Orioles Fan

I am SO far behind in posting pictures and our going-ons, especially about John and Jeremiah's trip to Baltimore to see an Orioles Game. Jeremiah loves the Orioles! He and John are huge fans.
So imagine John and Jeremiah's surprise when John's boss handed him a real Orioles Jersey as a gift!
John's boss had this Orioles Jersey in his drawer for several years and had never even worn it, as he's not that big of an Orioles Fan.
But Jeremiah is and he was THRILLED to have this shirt!
He asked me to take some photos of him doing baseball poses, wearing this shirt.
He looks like a real pro-baseball player!
Imagine a ball in his grip there.
Jenna was not to be outdone in her own pitching skills. Go Pink Ponies!

Baseball and Busy-ness

Along with all of the end of the homeschool year activities, parties, field trips and parties, Jackson and Jeremiah are also participating in baseball. And Jackson also just finished up Spring Lacrosse Season, too.

The boys are both playing on the same team here in the East Mountains League. And they are just loving it! Jackson is having a great time as Catcher.
He's even surprised himself with how much and how well he can do in baseball. He's won several MVP awards this season!
I think he's also just so happy not to be standing out in the outfield all the time like he's had to in the past, while being stuck on very competetive, already established teams with clique mentalities.
And Jeremiah, with his super fast and hard-throwing arm, is pitching quite alot, too.
And they are getting in better shape now and can run much faster. Jackson gets a kick out of stealing bases. Jeremiah is quite good at walking because he refuses to swing at a pitch that's not perfect. hehe

Baseball Boys

Both boys have been playing baseball, for several weeks now, on a local team here in our beautiful mountains. Jeremiah has had the opportunity to pitch, long a dream of his. And he's doing really well and still loves the game of baseball. Jackson started off sour on baseball, as his love is still lacrosse. But surprisingly, he has really taken off with his skills and confidance and is doing just as great as Jeremiah. So, I've got a few photos, taken by John, to share from a recent game:

Jackson in the dug-out.
Jeremiah in the outfield.
Jackson at base.
Silly Jackson doing his "I'm gonna steal bases" dance. hehe(click pic for larger view)
Jeremiah at bat.
Jeremiah preparing for a ball in the outfield.
Jackson playing a base.
End-of-game snacks are a favorite part of a baseball game, too.

Pasture Ball

Because I never know when a photographic moment will occur...and I've learned the hard way by missing some really special ones....I now carry my camera just about everywhere I go....even the barn.

As I was walking down from the barn last week, I caught sight of John helping Jeremiah practice his baseball, especially his fierce pitching.

Baseball season starts up next month and Jeremiah is powerful and raring to go!

Birthday Party/Pool Party

One of Jackson & Jeremiah's baseball team buddies, Tyler, turned 11 and invited them to his birthday party about a week ago. The boys had a blast!

Tyler and Jackson is the hot tub.
Jeremiah on the slide and Jackson on the diving board.(Click on the picture for a larger view)
Jeremiah floating in the center with a water blaster. (Click on image to see larger view)

Batter up....Strike!!

Jackson & Jeremiah had a game on Saturday morning. John helped coach and they all had a terrific time!

Seeing Double! John enjoys laying out Jax and Jem's baseball uniforms.
In the dug-out. Handsome boys!
Jackson at First Base!
Jeremiah and friend, Tyler hanging out in the Outfield.
Jackson playing second base with Jeremiah in the background at Center Field.
Jeremiah getting ready in Center Field!
Jeremiah with good buddy, Glen. They've been friends for about 2 1/2 yrs now.
Baseball Buddies! Jax, Glen, and Jem.

Baseball, Lacrosse, Pool/Birthday Party, House....

Besides all of the regular busy-ness of our lives that prevent me from regularly logging into this Blog, we've been extra busy this week with Jackson & Jeremiah's baseball games and practices. They have a game on Saturday, followed by a pool/birthday party at their friend's house in Rio Rancho.

