baseball

With spring fading into summer, baseball comes to an end. 

I love baseball...

 I'm so thankful that we have some baseball players in our family.

  Ethan played on a AAA team this year.

(I'm thinking this is his face of concentration)

He did great! His batting has really improved this year and his knowledge of the game at ten is amazing!

 (there's that face again!!)

It's obvious this boy loves playing this game and he's hoping to continue as an all-star!

 And he should have a good shot! He's a really good catcher!

 As a freshman this was Seth's first year on Varsity. We love watching him play!

 He batted .395!

 And he scored 15 runs!

 He was the team's utility player and played in any of 6 positions! His favorite though? Still first base where he should be the starter next year. 

Both boys had a lot of fun playing this year and both did great. I'm glad they both share a love for this sport. Determination and hard work are important traits to develop in young men. I guess it doesn't really matter to me what they play or work hard to do, I will always applaud their efforts. Because the one thing I want them to always remember is that I was their biggest fan!

brothers

This past week was filled with small and big celebrations. The small was Zane turning 5 months.

 And who could possibly resist that giant, toothless grin?

 He's all about grabbing his feet these days. Don't you love that? I think it's just the cutest!

 We are trying to decide what his hair color is going to be. Blonde, strawberry-blonde, turn dark later? Not sure, but those eyes are definitely blue and look to be staying that way! Yay!

 He weighs a healthy 17 lb 11 oz now. Not our biggest or our smallest, but perfectly sized to snuggle, that's for sure! 

 We love this happy, easy-going boy!

And just for fun, here's how most of the photo shoots end! "Take my picture too!!" Haha!

Our bigger celebrations this week were for two birthdays.

 Josiah turned 4! He loves all things Batman and has an amazing imagination. He loves wrestling with his brothers and playing with his sisters (except when Anna doesn't cooperate. Did I mention she's independent and spunky?). He's a cutie, and will talk anybody's ear off!

 The day after Josiah's birthday was Seth's 15th birthday. I can't believe how grown up Seth has become. He is hard-working, strong and reliable with a quick wit and an easy-going temperament. He plays multiple sports and loves animals and his siblings. He's a great guy and we love him so.

I am thanking God this week for the privilege of mothering these three boys as we celebrate them. All three at different stages of life, but tied together forever as brothers. 

anna's style

My beautiful girl is officially 2 and 1/2 today. She is independent, strong and sassy. She really has us all wrapped around her little finger! I mean, who can resist this sweet redhead and her individual sense of style? Here's some of what she treats us with:

 Underpants on her head (not to worry, they are clean!)

Two skirts over pants

 Leotard, skirt and rain boots

 Time has taught me that this phase will eventually pass. Little girls grow into big girls that care about hair and fashion. Rather than wasting time arguing about clothes, we let her be, at least when she is home. What a blessing she is! We are loving this time of her life, despite all the laundry she produces with her five outfits a day! :)

just because

With a warm weather blast last week we broke out the summer clothes.

 Then we had to document it, because, you know, who can resist chunky baby legs sticking out of shortalls?

 Oh this boy. He is such an easy going guy! He sleeps great and hardly ever cries. We've been dragging him all over the place to go to baseball games and he never complains. If all babies were this easy, people would have a lot more, I think. (insert winky face)