Field Trip, Rosati's Homecoming, IKP Soccer and Rosati Softball

I have a hard time remembering all that we have been doing but here is an update.

I drove for a field trip for Devin's 5th grade class to Cahokia Mounds. The weather was beautiful. I thought it was very interesting. The kids were well behaved and had a nice time.

Jessi's softball is over for the season. Rosati lost the game 6-4 last night in the first game of the district tournament. They started the game Monday but it was suspended after an inning and a half because it was pouring. The other team scored two runs in the first inning. There is a small bit of controversy because our pitcher pitched in terrible rainy conditions and theirs didn't have to. Any way the game picked up were it left off yesterday. They scored 4 runs their first time up at bat. The highlight of the game was in the 4th inning. We're down by 5 runs, Jessi's up to bat, bases are loaded, two outs and she hits a fabulous base clearing ground double to center field. That made the score 4 to 6. She made a great play in center field and also got a single. I look forward to finding out what her batting average was. She was really hot at the end of the year.

She and Zach went to Rosati's Homecoming last Saturday. They went with Jessi's friend Lucy and her boyfriend Justin, Marissa and her blind date Matt, and another couple I don't know. They had a really good time. They had pizza at Lucy's house before the dance and went back to Lucy's house afterwards. Jessi spent the night.

Devin's IKP soccer team were ball boys last Sunday for the UMSL Men's and Women's soccer teams. The women won and the men lost by 1. I think the boys enjoyed the watching the guys play up close. After the game they boys asked the UMSL Men's team for autographs. I know the girl friend of one of the players and he told her that the guys were touched that the boys wanted their autographs even though they lost.

The view from the top of one of the mounds.

The kids ran up the stairs to the top of the mound. Ahh to be young and have so much energy!

This is largest mound (maybe Monks Mound?) at Chaokia Mounds. Anyway, it is believed that the Chief lived on top of this mound.

Jessi on the run for ball hit deep in center field.

She has it in her sights! Will she catch it?

Yes! Great catch Jessi.

Here is Jessi and some of her softball team at Rosati's homecoming.

Jessi and her friend Julie, a fellow softball player.

Jessi and Zach. Lucy and Matt. Do not ask me what is up with the cowboy hats. I am sure there is some logical reason. Does anyone else notice how Jessi and Zach coordinate?

Devin's IKP team at the UMSL Men's soccer game.

Jessi (Center Field), Julie (Short Stop), and Ashley (Catcher) after a frosting fight at the Senior Softball Game.

Past Weekend

This past weekend was a busy one. Kyle parents, Bonnie and Jim stopped for a visit on their way to GA. It was a full weekend! They saw lots of soccer and Jessi all dressed up. Devin's select team played in a soccer tournament over the weekend. They won first place! This is a new team for us this year and we are very happy with it. In addition to the team being more competitive, the boys have been nice and the parents have been very welcoming to us.

It was also Desmet's Homecoming this past Saturday. Jessi's boyfriend, Zach goes to Desmet High School. She had a great time. Diner, dance and a movie it was a full night for her.

The school year is going well for both of the kids. In addition to school work, Devin is busy with Volleyball and two soccer teams. Jessi's is doing a good job juggling school and softball. She is also occasionally reffing some soccer games at St. Norbert. For right now it is a way for her to get some spending cash without conflicting with school and softball.

Kyle interviewed with St. Louis University last week. The interview went very well. I am sure they will make him an offer. He is not sure they will be able to offer what he wants but you never know. He's testing the waters right now to see what is out there. If the right job with the right pay and benefits roll around he'll take it otherwise he has some projects at UMSL that he is enjoying working with.

Not much new with me. I'm tying my best to get everyone where they need to be, with what they need. My work is very flexible for which I am thankful. I've started running. I can run 3 miles. Not fast but I can do it.

Devin and his IKP soccer team with their trophies.

Jessi and Zach before Desmet's Homecoming.

Zach picked Jessi up and they went to Pasta House to eat before the dance.

She is growing up so quickly.

A long time no update

I can't believe it was the end of June when I last updated my blog. Summer is almost over and school is just around the corner for Jessi and Devin. I thought I would write a summer wrap up/fall preview so here goes:

Jessi has finished with her "summer" softball team, The Flash. I think all of us are thankful. It was a much larger commitment then we thought. They didn't win to many games but it kept Jessi touching the softball. There is no doubt she got some good defensive experience. She had been in a hitting slump at the begining of the summer but by the last few games she was hitting and stealing bases. She had Rosati softball tryouts this week. There really wasn't any doubt that she would make the team but she wanted to win the center field spot, her favorite position. She is fast enough to cover a lot of outfield ground and has an arm strong enough to get the ball to home plate quickly. So far that looks like where she will be playing. She is looking for a "real job". Her fall is busy but gas is expensive, and I am trying very hard to close down the bank of dad (not to mention Grandpa L)! The thing is Jessi's boyfriend, Zach, lives in South County. 45 minutes of driving one way really impacts a teenagers gas budget. Not to mention Homecoming is around the corner. My plan is that between homework, softball and work there will be less time for Zach. Now don't get me wrong, I like Zach just fine. But he is a teenage boy after all. Jessi takes the SAT this year and should really start thinking about college. YIKES!!!!!!!! Now I feel old!

