Connor's back...

Connor went to Coach Wootten's basketball camp at Frostburg University for the second year in a row...he left Sunday, and we went to get him yesterday, Thursday...he had such a great time...it is an amazing camp...Robert and Wes actually went to the same camp over 10 years ago...Bob, Jake, and I headed up early so we could see Connor's 21 competition...there was a four way tie in the end, so they had playoffs, and his team came out victorious, they won the whole thing!! It was a lot of fun to watch.

Connor shooting a lay up during the 21 competition.

Connor getting his trophy during the awards ceremony...he has a blue backpack on his back...

Connor headed back with his trophy in hand.

Connor and some of his buds with Joe Wootten (Morgan Wootten's son)...

coach of Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA.

Here they are with Hall of Famer, Morgan Wootten, the most winningest coach in basketball history.
I'm thrilled he had such a great time...and I'm thrilled to have him home...all is right with the world when all my kids are under one roof...

the race

We got to hang with Mandy and Wes Saturday and Sunday last weekend...we had a yummy dinner Saturday, hung out, they taught us a new card game Monopoly Deal, and then on Sunday we went to the pool...you see, last year Wes, Mandy, Robert, Kim, and all of us headed to the pool and Wes and Mandy decided to have a race...Mandy won...and ever since that day, Wes has been itching to swim against her again...check out the results in the video below!!

I guess they'll have to come back next year...cause as of right now...they're tied!

I know I'm selfish...but I'm going to miss Wes and Mandy so much...they are two of my very favorite people in the world...you see, they left for Denver today...they are very excited to embark on this new adventure...not only are they hitting four MLB baseball games on their way out there, but they're going to be out there for four years while they go to graduate school...for Wes its law and for Mandy its PT...

of course, I wish them all the best, but I just don't like being that far away from people I love...

Have you met Fancy Nancy?

The Urbana Public Library hosted a Fancy Nancy Fashion Show this past week...

in case you have been living under a rock...Fancy Nancy is a book character...she uses fancy words to describe everything...

Kate and Ava put on their most "posh" outfits, with "magnifique" accessories and strutted their stuff!

They ate "delectable" treats (pic #2), made "tres chic" purses (pic #4) and had a "marvelous" afternoon...

As you can see, LOTS of little girls LOVE Fancy Nancy!

29 AGAIN...

Somebody turned 29 AGAIN...

we celebrated Lisa's birthday a couple weeks ago...

had a lot of fun eating crabs and hanging with family...

Better late than never...

U9 Baseball State Tournament Pictures

So...its about time I post the pictures from Jake's state tourney...enjoy!!

staying cool in the shade between games

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check out how much food is in front of these boys
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smiles of victory
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our biggest fans...decked out in Hawks attire

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always smiling...they are great sports

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a fun jeep ride back to the hotel

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"on the fence, boys"...cheering on their teammates

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this is my very favorite picture from the tournament...
this is the last game where the boys are battling so hard to stay in it, never giving up...Jake is up to bat, Connor and Bob watch as Jake gets ready to swing...rally hats going...
many tears were shed that night, but really good baseball was played

Catching TONS of fish...check it out!

These pictures are not the best...they're from Bob's phone (well, actually, the one of kate is from Pat's phone and much better...that's because the DROID is awesome!)...but I want you to see how big the fish are that the kids are catching...they are having SO much fun!

Kate caught a 25 inch fish on Monday night!

Its a cottage tradition that you kiss the fish...my girl is all about tradition.

Connor caught a 30 inch fish tonight!

Jake caught a 30 inch fish tonight!

Chip caught a 30 inch fish tonight!




I wish I had caught a fish tonight! Good news is...my class is over TOMORROW! It has been a great class, but I am happy to "start" my summer!

And I can't wait to get my family home!!

3rd in the State!

Although we would all rather be at a ballgame tonight, our baseball journey ended last night at 11:15pm...the boys fought SO hard...let me break it down for you.

