The Orchard Team Huddle

What do you get when you cross 9 baseball games a week with a 1-yr.-old that passes the time snacking on Cheetos, drooling on suckers and toddling around in the dirt? Exhausted is not the answer I was looking for but it could work:). The correct answer is stubborn laundry. I like to define stubborn laundry as the kind that requires a lot of extra attention: soak, Shout, wash, Shout, soak, wash, bleach pen, wash, yada, yada, ya. Both boys are lucky to have some really cool baseball pants. Douglas has white with a blue pipe down the side and Stockton has white with blue pin stripes. They look sharp in their unis but those white pants can not be bleached (previously mentioned blue pipe and pin stripes). I have tried to bleach them in the past but the boys get a little disgruntled when their Mizuno turns pink. The dirtier the pants, the harder the boys played! I expect them to be dirty. It's just that I work so hard to get them clean come Monday morning and they often get worn ag...

Nine years ago, on the first day of summer, our sweet little Stockton made his way into the world. We were so happy. We had prayed from him to come and knew that Heavenly Father had heard and answered our prayers. We knew our first son would be named Douglas so we had never come up with any other boy names. We get asked if we named Stockton after that amazing basketball player, John Stockton. That is partially true. In order to figure out a name we liked we started naming famous people and when we said "John Stockton" we both knew that Stockton was it. I think it fits him well:). Stockton has been talking since he was very young. He said several recognizable words when he was 1 and he hasn't quit since. If I ever need to know anything that his older brother won't tell me, I just need to ask Stockton! He loves to talk still and I hope he never stops. (Sometimes a break would be nice but overall, I love that he will talk to me!) He was a trying toddler. He w...

(Jake and Douglas) The T-ville 13's are on the road to the Babe Ruth World Series. They have trained since last September. They have played as 14-yr.- olds on Saturdays so they can hit the fastest pitchers, train on the full size field and go up against kids taller and older than them. It has made them stronger, better and more prepared to play their best when the State tournament starts in July. Now they have all decided to get a #1 Buzz cut. This will be their summer look. "Are you sure you want a #1 Douglas?" I asked. "Maybe you should start with a #2 and get used to it." "Everyone else did a #1, Mom. I want one too." So, #1 one he got. We are all trying to get used to it but I do think it is way cool team camaraderie . Oh yea, and the necklaces are turning into a team thing as well. Go T-ville!

In planning Mason's little one-year-old celebration I opted for a simple approach: McDonalds with his cousins, his first ever happy meal, followed by swimming at the pool (unfortunately the cousins swam while Mason slept. It was a cold day). I thought it was a very responsible, older, third-time parent party. Maybe I have learned a few things over the years. Here are a few pics from the day. A musical horse and a birthday balloon. Mason LOVES "boons"! I have to give a shout out to my Dollar Tree balloon that was purchased 8 days ago and is still hovering around my ceilings. Best buck I've ever spent:). Other gifts were a car, baseball glove and ball and an Elmo cell phone. First ever happy meal. As expected, he didn't really eat it. I am sure that is not the last happy meal he wastes. First ever sprite. Yes, he is drinking from a straw. One of his newest accomplishments! EW, was the word of the day. EW, over his toys, EW over his cousins, EW over the sl...

One year ago today. .. I watched my oldest boy graduate from elementary school. I assured him there was nothing to worry about as I kissed him goodbye with tears in his eyes. I headed to the hospital, excited and anxious for the day ahead. I lay in a hospital bed appearing calm, feeling peace, but straining to hear the steady thump of my unborn baby's heart. I watched my husband pace the floor, nervous and unable to do anything. I listened to the sound of my boys in the hall waiting for their turn to come in the room. I heard that little cry I had yearned and longed for for so, so long. I held the most wonderful blessing straight from my Heavenly Father. I felt like I was in heaven with him. I cried the purest tears of relief, gratitude, love, thankfulness and joy. I looked at my 3 boys and felt complete. I knew my family was finally here. I was the happiest mom in the world. Happy Birthday Mason T!

WARNING: THIS POST IS ABOUT BASEBALL. IT IS ALL WE DO RIGHT NOW. I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO WRITE ABOUT. I just thought I would get that out of the way so if you are completely sick of my baseball stories you can click over to another blog:). If you are kind enough to read on, I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into our world. Be sure to take a 7th inning stretch. You are going to need it! Tournament time! I can't imagine forgetting the fun of a super league tournament but I am going to document it none-the-less. For our family, holidays usually mean baseball. The first tournament is President's Day in St. George followed by March Madness, also in St. George. Over Spring Break we did the Pizza Factory tournament and just this weekend was the Memorial Day tournament. Next weekend will be Idaho Falls, followed by the Fourth of July, followed by the Tournament of Champions (this one you have to qualify for). We usually have a big end-of-year tournament that we play in as well. We di...

Bases loaded, Wilson on third, a few shoulder circles with bat in tow and Stockton strategically places his toe in the dirt. With a side to side motion he plants his feet just inches from the plate. "Knock your cousin in," yells mom.  A few wiggles of the bat and the first pitch is thrown, ball.  Next pitch, strike.  "That's the one you want to hit," (mom has a very hard time keeping quiet during the game!).  One more pitch and CRACK .  It's going, it's going, it's over the left fielder's head.  It rolls to the fence!  Stockton is rounding second, he is rounding third. "Go Stockton, GO!" His lightening speed is no match for the Cubs as he safely slides into home, his first ever HOMERUN which also happens to be a Grand Slam .    Grinning so hard it must have hurt he enters the dugout to a team of hysterical boys, all cheering for him.  He looks over to see if mom saw.  A little tear appears in the corner of her eye as she gives him thum...