The Fighting Leprechauns

What a challenging year this was with all the crazy rain we had this spring. We had so many cancelled games at the last minute and it was hard to get into a groove. The boys definately improved their game and they are getting pretty exciting to watch. Ethan really enjoyed playing this year... we just wish they could have done a little more of it!

It wasn't raining at the beginning of this game, but about half way through it just started pouring. The teams decided to play through it for a few more innings so that the game would actually count. It was coldy cold, but the coaches and the boys were troopers.

Ethan definately hit is groove again this year when it came to hitting. He recieved the game ball two times this year for most RBI's and had a handful of really great hits to outfield.

Ethan's favorite postition to play is catcher and that is where he mostly played this year. He says he just loves being right in the middle of everything and he even loves the way the gear sounds as he's walking to the plate.

The kids spent many hours entertaining themselves, usually somewhere in the dirt, since most games lasted over three hours.

A shot I snuck of the team getting their team picture taken.

Those dimples still melt my heart... even at the ripe old age of 10!

Mariners 2010 Fanfast

On Saturday the Dillons invited us to go with them to check out the Mariners Fanfast at Safeco Field. Unfortunately, Jason had to work, but we decided it would be fun to do so we decided to tag along. There were all sorts of fun things to do... we were able to run around the bases, Ethan attempted to catch a pop fly in the outfield, had our faces painted, walked around all the booths to get some freebies, tackled the inflatable obstical course, and were able to sit in the Mariners dugout!

Here are Ethan & Malcolm waiting for their turn to try to catch a pop fly in the out field.

They gave each kid two tries to catch a pop fly. Ethan was a tad disappointed that he didn't catch one, but he was sooooooo close with the ball hitting his mit on both tries.

The girls showing off their balloon animals and swords.

David and Dana hanging out in the dugout.

It was a fun way to spend what would have otherwise been a pretty uneventful Saturday. The kids had a fun time and we are so glad the Dillons invited us to join them.

♪ Take Me Out To The Ballgame ♪

Mariners Welcome Maple Valley Glacier Park Ward...

On Tuesday we all attended LDS Night at the Mariners game. We went with Uncle Eric & Aunt Maria, Tommy, Blake, and Grandmpa Stringham even came too, which the kids loved! Our ward arranged to buy a whole bunch of tickets in bulk and it was amazing to see the huge turnout from our ward. Unfortunately, the Mariners were defeated by the Orioles 12-4, but the kids had a lot of fun anyway.

David was most excited about the trains and airplanes that kept going by, Audrey was thrilled to have gotten her first baseball cap, and Ethan got excited every time Ichiro was up to bat. I was exhausted from a full day at scout camp so I wasn't in the mood to take many pictures, but when I took David out to use the restroom and saw the gorgeous sunset and view of Seattle, I couldn't hurry him fast enough so I could get back to sneak a couple pictures.

Mariners Welcome Mr. Barnett's 3rd Grade Class

On Friday night we went to Safeco Field to see the Mariners play the Twins with Ethan's third grade class. His teacher, Mr. Barnett, arranged for his class to go to a Mariner's game to celebrate the end of the year and to thank his class for being such great kids this year. Ethan's class went wild when they saw the reader board at Safeco field read: "Mariners welcome Mr. Barnett's 3rd Grade Class". It was so much fun and I'm surprised that all the kids didn't get hoarse voices from yelling so much. It was me, Dad, Audrey, Ethan, and Ethan brought along is buddy, Malcolm, too. We left David with the Dillons (thank you again Melissa!). I think Malcolm enjoyed the game far more than David would have.

I was so mad when I realized that I had forgotten the battery for my camera (so, SO mad), so the pictures below are complimentary via the world wide web.

The Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners, 2-1, in the 10th ending and also ended Ichiro's team-record hitting streak at 27 games! Bummer. But the kids went crazy whenever Ichiro or Griffey were up to bat and it was fun to see Ethan and Malcolm actually pay attention to the game and understand what was going on. I guess little league has paid off.

Another favorite part of the night was trying to sing, dance, and yell loud enough that we could get on the large fan cam screen. We obviously had a lot of spirit because our group got on about 4 times.

Hopefully we'll get to go to another game this season. Everyone had so much fun.

Tahoma Little League Marlins

Ethan had his last game as a Tahoma Little League Marlin yesterday. Ethan and his buddy, Malcolm, were on the same team again this year and had a lot of fun! We actually had great weather for most of the games (waaaaaay better than last year!) and the boys improved so much from the beginning of the season. This was their first season doing kid pitch instead of coach pitch so the first half of the season was quite interesting with all those wild pitches. But as the season went on, the boys got better and better and those last handful of games were a lot of fun to watch!

Here are a few of my favorite shots of the season. I brought my camera to some of the games and made a Marlins Blog for the team. Check it out if you're interested in seeing more pics!

Ethan's favorite position is playing catcher. He thinks that is where most of the action is. He even tagged out two players trying to steal home.

... and yes. Some of the pitches were so bad that the catchers would have to jump up to catch the ball. Good stuff!

Malcolm stealing third!

Ethan stealing second.

Ethan improved a lot on his pitching this year! Here is a picture of him pitching for the first time.

Most of our games this year were at Lyons Field in Renton and although it was a bit of a drive, it was a beautiful field and the kids had so much fun hanging out making mud holes, mud pies, wading in the creek, watching the cows, and making new friends. I'm a little sad that the season is over.

Tickling Laurel

This picture is so Audrey.

Opening Day

It's the end of March. It's Saturday. It's super cold. It's pouring rain... yep! It must be Tahoma Little League Opening Day. As you can see... the boys had a BLAST.






Even Jason, who isn't one to normally complain, couldn't wait to get back home. I took the chickens route and stayed home in my pj's with Audrey and David. Let's hope this is not an omen for the rest of the season!

Introducing... "The Marlins"

This may not be much of an introduction, but I'm sure you'll be seeing more of these boys in the months to come!

Can you belive it? Little league in February?... well baseball seems to have started earlier this year and all we hope for is that it doesn't turn out anything like last year! Last season came full of rain, hail, snow, and very, very little sun. I am excited for this season and I am very hopeful that we will have many fun and warm afternoon days at the ballfield. Our first few practices got off to a good start. It was a bit chilly, but it was dry! David and Audrey are already loving that they get to hang out and play!

I could just eat these two up in their baseball caps. SO CUTE!





Hmmmm... do you think it was a little breezy?
We lost sight of these two for a minute and when I walked around the corner, this is how I found them. I asked what they were looking at, and they both said that there were beds in there. Hmmm... not so sure about that one.
The cheering squad...




The girls with matching jackets and matching curls.