Erin's Last Softball Game

Last Monday (6/16) was Erin's last game of the season.  They only lost one or two games this season.  About 30 minutes into the game a storm blew up and there was thunder and lightning which meant all girls had to return to the dugout.  They waited for about 30-45 minutes and then went back on the field.  They were only out there about 5 minutes and a downpour hit and soaked them before they could get back to the dugout.  They waited again and finally the clouds past, the sun came out and they finished the game.  Unfortunately, Erin's team lost by one point placing them second in the season.  The championship tournaments will start and go for a few more weeks.  Erin wants to win the tournament - this is a big deal in their league.  Below are a few pictures from the game.

                                    Erin in dugout before game started.

                                    Erin keeping an eye on the storm clouds.

                                    Erin and friend goofin' off waiting for the storm to pass.

                                    Erin in the outfield.

                                    Erin at bat!

Happy Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day with the kids, grandkids, Marisa's parents, Jack and Millie, and Scott's parents, John and Sandi.  We had a cookout and then spent the afternoon in the backyard and in the pool.  We had a great time...it's always good to be with family on special days and the Dads that were at my house that day were the best.  I will always miss my Dad - he was special and always showed me kindness, love, acceptance and worked hard for his family. Even though he was not there physically - he will always be in my heart.

I posted several of the pool pictures of my "little pumpkins" - they are the highlight of my life.

This is me and Jennifer with Karley, Ben, Erin and Anna Kate.  This was after lunch and before all the Dads and the rest of the kids jumped in......

Erin is like Lauren...the kids all want to play with her.  Karley and Anna Kate would either be on top of her or fighting over who got to swim with Erin.  Anna Kate got her to come to her house that evening and stay all night with her.  She thought she was the "deal" then.

Colton and Daddy got in the pool.  Colton liked the water but didn't last as long as the older kids.

Karley would not get near the pool last year but this year she was ready to go.  She used the waterwings and would holler "I swimmin' , I swimmin' , See me - I swimmin"  She was in the pool for a long time and was getting so tired but when we took her out she cried and wanted to swim more.

Anna Kate is learning to swim this year.  The only problem is she does not like water in her face.  This may prove to be a little problem - someone made the remark it reminded them of me....I can't help it if I can "swim" all day without getting my hair wet.

Ben will swim all day...he never wants to quit.  He is learning how with his waterwings.

Justin loves the water and he, Taylor and Erin always have a blast swimming.  The three of them can make the water go everywhere - they can really stir the water.

Erin will swim even when the water is so cool it takes your breath.  She doesn't care though - she just loves the water.

Taylor never gets tired of being in the water.  Gary always calls Taylor and Erin his little waterdogs.

Brass Band Festival

This past Saturday (June 7) was the Ashland Brass Band Festival.  There were only three bands this year but it was a nice concert.  It is held in Ashland City Park.  Central Ohio Brass Band of the Columbus area and Chapel Brass from northern Ohio were the other bands.  It was a great day but was horribly hot.  The poor musicians couldn't keep their mouthpieces in place because of so much sweat running down their upper lips.   Gary is the director for the local band, The Brass Band of the Tri-State.  The band does several concerts each year and competes in the North American Brass Band Association Championship each year.  The band has placed first in the last three years of competition.

This is the Brass Band of the Tri-State playing.

Gary on stage before the band began their portion of the program.  Randy Yohe from WSAZ-TV was the announcer and he was announcing the band.

In addition to it being band day, it was mine and Gary's 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday.  Before the Brass Band of the Tri-State played, Gary had the announcer read something he had written and presented me this bouquet of roses.  Of course, I had to go to the stage and pick up my roses -- if you know me very well, you know that I would rather walk on live hot coals than to walk in front of people but the thought was sweet and I appreciated Gary making the day special.  You can see the band playing in the top of the picture.

Ben and Mommy seemed to be having a good time!

We had a front row seat on our blankets.  The only problem with blanket seats is Nana trying to get up on her feet.  It wasn't always a pretty sight!

Anna Kate seemed to have a good time except for the occasional ant that thought it could crawl on our blanket - she only screamed two or three times and especially loud when one little "tiny" ant decided to crawl on her big toe!

After playing on the playground in the park and listening to a little music, Ben needed to take a rest and eat a few Goldfish.