Jakob's Birthday

Well our Jakob is now 9 years old. Yesterday the poor child had to actually wait until 7pm to open any gifts...can you imagine the horror!?!? All day he kept saying "just let me open one present right now, I promise I won't ask to open anymore." Yeah right!!! He waited and did just fine. Here are just a few pictures. I hope you enjoy them!

This was Jakob's birthday cake that I baked and Andy decorated. Andy is so awesome at decorating cakes. Since Kaleb had already had an Army cake for one of his birthdays we didn't want to repeat that again. So Andy went with the "new Army camo" scheme and did the camo digital. It turned out great don't you think!?

Jakob patiently awaiting everyone so he could start opening presents. In true Jakob fashion once everyone got here we opened presents first and had cake last. Oh well, it was his birthday!This was the cake with all the cool candles right before we torched it...oh I mean lite the candles!

Jakob playing with some of his loot. He loved his birthday and all he got.We had Jakob and Mason Harrington's birthday party together again this year. I absolutely LOVE having parties with Shelli. She takes care of EVERYTHING and all I have to do is show up and write her a check in the end. She is AWESOME!!! This was the cake that she had ordered for them. It turned out great!Jakob out skating during the party. Doesn't he look great!!!Jakob, Mason, and Cade during the Happy Birthday song. They call the birthday boys up to the front and sing over the P.A. system. It was hilarious because they had to sing certain parts as well.Jakob and Mason right before we cut the cake.The whole gang (minus the parents...someone had to take the pictures). This is a really really good group of boys and girls. It was a great party but I am so glad it's over. I'm tired!!!

Where have I been?

Well it has definitely been a long time since I blogged. A lot has gone on since then. Baseball practices, a game, a band contest, a band concert, a research paper, a project, a medieval helmet, school, work, car (or better yet) truck trouble, a new alternator, a new battery, a ONE in a solo and in an ensemble, Mother's Day, a Cavalier Party, Regional track meets, baseball playoff games, softball playoff games, family nights, all kinds of stuff. With all that going on we did some great pictures along the way. Here's a few...just a little taste of our month has gone. Enjoy the pictures!

This was at Jakob's last game. They only got to play for 20 minutes because of the rain and lightning. This was also the game that mom and dad didn't get to go to because of Kaleb having his first band contest as well as solo and ensemble contest. Jakob played catcher for most of the time and then let the other coach's kid (Zach Whitehead in this pic with Jakob) have a shot at catcher. Jakob had a single at his first at bat and scored on the next batter's hit. Man that boy has speed! Even though we weren't there we were kept up with everything via text from Kerri and Brian. Can't thank them enough!!! The league never said if they were going to get to reschedule this game since they didn't get to actually play it. Oh well.

The drum posse at the Greenwood Music Festival where they all had their solo, ensemble, and the band contest. It's a really neat group of kids. Kaleb has a ton of fun with them!
Kaleb and Erin during the band concert this past Tuesday night. They performed their contest pieces and some more after that so that was a total of 5 songs.At the concert they selected 3 soloist that had been recommended for "Outstanding Soloist" at contest and Kaleb was one of those few. He performed his solo for the whole gym that was filled with parents, grandparents, you get the picture. We were SO extremely proud of him! He nailed the solo...was there any doubt that he would!? This is how Jakob and his friend Mason watched the band concert. They are so funny together. They could pass for brothers!Tobyn, Kaleb, and Erin playing the bells in one of the songs. Don't the drummers look like they are having so much fun!?Some boy (sorry don't know his name and Kaleb is in bed), Kaleb, and Erin on the snares. They play all the different percussion instruments so no one is always on the same piece. It's really good and gives them a lot of variety.Kaleb after his band concert with his medals that he won at contest. The big one around his neck is for his solo and the smaller one pinned on his shirt is for his ensemble. I honestly don't know why they had different medals for the solo and ensemble but at best guess it's because with an ensemble you have to award more than 1 medal because of more than one participant so you go smaller so you spend less. Anyway, Andy and I could not be prouder of our boys!

We took the boys to Steer Park for some good action shots from the "other side" of the fence. No it's not a game but I got what I wanted along with some fun shots. Take a look!

The "conference on the mound." Okay so mom's a little goofy...but you have to admit, the Ranger's pitcher and the Astros' catcher look pretty darn cute...and serious!!!

Catching the warm-up pitches.

Throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

Baseball Saturday

Well today was Jakob's 6th game. The game was called with 11 minutes still remaining on the time clock so we didn't agree with that, especially since we were losing 6-5 after the 4th inning. Oh well, the game was actually over before it even started because the other team only had 7 players and by the little league by-laws you must have 9 players to make a complete team. So they forfeited before the game started but we still wanted to play the game even though it was already final. Jakob did great, of course! He played catcher the whole game again and was up to bat twice and the first time he hit a double and the second time he hit a single. He scored on both at bats and was our lead off batter in the 1st and 3rd innings.

This was his 1st at bat...and this was his immediate hit. It was a beauty!

Stealing 3rd base!
And he SCORES!!! Gotta love watching him run across bome plate!
Behind the plate.
Waiting for our chance to bat. Don't we just look so cute!? This was after his 2nd hit. He made it to first and waited for his chance to run.

Stealing 2nd base. I love this shot because of his run being caught in stride. Run Jakob Run!!!
Back to work again.
Now that's what you call doing your job. Look at that ball! What a catch!
Running back to the dugout after the last out.

