A Great Evening!

I love it when God takes your plans and changes and expands on them without you realizing what's going on. Yesterday we had a day like that. The story begins with Kristin hearing about a family picture-taking opportunity at the beach. The price was reasonable and all the proceeds would go to our dear friends, The Perrenouds. Scott put on a happy face and dressed in his matching outfit and drove us all to the beach. The photographer wanted to meet at Laguna Beach. It ends up this is a hot spot for photographers and a special spot for this photographer. She is also the mother of a child waiting for a transplant, except her baby never got the liver she needed. Ani quickly shared her story with us with tears streaming down her face. She had taken us to the last spot where her family had their pictures taken before her little girl had to go into the hospital and wait for months for a transplant that never happened. We felt blessed and honored that she had shared her story with us... We continued with the picture taking and all of us survived with great attitudes, even. As we were finishing up, we look over the rocks and here come the Perrenouds for their turn. We were both happily surprised to see each other. (This family is in an isolation of sorts in their home as they wait for word of organs for their son Angel.) Ani had blessed them by volunteering to take their family photos in this beautiful spot... We made plans to meet up after the shoot at a restaurant for dinner. The kids all got to be kids in a corner booth of a noisy restaurant with Katie supervising and we got to catch up with Nick and Sarah in the next booth eating yummy, unhealthy food and even laughing together. What a night of blessings!... Now we'll see how the pictures turn out! :)

Troy Boy Strikes Again!

We had to laugh this morning when after receiving a text from a friend, we discovered Troy gracing the sports page of our local paper. What a fun thing! The joke is that Troy always seems to attract the photographer's attention (unknowingly). He's been photographed for the paper just messing around at his sister's soccer game already too. Anyway, a fun thing for an overcast Friday morning. Go Troy!

Troy's Turn

So after watching many softball games of Kamryn's, Troy gets his turn to play baseball officially on a team. He had his first game on Monday and loved it! He is the oldest boy on his team, but is doing well with the younger kids. I love to see the relationships formed between teammates. He has some great coaches too. This age group is coach pitch, so some of the boys are still getting used to being pitched to rather than hitting off of a tee. Troy played short stop and first base and had a great game. He was pleasantly surprised to receive the MVP award after the game. The boys were just all too cute and so much fun to watch. We're looking forward to a great season!

All suited up before his first game.

Mighty number 30.

Ready to hit.

So cute.

Ready!

Safe at second.

This is Troy running in after his home run!

Great play at first.

Snack time-the best part.

Troy and Dane rehashing the game.

MVP-Wow!

Check, Check, Check Her Out!

Yes, it's that time of year. The RBY softball chants are ringing in our ears. We had opening day this Saturday and it was a beauty! We're ready for a great season full of excitement and hopefully not too much drama! Kamryn is on the LSU Tigers. It looks like she'll be moved around from first base to catcher, to short stop to center field. I'm sure the coach is still figuring where they will best fit. Kam has a great set of coaches with lots of experience. They have some young pitchers, so we'll see how that goes. Although it started out rough, we had a good outcome to our game yesterday. The Tigers came from being down 8-1 to pulling out a win 15-12. Stay tuned for Troy's very first ever baseball game on Monday. Should be cute!

Kam got some nice hits, which turned into runs. Scott calculated that she never got out during the game.

Go Tigers!

Our friends, The Schenkels came to watch (and eat some seeds).

Kam ready to make the play at first.

Kam and her fans.

Cirque du ACA

This weekend we took part in the fundraiser at Katie's school called, Cirque du ACA. It was a nice time of people coming together to have fun and support the school. Katie was chosen to take part in a fundraiser where a bunch of Seniors had to eat really gross stuff (goldfish, worms, cow tongue, etc.) Let's just say it was interesting to watch and yes, there was some barfing! Troy got to eat a bunch of candy, Kam ran around with her friends, and we had fun watching others spend lots of money at the auction. :) The afternoon ended with a basketball game-staff against students. This year the staff won. Fun times!

Getting ready to take the first cup.

some hesitation...

I think Katie's face says it all.

The crowd looking sympathetic.

A good turn out.

Mr. Heuker trying to sell Scott something?

Uncooperative boys at the b-ball game.

A little better.

The game begins.

So Cal Hockey

Since our time in Michigan, Troy has loved hockey. His favorite team is the Detroit Red Wings. He watches it as much as possible on tv (when his sisters allow it). He was overjoyed when we were invited to attend a hockey game with some friends Friday night. We got to experience minor league hockey at its finest while cheering on the Ontario Reign. There were dumb games for the fans, off-beat cheerleaders, Zamboni rides, fights, big boxes of over-salted popcorn and some great hockey! Troy was on the edge of his seat for most of the game holding his ticket in hand the whole time. Our friend, Vonn, was determined to get Troy a seat down by the ice, but it was not meant to be...for long. On the second try they got down right by the glass for a total of 7 minutes until a fight broke out right in front of them and alerted the attention of the seat Nazi's who kept a close eye on the empty season ticket holder's seats. Vonn and Troy were sadly escorted back to their original seats. Bummer, but Troy still loved it!

Layel and Elgersma kids.

Troy on the edge of his seat.

Funny how everyone stands up to watch a fight. (Love Garret's face.)

Garret making friends with the giant mascot.

Vonn and Troy down by the ice right after the fight.