Adios Tennesse! Hola Puerto Rico!

Thanks to some hard work at the office Bobby was rewarded with a trip to sunny Puerto Rico! We boarded a big bird on Monday morning and headed down for a little rest and relaxation. Thanks Mom and Dad! 

We didn't do much while we were there which was actually quite nice. We did head out on a catamaran sunset cruise. If I had known it was going to take us over an hour to drive to the boat dock I would've scrapped it. Hindsight is always 20/20! 

It was nice to hang with my man and take in the scenery though. One thing I did NOT take in was the aluminum pan of fried fried things that the overly suntanned lady pulled out from who-knows-where. People always amaze me at the things they'll eat. If we're not on Ryan Secrest's yacht, I'm not eating it. Who wants GI distress in the middle of the ocean on a boat with a tiny potty that you have to climb below deck to sit on? Not me, people. Not me.

I didn't get up from my spot much because the water was a little choppy. Mix that in with my high shoes and you've got a recipe for disaster! Thankfully I didn't fall into the water. I would've hated to lose one of my kicks. 

We had dinners provided for us several of the nights. The food was spectacular! I had some fish, and of course, some chicken one night. 

I didn't get to take many pics. Partly because Bobby banned me from carrying my tripod everywhere with me because apparently it's embarrasing....whatevs...and partly because I spent most of my days doing this.

The pool area was phenomenal! We tried to sun at the beach but after about 10 minutes my entire face and body had been fully exfoliated by blowing sand and my teeth had a nice coating of crunchy. We did stroll and take in the sights and I collected several really unique seashells for the boys that I unfortunately left lying under my pool chair:( Bobby took a pause to Tebow. We all need to thank the Lord for alone time! 

We had a grand time getting some peace and quiet, eating good meals that I didn't have to cook, and sleeping in to whenever our hearts desired.

Thank you, God, for your faithful provision through Bobby's job, for beautiful creation like Puerto Rican beaches, and for Grandparents that are crazy enough to agree to keep 4 kids for 5 days! 

Little Hammers

Bobby was asked to be a coach on the 7-8 All-Star team which made Rhett a shoo-in if he wanted it. Neither Bobby nor myself were down with that and we both wanted him to earn his position. So, off to tryouts we went and much to my surprise Rhett was able to secure a spot all on his own. ( I know  saying "surprise" doesn't exactly make me the most supportive sounding mother but he's only six playing in 7-8's and there was a LOT of improvement that needed to be done....I'm a realist, people :) Here's his first team picture (Bobby and I were vacaying in the PR).

 I was low on the pictures when it came to Rhett's team because being that Bobby coached it, I was always in charge of being at Cade's games. Luckily, with his bestie on the team as well I could count on Ashley to get me a few photos!

There's nothing cuter than my little buddy in his baseball uniform. I looooove it!

 Our boys pulled out an unexpected second place in the district tournament.

Rhett was thrilled to get another trophy for his dresser! 

 I think the most fun was getting to spend all that extra time Silas and Garrett. 

 Next time, if there IS a next time, I'm going to get a picture of Bobby in his uniform. I thought it was hilarious that for 7-8 year old baseball the coaches had to wear complete uniforms including the white baseball pant. Brings back memories of watching him play in college...sorta...without all the home runs and great infield plays. 

Cute....

and dirty. Really dirty. Who's idea was it to put boys in all white baseball uniforms? Definitely NOT a mom.

Long days at baseball made for one tired little kid.

And a creepy brother to stare at you while you're sleeping. 

I had a great time watching Rhett improve with his all-star team. If nothing else he was the cutest kid out there:)

Hammer Time!

Cade got the opportunity to play on the All-Star team this season! You make the all-star team by trying out towards the beginning of the spring season (which was strange to Bobby and me). The way that Bobby grew up you were selected for the team based on your play throughout the season. In any case, Cade tried out and made it and we were proud of the hard work he had put in to improve! 

I love seeing our last name on the back of a jersey. Too bad they don't get paid to play yet:)

A mother on the team took some team pictures before the season started. I thought this tough one was pretty cute!

We traveled all around Nashville for games on the weekend. It was a small taste of what travel ball would be like and I'll be honest....it was a challenge scheduling everyone (since Rhett made all-stars as well!) and keeping up with Elaina. We made it work though!

We lucked out on days that Rhett's games fell at the same park as Cade's. He and Garrett spent alot of time together since they were both on the same team and their brothers were on the same team as well. I don't know how he managed it but Rhett was pretty much always the dirtiest kid at the ball park! 

Cade had a few opportunities to try his hand at pitching this season. It really helped him to build some confidence on the mound after he had a few pretty good showings. (It didn't help me though. I remember hating it when Bobby pitched. It makes me a nervous wreck! The pressure!!)

The Hammers pulled out a couple second place finishes. We never could seem to get the whole team playing great at the same time. 

Elaina was a trooper missing naps and being out in the hot sun. My dad got some sweetness from her on this particular game day! 

I will be the first to admit that I was glad to see the all-star season come to a close. By this point in the season, having 3 playing ball and 2 that made the all-star team (Grant's determined to make it next year!) baseball season had been loooooong!

Good thing sister didn't mind! She was a champ even in the 100 degree weather!

It was fun watching Cade grow and improve and make some new friends! 

Spring Baseball in the Books

We played our first spring season of baseball at Heritage and ended the season well! I had fun watching Cade come along in kid pitch (even trying his arm at pitching a few times which makes me a nervous wreck!). He played infield all season, the position determined by who was pitching that game. 

His bat waxed and waned but he finished this season with a couple homers (inside the fence). One being a grand slam! 

Our team, the Yankees, brought home the league champion's trophy. 

These boys were pretty excited about that! 

We had a great group of kids and it was fun playing with some good buddies. 

This is a true representation of our coaching staff......NOT right.

Little Buddy surprised me this season. We played him "up" with the 7-8 year olds and I, personally, thought it was going to be a bad idea. I, however, went with Bobby's lead and for the first time in our relationship he was right:) Rhett really held his own and did well in machine pitch. We've got a long way to go but I like the improvement I've seen! 

He played most of his season in right field which had sparse action but when the ball came his way he was quick to scoop it up and get it in. Thanks to many afternoons throwing with his bff, Silas, he can actually catch the ball now! I have to mention that this season Rhett also had a grand slam! Don't think we didn't talk about it for a solid three weeks after the fact. Anytime I praised his brothers for something he was quick to throw in, "Well, I hit a grand slam 4 games ago.....". Thank you. Thank you. We're all well aware since we saw you dancing in right field the entire inning afterward....

He managed to keep score at a couple of Cade's games. I'm not sure that was a good decision.....

Grant LOVED baseball this season and he's definitely the one that gets the most fired up about wins and losses. 

He made a little side cash with some good hitting (Bobby's continuing a tradition set up by his Pawpaw and Grandaddy.....cash for homers. That cash paid for many a date night for us back in the day!) Grant had a few this season and his wallet is pretty thick :) 

We got tickled at Grant's hitting face. His cheeks always puff out like a chipmunk. I was so happy that when I downloaded this pics I had a perfect shot of it! 

This hit was a pretty average grounder but with some fast speed....

He was safe! 

It has been many a night and afternoon at the ball park but I've had a great time watching! No rest for the weary though. We've got all-star baseball coming up! Good times!