O'Connor High School Baseball

Tanner at bat during his high school game this week. Undefeated so far - 4-0.

I have my bat and I'm ready to be on that side of the fence!

Another day at the baseball park. Mom's getting concerned that that's all he'll know!

Arrowhead LIttle League Opening Day

Dawson had a ball today at opening day for his little league season! Although he's still 7 he had to step it up and play with the big 9 and 10 year olds. He doesn't have any problem doing that since he's always tried keeping up with his older brothers. I think he enjoyed announcing some of the games today as much as he did playing in his game. It was a great day for him and Taylor to kick off the season - and I should say Jim too!

Dawson loves being behind the plate!

Camera Practice Day

I had to bribe my boys (two of them anyway) to be my subject as I experimented with my new camera. My goal is to get out of the automatic features and learn how to use the manual modes - ugh, it's hard! Thanks to Karla, my friend, for teaching me and having lots of patience!!!!

Taylor was patient for a little bit while I experimented with my camera. Thanks Taylor!

Hudson's First Snow Experience - A month late!

We spent Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Tenney in Utah where Hudson had his first experience with snow. He wasn't quite sure about it but the other boys had a blast. They had a great time snowboarding with Dad for a day and the rest of the days creating snowball fights and snow fort wars! Jim had plenty of work to do snowblowing 22 inches of snow out of the driveway. We had a great time being together for the white Christmas!

Taylor said, "Now that's what I call a snowcone!"

The boys loved the snow that piled up in grandma and granpas backyard in Woodland Hills.

New York! New York!

A Break for Mom! Wow, what a wonderful time I had going to New York with my mom and sister, Michele. We've wanted to do this trip for a long time and we finally did it - thanks to Michele turning the big 50! We had such a great time, touring the whole city and definitely looking like tourists as we did! Lots of laughs the entire time - thanks mom for allowing us those laughs at your expense - you're such a good sport! We took in every part of the city from a walk around Central Park, Times Square, 3 Broadway Plays, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Soho, 5th Avenue and more. These are memories that I will treasure forever! We have such a great time being together!

Our last morning in New York we went down to Rockefeller Center, strolled down 5th Ave., onto Maceys, and back to our last play - In the Heights. Another great play, and fun to attend one that we weren't familiar with the story line. Here we are trying to get onto the Today Show - we were successful and laughed at ourselves for doing so.

Happy Halloween

Little Turtle and Batman are quite obvious but what about that pink thing with the tennis shoe on top? Leave it to Taylor to once again have the most random costume. Yes, he's a piece of bubble gum stuck to a tennis shoe. As for Tanner, he does look like a burglar but I think he was going for a shadow.

Hudson's First Birthday!

Oct. 18 was Hudson's first birthday. I can't believe it and have no idea where this year has gone! He had a great Elmo party with some family and friends. He didn't know whether to touch the candle...

or blow the candle but he definitley clapped and cheered when everyone sang to him!

And of course the best part....the CAKE!!!!

Columbus Day Fun

Tanner, Dawson, Hudson, Grandma Field, and I decided to venture out to the Wildlife Zoo for the day. It was a great day to go and it was Hudson's first adventure to the zoo. He loved the animals from a distance but wasn't quite sure when we got up close, especially in the petting zoo!

We started the day with a hike up our little mountain nearby. Taylor insisted on going, so Dawson and Mom joined in the fun. Although Taylor decided to run most of the way, Dawson and I eventually caught up and enjoyed the view together.

Ugh! Not Again!

This is #5 broken bone for the boys - Taylor's second. Will it end? Poor Taylor basically threw out his arm pitching - but yes, we have been very careful with how much he throws etc. He had to get used to writing with his left hand as well as having to "watch" his team play - sad!

Don't Mess with Me!

This is Dawson's first year at tackle football. He always seems to have the "don't mess with me attitude." With two older brothers, he didn't have to much of a problem with learning how to be aggressive. The pads were an adjustment and conditioning wasn't his favorite thing but he got through it and is enjoying his experience.

Taylor's First Day of School

Taylor is the big
man on campus this
year - 6th Grade!

Last Year Taylor & Dawson will be in School Together

As I took this picture I realized this will be the last year they will ever be in school together. Sad!

Dawson's First Day of School

Dawson posing for his annual first day of school pictures that mom insists on taking. He was ready and excited for 2nd grade.

First day of HIGH SCHOOL!

Ugh! Monday was a hard (but somewhat exciting) day sending Tanner off to his first day of high school. Am I really that old? I think I was more nervous than him. I am learning quickly that boys just don't analyze and worry like sometimes us girls do. I kept asking him if he remembers where to go etc. and of course I had eyes rolling at me. However, I'm grateful to be sending off to high school such a great boy!

What is this coming my way?

I'm not quite sure what to think! Where did this come from? A bit cold!

Taylor enjoying Hudson in the sand.

Yum, Yum!

Hudson's First Experience in the Sand

Hudson loved his first experience in the sand. He obviously thought it tasted real good. He found lots of little pieces of seaweed and sticks for dessert as well.

Hudson enjoying the lake with his cousin Kiley and Dawson. He did NOT enjoy the confining lifejacket!

From the beach to the Lake

We spent a wonderful day at the lake with the Crumps. Lots of tubing and knee boarding.

Dad and little Hudson enjoying the California sun without the Arizona heat!

They all had a fun time hanging out at Avila Beach. Lots of memories for mom as well since this was one of the beaches I would go to as a child.

The boys were also surprised when we met the Crumps and cousin Laney there. They enjoyed hanging out with 3 of their cousins and Uncle Jim and Aunt Michele.

We were definitely outnumbered as D-back fans at the Dodger Stadium - although D-backs did win!

Catching a Dodger's game in California

On our way to the central coast in California, we suprised the boys when we ended up at the Dodger stadium for a game against the D-backs. The funny thing was that when we were stuck in traffic, Taylor saw the exit "Dodger Stadium" and yelled, "Dad! Dad! Let's get off here - lets go to the stadium!" Of course they were thrilled when we stayed - we can't do anything without some sort of baseball being involved!

4th of July

For the 4th this year we went and stayed at the Hilton here in Phoenix just to get away and relax for 2 days. We had a blast and of course the boys know how to make fun! This "tower making" went on for sometime - they wanted to add Hudson but he was napping.

A City Boy to the "Farm"

In June we got to visit Uncle Chad and Aunt Sarah's house in Utah. However, with their little farm outback the boys didn't know quite what to think. With mom's encouragment, Dawson finally made his way over to the animals and as you can see is petting the chicken with much hesitance. The other boys remained on the grass playing ball!

Hmmm, look what I found in the chicken coop!!!