Updates on Kayla's Adventures

We haven't heard much from Kayla since Saturday so she must be having a good time! Although Tony sends us some photos from his phone. Today Kayla got a behind the scenes tour of the Today show. Tony sent a couple photos.

Proof Our Cat Was Meant to Be An Outdoor Cat

We have two cats both are getting old. Our youngest of two cats was born to a farm cat, separated before she was ready, and was later adopted by us from Phil's brother. Of course when we got the second cat we had the first cat, Pumpkin, fixed. But for as long as we've had her she's always trying to escape. Perhaps the desire to be an outside animal is inherited. Phil took the opportunity to take some photos of her in this "natural" habitat.

Checking out the perfect spot to take a nap.


Nope not here.


Would you quit following me? I'm trying to find a place to nap and sun myself.


Ahhhhh, the perfect spot at last.

Summer Time Fun

Today the boys (after fighting over who was winning more times on the Wii) decided to go outside and play a modified version of wiffle ball. Phil purchased a small metal bat with miniature balls for Logan to practice hitting and improve his hand/eye coordination. Of course, what kind of mom would I be if I didn't take lots of pictures of their impromptu game.


Here's Alex winding up for the pitch to Logan. Do you like his "baseball" shoes a.k.a Lightening McQueen slippers?


Logan he swings and hits!


Here's a long shot of the pitch and hit.


Now Logan winds up for the pitch to Alex.


Alex with a stretch swings and hits!

I'm calling it a tie game.

Updates on Kayla's Adventures

We're officially jealous of Kayla now! We got up this morning and opened our email to find a photo of Kayla watching a Steve Carrell in a movie shoot! Two famous people in one day! Amazing! We can't wait to hear what adventures she has today. She might not want to come home after all this!

Kayla is Off to New York

Today Kayla is off (now there) to enjoy 4 1/2 days of fun with Unca T and Tiffany. :) It's been an interesting day. Kayla and I took the Marta down to the airport. That was a first for Kayla. We arrived at the airport and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Atlanta Bread Company. Then we headed off to the security lines. We had a really friendly and funny TSA agent checking Kayla's ticket and my gate pass. Then we had a really cool suprise. As we're waiting to have our luggage scanned and while removing our shows who do we see about 6 passengers in front of us!! Tom Selleck! I kid you not. I wished I had the Nikon camera so I could have taken a picture. He looks the same in real life as he does in the movies. He looked like he was being really nice to everyone around him.

Then Kayla and I headed to the gate to find out that the flight was delayed an hour. Well an hour turned in to over 3 hours. The plane didn't leave the gate until 4:40 or so. She's now safely landed in New York and Unca T was kind enough to send us this photo of her in a cab. We can't wait to hear about all the fun things she does.

Some Fun in The Hot Hot Sun

Yesterday Phil and the boys had a bit of fun in the hot, hot sun. They went on a "Bear Hunt" hike at the local park that has walking paths that circle a small pond. They had a fun time walking around especially because they got to take Montana with them. I think he had more fun then the boys because he got to swim (which he loves to do and doesn't get to do enough)in the water. He even dove after his leash (he likes to walk himself) but on one occassion he couldn't find it so of course the boys "HAD" to go in the water and help Montana out.

I believe another park adventure is on their agenda today before it gets a bit too hot out.

All Star Buford City Tournament Game 3

On Sunday the Mill Creek Allstars played game three of the Buford City Park Tournament. We played against Dacula's Gold Team (a.k.a super stacked team). I will say when we saw their players come out on the field for warm ups we all wondered if there were on steroids or were truly six year olds. Some were as tall if not taller than my twelve year old daughter!

We had a rough first inning but held our own through the rest of the game. We ended up losing 15 to 10 (if we could have skipped the first inning it would have only been 11-10). Our kids were hitting and with the exception of a few infield errors (which in all honesty they are only six years old and it's not like they're paid to play :) )our defense was really good.

Logan's first at bat resulted in a strike out. He's having a little harder time hitting off the pitch because he's used to a faster pitch than his coach gives him. Phil pitches faster than the other coaches on the team. So Phil's found something that is going to help with his hand/eye coordination so we can get his grove back on - we're definitely not changing up his swing since that's really good. He hit at his next at bat but unfortunately didn't make it to first in time. He gets really bummed when that happens. I wish I could find a way to make him perk up after that.

Logan did have two great throws in from right field. He almost caught a pop fly (he said he couldn't see it because the sun was in his eyes) but he made great throws into 2nd! We couldn't have been prouder.

Now we don't have any more games until District Games on Father's Day weekend. We'll have some scrimages and practices in the meantime. Phil's going to work on Logan's hand eye coordination for batting.

