Twins Baseball

Pitching during a lesson

Baseball starts so early anymore, but due to all of the rain that we get in the Spring here in Alabama...it is always a slow start.  This year Preston was drafted to play on The Twins, with Coach Heathcock.  He had a lot of friends on his team, but they had a tough time performing well as a team, and sadly had a losing record.

Their overall performance did not stop the support from Mimi, Papa and Uncle Dan though.  They came to at least half of his and/or Walker's games. Of course I love watching my boys play ball, just wish they could get some more hardware at the end of the season by playing on a decent team.

With all that said, Preston did get the opportunity to play at his usual position of short stop, and he continued to develop some decent pitching skills (thanks to an ex-MLB player who has been helping him with that).  Playing time is key, and he got plenty of that.

Uncle Dan is never a fair weather fan!

Pres, Collier Hicks and Reid Johnson with their 4th grade teacher, Miss Lyon

Wow, look at that cheering section!

Redwings T-Ball

This spring both of the boys played baseball again.  Walker played t-ball on the Redwings, and learned a little more about running bases and specific positions.  This year, there were less parents on the field, and more actual playing.  They kept score, called outs and really helped the 5 year olds improve.

Walker definitely got a little better, but I am pretty confident his favorite part was still the snack after each game.  He assures us that he wants to play coach pitch next year.  Here's hoping he continues to enjoy the sport!

Walker with Stan Evans and Lochlan McBurney

Easter Weekend in Peoria

Peoria Bound!

This year we gave up our tradition of church at Trinity and pictures in front of the beautiful flower cross to go to Peoria to visit my parents.  It hasn't been a good year for my poor father, so we are trying to go back as often as we can (especially since he can't travel anymore).  For the past couple of years, we have been explaining to Bennett and Preston what dementia is and how it is affecting Poppy.  They both have watched him decline, but Bennett is much more aware and quick to pick up on the changes.

After a scare on the airplane during the flight down to Birmingham at Christmas, my mother declared that he would not be flying anymore.  In fact, she insisted that we cut out the connection for their return flight, and drive them over to Atlanta so it would be a direct flight into Peoria.  Brian was kind enough to do that, but at that time, we didn't realize that we wouldn't see Poppy again unless we came to Peoria.  Since Peoria is not a hot destination, we rarely return.  In fact, it has always been easier for my parents to visit us in Birmingham since they can see both of us, and all six of their grandchildren at one time.

After we put my dad in the memory facility in February, Bennett really started realizing that she didn't like her last visit with Poppy, and she wanted to see him again (before he didn't remember her).  After much discussion, we decided it would be best for all of the kids to see Poppy in his new home sooner rather than later since our spring and early summer is crazy busy.

So the whole family (Beck included) drove to Peoria on Maundy Thursday and arrived late that night.  The next morning we went to visit Poppy.  It was definitely a shock for the kids, even for Bennett who "loves old people."  We tried to prepare them, but it is hard to predict the craziness that comes from a place like that.

I mean there is an old lady who kept screaming at all of us (other tenants too) saying "Who are all of these people?  Why are all of these people in my house?"  She thought she was at home, and we were all invading her space.  There is another sweet woman who doesn't talk much, but she loves to sing, and that is what she does much of the time.  We tried to bring levity to the situation by bribing Preston to sing with her (which he did).

Then there is Connie, who gets all dressed up, puts on her ornate jewelry, does her hair and make-up, and walks up and down the halls asking people to take her to Peoria.  One of the guys who is better off than her, quickly answered "Sorry I can't help you, they took away my license and car."  There are funny situations with the male tenants too.  One man just walks the halls popping his dentures and grinding his teeth (making the most annoying sound ever).  And then there is my father's former roommate, Gene, who they caught multiple times in bed with a lady tenant.  They eventually moved him to another room (after getting both families' consent) so they could do whatever it is they were doing.  It truly is like a soap opera.

Anyway, my mother is a saint.  She goes to visit him every single day for several hours, and usually over lunch so she can cut his food and help him eat.  Dad has good days and bad days, but the bad days are becoming more and more frequent anymore.  Dad was definitely excited and shocked to see us all on Friday (and every other morning).  He recognized us all, and called me and Steve by name, but not the kids.

I was able to get some sweet pictures during our visits, and I know that I will treasure them forever because I was able to see glimmers of my dad in these....his big smile, his loud laugh and his loving nature.  It broke my heart to say good-bye on Easter Sunday, and it hit Preston really hard too.  It was the first time he put it all together that Poppy will never get better, will never get to go home and is only going to get worse.  He cried, and refused to talk about it anymore.  His teacher even told me he cried in class one day after we returned.  She asked him what was going on, and he just said that his grandfather is sick and he was sad about it.  The whole situation is just heart-breaking.  Dementia is a HORRIBLE disease.  I can't stand the way it is eating away at my father.

