T-ball

Jenna had her first t-ball game (although there is no tee...it's strictly pitching) last Wednesday. She got a hit her first time at bat and later hit the ball really far, but it was foul. She played shortstop, outfield and 1st base. She says that next time she gets to be the catcher. That should be interesting! Here are just a few photos of her first game...

{Morgan - Class of '08}

A couple weeks ago I spent Sunday afternoon with Morgan to take part 2 of her senior photos. Morgan's mom is Jacob's 4th grade teacher...and we had been trying to coordinate our schedules for a long time! She had her senior photos taken in the fall, but did not have any sports photos taken. Morgan plays volleyball and softball and sports are a big part of her high school memories. We spent a couple hours taking photos in Crestview's gym and softball fields, and then made our way to the bus barn. She wanted some photos taken on a school bus, since she has spent so much of her time in HS on a bus going to various athletic events. She kept saying that she didn't take good photos....but I think she was wrong! CONGRATULATIONS Morgan...and good luck at Bluffton!

Time for Baseball....

Baseball season has officially begun. Jacob's team has already played 3 games and is 2-1. Chris is coaching the team again this year. Here are some photos from "opening day" last Saturday.

Dance, dance, and more dance....

This weekend was Jenna's dance recital. The dress rehearsal was Thursday night. Great Grandma L, Tony, and Connie surprised her by coming to watch her rehearsal! Friday night, Jenna, Mom and I went to Ottawa to watch my cousin Alaina's dress rehearsal. Her recital was Saturday, but we couldn't go since Jenna's recital was the same day. We also got to see Tony dance with her during the "dad's dance". Saturday was Jenna's recital. Grandpa and Grandma D., Grandpa and Grandma C, Aunt Becca, and Uncle Bob & Aunt Celesta all came to watch. She did a great job and didn't miss a move! She was so fun to watch...she improves each year! Just a few photos from our dance -filled weekend (We also managed to squeeze Jacob's first baseball game in this weekend. Be sure to check back later this week for baseball photos!). I apologize for the bad quality of the photos. I still haven't perfected dance recital photos (in a dark auditorium with funky stage lighting)!!

Jazz ("You Can't Stop the Beat")....
Ballet ("You Light Up My Life")....
Tap ("Hand Jive")....
Finale (She's in their somewhere.....)

Jenna and Miss Kim (her teacher)....

Tony and Alaina....

Alaina and Jenna....

Proof

It took some convincing to get Chris to agree to dance classes for Jenna. When he finally agreed, he swore she would never do the dance competitions. But, a couple weeks ago Chris, Jenna and I spent all day in Columbus at Jenna's first competition. Her dance teacher asked her jazz class to come to one competition for experience. Jenna loved the whole day...especially since she was "chosen" (it was totally set up!) to stay and get the trophy at the end. She loved watching the "big girls" dance, too. I enjoyed watching the dancers, but felt a little out of my element in the dressing room. There were some hard-core dance moms in there and more makeup, glitter, hairspray, and false eye lashes than I have ever seen. Chris watched some of the dances, but spent a lot of time in the lobby grading papers. I just have one picture from the day (I forgot my good camera at home. I had no idea if I'd be able to take photos or not). I think this photo is proof that he would go again if she asked him. (PS Don't you love her baggy yellow go-go boots? I think we need to tighten those before her recital!)

Worth the wait....

Friday night we finally got to see the Rascal Flatts concert that we were supposed to see in February! Kellie Pickler opened up for them....I could take or leave her. She talked a lot in between songs, sounded extremely air-headed when she talked, and sang off key. BUT...Rascal Flatts was amazing! They sounded great and were really entertaining. The whole light/video part of the show was neat. I realized quickly how "old" I've gotten - it was so LOUD!! :) I was kicking myself for not bringing my good camera. I had no idea I'd be able to take it in and take photos, so I never even thought about bringing it. I did have my point-and -shoot digital camera in my purse, so I was able to snap a couple decent photos with it. If you are a fan and you ever have the chance to see them in concert, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed!

The main stage was huge, but this was a smaller stage in the middle of the Coliseum that happened to be right in front of us. They mostly played on the main stage, but did a few songs on this smaller stage. This is also where they first appeared at the beginning of the concert.



On the main stage....
Self portrait....

Stress Reliever

I am in the middle of writing my IEPs and could really use a stress reliever....and then a friend emailed me this. Perfect timing!

Stress reliever....click here

TOUGHER

The word of the day is TOUGHER. As in....


• Our orange Simplicty hand-me-down mower is TOUGHER than your fancy new mower.


• Chris is a TOUGHER guy simply because he mows our yard with it


• In fact, our grass is probably even TOUGHER just because we own such a sweet, "vintage" mower.

{Meah}

Other than family, Meah is becoming my most photographed subject. I have taken her photos since she was a baby...and recently got to take her 2 year photos. She was on the move the whole time...talking non-stop. There was no sitting and posing during this photo session...it was more like try to keep up and hope that I got some non-blurry photos! She has such a cute personality and I think that really shows in her photos.