Getting the Christmas tree

Michelle did not like the Christmas tree we chose this year. So much so she was crying and informing us she would not help decorate it when it was being cut down. As you can see, she relented and helped decorate it. It's much prettier with ornaments on it:)

Hunting with Uncle Bob

Day one hunting photos. Richard, David and Uncle Bob had a great time hunting today.

Toy N Joy 2009

The kids volunteered at the Toy N Joy Auction this year, here they are on the stage.

Sisterly love

Michelle's first deer

After three evenings of hunting, Michelle shot her first deer. Not too bad for the first time out. She was very excited to get it and that "it was a buck!" Here she is calling me to tell me the news.

Shockwave's First Tourney

Richard is playing on a U11 Classic soccer team. The "Shockwave" played in their first tournament this weekend. Friday was a little overwhelming, they lost both games then were placed in the bronze bracket. Saturday they won their game which took them to the finals on Sunday. They lost Sunday's game 3-1 but played well. This team has a lot of good players and I'm sure they will have a good season.

Quincy Gems are Prospect League Champs!

We are at the final game of the Prospect League in Quincy. The Gems beat the Paints 2-0. The final batter was struck out in three pitches. Pretty exciting game!

What a game!

Blaze played Sandy Slammers this hot morning. At end of regulation time the score was 3-3. At the end of the third tie-breaker inning Slammers won 7-6. Total innings-9. Total time - 2 hours 20 minutes. Total excitement!

Michelle had four at bats. She had two sacrifice bunts, two on base by error and scored two runs. Mariah pounded a hit to right field scoring two and se had two other RBIs during the game.

Heat delay

The first day of western nationals and it is 110 degrees! The Blaze game scheduled for 2:00 was delayed until 8:00 due to the heat. The umpires were dropping like flies. I'm not complaining as Michelle is a catcher and would be wearing all that extra gear.

Right now the kids are watching G-Force and Laurie and I are having pedicures. This is an excellent way to beat the heat!

Fair Week

We have been busy at the fair this week.

Monday Richard showed Willy for the first time. They earned a white for obedience and a red for showmanship. A comment on the scoring sheet: "don't warn the dog not to go potty." Richard was a delight to watch, I hope he sticks with it and shows him again next year.

His friends are showing swine so he now wants a pig. We say no! He is also thinking about poultry. MAYBE we can do that.

Michelle won a champion for ground training with Classy (a borrowed horse), FIVE champion ribbons for gaming on Cherokee (she won all five events), two reds and one white with Whisky Joe. We enjoy watching her compete. I think she learned a lot this year. She moves up to Intermediate next year and can qualify to go on to state competition then.

DC Pictures

The girls with Einstein
Jefferson Memorial
The girls learning to flirt in Williamsburg!
In the historic Williamsburg courtroom.
Jamestown archaeological dig site.

Williamsburg, VA

We arrived in Williamsburg around 8:30 last night, just in time to check into our hotel then we were off on a ghost story tour of the town where we learned some of the towns folklore. This morning we will walk through the historic town again and learn more about it. A candy shop was pointed out to us last night, one of the kids and I immediately made comments that we will be visiting there today! Conveniently, it is next door to our lunch destination.

This afternoon and evening will be spent at Busch Gardens. Don't think I will go on any roller coasters but I hear there is a log ride and I LOVE those!!!

Day three in DC

This morning we are on the way to Arlington National Cemetary. Four kids in our group will be performing the wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier. We will head onto the holocaust museum. We will end our day in Colonial Williamsburg.

Yesterday we visited Ford's Theater, Mt Vernon, Ft McHenry, the harbor in Baltimore, and the following memorials: FDR, Jefferson, and Iwo Jima. I have learned so much already and definayely will return again to check things out in more detail.

We are now at the cemetary.

On the ground in DC

After many delays due to storms we are in Washington DC. The girls (Susannah and Ashleigh) are tired and hopefully ready for sleep. We have a half-hour drive to our hotel. We are looking forward to touring tomorrow.

Off to DC

Susannah and I are heading off to Washington DC early tomorrow morning.

We are so glad Ashleigh is able to go with us! These girls have been friends since Susannah was born and to be able to experience this together will add to the whole week.

