Sweet success!

Even though Cooper's baseball team got rocked last night, they have had a great season so far. They have improved a ton since last year and it's fun to see them having so much success. A week ago, they had the most exciting game I've ever seen.

They were down 1-4 at the end of four innings. We came back to tie it up and then the drama really started. The other team had the bases loaded and there were 2 outs in the top of the 8th (we normally only play 6 innings, but it was still tied). Our pitcher threw one in the dirt and it looked certain they would score on the wild pitch. Somehow, Cooper tracked it down at the fence and made a perfect throw to the pitcher who was covering home and tagged the runner. We then went on to win in the bottom on the 8th. So fun!

Yesterday, Cooper had his first golf tournament of the season in Broomfield. He played the best golf I've ever seen him play and he won his age group. It was a par 3 course, so not his favorite venue (he likes crushing drives on long holes), but he really played well. It was a good thing he played good golf because the baseball game last night was awful! The backstop at this field was about ten feet beyond normal, so every ball that was thrown in the dirt or got passed him was a marathon run to retrieve it. Not fun!

Heading to tee off

He hit the green on this shot!

Kaiya survived her 4 day gymnastics camp. I don't think she slept more than 6 hours a night, but she had a blast. Only one day of homesickness and she learned a ton of new skills. Here is a link to her dance performance on the last day: http://sharing.theflip.com/session/2c395488685da01e8e7701a80429df9c/video/15545754

Last day of camp

Front flip off beam

Flyaway off the high bar

Tumbling on the trampoline

Flyaway into the pit

A bit boring, but we promised Uncle B some catching video

A nice base hit!

Look who's 40!

I know I am going to be in big trouble for continuing to harass my husband, but he never posts stuff on the blog, so I get the liberty of embarrassing him further on here.

Our summer has already been jam packed, but we did stop long enough to celebrate Doug's 40th birthday and Father's Day today. On his actual birthday, I had to work and Cooper had a game, so we celebrated last night with friends at a Rockies game and again today with family. The Rockies were kind enough to pull out a come-from-behind win (a rarity in the 2010 season so far) and we got to sit in the suite! It was really an awesome night--thank you Lowrys!!! We also had a really nice Father's Day today--I feel very blessed to have an amazing husband who is a wonderful dad and for my own dad, with whom I am very close. I talk to him at least daily and he is a huge part of my life. Love ya, dad!!

You might see this again in a Christmas card

A night with great friends

Our host got to throw out the first pitch! He's getting his instructions before the big throw.

A pathetic excuse of a mascot, but the kids love Dinger!

Happy 40th!

Cooper's baseball team has started their season 3-1 and he has played really well. I wish I had a video of the second game to show his throwing out 2 guys trying to steal second base. It's the first time ever that he's thrown somebody out (a huge feather in the cap of a catcher) stealing and he did it twice in one night. The throws were right on target and the second baseman played the tag perfectly. So fun to see the success--he really works hard behind the plate! His bat came alive during their last game, so he is enjoying baseball to the fullest right now. He also plays golf every Monday for two hours in a league, so the kid is staying busy!

Getting to play in the infield

I just dropped Kaiya off at her first ever gymnastics camp and it was an overnighter to boot. She had no fear until just before I left when she realized we forgot a night light. She is at the University of Denver, so just 45 min away, but she will be there for 4 nights. Yikes!!! She was so excited, though, and it has been fun to see her developing good friendships with her teammates. 9 girls from her gym are there and her roommate is 13 and very responsible, so I think she'll be OK!!

Ready for camp!

Her dorm room

Some of her gym buddies

Kinley has been at dance class after dance class and is gearing up to be in the 4th of July parade. Honestly, I have never seen her so excited for something--being in a parade is a dream come true for her.

Base hit!

A most welcome surprise!

We got a very welcome surprise in our home on Monday. His name is Uncle B. After playing in a long, hot NCAA Regional tournament in Norman, OK through Sunday afternoon and riding back to Tulsa on the team bus, my little brother packed his entire dorm on Sunday night, met with his coach Monday morning and headed home. I knew he was coming, but the kids had no clue. He showed up at the end of Cooper's first baseball game and just popped his head in the dugout. Just retelling the story almost makes me cry. Kinley was playing in the sandbox by the field and didn't see him walk up. He snuck up behind her and picked her up and she had no clue who it was until her eyes met his. She squealed "B" at the top of her lungs. He was also able to suprise Kaiya as she came home from gym that night. It was priceless to see them grab onto him and not let go.

He stayed with us on Monday night and we played all day on Tuesday. The weather cooperated long enough for us to go swimming for a few hours. The girls favorite part is going down to the basement to wake him up when he stays with us and they got their wish. We didn't have too many tears when he left on Tuesday because we will see him again in 6 weeks in Wisconsin where he is now headed to play summer ball for the Loggers. Check out this website. http://www.lacrosseloggers.com/

Right after the surprise visitor arrived

Kinley's turn

Soaking up the sun

Loving their time with Uncle B

In addition to our awesome surprise visit, we have had a busy start to the summer. We've made it to the pool a couple times so far and we took the kids to see Body Worlds in Denver. It was an awesome experience and my kids really enjoyed it. It provided a visual for Cooper to learn all about his heart. They even had a heart with a pacemaker inside. It's actual bodies that have been preserved using a a special plastic process and the one in Denver right now is focused on the heart. We also checked out the rest of the museum.


Cooper's baseball team finished their "spring training" with a water balloon fight and pizza party and his games are now in full swing on Mondays and Thursdays. Kaiya is hard at work at gym and heads for her first overnight gym camp in two weeks and Kinley has started her dance program for the summer, which means an insane amount of driving for us. Thank goodness for good friends and sweet carpool arrangements!!

Water balloon fight!

Swimming with Uncle Brandon

The health exhibit at the Museum

Checking out the dinosaurs

We spent Memorial Day weekend just relaxing and working in the yard. I ran in the Bolder Boulder 10K with a good friend and literally ran into the Denver Nuggets' mascot, Rocky. He ran in his full costume and ended up right next to me. I leaned over ask asked him if he was still the same guy who used to be the mascot at Utah State and he was clearly shocked. I knew him when he was training all of his fun stunts in the gym with the gymnasts and I was roommates with his cousin. We ran together for a while and caught up on old times. So fun! Plus, we ended up on the 10 p.m. news.

Playing a board game with Papa on Memorial Day weekend

Runnin' with Rocky