We Interrupt This Family for Baseball Season

Little League had Opening Ceremonies last night which officially means the Roundy household is going to be CRAZY for the next few months.  

This year, the boys are playing on the Cardinals.  They are in Major and got to have their first game on Opening Night! It was so fun to watch! At one point, I looked at my dad and said, "this is surreal! For so many years we have stayed and watched the "big boys" play on Opening Night and this year, it was them!" They both played like studs! Brandon was 4-4 and made some incredible stops at short stop. Brock was a rock on first base and made some incredible plays. 

They won, which is always fun - even though it took beating some of their Braves brothers, which is not fun. They will play again on Wednesday.

Kaitlin is in a tricky situation.  Her travel coach asked all of the Ice girls to "play up" in Juniors. If she does that, it means she forfeits her 12 year old All-Star year. Therefore, long story short.  They double rostered her.  She is playing up in Juniors and is also playing in the Majors. 

Last night her Majors team, the Gators, also played! They killed the other team and Kaitlin got to play catcher the whole time which was like a dream come true! She absolutely loves being a catcher and is good at it too! She loves the girls she plays with and is having fun already! She plays tonight and Thursday night, which is crazy! 

On top of all that, we are still in the middle of travel ball! The boys are playing with a 12 year old SU Rebel team this weekend. That means that this week from Monday to Saturday, we have 9 games! 

Talk about crazy!

We have been on a great streak lately with our scripture reading, so I told the kids that it better not stop just because baseball is going to be so busy! Last night we read scriptures in the car on our way home! Hey, it works!

I just love baseball season! It is my very favorite time of the year! 

There is no place I would rather be than hanging out at the fields, watching kids give it their all.

My friends and baseball "family" are always there and I can't think of a better place to spend my Spring nights! Bring on the crazy!

 Britton Shipp and his sister, Autumn Shipp, threw out the first pitches for softball and baseball.  Britton was critically injured in an ATV accident in October. Little by little he is regaining so many things.  He is touching lives like you would not believe. His sister, Autumn, is also a great athlete. She gave up her scholarship at University of Utah to stay here and help her brother in his journey.  Their family is inspiring. His story is still unfolding...but I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when he threw out that first pitch. I truly can't even imagine.

Christmas Jammies

Once I get back caught up, I promise I'll share details better, but for this year, this will have to do!

I love doing Christmas Pajamas! I always give them their PJ's as the first gift under the tree and it is always fun to try to figure out exactly what I want. It is always fun to be able to have them match, too!

I wonder how long that will keep working?

My newest addition to our decorations.  You will also see that Kirby returned this year!

Precious

What on earth would life be like with out this little sweetheart? I am endlessly amazed at how perfectly she fits our family.  She is my little buddy.  She is Cole's little buddy.  She is Kaitlin's little buddy.

She is Brock's best bud and Brandon's favorite thing to tease.

She is happy all the time.

She is helpful most of the time.

She is a hard worker and a thoughtful munchkin.

We sure hope she knows just how much we love her!

My Brothers

Words can't say enough about how much I love this little team.

They are my boys.

They are brothers, teammates, playmates, best friends.

 There is just something about watching them work hard day in and day out at practice, then lazily walk onto that field, hours before their game starts, to get ready.  I love watching them gather.  It is like long, lost family coming home. To a place where everything is right in the world.

 And there is my little south paw, #4. 

He's not usually a catcher, but, man, was he good! The kid has got skills!

 He has been working so hard on his bat.  He has even hit his first home runs in practice.

This year is his year, I just know it!

Pumpkin Patch Traditions

Every year for the hunt, we love to head to Richfield! For the last 10 years, we have headed to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins.  This is something I never did as a child, but something that I absolutely love. We have so much fun searching the fields for the perfect pumpkins.  Big, small, ghourds, squash...

each one as unique as can be.  We always find some great ones, too!

 Grandma's kiddos - minus Brock, who got up early and went hunting with the big boys!

When we got back, Alli and Taylor decided they wanted to help Grandma out by gathering the leaves.  It was too cute watching them take armfuls of leaves and put them into the bucket.  They were great little workers!

 Not only did we get to pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, but they also got to pick pumpkins from Grandpa and Grandma's OWN pumpkin patch! 

 Look at those beautiful pumpkins Grandma and Grandpa grew!

Oakley loved these little ones because they were just her size!

Our Little Runners

In October, the kids got to participate in the first ever "Move It" kids event! It was the night before the marathon and they even got to finish at the Marathon line! 

They sure had a blast running it.  The boys have been running in their schools' running club and Kaitlin had been working on her 1 mile at school, so it was perfect timing for them to put all that hard work together! 

 Allison ran first and boy, oh boy, was she ever fast! 

She ran 200m and was a little nervous because all alone at the starting line. 

Cole walked her over and then she took off running. Luckily I was watching because the next thing I knew, this little lady went flying by! She ran her guts out and did great! 

She sure was proud of her finisher's medal!

 The older kids ran 1 mile. 

Brock was FAST!  If I had actually blogged this when I was supposed to, I would remember what place he took, but it was pretty good.  He only got beat by a few older kids.

Brandon finished next.  I won't lie, I was a little teary when he finished.  He was exhausted, but pushed until the very end.  He finished great.  Diabetes ain't got nothing on him;)

 Kaitlin finished just after Brandon.  Again, she pushed until the very end.  She was sure proud of her time, which was faster than she had ever run a mile.  

FINISHERS!

Look at those happy smiles!