Basketball

As many of you know, we are not only playing baseball, but Riley was also 1 of 2 4th graders to make the 5th/6th grade baseketball team at school.  He gets a little playing time each game and has been doing well.  He's learning and really enjoying being a part of the team.  The team is undefeated, which makes it even more exciting.

These pics were taken BEFORE he decided it was time to cut his hair.  It's much easier to manage now :)

Baseball

e've had a great baseball season...not so much as a team, losing many games, but Riley has really had a stellar season.  He doesn't strike out, he hits like nobody's business, has started catching and loves it, his pitching is gaining momentum and he's looking pretty good at first base...Kind of like some other handsome man I know that played a mean first baseman :)

No it's not a trick...

Yes, I am actually here for the first time in ohhh...about 6 months!

Here are some Halloween pics of our big boney guy...

We had a great talk and walked lots and lots of blocks and got lots and lots of candy.  Afterwards, I heard the boys talking that it was a really fun Halloween.  They had a blast.

Field Trip ... Sometimes not so much fun...

Riley's field trip this year was to Chase Field, the proud home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. We were all excited, expecting to tour the field, the locker rooms, meet some players and coaches. Jim and I debated for weeks on who should go with him and my Mom was here, so of course, she's going too.
So mom and I set out with Riley's 3rd grade class to Chase Field to sit in the seats for 2 hours and listen to pre-recorded discussions with players on the JumboTron. Not my idea of a fun filled trip. The Science center was there, on the jumbo tron, as well as live with a few experiments to share.
Other than the one experiment that exploded the trash can lid 30 ft in the air, Riley proclaimed "This is the most boring field trip ever!".
Even the teachers were disappointed, but hey, at least it was a day off work and out of the classroom!






Second girl from the left is Riley's girlfriend...as much as a girlfriend can be in 3rd grade, anyway.

NASCAR

They are a little past due, but here are a few pics from Nascar in Phoenix. Jim and I took Riley and his buddy Bobby to Friday's Nationwide series. Jim, Riley, Gabe and my Dad returned on Saturday for the Nextel race. We all enjoyed it.

Some Easter Pics

Annual Swim -- kids are always in the pool on Easter!

Gary and Jim -- lookin' good!

We had a lot of kids joined in the hunt this year --- Fun for All!

Riley spilled -- Von helping him pick it back up!

The big basket --- Lots of cool stuff!

Never to old to color eggs!

Lookin' Good in Dodgers Blue

Riley is having a wonderful baseball season. All the kids on the team are great. We win about 1/2 the time, which helps keep them excited.
Last night was big win....17 to 6 ... it was really exciting.





Manager Jim with Coach Rick -- They make a great team!

Sometimes it's the little things...

After 9 1/2 years of riding in the back seat Riley is finally big enough to ride in the front seat of the car. He never ever complained of riding in back, he always knew it was the safest place. He still goes to the back "on accident" as it such a big change.
It has really surprised me at how wonderful it is to have him sitting there next to me. So often when he was in the back, the radio on, windows down, whatever the circumstance it was difficult to carry on a full conversation. Now he just sits right there next to me just chatting away and I don't miss a single word. He fiddles with the radio constantly, which doesn't bother me, yet, but may eventually.
Sometimes it really is just the little life changes that bring nice surprises.

Catching Up...

We had a beautiful weekend here in Phoenix, finally. It was about 80 to 85 degrees all weekend, which is the first time we have had this in months. We enjoyed being outside and just playing.
I got out on Saturday night and caught up with my dear friends, Angie and Ann. It was a wonderful time and I always leave wondering why we don't do it more often. I really need to make more of an effort to get out and about a little more.
Jim's been actively tearing down and re-building our walls in between the living room and kitchen. It's just wonderful how big and open it feels, I love it. He is re-building a partial wall that will actually be a "bar" to sit and be able to eat/drink while watching TV or conversing between the two roooms. It's going to be fantastic! And along with it will come new counter tops and possibly even new cupboards, we will have to see how far the dollar will stretch.
Riley has started baseball with his first practice tonight. Jim is the manager/coach again this year and has put together a really good team with, it seems, great parents. Great parents are always so important at this stage to prevent unnecessary conflict. Afterall, the sports are really about the kids having fun, not which parent can dominate the most.
Here's to a great week for all. Enjoy.

Annie

Annie is the newest member of our family.

We adopted her from the Humane Society on Super Bowl Sunday. She is a 3 year old Boxer who was treated unfairly by other dogs in her old home.
She and Libby are feeling each other out and doing pretty good. She doesn't bark and loves Riley, follows him everywhere.




She sticks her tongue out between her teeth like this all the time, it's the cutest thing.

The New Aquarium

Last Saturday we spent the day at the new Aquarium at the Wild Life World Zoo. We had a great day and enjoyed the Aquarium and the revamped zoo. The Aquarium portion even has a log ride that takes you thru a tunnel with fish swimming all around you. It's nice to have something like this in Phoenix.

Learning to Ride...

A couple of week's ago we were trying to "encourage" Riley to learn to actually ride his skateboard. We went to the school parking lot for about an hour and that's all it took. He is now much more comfortable and growing his skills all the time. I even took a turn trying to balance.

Anything for a buck???

Riley completed his annual pool dip on New Year's Day without a hitch. Jumped right in and swam across the pool. FIFTY TWO degrees !!!! I guess he'll do anything for a few bucks....TWENTY SIX Dollars for this craziness.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Style All His Own...

This kid has got style, not sure where it comes from, but he knows what he likes and doesn't care what anyone thinks. I personally think this was a pretty cool choice...





The first day he had it he wore it to the zoo for an all day Winter Zoo Camp with Jim's Cousin Cody. He got three compliments. One older woman told him she liked his Fedora, which baffled him, but he enjoyed the compliments.