We will fly from Portland to New Jersey then to Ronald Reagan Airport. Friday morning we begin a very busy four days in Washington DC and Wilmington VA. We are excited to go and will update you as we can. I don't think I will be able to post pictures until I get back home.

Happy Birthday Michelle!

We had a busy day for Michelle's 12th birthday. Michelle and Susannah each had softball practice and Richard had baseball at five and soccer at six thirty. We headed to the Ruby Ranch Cookhouse for dinner at 7:30. Had a GREAT meal and even got to sing happy birthday to Michelle while she was wearing this cute hat. (I think it is bigger than Cherokee)
Tomorrow David and our friend Justin are chaperoning a birthday party to sand island where six girls are going to camp out! Notice I said our friend today. Who knows if he will talk to us after tomorrow night! I will be sending the camera so hopefully I have lots of pictures to post!

First in Silver Division

Both girls' teams won first in the silver division this weekend.

Michelle's team played seven games in Milwaukie losing one Saturday which put them in the silver division. Sunday they played four games and did quite well. As catcher, Michelle caught a pop up and while playing 2nd base she jumped for a high line drive which she caught for out number one then made the double play at second with Rianne for the second out (and the third for the inning). It is so nice to see this team work well together. Most of them have been together for four years playing tournaments and they work well together. All of the girls were hitting the ball and they had very few strikeouts against them. We are proud of the way they played.

Susannah's team struggled Saturday winning one and losing two which put them in the silver division. Sunday they won all their games and earned first in their division. I was able to see two of the games on Saturday (the not so good games). It was hard to see them struggle but I'm sure they learned a lot from it. David went to the Invasion games with Susannah on Sunday so I got limited updates (basically just scores). Susannah only pitched one inning as she is coming back from a knee injury. I don't know how she did because the reports to me were sketchy. She did have fun and really likes her team. I think the girls on the team had fun pestering David, he came home with dirt hand prints and initials on the back of his coach's jersey!

Invasion 2nd at Aloha Invitational

Susannah's team won 2nd in the Gold division at the Aloha Invitational the past weekend. They played seven games in two days of near record heat. (Upper 80's to low 90's). The games were fun to watch even though Susannah was on the bench with a knee injury. We are hopeful she will be playing again this next weekend.

Michelle's team did not place but won 3 of 4 games in a 14U tournament (they are 12U). They played well and the competition was good.

Mom was here for a visit and got to see alot of ball. (Maybe too much) Richard's team played Friday night so she was able to watch all the grandkids play. We enjoyed a short but very full visit. We visited the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens , shopped for plants at Means nursery and then ball games. I'm sure she slept well last night in her own bed!

Happy Mother's Day Mom

Meet Frank Klager! He is my gift to you this Mother's Day. We have not planted him yet but he will be taking root before you come to visit. I promise! Have a very happy day, we love you!

Ida and Willy

Ida still loves her ball. She continually shreds the rope that goes through it so she has learned to play with it without the rope. I wish I could remember where we put the extra rope so I can watch her throw it over her neck.
Willy is a timid dog and he lets Ida rule the roost. Good idea Willy!

Bee rancher?

While walking up the driveway today I heard a loud buzzing. To my surprise, I found a bee hive! We will be calling an expert to take them away...

Update.
The next day the swarm moved on. I did not get a change to call a bee keeper. Wish I did though, I just read an article in spotlightnews.net about Martin Brandenfels' bees disappearing. If I see them again I will call him right away.

Invasion of St Helens

Susannah's Invasion team held a tournament in St Helens this past weekend. They won three and lost two games, the last loss being the championship game so they kept the second place trophy at home.
Overall the weekend was fun and the tournament went very well. I was the tournament director and didn't get much sleep all weekend. I was very nervous and did not need to be because the Invasion parents are wonderful. Everyone stepped up to help and kept everything running smooth.
Richard and Michelle helped all weekend in the concessions booth. They were a great help and I was able to watch Susannah's games.
Susannah's favorite play of the weekend was a double play with Skylar. Skylar got the force out at first and fired the ball off to Susannah who got the tag at third. Susannah hit a home run during the second game on Sunday. The ball bounced about 15 feet from the fence then rolled to it. Her wheels got faster and faster as she rounded the bases! So cool!!! Susannah pitched very well on Sunday. She is becoming more confident pitching all the "junk."