And John is coaching lacrosse at UNM on Saturday afternoon. And then we are hoping to get ourselves packed up and head north to go camping with our friends, Karen and Sharon and their families.
We've got to be back Sunday night, so we can attend our new houses' inspection in the East Mountains. We are praying that it's an uneventful inspection, after the nightmare of the previous home we placed an offer on, too!

But we are all a little bit bummed to be missing the Golden Letterboxing Gathering in Golden, CO this weekend. We were so looking forward to camping and letterboxing with fellow letterboxers in Colorado.
The next close-enough letterboxing gathering is being held in Santa Fe in October and called the "Spooktacular"! We are excited about participating, along with our friend's Karen and Al and their kids.

Baseball~First Game

Jackson & Jeremiah had their first game tonight and were so happy and excited! Jeremiah got to play 3rd base which is one of his favorite places to be. Jackson was chosen to play right and left field. I was surprised with how happy Jackson was playing out there because in the past he compained of being bored. But most of the balls seemed to end up in his glove and he was kept pretty busy, and therefore very happy!

It's so awesome seeing smiles on my sons' faces again while playing one of their favorite sports, especially after their previous bad experiences. John and I are so relieved that thier previous coach wan't able to destroy their love for baseball. And now that they are playing for their favorite coach again, Coach Tom, they couldn't be more thrilled. We forgot to take photos at the game, but I felt the desire to post because of this terrific news!

Baseball Season....Batter Up!!!

Soooo Excited!!! After much wrangling, fenagling, wheeling and dealing, John was able to get Jackson and Jeremiah on their favorite's coaches' team for the fall season!! Wahooo!
Coach Tom is both boys' most special coach and had played for him about a year ago.
But with all the league red tape, and changes in team/league zoning, we weren't able to get back on his team the following season. The boys were crushed!
And even worse happened when they got signed on a team with another coach whose only focus was on having a winning season...at all costs. It was so unpleasant. Jackson and Jeremiah were so unhappy, that after about 3 weeks we removed them from his team.

But now we have reason to rejoice! Jackson and Jeremiah could not be happier. Jeremiah is simply thrilled to be back on the baseball field and they are both excited about the new baseball season!

Batter Up!!! Jackson takes a swing!!
Go Jackson!!
Way to go Jeremiah!!
That's our terrific Miah!!
Jackson intense and focused on the ball!
Jackson waiting patiently for some action.
One Happy Jem with Coach Tom!!
Happy Jackson and Coach Tom.

Baseball Season is here again

Starting 2 weeks ago, Jax and Jem have been practicing 4 days a week for 2 hours each day. It's a bit exhausting to add another activity to our already busy schedule, but Jax and Jem really enjoy baseball, so here we go!

Their team's name is The Bombers. We have a busy practice schedule until April, Easter Weekend, when their first game is scheduled.

Jackson at first base, during pratice, passing a ball to Jeremiah in the Outfield.

Jax pitching during practice.

The Anacondas

Jeremiah pitching to John
Jeremiah playing catch before the game with Daddy
John always lays out Jackson & Jeremiah's uniforms perfectly before game. He's very particular about their individual uniforms being neat and organized.
Jackson & Jeremiah after the game
Jackson preparing to hit the ball

The end of baseball/Star Wars Movie Night

Today was a busy and long day. John took the boys to their last baseball game where they finished up the season with success as a winning team. Then it was followed by their Awards Ceremony and a Pizza and cake party.
When they finally got home from all that fun, we packed up for a ride over to our friend Monica's house in the East Mountains where we joined some friends for a Star Wars Movie night and yummy Mexican food. We had a great time!
Afterwards we drove Lana & Jack back to Albuquerque to deliver them back to Karen and the rest of their family. Then we drove back home to Rio Rancho, enjoying the sparkling lights of Albuquerque on the way.
Friends, Monica and Gretchen
Gretchen's daughter, Skye brought some very cool dinos to play with.
After the movie the boys enjoyed a Light Saber battle.
Some of the kids watching Star Wars.