Jakob's 5th Game

Well Jakob had his 5th game this past Saturday. They didn't win, but boy did they look good. Jakob played catcher the whole game and did a fantastic job! He always impresses me because he NEVER practices being catcher during the week. He always just shows up and knows what to do. It is fun to watch and just be amazed. Because of TAKS test this week they only got to practice on Thursday so we weren't real sure what to expect. I took a few pictures to say the least. Here are some of my favorites.

Our very own "Pudge" Rankin.His first at bat. He had a single on this hit. He ended up stealing 2nd and on the next hit he rounded 3rd, headed for home but they threw the ball home so he stopped and headed back to 3rd. Well they tried to throw him out at 3rd so he ran home and scored. Take that Rangers!!!

After every hit I love that I get a good shot of the player and 1st base coach, otherwise known of Jakob and his father.

Doesn't he look good in his catcher gear. He looks all grown up to me.

This was after his 2nd hit. He got a double and could have kept running had it not been for the boy on 3rd not running home in time. He did however hit it far enough that he brought a runner home and scored.And of course he stole 3rd on the next pitch, then on a wild throw he stole home. With the ball flying home trying to get him out, he had only 1 thing left to do...get his pants really dirty! He slid home, this is his absolute favorite thing to do. Of course we all love to watch him do it and it really gets the crowd into it!Okay since he hit a double, I didn't get the shot of him and dad at first base. However after he scored I did get him and dad celebrating. I hope you can see the smile on his face...he was VERY proud of himself (as he should be). Andy said that as they were hi-fiving Jakob told him "I got to slide again dad!" Precious!!!

It's a Manic Monday

Well I thought I would actually do some blogging before Saturday's game then it hit me, I don't have anything interesting to say. Today was a very hectic day, we had TAKS testing and then the Fitnessgram. While the TAKS testing was going on this morning the athletic secretary and I were getting all the supplies ready for the gram. We ended up gram testing from 1:30-3:30, then we had to pick up and all that fun stuff. I didn't actually get to leave work until 4:40, then it was pick the boys up, rush home, get the house somewhat picked up (I hadn't been home, nobody had since we left at 7:50 this morning), listen to Kaleb's drum lesson, cook supper, eat said supper, walk with a friend of mine (felt good but whew!), play with the boys, administer a practice TAKS test to Kaleb, ref a chess tournament, put the boys to bed, change 3 light bulbs, check on my Facebook page (something new for me...peer pressure), try to come up with something interesting for the blog, and type all this out. WOW!!! Totally nothing going on today! Oh well tomorrow promises to be more of the same. Yippee! Well here's the pictures for today...or at least the ones I posted today!

Kaleb at the pool in San Antonio this past summer. Don't you love his goggles?!Jakob at the pool in San Antonio. I must tell you, I don't lose my kids long in the pool. They are VERY easy to spot with their goggles!My baby and me. I believe Kaleb took this picture one weekend when we were just hanging out enjoying ourselves.

Another Saturday, another game

Well we had Jakob's 4th game today, only 3 more left this season. Once again the wind was blowing a lot, we would love to get to play 1 game without 20 mile-an-hour winds! We lost 11-6 but Jakob hit the ball both times he was up to bat and also scored 2 runs for his team. He played catcher the whole game. I am not sure if he is going to play catcher for the rest of the season but he loves the position so he would be happy if he got to. Enjoy the pictures!

Kaleb was the photographer today so he felt it only necessary to take a picture of himself. I guess this was to prove he was there.

The Astros' catcher - #8 Jakob "Tornado" Rankin! (or as one of our parents loves to yell...WYLEE!!!)

This is after his 2nd hit. He got a double both times at bat. Cool!!!

He is always happy when he is playing and I love that. This is after he scored the 2nd time and he looks pleased with himself.

I got to work the dugout today since our usual dugout person wasn't there. It isn't that bad working the dugout but I SO prefer sitting in the stands and watching from there...you get to see more of the game and don't have to spend the game trying to get kids in line.

We have our own "Pudge" behind the plate. (For those that don't know Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has returned to Texas this time playing for the Astros...that's what I meant by that!)

Tuesday Night

Well tonight we had 2 softball games and 1 baseball game at home, and I must say, it was a great night for the Steer (Lady Steer) ball clubs. Both varsity teams won!!! What all this does is make the softball team have a playoff playoff (yes I did mean to say that twice) on Friday in Lubbock. Baseball has 1 more regular season game on Friday and right now are in...it just depends on how everything with everyone in the district pans out to see which seed we are. YIPPEE!!! Gotta love these cliffhangers. Anyway, I don't have any pictures from today, well I did take pictures of "something" today but with an ongoing investigation I cannot post them. Long story, so not worth embellishing on here. I do naturally have a few pictures to share though. I know, hard to believe.

This was us after the welcome reception at SWATA (Andy's convention) this past summer. The convention had the welcome reception on the USS Lexington and that was great because it saved us over $50 in tour fees since we already knew we were definitely going there.

Kaleb took this picture of Andy and I while on the USS Lexington. It was a little windy that day, but the humidity wasn't too bad which was great. I decided to also post a video, the first one I have every done. Honestly I can't believe I did this...I really shouldn't have. It's mean. In fact had it not been for the award for the funniest video ever I would not have done it. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) I got to laughing so hard that I honestly doubled over in pain. I must say Andy is a trooper though, I didn't dare brave the hills, someone had to work the camera. Hope you enjoy the video.