Join Our Panama Canal Cruise

Well, we only have 8 days to go before leaving for our TOAL (trip of a lifetime) through the Panama Canal. We're excited to share this journey with our friends and family on our blog. Stay tuned for updates.

Here's our home for 15 days of our trip, the Disney Magic:

CAP Awards

Kaleb has been attending a local Civil Air Patrol Squadron (CAP) since March. Today he received his first promotion. He is now an Airman. Although he hasn't received his dress blues yet (they take about 8-12 weeks AFTER you order them and we waited a bit to order them), he was dressed out in his new navy blue blazer. He looked like such a grown up as the 4-star General (ret) was pinning his first promotion.

The picture above is of Kaleb and his buddy, Daniel. Daniel encouraged Kaleb to join CAP. Tonight, Daniel pinned on master sargeant.

We're very proud of Kaleb. He is so enjoying this new activity. It's amazing how fast they grow up.

TTFN

Theresa 8-)

Kaleb Gets First High School Baseball Hit

Today we traveled over an hour to play Mathews High School. Kaleb played the ENTIRE GAME!! He was in right and left field. For his three times at bat, he hit the ball each time, but on the 2nd at bat, he hit the ball out to the center field for his first high school baseball hit!! We are so grateful to he has been allowed to play on this team. He is learning a lot! At the last practice, the coach even had him pitching a bit.

Oh, and did I mention it was in the 80's when we headed out to the game. Absolutely PERFECT baseball weather!

Kaleb's team won by one point in overtime! Go Eagles!

Kaleb enters first Varsity High School Baseball Game

Kaleb played in his first high school baseball game on Thursday. His coach is rotating the three 8th grade players so that they all get some playing time (and were not cut from the team altogether). This was Kaleb's first outing. His dad took some great pictures. This one is Kaleb's first and only at bat. He ended up walking, but he did swing a good one. He didn't start the game, but was put in later in the game. They were playing one of the top teams and played well until the last inning or two. They'll get another chance to beat them.

Baseball Season Begins

Hi All -

We have started our annual pilgrimage to the baseball fields. Kaleb is playing on a private high school team (his first game is Monday, March 17th). He had tryouts today for his little league team. He has three great coaches to choose from. Any of them would be a good fit.

Peter pitched his first scrimmage game. His coach does a great job of making him feel great. He started Peter pitching. Peter would GRIN at the runner at first to keep him from stealing second. Very comical, but effective. Notice Peter is wearing his Steeler cap. His coach is a diehard Steeler fan, too.

Until next time . . .

Theresa 8-)

Peter Becomes a Dodger

Yes folks, it's finally happened. We got the call from Peter's A League baseball coach. Peter has been selected to play on the Dodgers for spring baseball. This will be his first year in this new level of baseball. His All-Star team could be eligible to go to the Little League World Series. Not too much of a stretch as one of our local teams made it to the semi-finals last year.

The cool part is that Peter will be playing with some of the same kids that Kaleb played with last year. Peter will have a different managing coach, but it will be nice to know the great group of parents and players we'll have going into the season.

Stay tuned. Kaleb is trying out for a high school team on Monday. We are so excited for him!!

Another Pinewood Derby Win

February means Pinewood Derby time for our family. This is our SEVENTH year of competing with the boys. I thought it was funny that some asked me if I went. Of course I was there. We only have a few more of these exciting race days left before we have to wait for grandchildren to enjoy them :)

Peter's car class is always the most competitive. I think it has to do with the age of the boys (8-11 yo) and the excitement of the dad's to "help" them build a car. Each year you can tell the ones that dad (or mom) "helped" to build . . .and the ones mostly built by the kids. Peter's car is a gentle blend. He designed it and had an adult (not dad) cut it out for him. He sanded it, primed it, sanded some more, painted it, made his designs on it and put on the stickers. Dad was busy putting the weight in the right place and nailing on the axles and wheels. Peter placed FIRST at our in-house church race and in the top 10 for the 50 cars of the sectional race. And he had a great time at both.
Kaleb competed in the 1.0 lb cars. Creativity abounds at this level. I believe the boys are 12-18 yo. Kaleb decided to build a Disney Cruise Ship replica. (can you tell he is excited about our August cruise??). He designed it from top to bottom. Dad helped with the weight and wheels. Mom helped a bit painting the pinstripe lines. We were so excited when Kaleb made the finals. He placed 5th in racing. And to our added surprise, he placed SECOND in workmanship! He got a lot of credit for his unique idea. There were others that we thought were amazing, but Kaleb beat them out. We were also thrilled b/c two of the other boys from our church ALSO got 3rd and 4th for workmanship.

It was a fun day. We headed to Lowes afterward to get more supplies for finishing up house selling prep . . .