Happy birthday, Brynn!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Brynn!

Happy birthday to you!

 
The world is a brighter place since Brynn's entered it.  She shines... and her incredible face tells the whole story!  It's not possible for me to look at Brynn and not smile.

Happy birthday, Brynn!

Take me out to the ball game

It's baseball season and Alex and Matthew are finishing their season.

Greg sent me this video of Matthew's hit the other night.  It's a little grainy, but well.. Matthew is #10 - the guy at bat.  (Makes, sense, eh?)

Nice hit, Matthew!!

And as for Alex?

This came from Greg's Facebook page:

First game of the play offs, Alex's team won 9-5 and he got the game ball for 3 RBI's and scoring 2 runs!! He gets to sleep inside tonight!

 Get 'em, Alex!                                        

Happy Birthday, Mason!

Mason was born today - and he is beautiful!

Mason Xavier

9 lbs. 2 oz.

21.5 inches

Mom, Dad, Bryce and Mason are all doing fine.

When I got to the hospital, Bryce was holding Mason.  I asked him what he thought about the new baby and he looked at me and said with enthusiasm (Bryce does everything with enthusiasm), "I LOVE him"!

What a beautiful family!

God is good!

Everything has a price

The "guys" went to a Phillies game (Richard, Greg, Scott and Bryce) which is fun enough but it gets better!

Bryce had a loose tooth (SO loose) but didn't want anyone to pull it.  Greg has the oldest kids and therefore the most experience pulling teeth and he tried HARD to convince Bryce, but Bryce held fast to his tooth!

Well... apparently dad, Scott went to the concession stand and Greg went to work on Bryce, employing his most persuasive arguments.  The argument that finally worked was...  $5.00!

Bryce said "okay" and by the time that Scott got back from the concession stand, Bryce's tooth was history.  It was such an event that they decided to film a reinactment... which follows.

And then more money yet from the Tooth Fairy?  I think Bryce has this all figured out!!!!   

Good job, Uncle Greg!

T-Ball Rocks!

Bryce is playing T-Ball this year - his first year of baseball and he is doing SO well!  (no surprise)

I couldn't see Home plate from where I was located so I missed little things like Bryce hitting the ball and Bryce crossing Home plate.  I know!  I know!  You'll  just have to use your imagination!

ANYWAY... Bryce hit the ball and here he is on first base.

... and here he is on second base (with the coach behind him)

 

...leaving second and on his way to third - Go, Bryce, Go!

  

...heading for home!

Taking a minute after the game to pose for a picture for Grammie!

Surprisingly, the score was tied... 30-30 (ten kids on each team - 3 innings)

Bronze Radio Return with Greg, Gregory and Alex

For Christmas, I gave Gregory and Alex (and Greg) a night at World Cafe Live to see Bronze Radio Return with Michael and me.  (One of our favorite bands!)

 They agreed graciously and they were sold on the idea of a concert, but I'm not so sure they were sold on the band or the small venue.

We got there in time for soundcheck...

...and dinner (notice the look of excitement on everyone's face.  I think this is called "humor the old girl")

Alex and Greg

Gregory and Alex

But when the band started to play, it was a whole different story...

This band rocks!

(By the way... you can find Bronze Radio Return on Pandora Radio)

It didn't take long for Greg and Alex to move to an adjacent table at the edge of the stage, right in front of the drummer (Alex is taking drum lessons and is doing GREAT)

Within 10 minutes, Gregory screamed at me across the table (Did I mention that this band is LOUD?)...
"They're awesome!!!!!!"

According to Gregory's Facebook page, this was absolutely the best concert he had ever been to!

If there were 50 people there, I would be surprised.  Wilmington is just not "with it" yet - as far as Bronze Radio Return. Next time will be a different story!

On Friday, they are at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and the concert is totally sold out!  Michael and I are able to go, but it was too late to get tickets for Gregory and Alex and Greg.  We'll be ready next time!

It was a great evening!  SO much fun to share something that I love so much with my family.  And to have them love it?  A bonus!

Standing outside after the concert, waiting for Michael to bring the car, Gregory laughed and said to me, "This is something I never thought I'd do - go to a rock concert with my Grammie!"

Live and learn, kiddo! 

Life IS good!!

Chase's Christening

Chase was christened today...

 Christening

Julie and Chase

 Rich, Julie, Brynn, Kate, and Chase

...and the whole family was at the church to share the joy.

Amy. Greg, Matthew, Alex and Gregory

Scott, Crystal and Bryce

Kate and Brynn looked so cute...

(All pictures above courtesy of Tony, Julie's dad)

And then...

         ...back to Richard and Julie's to celebrate the day.



Most of us started inside, but that didn't last long...

Bryce and the dreaded cracker pose

Wiffleball was the game of the day for most...

Bryce looks like a hitter

Big ol' reach but.... 

There he is on 2nd base... ready to go!

Matthew's up to send that run home!

A lot of laughing going on in this game!

Alex is so tricky that he can pitch..

and then grab the bat and hit his own pitch!

(okay.. .okay... not buying it, eh?

Richard started off pitching but the pillar on the porch blocked the picture of him sooooo

here he is at the plate

Two pitchers??

Okay... Greg can pitch

Scott will catch.

Matthew decided to take a break with molly

(or Molly decided to take advantage of Matthew's break)

Gregory was the silent observer

And it was my job to observe Gregory

It was Brynn's job to bounce..

and bounce... and bounce

(in pearls)

... and to have lunch with Amy

Sweet Kate...

... with a furrowed brow

... and her extraordinary "Kate hair" - so beautiful!

If there's anything better than family, I don't know what it is.

God bless Chase on his christening day... 

     and God bless the family that I love so very much.

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