Toys for Tots Baseball Tournament 2009

This weekend we spent most of our time driving to Peoria for Cade's baseball tournament. There was 2 games on Saturday, which they won and seeded 3rd overall out of 14 teams. Sunday was playoff day. They won their first 2 games, sending them to their 3rd Game for the Championship. Cade hit 2 doubles and 2 singles overall and had a some GREAT defense plays on 3rd base as well.

WAY TO GO CADE and GREAT JOB CHANDLER REDS!

Goodbye Butterscotch

Unfortunately today is a sad day....we had to put Miss B down. Santa brought Butterscotch to us 2 years ago and how sweet she has been. We had so much fun with her. She would run in her wheel all night long and was quite the adventerous one too. She managed to get out 3 different times. The first time was about 2 weeks after we got her...we found her in Cade's closet. The second time..she was behind the dryer. The last time she got out, we tore the house apart trying to find her. We ended up finding her in our closet......she made it down all the stairs & past the dog. Wow, it was like a scene from the Stuart Little Movie. She has been part of our family & she will be missed!

WE WILL MISS YOU "MISS B"

Madison and Butterscotch
Our sweet Miss "B"

Thanksgiving Baseball Tournament

While Brett was spending his 22nd Black Friday at work.....we were at Cade's baseball tournament. It was quite crazy for us, not only were Madison and I the cheerleaders, we were also texting play by plays to Brett so he could still feel like he was watching the games too! Overall they played 5 games and went 3 and 2, one of those games was for the Championship. They placed 2nd overall in the tournament......not so bad since it is only their 2nd tournament together!

Great job Cade and way to go Reds!

Cade taking his practice swing
Cade getting ready to bat

Starbound Dance Competition 2009

Last weekend Madison competed at Starbound. It was a small venue, but was a great place for the first dance competition of the year. She competed in 5 dances, 2 hip hop dances and 3 jazz dances. All of her dances took Gold awards. It's always great to see her dances after all the hard work she puts in every day at dance. She did an amazing job and we had a lot of fun too!

Great job Madison and thanks for all the great memories! Hip Hop Dance "ROBBERS"
Hip Hop Dance "TRIBUTE"

Jazz Dance "CAN CAN"

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!!

Wishing all of our family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving!! We hope your day is filled with fun & lots of turkey!

1st Club Ball Tournament

This past weekend Cade played in his first Club Baseball Tournament. Of course playing baseball is nothing new for him, just with another team. He played third base and had some great hits too, a single and two doubles. They didnt win the championship on Sunday, but overall the team did great for their first time together. They will have another chance this weekend to play in a tournament. Good luck Cade.....GO CHANDLER REDS!

Halloween

It's hard to believe another year of Halloween came and went. It was a pretty mellow evening. Nana and Papa came up to go Trick or Treating with the kids.....something they havent done in over 20 years. Madison went as a fairy this year. She informed us this was her last year for a costume and trick or treating. She told us that next year she would like to pass out candy to the kids instead....guess she is growing up! Cade was begging us for a scary costume this year and that it was. He went as a Zombie and definately was the scariest costume we saw all night.......what a boy thing!

Madison and her "sweet" fairy costume

Zombie Cade....he didnt even have to make a scary face,
he was already so scary looking!

Great Job Madison!

Madison received the "Distinguished Honor Roll" award today. She did an amazing job and put alot of hard work into her 1st quarter of 7th grade. Way to go Madison and we are so proud of you! Keep up the good work!

Flag Football

We are finally into the football season. Cade's team is the Scorpedos, he plays running back and they are 1-1 right now. With only 2 games so far, Cade has 2 touchdowns and 1 interception!

Way to go Cade, keep on running!

Cabo - Brett's 40th Birthday!

It was the big 40 for Brett this year. So what a better way to celebrate then to go to Cabo with some really great FRIENDS! As a surprise I had a limo come pick us up and take us to the airport...a great way to start the vacation. We were able to spend 5 days in Cabo. We spent most of the time just relaxing by the pool and the beach. One of the days the guys did an all day fishing trip and caught lots of fish....THANKS MARK FOR A GREAT TIME. We also spent a day jet skiing, parasailing and snorkeling. It was a great vacation and a great way to celebrate this special birthday.

THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS FOR COMING...I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER BIRTHDAY PRESENT!! A great start with great friends...on our way to the airport

Nothing like a little limo ride, a beer and a BIG smile to get the celebration going

Dinner with great friends, Mark and Mike

Fishing trip with the 35 pound Dorado (mahi mahi) that Brett caught

The big 40 day! Celebrating at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

A visit to the "Giggling Marlin"

A great ending to a great birthday!

Happy 40th, I love you!

Congrats Cade!

Cade has made his first travel baseball team! He is on the 10u Chandler Reds Baseball Team! It makes it even better that his best friend is on the team too!

Way to go Cade, we are proud of you!

Happy 12th Birthday Madison!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON!

It just seems like yesterday when she was born....its amazing how time flies. Today Madison is 12! Who would have known that our cute little baby girl would have grown up this fast. She is such a great kid. She is smart, loving, caring and very independent. She loves dance, school, listening to music and of course hanging out with her friends. She is becoming such a young lady! We love you and are very proud of you!