If it is possible, Devin might actually be busier than Jessi. He is playing on a select soccer team, Iron Kids Premier (IKP). The whole select soccer situation has been long, drawn out, and full of drama but hopefully things will go well. Devin wanted to play on a more competitive team. This team plays in the A league which is pretty tough. Hopefully they'll win a few games. He also plays on the St. Norbert soccer team. Last year Kyle had 22 kids (or so) on the team this year there is only 14, a more manageable number. Of course, I can't forget volleyball. Hopefully there won't be too many conflicts. 5th grade is a tough year at St. Norbert. The kids have a huge project to do (the State Fair) and they are expected to be more responsible and to manage their time. Thankfully school comes very easy to Devin. The manging his time part will take some work.

Kyle and I went to Las Vegas in July. He had a conference for work and I tagged along. We had a nice time. We stayed at the Palazio. It is a new part of the Venetian. Our room was huge and beautiful. The staff was great but it is not a cheep place to eat/hang out. Vegas seems to get more expensive each time we go. I still love it though. I'm bummed because this is the last week our pool is open during the day on weekdays. I guess it is time for me to stop goofing off on my days off work and start getting things done.

I really will try to keep this updated more often. Don't hold your breath though!

More Pictures

This is going to be a quick post. I am already late for the beach! It is sunny here but you can hear thunder. But I am still going to head to the sand! You might notice that there aren't many pictures of Kyle. Well, he got sunburned on Sunday. I mean really sunburned!! Monday was not a good day for him at all. He did go for a walk on the beach with me yesterday morning. He also sat under Jim and Barb's canopy yesterday afternoon. But Monday Devin and I were on our own for the most part. Jessi stayed out of the sun mostly on Monday also. All of Devin and my training at our pool in STL payed off! Devin was stung by a Jelly fish twice on Sunday. The amazing thing is that he still swims in the water. He is a braver than I would be! Well, in the time it has taken me to update this the storm has rolled in so I guess we'll go shopping and I'll head to the beach this afternoon.

Kyle ventured out with me for a walk on the beach Tuesday morning.

Kyle took our picture. It is very humid and warm here even early in the morning.

Jessi and Devin on the beach.

My self portrait because there wasn't anyone to take my picture. A little blurry but not to bad.

Devin and Andy at the pool. Monday we spent most of the day at the pool.

Jim at the pool. Believe it or not Jim still got a little red.

Another self portrait. Me lounging by the pool.

Jessi and Devin in the surf. The water is warm but there are lots of jelly fish.

The boys at dinner.

I buried Devin in the sand. The shade is from Barb and Jim's canopy.

Jessi got a henna tattoo.

Jessi and I at dinner.

Devin and I at the beach.

More beach pictures.

Barb and I.

On our way to Gulf Shores

On the road Friday morning.


We stopped in Jackson MI. Andy, Devin and Alex hang out by the pool.

Jessi on the computer. Devin playing Nintendo DS. Just like home!









Devin playing Nintendo DS while on the road.



We stopped at Pelican's Cove for lunch. Devin and Andy on the dock.

Now Jessi is playing Nintendo DS. The addiction is spreading!

We took the ferry from Dolphin Island to Ft. Morgan where we are staying. It looks shorter on the map but it isn't! We waited at least 45 min for the ferry and the Weddles didn't make it on the same one we did.


Waiting for the ferry.

These pictures are out of order but here are weddles FINALLY getting off the ferry over 45 minutes after us.

Jessi reads a book while we wait on the Ft. Morgan side of the the ferry.
Devin and I on the ferry.
Jessi and Devin on the ferry.
Enough with the pictures!

This is our view of the Gulf from our condo balcony.

Our view of a couple of the pools at the Plantation Resort.
We ate dinner at the Hangout. It was an hour wait but who cares when you can spend the wait on the beach!

By the time our table was ready, Devin was soaked!

We've been to the beach two other times with the kids but Devin was to young to remember either of them. He was SOOOO excited to play in the surf.

Devin was a little nervous at first but that lasted for about 15 seconds.

Jessi can't wait to spend the day laying in the sand.






Two beach babes.

More tomorrow, hopefully. We plan to wake up go to the beach. Eat lunch. Go back to the beach. Have supper and back to the beach again!