Abi's Elementary Graduation

Abi graduated promoted from Elementary School on Friday (5/25).  Abi gave a speech at the promotion ceremony.  I tried to post a video of it, but the file is too big.  I need to see if I can figure out how to make it a smaller file so I can post it. 
Here is a picture of her giving her speech.

And her promoting.

Here is a video of her promoting.

With her "diploma"

Congratulations Abi!  We know you will do great things in Middle School!

Duck Tape Vest

Last night at Maverick's stadium was "Prom Night."  Kade wanted to make a vest & tie out of duck tape.   This of course meant mom had to help.

Here is what we came up with.

He was very proud of himself.  It has 2 real pockets and is reversible.  He will wear this again for Duck Tape Appreciation night at Maverick's Stadium on June 16th.

Cheila's high school Graduation

Cheila graduated from Hurricane High School (on Tuesday the 22nd).  Daddy was the only one able to go.  The other kids still had school and baseball games.

Here are some pictures:

Daddy & Cheila

The top of Cheila's cap.

We are very proud of you Cheila.  For those of you who don't know Cheila will be attending Southern Utah University this Fall.

Jace's Last Game

Jace had his last game tonight in Wrightwood.  I forgot my camera, so here is one picture from my phone.

He was suppose to have one more game, but there are several kids on the team that will not be here, so this ended up being his last game.

Jace had a great season and has improved this year!  Great job Jace & the Minor-B Pirates.

Kade's 2nd to last game

Kade had his 2nd to last game tonight.  Unfortunately daddy was not there to take pictures, but Abi did.
This was probably one of the most exciting games I have been to in a LONG time.  Kade's team was playing the first place team.  In the bottom of the 5th inning the score was tied 7-7.  Our "ace- pitcher" had pitched the 5th inning and did not allow any runs, he did the same in the 6th.  Then Kade came up to bat first in the bottom of the 6th (we only play 6 innings at this age) and he lead off with a single.  Then he stole 2nd and 3rd base.  He scored on another players single.  It was VERY exciting.

Kade playing catcher.

Kade got on his first at bat via Fielders Choice, then he hit a double and a single.
He also stole 2 bases, advanced on a passed ball and scored 2 runs.  One of them being the winning run.

Keep up the great work Kade!!

Talent Show

Abi was just in the talent show at school today.  She was the opening/closing MC for the show.  She was also in charge of the little clap/what type signs (that she made all by herself).

She also sang and danced with a few friends.  I videoed their act so I do not have any pictures and the video is too long to post.

Great job Abi!

Kade's Game

The season is coming to a close... only 3 more games left!  Kade's team won 5 - 1.
Here are some pics

Kade had 3 plate appearances in this game.  He walked, struck out, and hit a single.  He stole 4 bases and scored 1 run.

Kade loves to steal bases... including home on passed balls!

Great Job Dude!

Only a few games left of the season

Both Kade and Jace had games today.  Here are pics from both.

Jace got on base both times in this game.

Jace playing 2nd base.

Had getting ready to bat.  He had 4 plate appearances in this game.  He walked, hit a single, struck out and hit a Home Run in this game.

Kade's team won this game 24-2.
He pitched 1 1/3 innings.  He struck out 4, and hit one batter.  He did not allow any hits.  He did not walk anyone or allow any runs.

Jace has 2 more games and Kade has 3 more.  Keep up the great work boys!

Spoke too soon!

Here is Snake #2 for this year!

Abi saw this one too... under the car again.... luckily this one was just a gopher snake.  I caught it, but Kade set it free just across the street, after he showed daddy.

Hunter is 16

Today is Hunter's 16th Birthday.  Although we are not able to be in Utah with her, I thought I would post some pictures of the past year.

at the beach

Knott's Berry Farm

Hunter was in the Miss La Verkin Pageant

Hunter placed 2nd Attendant in the Miss La Verkin Pageant

Valley of Fire

Hunter in her drama performance

Happy Birthday Hunter!!

Father & Sons

Daddy and the boys went to the Father & Son's camp out.  They had a good time, hitting Weinerschnitzl on the way (Apparently a "tradition" according to Jace)

Here are some pics.

Kade, Daddy & Jace

Jace & Kade by the fire pit

The boys eating breakfast.

They had to leave a bit early to get to baseball games on time, but they had a good time.

Today's games

The boys both had great games today, even though they were a little tired from the Father & Son's camp out.  Here are some pics from both games.

Jace "almost" got hit several times in this game.  He was quick enough to get out of the way... this time!

Jace sitting on the bench with his Coach.

Kade playing catcher.  He played shortstop just over 2 innings, and catcher for the other 4 innings.

Kade hit a single his 1st at bat, walked his 2nd and lined out his 3rd at bat.
He stole 3 bases and advanced once on a passed ball.  He came around to score 1 time in this game.

Great job boys!

Mojave Green Rattle Snake (Again!)

We have not seen a snake in our yard in about 2 years.  Pretty much since we got the rock put in the yard.  I jinxed us by telling a few people that putting rock in would deter the snakes.  We came home from the Maverick's game last night (late like 11pm) and Abi somehow saw a snake under daddy's parked car.  Daddy being a snake lover refused to kill it, but to capture it.  Yes, it is the most deadly rattle snake there is.  So with my help, Mike got the snake into a trash can.  We put a piece of wood on the lid to keep it from getting out. 

Today after baseball games we took it to set it free back in the desert, a good 15 miles from our house.  It did not want to get out of the trash can.  Here are some pics.

Mike carrying the trash can away from the car.  (We ended up leaving the trash can out in the desert because the snake wanted to go back in it!)

The snake coming out of the trash can.... this took a while!

It is finally out....

Hopefully we don't see anymore anytime soon!

Jace games

I decided to put a couple of games together in one post.  Here are Jace's last three games.

Game 5/1: Jace playing 2nd base.  He was waiting for the outfielder to throw the ball in.

Game 5/1: Up to bat.  I think he hit this one!!

Game 5/5: Running down the first base line.  Check out that grin!

Game 5/5: On base, getting ready to run.  He ended up scoring in this inning!

Game 5/10: Jace up to bat.  He got on base and scored!!!

Keep up the great work Jace!

Kade's Games

I decided to put the last two games together for Kade's games.  Kade is doing an amazing job this year.  His average is over 500 and his fielding abilities continue to amaze me.  When I am at his games I get to keep the score or pitch count.  I enjoy both, but love keeping score.  I am also keeping score digitally, so at the end of the season we will have all his stats.

Here are some pics of his last two games.

Game 5/2: Kade's first at bat he hit a single.  (He also hit 2 other singles in this game)
His team won this game 12 to 7.

Game 5/2: Kade pitched in this game.  Not his favorite position

Game 5/2: Kade loves to steal bases.  He stole a total of 6 bases in this game.  This one he was stealing home.

Game 5/5: This game was against the WW team.  Kade's team won 11 to 1.
Kade got hit at his first at bat and hit a home run his 2nd at bat.
He played short stop the entire game.

Great work little dude!

We interrupt this baseball season

for a post not about baseball!  At Relief Society this month, we learned how to make 3 x 3 (or 9 block) quily squares.  Although I have made quilts before they are usually pretty simple and it has been a long time.

Here is a picture of my first quilt square.

I made 5 quilt squares, then I realized that 2 of them had more light than dark, so I had to fix that before sewing them into the quilt.
And a picture of it sewn into the quilt.

and the completed quilt topper.

It is a work in progress and I need to add the back and batting and quilt it, but I am excited this much is done.  I have also decided to make Abi a quilt for her bed.... we shall see how this goes!