Mom, Dad and Cade

Labor Day Weekend Trip with Nana and Papa

Over the holiday the kids took a little adventure with Nana and Papa. They stayed in Arizona, but did some interesting things. They started their trip in Prescott and did a little fishing......crawdad fishing that is. Cade is a pro and absolutely loves it, Madison did it for the first time and not so sure it was her thing. Next they went up to Flagstaff, where they rode the ski lift up the mountain and also did a little rock climbing. They then traveled to Sedona, where they took a rugged Jeep Tour....and they loved that. Finally they ended in Tlaquepaque....doing a little R&R.

Thanks Nana and Papa for a GREAT time! We love you!

In Tlaquepaque hanging around In Sedona after the Jeep Tour with "Gun Smokin Dan"
Flagstaff at Snow "less" Bowl

On their way out "Gone Fishing"

Kids First Day of School

School is in session....Yes, believe it or not the kids went back to school today. Both of them were VERY excited about going back!

Madison is now officially in Middle School in the 7th grade. She had a great first day, she rode the bus for the first time and loved it! She has the basic core classes, Honors Math, Honors English, Science and Social Studies. Along with Spanish and PE. She was very excited and loved all of her teachers and the classes!

Cade is in 4th grade this year and enjoyed his first day too! He enjoyed seeing all of his friends and getting to know his new teacher. It was back to the basics for Cade....writing cursive again, AR reading, practicing phonograms and Math of course; his favorite subject!

WAY TO GO KIDS! HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR SCHOOL YEAR!

Madison's first day of Middle School and loved every minute of it!
Cade's first day of 4th grade and so happy to be back at school!

"Sand" Diego Vacation at the Del

Our family vacation this summer was in San Diego at the Hotel Del Coronado. The hotel was a beautiful and historical place. We were fortunate to be there with our great friends...the Bakers. It was even a little more special because while we were there Brett and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.

We spent most of the time hanging out on the beach building sand castles....and what amazing sand castles they were (thanks Redmons). The kids spent most of their time in the ocean boogie boarding. We did manage to take a break from the beach one day and the boys went fishing, while the girls got to go for a tour around San Diego Bay on my boss's yacht (thanks Gary). It was a very relaxing vacation....definately a great way to end the summer break.The beautiful Hotel Del where we stayed
A little pose for a family photo in front of the sand castles Cade and Brett out fishing on the ocean...with beer? Where's the fish?
Cade and Brett looking a little "fishy"

Cade and Hayden on the fishing boat...sunbathing? Thought you were fishing?

Madison, Elle and Hailee taking a dip in the spa on the yacht.

Cade and Madison hanging out on the beach

Surfer Dudes - Hayden and Cade taking a break from skimboarding

Surfer Girls - Madison and Hailee coming in from boogie boarding

Birthday Fun

This past weekend we took a little "staycation" at the AZ Grand for Cade's birthday. We spent the weekend there and celebrated with family and friends. Cade was even lucky enough to have one of his friends come hang out with him. For dinner we took him to Rustler's Rooste to celebrate. They sang happy birthday and he even got his picture taken...now he is on their "official birthday" website.

Thanks to Nana and Papa,the Bakers and Uncle Mike & Family for a great time this weekend!

Cade and Brett in the Wave Pool Cade and Logan hanging out in the Lazy River
A celebration dinner at Rustler's Rooste

Logan and Cade "horsing" around at Rustler's Rooste

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CADE!

It's hard to believe Cade turned 9 today. It just seemed like yesterday when he was born. Who would have ever thought that the sweet little baby boy we had would be into everything. When Cade started walking he would love to play with balls of any kind, he would throw them and chase them. I guess that should have been a sign for all the sports he loves to play now! He has become quite the little athlete and is a very kind and caring kid too!

Happy Birthday Cade and We Love You!

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing all of our Family and Friends a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Madison and Cade hope you are having fun too! They are off traveling with Nana and Papa and I am sure having a great time!

Congratulations Madison!

No time for rest....this past week Madison has been at dance camp, trying out for the next dance season. She just finished up yesterday and we are happy to say that she made the Competition Dance Team and the Hip Hop Company Team!

CONGRATULATIONS MADISON, YOU DID AN AWESOME JOB!

Dance Recital 2009

What an awesome year of dance it has been! Madison finished this dance season with a fabulous recital this past weekend! It was even more special this year because Brett joined Madison by participating in the "Dad's Dance". For the past 2 months Brett has been going to dance practice with Madison just to learn a dance for the recital. What great memories they have given us!

Great Job Madison and Brett!

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU MADISON AND WE LOVE YOU!

Madison with a big smile before the recital!

Madison, Vicki and Hailee stopping to pose in between dance routines!
Madison and Miss Kerry Lee
Brett and Madison after the "Dad's dance"!

Ironbirds Win Division A Championship!

What a great season! Cade had an awesome final game and along with his teammates they were able to win the Championship game! Ironbirds ended the season undefeated with a record of 19-0! Cade was one of the MVP's of the game, with an amazing 7 plays resulting in outs and an incredible hit that most major little league players cant even make....going 190 feet!

A big thanks to Coach Mark for a great season....we could not have done it without all your hard work and dedication!

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU CADE! GREAT JOB!

Cade and Brett with the game winning trophies!

How sweet that score is....especially when you win!
Team photo with very proud coaches (Dad's)