Softball Continued...

Kamryn's middle school softball team continues to do very well. They played in their first playoff game yesterday out in Apple Valley. Apple Valley is in the high desert about an hour away from us. RCS played well, but couldn't hold their lead in the final innings. The other team ended up tying us just as it was getting dark. After the third out, the ump called the game with one more inning to play. Unfortunately we will need to go back up to finish the game on Monday. Kamryn played well at shortstop and got a hit every time at bat. It was funny this morning because she told me that she had a hard time sleeping because she kept replaying the game in her mind! Here are some pictures from our last home game...

Kam's up to bat.

She connects!

She receives instruction from Mrs. Wagner at first base.

She makes the run to second.

She waits for the batter to get her to third.

She and Mr. DeBoer wait at third.

She's on her way home!

Run scored.

You Did What?!

Scott and I had a little adventure yesterday. We drove 7 hours (3 and a half each way) in the car to watch a girls' CVC soccer game in Visalia. The team would be celebrating the accomplishment of 105 consecutive wins and Scott was the coach when the streak began! Scott was the first coach of the girls' soccer program at CVC ten years ago. We have fun stories of his time as the boys and then girls' coach. He has many fond memories of this time and it was special that they invited him back to participate in the festivities. We saw so many friends and people we knew yesterday at the game. It's always so fun to catch up with everyone in our old home town. We always say that going back to Visalia is like getting a giant hug and it's just a place where a lot of special people always cheer us on. Was it a long drive? Yes! Are we paying the price today? Yes! Was it worth it? Yes!

Scott enjoyed being interviewed by the Visalia Times Delta reporter.

This is what we don't miss about the valley-FOG!

We had a neat time of being able to talk with our friend, Lance Van Grouw and his mom, Lisa.

This banner was in honor of our friend, John DeGroot who passed away last year.

This is Scott and Coach Jacob. Scott coached Jacob and now Jacob is the girls' coach. Many stories, tears, and laughs that go back years between these two.

A Great Weekend!

There were again many fun and fulfilling activities for our family to take part in this weekend! :) On Friday morning, Scott and I headed over to the RCS gym to attend the chapel led by Troy's class. Troy got to pray and help lead songs. It was super cute and a blast to watch! On Friday afternoon we loaded up the minivan and made our way down to Temecula to cheer on the ACA Eagles. It was a tough game with some strange calls by the refs. (Let's just say he threatened to clear our stands!) The girls tied 1-1, but I thought they played pretty well. Saturday morning we woke early to catch the beginning of the second annual "Beautiful Run" put on by our church to support the Beautiful Gate orphanages in Africa. It was a great time with a wonderful turn out. There were some interesting competitions going on between some staff members, which added to the fun. Kam had her softball evaluations in the afternoon and then Sat. evening we had a fun time with friends at a wedding reception. Sunday has been a good day of worship and rest and we look forward to enjoying a day off tomorrow in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Praying

Will you please join us in praying for our friend, Tom? He and his family found out he has leukemia the day before Thanksgiving. He went through chemo and is having a really rough time. We spent several years celebrating Thanksgiving and Fourth of July with their family. We have many special memories of times spent at their house. Tom is very weak right now and the family is having a special time of prayer this Thursday at 4pm. Any time you could lift him up would be great, though!

Tom and Vera leading devotions before dinner on the fourth of July last year.

As this picture shows, they have the gift of hospitality!

Fun Project

This weekend Scott was able to bless his friend, Brian, by being a part of his ordination and installation service as he begins ministry in Austin, Texas. Brian has been a part of Scott's life for many years as he was in his Youth Group in Visalia and then they attended Seminary together, more recently. Scott had a fun, yet quick time seeing a new city and spending time with dear friends of ours. When Scott is gone I always seem to get inspired to tackle a project around the house. (And with this house there are many!) Our friend Julie has a great picture collage on their living room wall. Seeing hers recently and getting some more inspiration on Pinterest, motivated me to put up some of my favorite pictures on a big blank wall that we have. Julie has all black and white pictures, which looks really cool. I decided to stick with some color and put this collage together. It was a no-cost project, too, as I used frames I already had around the house. I'm really happy with how it turned out! (I think I'll add one of those decal sayings over the top yet.)

ACA Soccer

Katie's enjoying her last season of high school soccer. The team is off to a good start and is starting to play together better. I took these pics. at their last game at the AYSO complex by our house. I love the view we get here while watching one of our favorite sports. (Can't beat So. Cal. in January!) Go Eagles!

Rose Parade-2012

I've wanted to go to the Rose Parade for a long time and we finally got there this year! It was a great experience that our family got to do with friends. We bought bleacher seats and a parking spot ahead of time, so it was relatively easy when we got there in the morning. It's so different than on TV because you experience the sheer volume of people all around you. That involves many different sights, sounds and smells! We had a great view from our seats and enjoyed "people watching" before the parade. What an awesome way to spend new year's day-with friends in the sunshine seeing beautiful things! Happy New Year! (The smaller ones are Cindy's pics.)

Walking down Colorado Blvd. to our seats early in the morning. The place looks pretty trashed!

Funny sign.

It was pretty sad how many people walked down the street with signs like these. It just seemed to us that it wasn't very encouraging!

Hanging out before the parade.

This guy entertained us with his superman snuggie. He was pretty proud of it!

The Carl's Jr. employees had a good (dangerous) view.

Luis and Scott people watching.

Showing Canadian pride before the parade.

This bomber flew over at exactly 8:04am.

This lady was selling interesting smelling hotdogs. Luis was trying to convince Scott to get one. Thankfully he resisted.

Our morning ended with lunch at In-N-Out. Awesomeness!

After each entry with horses, groups of these guys would follow. Too funny!