"Dumbledore's Man, through and through. That's right"

We surprised JT with an evening at the movies. HP7, coming to a close. JT has always been (thank goodness!) into "cool" movies. We knew that even if it was a little intense, JT would LOVE going to see it. Sho'nuff. The B's dig it! Here's the little boy bug fighting He Who Must Not Be Named.

"You may delay but time will not" -Ben Franklin

It's freaking me out that i cannot seem to sit down and catch up on blog posts. I'm doing an ok job over on the school site, posting about the current events. I have a sticky note on my desk top of all the things i have to write about. Not like people are dying to know what's up with us but this has become my official family journal and I really want to be able to look back at 2011 and see the cool things we did.

Breeze reminded me that she owes me one more "Blogcation" evening. I have to figure out when I'm free enough that I can take that and I have to do it asap.

sigh.

The more I practice, the luckier I get. ~Jerry Barber

 Mr B and JT, doing the post camp recap.

JT attended Dirtbag Baseball Camp which was held at Cal State Long Beach. The baseball program at the college is quite impressive!

Dirtbags History
4 NCAA College World Series Appearances
18 NCAA Regional Appearances
5 Regional Titles
6 Big West Conference Titles
4 Big West Conference Player of the Year
14 First-Team All-Americans
15 USA National Team Players
2 USA National Team Coaches
36 Major League Players
16 Players in the MLB in 2010 season

From 9am to 4:30pm JT breathed baseball. He loved it so much that he still wanted to play catch when he got home. He was the youngest player participating and just about the smallest. The camp was in week long increments and had we know that you could do multiple weeks, we would have baseballed his entire summer! He gets along well with adults anyway but college guys get a kick out of him.  At the end of the week, he was presented with the Hustler Award, for working hard and always having energy and being willing to participate. JT was thrilled and we were super proud. Some of the coaches play for the Dirtbags and were signing gloves, hats, programs, you name it, at the last hour. What was awesome was that 3 coaches had JT sign their shirt and hat! The camp was intense but it only intensified his love for a game that he was born to play.

Even in the womb

Little f.y.i... in the delivery room, after my cesarean, the nurse brought JT up close to my face so that we could officially meet. He was crying and the only thing I could think to do was start singing "Take me out to the ballgame". Sweet thing stopped crying and gave me one of those 'oh, it's you, good' looks. Even if baseball is only something he does in his youth, if it brings him joy, mission accomplished!

Coming home from the hospital

Season ticket holder (ish)

Rally Cap time with Uncle Chris

Learning to run bases

Braves, with Coach Daddy

Dodgers, got him out at first

Twins, Sliding home

Go Dirtbags by the way. We're fans.

"You are my SonShine" -Author Unknown

After two years of growing his hair out, we decided that JT could use a little change. He'd been acting a little out of sorts, getting in trouble a lot. Our deal has always been, you can grow your hair out as long as you are good in school. Even though we're on summer break, we talked with Jack and he decided that we should go ahead and make the cut. After it was over, he just seemed so much older. Gone were his golden brown locks and in place seemed a new character. Once in the shower he called out past the curtain to tell us that without so much hair, he could do push ups easier!
He's been a much better listener and he told our neighbors father that it's because his brain can breathe a little easier now. The haircut combined with the purchase of new running shoes, he said he's faster, stronger, and a better listener. This boy is just the light of our life and we love him any way, shape or form!

"Age is an issue of Mind over Matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter" -Mark Twain

We had a small birthday party to celebrate my dad's birthday. Family, friends, gather and eat, sing, dance and talk story. 

Finadene, Ahi Poke, Teri Chicken, Pineapple with LiHing powder, Jello Cheesecake, Orange chocolate cake, and Pineapple Cream Cake. Not pictured but just as delicious, Kalua Pork, Potato Mac Salad, Rice, and Hawaiian Sun drinks. SOO yummo!

"Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean." -David Searls

On July 5, 2001 we bid farewell to Maraea Nahaku Kaioelawea Lua Kamae. Every year we make several trips up to visit her but always especially on the 5th. 10 years went by very quickly. Miss her still, glad for the things she taught us and the impression that she left on our lives.

"In summer, the song sings itself" -William Carlos Williams

We kicked off summer at home in the pool. We'd spent the last few weeks traveling so it was nice to get to be home and swim in our own pool. Welcome Summer!!

"Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better" -Albert Camus

4th of July we traditionally spend with the other Long Beach Booths. We spent the first part of the day with our friends from Baseball the Saenz's. Yummy food, time in the pool, good friends and good times.

We spent the afternoon playing and visiting and eating before shooting off fireworks. Always lots of fun!