Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

Ava attended Raos Cookie Bake Camp.  Oma made her a very special apron to wear to the camp.  She loved it.


Ava was so excited to see all her friends there.


Ava said they made the cookies from scratch.  She had so much fun.  Her partner was Kenzie Aycock. She made a lot of cookies!!!


When she got home, mom and Oma helped her decorate for her cookie party that night.



She invited all her grandparents over to taste her delicious cookies.





Mo Mo thought it was a girl party, so she invited Kelly and not Pop Pop.  Luckily, Ava called him on his phone, and he was able to make it.


Ava took everyone's orders for Ava's Bakery.



She then served everyone their cookies and drinks.


When she was done serving, she took a break to eat one of her cookies.


After everyone finished eating, she put on an after cookie show.  She danced and did gymnastics for everyone.



I had soccer practice that night, but Ava saved me some cookies for when I got home.  They were the best cookies I have ever eaten!


By:  Evan

Friday, July 27, 2012

Smith Lake

We decided to pack up the car and head to Smith Lake with BB and some friends.  We had never been there before, and our eyes shined when we saw the zip line and diving platforms.  I was the first brave one to attempt the zip line.  Corbin was the next.  Ava tried to do it, but Emma had to hold her up to reach the handle, and the lifeguard told her she was too little.



Ava and Kara decided to just float instead.



We also enjoyed jumping off the platforms.  Ava even jumped off the small one, but mom didn't get a picture.


Smith Lake was a fun place.  We hope mom brings us back soon!

By:  Evan

Friday, July 20, 2012

Big Dreams

The Rough Riders headed to the Big League Dream Fields in League City to compete in the World Series Tournament.  The first game was against Team Airline.  Evan took a good luck picture with Mom before the first game started.


The boys warmed up with excitement.  Corbin and Evan couldn't believe the paintings on the fence looked so real!  They were playing on the Fenway Park Field.


Evan pitched four innings of that game and didn't get a single run on him.




Rough Riders won their first game 15-6!!!

All the grandparents enjoyed the amenities at the Big League Dream Fields.  They got to stay inside in the air condition and watch the games from the window.  I would sneak inside every now and then to cool off and get some junk food from all the grandparents!




The next game was against Team Citius USA at the Yankee Stadium Field.  Evan got brought in for a run.




The Rough Riders didn't have a good game that game.  They ended up getting defeated 6-3.  They played there hearts out, but the time limit of the game did them in.  It was a good fight.   Evan was nervous the whole game.  His fingers looked horrible after the game because of his nerves.



Dad left after the last game to go to Manny, Louisiana for his annual golf tournament.  That night the team went to eat and headed for the Main Event to play some Laser Tag.  It was a blast.  I came in 12th place, and Evan came in 1st.







The next morning we had an 8:00 game against Team Citius USA again.  We knew the Rough Riders could beat them this time.  Matthew started out pitching that game and did well.  Evan yelled that a runner was stealing second. Matthew threw the ball to Evan, and they got the runner out.  We all cheered in the stands for the magnificent play.   Evan's first bat was hit to the pitcher, but luckily he fumbled the ball, and Evan's quick feet got him to first.  We were up 1 to 0 after the first inning. By the bottom of the fourth Team Citius was up 7 to 6.  They put Evan in to pitch in the middle of the inning.  He did a great job and threw two players out at first.  Evans next bat he hit between second and third base and when he ran to second the first baseman blocked the base, so Evan was safe!  His next bat was hit down the first base line, and Evan made a double.  It was an amazing hit!



The Rough Riders ended up defeated by Team Citius again 11-7.  I have never seen Evan so devasted. I went with Oma to see Jack and Rider, and mom and Evan had a long talk in the car.  He felt like he lost the ball because of his pitching.  Luckily, mom had text dad all the wonderful things he did that game.  She read all the text to Evan, so he would remember the good plays and not only the bad.  It took a while, but Evan cheered up later that day at the hotel with his friends.

The last chance for the Rough Riders to go one to the Sunday games were to win against the Texas Rebels.  Evan started the game in center field.



After the first inning, he played second base the rest of the game.  It was a good game, but they were defeated 3-8.  It was a hard way to end our season, but looking back at it all....it was a GREAT Rough Rider Season.  The boys have a lot to be proud of.  They were one of the only teams in this tournament to play with there true players.  Some of the other teams picked the best of several teams to make one team.  We are a team that sticks together and plays together.  







 That night, mom decided we could go ahead and stay another night at the hotel.  We got to go back to Main Event and play glow in the dark putt putt, bowl, and laser tag.  We had a blast.  




Ava and Dylan acting silly on the turtle shell.


Evan and Ryan cheering each other on.


We can't wait for next year!!  

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!


By:  Ava