movin' on up.....

I never thought I would say this, but..... I LOVE baseball!
Only because Duke is playing, but still, I really enjoy his games and watching him on the field.
He is doing really well, which is surprising this year b/c he moved up a level.
Last year was our last year of tee ball and this year we moved up to the pitching machine!

I thought it might be forever before some of the boys got to where they could hit the ball from the machine, but I was wrong!
Duke has had a good many practices and only 2 real games and he is one of the best hitters on his team! yay duke!
He also has a new position this year.
He is playing catcher, which was the position Chad played growing up.
I like this position for him b/c it keeps him focused and in the game.

On this level, he has to be ready!
But mostly I love baseball b/c Duke seems to love baseball. I love watching him smile with excitement when he gets a good hit, or when he makes it to base w/o getting out, or when he slides home earning a point for his team, or when he makes a good throw or play in the field! Not to mention that it's a great time for Chad and him to bond. This makes the 3rd year that Chad has been an assistant coach and I love having them on the field together.

I really hope this is a sport that he sticks with! But, if it isn't... well, I'll just have to deal! ha!
Molly is always along for the ride. Although she doesn't do much cheering just yet. It's more running and playing with the other sisters right now!

Good luck Duke and Cheaha Home and Lawn!

gRoWiNg like a WeEd!

We have had Stella for about a month and a half.
She is now about 12 weeks old and she is growing like a weed!
She went to the vet last week and weighed 19 lbs.
She probably weighed about 5 or 6 lbs when we got her at 6 weeks.
Molly is just about to the point that she can't pick her up anymore!
(I'm actually glad of that! ha)


The other night, they called her into the bathroom while they were in the tub
(which btw... they don't do anymore, but they did that night for some reason)
and when I came into the bathroom, this is what I saw!


So of course.... I had to run downstairs and grab the phone to take a pic!!
And this is what I got!

I absolutely LOVE this pic!

Duke and Molly absolutely love Stella!
Chad and I love her too, but honestly, we are so ready for the puppy stage to be over!
We can't seem to break her from biting. It's the puppy nipping, but boy it hurts!
Oh... and definitely the potty training!
I'm thankful for the stained concrete floors! ha!
Maybe it won't be too much longer.
We have decided she definitely needs obedience school in her near future!
She is SO stubborn!
Hopefully these few things will get better soon enough!

bAbY #3....

We have a nEw aDdItIoN!
Stella!


She's a pit bull and we got her when she was 6 weeks old!
She is precious and we all adore her!


We are raising her to be a sweet, loving baby!
Welcome Stella!

wrestling 101

This year Duke tried a new sport..... wrestling!
I wasn't too keen on it, but wanted to let him try if that's what he wanted to do. Chad wrestled some in school and so he thought it would be a good opportunity for Duke to learn some techniques. So we did it.
At first... it wasn't so bad. But as the season went on, I decided this was by NO means my favorite!
When Duke went up against other boys of his own experience, he did really well!
We were all really proud of him.
But... at his first match... b/c of his weight, he was put up against a 3rd grader who had been wrestling for 2 years. He was really good! Duke knew nothing about this kid until they met on the mat. Needless to say, Duke wasn't prepared and the match didn't go so well.

However, at the next match, they were paired again and Duke held his own.
He also had a match (where for the first time in his sports career, Chad and I were out of town) where he got a baby tooth knocked out!!!!! That did it for me!

I do believe Duke has learned some good techniques that may come in handy at some point, but for now.... I vote we leave the wrestling to someone else!
I'm thinking Duke may feel the same!
He tried it, finished the season, learned a thing or two, now..... moving on!!

Here are some pics from our last match where Duke was put up against another child with the same experience. He came out on top and ended the season well!

Charlie got to wrestle as well! He had much better luck with who he had to wrestle and did really well.


Good Job Duke! He's so well rounded!


Duke runs to Chad after his victory! (this warms my heart!)








Here's to, hopefully!, our first and last year of wrestling!! ha!
(Thanks Kelly for the awesome pics!)