End of Summer!

Summer is coming to a close -- at least that is what it feels like once school starts. Last night we had our "last hurrah" to summer -- celebrating by eating wonderful summer fare, climbing trees, and hanging together outside. Bliss!

Mom & Dad surprised the kiddos with peach shakes - mmmmmmmm!

My kiddos and me:

Summertime!

First Soccer Practice

In spite of my tardiness in signing him up, Drew is on a team and ready to play soccer. It was so fun to watch him and his enthusiasm.

Andrew was leading the pack during warm up laps. (He is a 1/2 lap ahead because of a pile up behind him similar to the one in this picture.) Telling Andrew not to run over people is another on a long list of things I never expected to say -- until I became a mother:-) Huddling up with the team:

Cubs Game 2010

Well, what can I say? This was an amazing night for Lloyd and me, but if you aren't a Cubs fan this won't be a great post for you:-)

Due to the generous gift from an anonymous person in our church, Lloyd and I were able to enjoy an amazing night of baseball in the city of San Fran. Thanks to tips from seasoned game attenders, we drove to the perfect parking stop, walked right out to the perfect pizza place, and then jogged over to enjoy the perfect baseball seats!!!! We made it in plenty of time to enjoy watching batting practice and walking around the stadium.

Right over Lloyd's shoulder is AT&T park: Enjoying some wonderful East coast inspired, brick-oven pizza at Amici's, along with scads of gracious Giants' fans.

Castro at batting practice:

Fukudome warming up (he only had one at-bat late in the game):

Ramirez finishes up:

Our seats were up there last year:

The view from our seats included the coke slide and big glove. (There is a little play area up there for kids.)

The familiar Soriano stance:

Taken from the Coke bottle/glove area, this shows our seats - four rows behind that orange banner on field level.

Proof I was actually there!

I could almost reach out and touch the bullpen mound from my seat!!!

This counter keeps track of all the out-of-the-park hits by Giants players that land in McCovey Cove since the park opened.

Castillo (a new catcher). He was batting 1.000 when the night started:-)

Gorzelanny warming up:

Bullpen coach, Lester Strode

He was very entertaining. He gave this young boy a hard time about wearing his Cubby gear UNDER a very orange (Giants color) sweatshirt. When the boy switched things around, he was rewarded with a baseball:-)

Gorzelanny was the starting pitcher:

Right in front of me:

Starting line-up:

Pitching coach, Larry Rothschild:

Marlon Byrd getting ready:

Tyler Colvin swings in the first at-bat of the game. . .

. . . and gets a HIT!

Castro takes his at-bat:

Colvin in the out-field:

Soriano smacks one:

Baker beats the throw to first. (Can you see the baseball in the first baseman's glove?)

The Happy Cubs' Fans (The shot wast taken during the seventh inning stretch - the only safe time to do it since our seats required constant viligance. More than seven foul balls came our way! Good thing Lloyd brought his glove this time.)

Marmol warmed up at the end but we never got to see him pitch.

San Fran with Friends

A few weeks ago we enjoyed a little bit of an unexpected trip into San Fran. Friends from seminary who are now in Montana were in the area so we joined them downtown for a day.

We started off with a picnic lunch at the chilly Golden Gate Bridge: Lloyd and his seminary buddy, Brad.

Alcatraz:

Throwing a fit. . . ah, the life of a two-year old:

Getting ready to ride the carousel:

Throwing a fit (#2) when she had to leave the ride: