Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Biggest Fan

Being the "oldest" it's hard for Blake and I to fully understand the sacrifices of the second child. Mason has endured hours of Braden's games (basketball, football, soccer, and baseball) during his four long years. This year has been much better, because as I get older, I get wiser, and was able to hire a very capable 10 year old to shadow Mason at the ballpark. Many of you have read about our friend River, well, this is her older sister Scout. I was not yet a mother when Morgan Nick went missing from the Alma ballpark, but I have never forgotten it. It has been very challenging to focus the ballgames and Mason, simultaneously. He is not the only younger sibling by any means, but I can't hardly take my eyes off of him for even a minute. So Scout has made this season much more enjoyable!


On Tuesday night, when Braden and I left for his first round in the tournament, and Mason and Blake left for Mason's last T-ball game, he insisted on wearing "his" Astro hat to the T-ball game, to support his big brother. This picture is of him showing off the participation medals we have made for all the younger teams Blake coaches. Each medal is engraved with the participants name, year and team name. The kids really get a kick out of them!

During Braden's championship game, Mason would stop by and give me reports of the game, that my eyes were glued to. "Hey Mom, heads up, we do not have any points yet" He was also really good when he took a minute to sit down, to cheer for the number of the player batting. "Go number 8!" In between 4 snow cones and hanging out with Scout, Mason felt it was his duty to give me the random score checks. He was really excited for his big brother, but a little sad when he saw the trophy Braden got to take home. His turn will come.....I have no doubts!

Benson led the Astros…

Its a little fuzzy....but hopefully if you click on the picture you can read the article in today's paper about Braden's team, Elks Astros!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

We are the Champions…my friend!

 Braden finished up his first ever JL Hutch Machine Pitch season UNDEFEATED!







Let's Go Astros!

 Last night was Mason's final T-Ball game, and Braden's first round of his tournament game. His team finished the regular season undefeated! I love the picture above, because when Braden bent down to be closer to Mason, Mason bent down, too! It was sweet.

 I was lucky enough to snag these pics as we headed out the door to divide and conquer! Since Blake is coaching Mason's team, he took him to his game at 5:30, and took Braden for his 6 p.m. game. Blake and Mason arrived near the 4th inning, and were in time to see Braden's team win 14 to 9. Before the game, Braden's team received medals for their undefeated season. Tonight is the final game of the tournament!

 Their pep talk from Coach Josh


 Each players name was called and they received medals for their undefeated season.


 1, 2, 3 GO ASTROS!

 Let's Play Ball!

After party....snow cones!

A lot of the Mom's got some great pics over the season. The images below are from Kristy McKechnie, mostly from the 12th game.





Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Batter Up!





 Mason and the runner on first taking a moment to draw in the dirt. It's just too irresistible! Mason's game started about 30 minutes before Braden's, so I was able to catch him in the field and at bat. They were staring directly in the sun, and don't have hats at this age, so I grabbed the only kid sunglasses I could find in my car. I'm sure Blake was so proud!



 Batter up! Love that face!


 Headed to third!


 Coach making sure he knows to run home!





 Last night, Braden had to slide into third base, so today, Mason slid home. He was so proud that he got so dirty.
"Mom am I bleeding" He was so disappointed that neither elbow was bloody.

  Braden's team, the Elks Astros have wrapped up their regular season....UNDEFEATED. Tonight we started out at Mason's T-ball game, so we both missed Braden's home run! This team has really played well this season. They've learned a lot, and I think had a little bit of fun, too!





 The coaches and parents hosted a cook out immediately after the game, and they dumped ice water on their coach. Braden was in charge of "distracting" him as they snuck up behind him. The night was complete with a water balloon fight among team members and little brothers!





Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Youth TRYathlon

 Braden participated in the youth Get Fit TRYathlon again, this year, to benefit our local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. He finished in 15:40.9 and unlike last year, it wasn't 48 degrees! Overall, he was ranked 9th out of 31 participants in his age category.

 Our friend, Grace Wixson placed in the girls category.