Roll Tide!

We took the Little Prince to tonight's opening game. His best friend Aiden's older brother plays for the Crimson Tide.



Lining up for the kick-off

I went to see the band. They were great! I wish I had thought to take a picture of them as they spelled "Tide" in cursive on the field.

Mini golf anyone?

Yes, more mini golf. I think to make up for the 3 or more weeks of straight baseball and nothing but baseball this summer.

The Little Prince just missed this putt. He has been doing great at mini golf these last few times. However, I managed to actually win this course. I think it may be my first time ever!

After the game, the Little Prince and His Majesty enjoyed a baby cone. They are pretty big cones to be baby size. Wonder how big the large cones are!!?!!

Can't decide chocolate or vanilla, pick twist

Summer is almost over

So hard to believe! But it is true. We are over half way finished the last week of summer vacation. So, of course, we are cramming everything in this week that we can.

Tuesday, we had lunch with His Majesty. We ate quickly and took a short walk along the lake. The Little Prince and His Majesty are deep in conversation as they walk along. Care to guess what they are discussing? The pros of using a wooden bat for fall ball and how to convince Mom that it is a necessary purchase.

His Majesty's parents celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on Tuesday as well. We took them to Ruby Tuesday for dinner. The Little Prince enjoyed his steak and the in-laws were served a red velvet cupcake.

 

Wednesday, we took our 3rd annual trip to Knoebel's with our St Stephens friends. The girls brought a cake to congratulate the boys on their great All-Star season.

 

Good job Aiden & Morgan

After 2 hours in the pool, they dried off and went on some rides. The Little Prince doesn't like the fast rides so he and I went our own way and did things like pitching, the Sky View and the Dog Pounder.


His fastest pitch was 45 mph

 

Puppy won at the Dog Pounder

It was nice to spend time with friends we did not get to see all summer.

 

Best friends since Kindergarten

The most excitement Thursday was the Little Prince losing another tooth! We still have Friday, Saturday and Sunday left. Wonder what we will get into?

Time for reflection

May 18 marked the 28th anniversary of my Dad's passing. June 11 would have been my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. Three months ago, on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, our family lost another special member. My beautiful mother was reunited with her soulmate.

She did not suffer. After a few days in the hospital, we took her home to be where she loved: in her favorite room, surrounded by her girls. We read scriptures, sang her favorite hymns, and told her it was ok to go. I like to picture her and Dad strolling along, hand in hand, as they watch over their girls. I know they are proud of us. They raised us right and we are strong because of them and their example.

I miss her every day; her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh, her encouragement through hard times, her household advice, her willingness to stop everything and listen.

But I have no regrets. Our last words were "I love you". Our last visit was full of laughter. I took her to lunch and she bought me an ice cream cone at McDonald's. I spent my entire visit with her, distracted by no one.

These photos are just a few of my favorites and truly show my Mom's soul. She was loved and will be deeply missed by many, many people.

Fun weekend

Saturday, we went to see the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. These were our rainout tickets from July. There is just something about bubbles that makes them irresistible. I popped a couple myself.



Everyone love bubbles!

It was a great game. The IronPigs beat the MudHens 4-3 with a walk-off sacrifice fly ball in the bottom of the 9th. We filled up on cheeseburgers, pizza, popcorn and cinnamon cashews. After the game, they set off fireworks. They were great!!



Today after church, we went to Heisler's Dairy Farm. It's a family favorite (click here). This time, however, we played mini golf first. The Little Prince got a hole-in-one on 4 of the 18 holes, including the last hole. That's a first. He also came in first on the score card. Next we got burgers and onion rings. Then we went to the driving range to hit a bucket of balls. The Little Prince didn't do too bad.



Can't let him do too much, though, or it will start to affect his bat swing. Or so they tell me. Finished off the evening with the traditional ice cream. What a beautiful day!



Orientation

The Little Prince sure is growing fast! Last night was 5th Grade Orientation at the Middle School. After the tour, given by 2 very polite and knowledgeable 8th graders, the Little Prince got to try out his locker. I think he's going to be fine. As for me, I'm afraid it may be like kindergarten all over again. Bring out the tissues.

Success!

More family time

His Majesty, my best friend and the Little Prince's father, celebrated 15 years of marriage on Thursday, August 9. We stretched out the celebration as long as possible. The Friday before, we had dinner alone at the Restaurant at the Station. Wonderful steak! I made lasagna on Thursday and we celebrated at home. He brought me roses and many of our friends and family called to wish us well.



My Knight in Shining Armor



Yesterday, His Majesty and I took the Little Prince to the PA Renaissance Faire. He tried out a sword and shield and we saw Her Majesty the Queen.



Her Majesty



I watched as His Majesty and the Little Prince tried out the Cannon Toss.



Cannon Toss



The first time around, they got 3 balls in the cannon between the two of them. The Little Prince selected this special monkey as his prize.



Black Tail the Pirate Monkey



The second time around, they only got 2 balls in the cannon. But the Little Prince got this cool pirate flag.

Then we stopped at the Old Mill Stream Campground to visit my sister and her family. The Little Prince had a great time visiting with his cousins.



Guess the Little Prince is not into hugging



Roasting marshmallows



Visiting Family

The Little Prince and I went for a spur of the moment visit on Thursday. The local sisters came over for a cook out and we had a great time visiting while the children played. Sometimes you just need to be around family. We stayed the night and two of his cousins joined us.

They went to bed late and were up bright and early at 6:30. Needless to say, The Little Prince made it less than 20 miles before he fell asleep on the drive home.