We played a game at 6pm last night...this was to advance to the semi-finals of the U9 State Championship. We faced the same team we lost to in our first game this past Saturday...they beat us 13-12 in the bottom of the 6th inning. Our boys were so pumped up to beat this team...and beat them, they did! We won the 6pm game 11-5. It didn't come without consequences...one of Jake's teammates broke his arm during this game. He was playing right field and he and the center fielder collided...when he fell, he landed on his left arm and it broke near the wrist. It was upsetting for the boys, but once Patrick headed to the hospital, it seemed to energize them and winning became all about "Let's do it for Patrick." And so they did. It was a very exciting, intense, HOT game. It ended late due to the delay for the ambulance, etc...so the second game started at NINE pm...it was under the lights and the kids were once again energized...we went down in the first inning...the other team came on strong and we were losing by 6 early. Honestly, two different times during the game, the other team almost ended it with the "mercy rule" that we have loved so much during this tournament...but our boys fought HARD...and two times that the other team only needed ONE more run to win, we stopped them. Our boys fought with a ton of heart all the way to the 6th inning when we lost 13-4. There were TONS of tears...most of them because this incredibly fun season had come to a close. Jake just kept crying saying, "I don't want it to be over." Those same words were said through tears two weeks ago by Connor. These boys LOVE baseball and just want to keep playing.

Last year Jake's same team went to the state tourney and came in 4th. This year, 3rd place. This U9 team has made the state aware that Urbana Baseball is something to keep an eye on. We like that a lot...and plan to win 1st place next year!

I have a few pix to share and will try to get them up this weekend. I will admit...I don't have the usual amount of pix...I am SO superstitious and since I didn't start taking pix early on, I didn't want to mess with the mojo. You think that's bad?!?!...our coach didn't wash his shorts...from the first win 'til the last...that's superstitious!

Connor, Jake, Kate, and Bob are at the cottage today, Thursday, and Friday with Pat and Chip...I have class...and while I'm in a classroom, they are fishing, tubing, playing on the beach, and kayaking...can you guess where I'd rather be? I should have good pictures for the blog upon their return.

Can you hear it? It's the Urbana Freight Train...

Happily the story continues...

We had two games today...and we won BOTH in the 4th inning by mercy...the "mercy rule" is if you are winning by 10 or more at the end of the 4th inning, game over...

TODAY:
game one...14-2
game two...12-0

What's next?!

We play tomorrow night at 6:15 pm...when we win, we play again at 8:15 pm.

When we win that one, we play Wednesday night at 6:15 pm...when we win that game, we play for the State Title at 8:15 pm.

My instructor gave me permission to miss class on Wednesday, so once I get back there tomorrow night, I get to stay over!

I promise to update tomorrow night!

GO HAWKS!

U9 State Championship Update

For my three followers...thought I should update you on the State Championship...today is Monday, July 5th and after two days of baseball, Jake's team is 2-1. We lost the very first game, which sent us to the "losers" bracket. That game was Saturday and it was a hard loss...tied 12-12 going into the 6th inning...and we lost in the bottom of that inning. So yesterday the boys fought back HARD. We won both games in 4 innings...by the "mercy" rule. Our bats were really moving! We play at 9:30 am today and when we win that one, we play at 11:45 am...when we win that one, we play tomorrow night at 6pm! This can potentially continue until the championship game...the winner of the losers bracket plays the winner of the championship bracket for the title...to answer the question that may be running through your head...once we lose another game, we're out. But we're not going to lose...to answer the other question in your head.

I will report again with pictures once I get home...forgot to mention...we're in Lusby, MD...right near Solomon's Island. We are staying in a hotel and could potentially be here 'til Wednesday. (Well, I'll be commuting...I have one more week of my class that I have to attend!)

I'll leave you with this...last night as Jake was falling asleep he said in a very sleepy voice, "Mom, I'm pretty sure we can win this whole thing." I said, "I know you can, Jake." He said, "Thanks, Mom...I love you," and drifted off to sleep. Love that boy.