End Of Season Baseball Party

The Indians wrapped up their season in 7th place out of twelve teams. They worked really well together this season despite their finish. A pool party was organized by Coach Glenn and each family brought a side dish to share. Each team member received a personalized trophy and we gave the coaches a ball case that was a trophy personalized too.

Brandon accepting his trophy from Coach Glenn

Coach Glenn handing out Coaches gifts

Indians with their Coaches

Cousin James Turns One!!!

Today we headed up to Maryland for James' 1st Birthday Party. The boys could not wait to see their Cousin and hang out with Grammy, Uncle Corey and Aunt Lindsay. Below are the highlights of the day. I always love spending time with my Nephew. He is such a cutie! James was definitely pleased with all his gifts. He dove right in and ripped paper and played with everything he could get his hands on. It was really nice to see Corey's family as well. We don't get to see them very often and it was nice to be there with a crowd for a family party!

Hugs for the Birthday Boy!

Ryan playing with James

Let me at em... James opening up gifts!

Okay, back to my other toys now.

I mean seriously, I will get you back for this hat!

Mommy already crying as she lights the candle!

James HATES cake, he cried and wanted no

part of it. That is just not right, that must come

from Corey's side because Hartman's love cake!

Father's Day

Father's Day is always bitter sweet for me. I head out on the hunt for the perfect card(s) for Eddie and wind up drifting to the cards that I would have gotten my dad. It has definitely gotten easier each year, but that initial dread is always there. I try to keep focused on the fact that it is Eddie's day now and that seems to help. Being in Virginia is tough, because normally I would swing over to the cemetery and leave flowers and a balloon for my dad. Now my sister and mom handle that.

Father's Day morning was very nice. The kids wanted to actually make their dad his gifts this year. Ryan had made one in school a clay Pizza and decided to make him a picture frame that he painted with only a tiny bit of help from Mom. Brandon painted and decorated a wooden crate for Eddie to use in his closet to organize his things.

Eddie and I made breakfast together and then all of us watched him open his cards and gifts.

Waiting for Daddy to Wake Up... Come on already!
We Love You Daddy!

Open Mine First Please!!!!

It's a Pizza, do you like it? Daddy pretended to

eat it so Ryan was thrilled!

We put in a picture from Ryan's

Pre-K Graduation Day

Can never have enough t-shirts!

The box on the table is Brandon's

decorated crate.

Ryan Graduates From Pre-K....

I will start this post off by saying it has been a very emotional week which started out with Cap and Gown photos on Monday morning at school. We took in teachers gifts and cleaned out his cubby too.

Ms. Latanya, Brooke, Ryan, Nicholas, Luke, Lily and Kareem playing at school.

Giving Ms. Latanya her gift.. thanks for all you do!

We love you Miss April!

Wednesday Ryan and I met Uncle Corey half way in Maryland to bring Grammy down for the Graduation. Early this morning Grammy and I dropped Ryan off at school and then got right to work decorating the house for our Family party. Of course Eddie thinks I am nuts, but I did this for Brandon too and it had to be done for Ryan.

My handsome young man.... he was totally surprised by the decorations!

Celebrating with a Family Party...

Grammy with Ryan and Eddie

I am so proud of you my little man!

Grammy with her boys!

Our Family...Ryan you are such a big boy!

Ryan openning his card from Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Corey and James... he yelled look my I got CASH!

My baby graduated from Pre-K today. They wore tie-dyed blue and red shirts with denim bottoms and yes, caps with tassels. From the moment Pomp and Circumstance was played the tears were flowing. Ryan has been practicing 4 songs over the last several weeks and I thought I might not be as emotional since I had heard them so many times. Not so much..... true to form I cried the entire time.

The Procession of Graduates...

Getting Ready to Sing....

You Are My Star, My Only Star, You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Grey

I'm A Graduate Song

Family News and Updates

There has been so much going on that some simply did not fit into the posts so I thought I would update you all the rest of our news. The kids are coming down the home stretch for this school year. This is their last week.

Brandon has been selected for the SCOPE program beginning in the fall (3rd grade). This is similar to the old gifted and talented program from when we were younger. Yes.... you know me well.... I cried. I am so proud of him.

Ryan has been preparing the past two weeks for his Pre-School graduation. Yes, I said graduation. Complete with cap and gown. He and his 4 other classmates will be singing 3 songs and getting their diplomas on Thursday so stay tuned for a new post this week with photos from that. I cannot believe my baby is getting ready for Kindergarten.

I am still job hunting and that is a daily frustrating cycle. Eddie is crazy busy with work so that is good. He has been helping out as score keeper for Brandon's baseball team.

We have been spending time with friends and doing lots of family things like roasting marshmallows over the fire pit and making smores in the back yard, cookouts and waterslides at our friends place, snuggling and watching movies.

While life is stressful with the job hunt and the boys have been running me ragged, I am cherrishing every moment with them. Tomorrow is a very sad anniversary for a dear friend who lost her 6 month old son a year ago very tragically. I think of what she is going through and remember to be thankful for all I have no matter how crazy life and the boys can be. They bring me joy everyday and with that some frustrations but I would not trade it for a moment!

That's all the news from the 'Burg.... stayed tuned!

Brandon Adds More Hardware to the Trophy Case.....

Have I mentioned that our lives have been SUPER crazy in May and June? Today Brand had another TKD tournament (his last until October - WOOOHOOO). This time he competed in 3 events only... Forms, Weapons Form and Board Breaking. This was a big day because it was the first time that Eddie and Ryan were able to be with us to see what tournaments are like. Brandon came in 4th place in form and he was really proud of himself as were we. This is a difficult event for him that he is really trying to master and polish. His second event was just amazing!!!! Breaking.... he has always had issues with holders and not going through his boards at tournaments. Today was a HUGE turning point. He crushed it and with such force went through all the boards and took 1st Place in this event. Yes.... I was in tears. I know, I am very sappy! The last event was Weapons and he placed second.

Demonstrating his 1st Degree Form

Jump Back Axe Kick - look at that height!

Step High Kick - Soaring in the Air!

Trophy presentation for Breaking event

Demonstrating Knife Form

Trophy presentation for Weapons