Spring Training!!

It was a weird year for Spring Training; the major leaguers are still fighting with the owners, and Rock and Nick's family weren't there. We still had fun eating cereal off of the floor.

Super Cheese hit it off with Posey, the red lab.

Even though there were no big leaguers, there were minor league players to see.

We hoped Grizzly Adams would attract the players

Brandon was gifted a ball right as we walked in. Sweet!!

The kids love getting autographs from people, even if they have to ask them if they are actually players first.

Ryker and Jens love helping their little cousins.

Chick Fil-A just hits different after chasing foul balls and autographs all morning.

The bathroom? Why? Uncle Nick doesn't use a bathroom, either.

The pool started out cold, but the kids didn't care. They pretended that they weren't shivering. 

Chino Bandido is always dinner on the first night. I was worried that they were in a new building, and usually that causes a restaurant to lose its soul. Thankfully, the food was as good as ever.

No day at Spring Training would be complete without Culver's ice cream!

Day two was more of the same: chasing balls and autographs.

Ryker and I saw a coach just standing off to the side talking to someone, but when I looked again I realized that it was Mr. Mariner Alvin Davis. He was my first favorite player. After I took the picture with Ryker, I realized that I wasted it on him. Ryker had a little conversation with Mr Mariner

Ryker: Were you a player?

Alvin: I used to be

Ryker: Were you good?

Alvin: I tried to be, but I wasn't as good as these kids!

Alvin: Are you a player?

Ryker: Yes, I'm pretty good I guess

Double double protein style

We tried out Top Golf last year, and now it has to be included in every trip.

More Chick Fil-A!

Schnookums, Dave, Lisa, and Lindsey's crew came up from Mesa to meet us for lunch and an hour at the park.

D-Rell had a T-ball game and Whit was the coach. 

Stewie got us tickets to a NASCAR race, so he shaved a mullet into Ryker's hair.

The race was fun, but the kids were hoping for more crashes.

D-Rell checked out about lap 15 and woke up around 190.

"No, I'm not tired" - Whit

Cami likes her frosting.

The kids were a little sad that they couldn't come home with us, and I think Dad was a little sad, too.

 

B-Ball, Ward Party Stress and Music

Jens' team played the boys' team for their last game. She looked a lot more comfortable and less hesitant than her first game. She even made her "oh no you didn't" face when a boy tried to push her.

The important thing is they all looked good in their jerseys.

Baby Luca is like DeA's little squish ball.

DeA and the primary were in charge of the ward fiesta and she was just a little worked up worrying about everything. It turned out to be a great party. The music was banging, it was really the best part.

We found out on Monday and Rock and Ryker had a concert. Ryker even had a solo.

Rock also did great playing the sax, but no solos at his age for some reason.

 

Birthdays and Real Life

Rock is a big 14-year-old and celebrated it with diabeetus.

Ryker had a game the night before a day off from school, and he convinced Rissa to bring her kids down to cheer him on.

Luca Baby was pretty excited to see some hit and slashes.

Jens is loving basketball; her first game was a big deal and she played great.

She wasn't sure exactly where to go or what to do all the time, but she said that she loved every minute.

Rock's hair might be getting a little too long

Ryker had his first tournament over President's Day weekend while Rock was in Spokane with DeA at his own tourney. Ryker tried really hard to check someone so hard that he drew a penalty, like Rock did two years ago, but just couldn't find someone small enough.

DeA discovered the joys of cooking with noise cancelling headphones and a sappy soap opera.

Luca baby is pretty chill...for now.

Ryker chose pizza instead of a freak shake. It's more greasy but less diabeetusy.

He was pretty excited for his presents, like a cut-resistant glove.

And a silicon breakfast sandwich mold.

He made a McGriddle with it.