Thankfully my mother has great health and is miraculously staying positive (even with the terrible winters in Peoria).  I know she misses her husband and the man that he was tremendously, but she is doing what she needs to do.  The visit from us was a welcomed distraction, and I know good for all of us.  She went on walks with the kids daily, got supplies for dying Easter eggs, took the kids to a movie, and we celebrated Easter at my former church and went out to lunch at the country club.  We had a nice long weekend, and don't regret the long drive one bit.

Giving B some love Sat morning upon our arrival

Happily Married 48 years!

Easter Sunday - W finally got to wear his bow tie!

Enjoying the pretty Easter Sunday afternoon

Breck or Bust!

This past Christmas, Steve and I surprised the kids with a week long ski trip to Breckenridge.  They were all super excited, and even more thrilled when they heard that the Bantas would be staying at the same resort for part of the week.  With Bennett in middle school now,  we can't pull the kids out of school to go in February like we have been doing the past four years, so spring break is it.

Since the break is so late here in Alabama (late March), we chose a place that has a higher altitude and historically lots of snow!  And boy oh boy did it have a lot of snow this year!  It had a record base, and it dumped a lot before we came.  We flew out Friday after school so we could acclimate in Denver.  Though we arrived late, the kids were thrilled to officially check off another state.

1st day on the slopes!

Saturday morning we met Jim and his girlfriend, Sophie, for breakfast before heading to Breck.  The drive over was very easy, with little traffic.  We immediately went to check in and dump our luggage, and then went to the grocery store, to get our skis and just figure out the lay of the land some.  Our condo was at the bottom of the mountain, so the kids could easily walk to ski school and one of the speed lifts.  The Bantas arrived late Saturday, so we met up with them on Sunday morning for our first day on the slopes.

We did things a little differently this trip.  Walker went in ski school all five days, and we kept Preston out altogether.  Then Bennett skied with Shannon, Henley and a ski instructor (Anna) for the first three days.  Since Christian decided to give snowboarding a try, he was in school, along with Lucy for the first few days.  Brian, Steve, Pres and I tore it up though.  We all enjoy about the same stuff, so we pushed ourselves and stayed pretty busy going up and down all day, averaging about 20,000 vertical feet a day.

After we picked up Walker, he was anxious to show us what he had learned, and then we hit the hot tub!  Everyone had a great first day, but we were happy to just relax some.  That night, we went out to dinner with the Bantas and then called it a night early so we could pack in another full day.

This one likes to fly down the mountain - no fear!

3 happy kiddos!

Pres trying to get some air!

The kids all have a blast together, and really enjoyed spending time with one another.  Bennett had perfect company with Shannon and Henley, as none of them are speed demons or risk takers.  Plus they had a phenomenal ski instructor.  In fact, Brian, Pres and I used her one afternoon to try and get better at moguls, particularly on very steep slopes.  Breck is a huge mountain, with a little bit of everything.  There are a ton of bowls, and double blacks, and Preston wanted to do those every chance he got.  Day three was another gorgeous day, with lots of sun and warmer temps!  We definitely skied in less layers that day!

Hanging out at our condo (Pres wasn't feeling well and went to sleep)

Day four was our rest day, and we decided to try something new with the kids...snowmobiling!  We slept in some, had a nice leisurely morning before driving about 40 minutes towards Leadville.   Once we got fitted in our snowmobiling gear, we got on buses and drove a short bit to San Isabel National Forest where all of the snowmobiles were, as well as the practice track.

There we got broken down into smaller groups.  Bennett rode with Steve, Walker with me, and Pres was the lucky duck that got to ride with the guide and went the fastest.  We practiced driving the snowmobiles (as fast as we wanted since it was a huge open area) around the practice track.  Then while we waited for everyone to feel comfortable and for the adults to learn how to maneuver the machines, the kids got to ride mini snowmobiles around a smaller track.  Everyone had fun!

Following our riding, we decided to try out a little mom and pop place in Leadville, and check out the old Silver Dollar Saloon that has been around since the late 1800's.

Walker LOVED driving the mini snowmobile!

Family shot while snowmobiling

still the original bar, mirrors, piano, artwork...pretty cool!

checking out downtown Breck

After eating dinner out together!

Day 5 and 6 on the slopes was more of the same.....skiing hard and enjoying the warmer ski weather.   Steve and the kids even ventured out Thursday to try the infamous crepes.  They are custom made, and take about 15 minutes....after standing in the long line.  However, the kids all agreed that they were worth the wait!

Proving that he skis double blacks - his goal for this trip

It was incredibly windy, but Pres and I had to make it to the Summit!

Friday afternoon, we headed back to Denver before flying home the following morning.  It was a great trip, but a tiring one after skiing 5 of 7 days.  All of the kids did great, but came home with some tired legs.