Can't get any more purple or majestic than that.

I went to Japan for a couple of weeks after I graduated from high school. That was the peak of my, "I am living in New York City when I graduate from college. I am not living around here." Blah, blah, blah. Once I spent a couple of weeks not being able to look out my window and see this I realized I WAS gonna stay here. I realized that it was quite necessary that I be able to see this every day. No matter where I am, I know which direction is home 'cause it's at the bottom of these mountains.

Team Synergy

Team Synergy Tournament 2

Team Synergy had their second tournament this weekend. There were a few more teams in this tournament and it was a bit more competitive. There were two close games, almost identical situations, that the girls were able to fight through and win. They once again were top seed in their bracket and breezed through the first tournament game. They played four games on Saturday and won them all. It was a VERY cold and windy Saturday. During the last game, I noticed that Alex was standing with her hand in her pocket and didn't appear to be "ready" at all. Then, when I looked around I noticed all the girls were standing with their hand in their pocket. Why? They had Hot Hands in their pockets (hand warmers that hunters use) and kept their hand in their pocket until the last minute.

Sunday afternoon, though, was a much prettier day. The wind was still a little cool but the difference a little sunshine makes is amazing.

A personal accomplishment for Alex on Sunday was that she didn't strike out all day. She was able to hit the ball on all the pitchers she faced on Sunday. They weren't always the best hits but that is definitely an improvement.

She pitched one game on Saturday and one game on Sunday, both were wins. Her team is a great defensive team, which makes the pitchers job much easier.

They lost their first game on Sunday and a couple of the girls just knew it was because they were laying out of church and hadn't done a devotion that morning. So, out came the Bibles - in the dugout. Ain't that the coolest thing. They had a little meeting in the dugout - no adults involved. What good girls we have!

Our second game on Sunday proved to be a very intense game. These moms started out on the back row wrapped up in blankets - now look at 'em.

After seven games in two days, Team Synergy had another second place finish. Who won first place? The SAME TEAM that won first place in our first tournament. One day, we will get 'em!

The girls got SEAA State 2nd place trophies.

This is a hard working team that never gives up.

And they have lots of fun, too.

Anthony's New Hobby

This year at Anthony's high school they have started a trap club (skeet shooting). It is so EXACTLY perfect for him that I am tempted to think they may have done it with him in mind. Apparently there are scholarships available in this that our school system has been missing out on because we have no trap team. Well, we do now!!

This is probably not the easiest sport for everyone to practice at home but we happen to have a great place to practice.

Notice the ear plugs and safety glasses - he is Tony's son, you know.

How cool is this picture with the shell ejecting out and the smoke coming out of the barrell?

"Let your old Dad show you how it's done." (Barney Fife puffed up sniff).

There must be something wrong with this thing. There is obviously something wrong with this gun. Can't be the shooter.

Yes, yes, he emptied it but he had to see if there was something wrong with the site... After all, how else would you explain Barney - er, I mean Tony missing a shot?

Team Synergy

Alex is now playing on a new softball team, Team Synergy. They had their first tournament over the weekend, which turned into a one day tournament because of a rainout on Saturday. We had to be at the ball park at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning for an 8:30 game.

Coach David and Coach Shane - the brains behind the operation.

The girls had only practiced together twice and not all of them were present at those practices so yesterday was the first time they had all been together. The coaches experimented with where they would best benefit the team and they got a taste of several different positions.

Alex played some in the outfield.

She pitched almost three whole games.



She played a little first base.


Kind of reminds you of the carnival - "Round and round she goes, where she stops, nobody knows." The thing that makes this team so great is that they can all play a lot of different positions. A team full of utility players - can't get any better than that!


They played five games and had a few pep talks in between.

This is after Alex's best hit of the day, which was a double with 2 RBI's.

They beat this team, which sent them home. I will have to admit that it was a nice win. This team toted around a huge speaker and played LOUD music in between their games and even in between their innings. Everyone at the ball park yesterday could hear their music.

Team Synergy ended up in 2nd place. They received a trophy and each girl received a medal.

Not too shabby for a group of girls that have practiced together twice...

Go TEAM SYNERGY!!

Indian Boundary

Since the kids were out of school for a week for Fall Break we took our annual camping trip with my family to Indian Boundary. This year the leaves had not changed as much as they usually have but it was still gorgeous. I don't think there is a prettier campground anywhere.

The leaves hadn't changed much at all when we got there but by the last day we could tell a difference. A pop of yellow here and a spot of red there.

The boys spent a lot of time here, at the fishing pier.

It was a little rainy and foggy one day while we were there - but still gorgeous.

What did we do while we were camping?

We took the kayak's and Holly got to spend a little time in them.

We walked the trail to the beach.

There was another family there with kayak's - they had five of them. So, the kids had plenty of people to play with.

Paige caught on quick. She didn't turn over but she got very wet!

What would Anthony be doing with two paddles?

Well, of course, he took his sister's away from her. While she was out in the lake...

The boy's went through lots of stinky, smelly chicken livers and caught lots of catfish. They cleaned them and cooked them for lunch the next day.

There was a little whittlin' round the campfire.

A little bike riding.

And...there was the obligatory wreck by Alex. She gets hurt everywhere we go. This time she wrecked her bike and slid belly first down the hill. She had a bruised and bloody elbow, hip, and leg. She came to get the Band-Aids, which I had forgotten, and she said, "You didn't bring Band-Aids? You knew I was coming!!" So true...

My beautiful parents on our beautiful last day.