The Orchard Team Huddle

The only reason we were in Anaheim was to support Douglas so I better include some pictures of him!   One of the teams we played was Pacifica High.  We had a double header and the nice parents of that team barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs for the boys and their families for in between games.  I was very touched by their kindness.  On a side note, the marching band was practicing just yards from where we were for about 3 hours straight.  They had an electronic metronome that ticked the entire time!  We were just about batty by the time we left:).  It was so loud at times we couldn't carry on a conversation.  Maybe that's why the parents cooked us lunch!!  Pictorial proof that we really did leave Disneyland to go and watch our oldest play ball! Stock's opinion of Douglas' games!  In his defense, he was tired from our previous day at Disneyland! The very last night of our stay Douglas landed some free ti...

I have been DYING to go to Disneyland again.  We have been known to go twice in a year before but once a year is pretty standard.  It had been 2 1/2 years since our last visit and with a cute little almost 4-yr-old who would LOVE everything about that place I was yearning to take him.  Douglas' team played in a tournament in Anaheim over Spring Break.  That gave us the perfect excuse to go.  I just wish it would have been at a less busy time! Mason loved the bus ride from the long term parking lot to the airport terminal!   I can't get over how tiny that Longbeach airport is.  You have to get your luggage outside! Mason ended up loving the Buzz Lightyear ride.  It is our family's favorite!  Stockton was pumped when he got his all-time-ever high score.  He found a secret target the rest of us didn't know about! The first "big" ride Mason went on was Space Mountain!  I new it was a HUGE mistake but I irresp...

Just a day before we left for a super fun trip to Disneyland, Douglas took a ball to the face while warming up for his game. He was very brave while they stitched him up.  He didn't even need to be restrained!  This kid has come a long way from the days of running from the room and ducking under a chair for his flu shot!  I am not even exaggerating! A few days later he was left with quite a shiner.  And, he had it for his whole California trip. That's how our Spring Break trip started.  Near the end of the trip (which was really 2 trips rolled into one but that will have to wait for the next post) we were enjoying a beautiful sunshiny Championship baseball day in Las Vegas... when Mason's playground luck ran out.  He fell from the monkey bars.  I was standing with my back to the playground as I watched Stockton's game.  I heard Mason crying and saw him running to me holding a floppy wrist.  I pretty much knew what that m...

Mason was born in the middle of baseball season.  He went to his first little league game when he was 1 week old.  He traveled to Cooperstown, NY when he was 5 weeks old where he also attended a New York Mets and a New York Yankees game! When you have 2 big brothers that eat, drink and sleep baseball there is a pretty good chance you will have some interest in at least trying it!  Just weeks before the season started Mace broke his arm but he was still one of the best players on the team:).  He kinda knows what is going on and pays more attention than the average 4-yr-old.  Right now it is still all about the friends, your family cheering for you, and the team treats! Play Ball!

Stockton's team had been on a bit of a dry spell when it came to championships.  We always make it to Championship Day but have been falling a bit short of that Championship Game.  March Madness turned out to be a GREAT tournament. We got 2 days of nice weather... had fun with the team... and took FIRST PLACE  in the pouring rain. We collected our trophy, took a few team pictures, covered home plate with dirt, and headed to Five Guys to celebrate.  Stockton really is happy in this picture.  He was just trying not to close his eyes when the flash went off! Our favorite thing about this St. George tournament is staying with our best friend's, the Thompsons.  Stockton and Noah had fun making movies of their amazing dunks. Mason followed everyone else around and chatted their ears off. And, even though it was a muddy mess, I got the uniform clean!  St. George dirt and all:).