All Stars 2009

Last night the Mill Creek All Stars Southern Division team played their first game in the Buford City Park Tournament. The team had a bit of an off night and lost 12 to 4 not due to their defensive playing but more due to the fact that none of the boys were hitting the ball last night.

Fast forward to today and they played much better. Today almost everyone hit and we won the game 12 to 10. Our defense was on fire and we were making some really good plays. Logan was doing some hustling today and had a great play from the outfield into second base. We couldn't have been prouder.

It's hard to watch the game and take photos so I took some of the practice and a few photos of "my all stars" before the game.

A Photo of the Player with his Coach.


Time for that serious pregame photo.




Wait for it, wait for it!



Got it!



Waiting for a ball to head my way in the outfield!

Kayla's 12th Birthday Party

Last night was Kayla's 12th Birthday Party at Adrenaline Rock Climbing in Suwanee. It's a great indoor rock climbing place. Unfortunately Phil wasn't there because he was busy with Logan and the All Stars game (another story). So Alex and I celebrated with Kayla and her friends. Everyone had a great time climbing (Alex loved the slide). They even convinced the spotter to let them climb to the top of the boulder (which 1/2 had already done)even though no one was 13. The girls were flirting a little bit too (yikes we're in trouble!). Here's a couple of photos of the night.

Here's Kayla climbing to the top of the wall.



Blowing out the mountain top cake.


Alex hanging out on the wall.

It's Just Like Swimming.....

That's what Logan said after being soaked at his All Stars practice last night to his Dad, "It's just like swimming."

Welcome to the World #5

Yesterday Chris and Ed welcomed their second child to the world. Edward Mitchell the 5th. He weighed in at six pounds and is 17 1/2 inches long. As soon as I receive some photos I'll post an update. He's in the NICU right now receiving some extra oxygen (typical of c-section births) and hopefully he'll be in the regular nursery later today.

Congratulations Chris, Ed and Big Sister Cheyenne!

Happy 12th Birthday Kayla

Happy Birthday Kayla! We just want to wish you a wonderful day. It seems just like yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital. We can remember car rides to try to get you to sleep through the night and your Dad getting stopped by a police officer while trying to get you to sleep. Remembering your first dance recital and you doing gymnastics at the local recreation center.

We remember your first day of Kindergarten and you cheering at the highschool football game. We remember how much you loved (and probably not as much now ;))taking care of your little brothers when they first joined us. I remember your first day of middle school and now dread your first day of highschool. Can't you just stop growing?

See how much you've changed just in the past few years?







Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

A Day At Bogan Park Pool

Today Phil is with the boys at Bogan Park pool (an indoor pool with fun water slides, a floating river, and a diving board) since today's high is supposed to reach91. Blech.

Well they must be having a good time because I received a text from Phil about Logan in the big pool with the diving board. Logan started out just doing cannon balls but decided after seeing Phil dive in a few times that he wanted to give it a try. The first time he did it just jumping straight in with his arms out. Then the next time he tries to dive head first and does a belly smacker! He swims to the side and say, "Dad, ouch!" (His stomach was red.)

They decided it would be better to practice off the side a few times first. He's doing a really good job and Phil says that Grandpa Fairman would have been proud. :) Perhaps we have a future Olympic diver.

All Star Tournament Play

Last weekend was the first of three All Stars Tournaments that Logan (and Phil as Assistant Coach) will participate in. They won one of two games they played on Saturday (while I was on Stone Mountain) and came back to make it to the Championship game on Sunday. They came in second to another Gwinnett County team (we were in Cherokee county an hour and half away). It was an exhausting weekend. Here's a couple photos of Logan. One of him in the outfield and the other is of him batting. For his first time on All Stars I couldn't be prouder of him.



I think the best part for Logan this weekend was being able to just hang out with his Dad. They spent the night Saturday in a local hotel, swam in the pool, shared Chinese, and watched Detroit Red Wings Hockey. A priceless time for the two of them.

Stone Mountain Luau Adventures

This past Saturday the Troop did it last outing for the year. It was a hike up Stone Mountain Park but not just any type of hike oh no..... The girls decided that they would wear grass skirts, coconut bras (yes I said coconut bras) and leis to hike up the mountain.

Here is a group shot of everyone before we started the climb. We did get some stares that's for sure but the girls ultimately decided that they were from the "Hawaiian Section of Party City."


I just liked this photo of Kayla while she was resting.


Here's a photo of Kayla and Madison doing a pretend hoola dance.


This is what the girls really think of me taking tons of photos of them. :) One day they'll thank me.


What is the best way to end a hike up Stone Mountain in Luau attire? Why dinner at the local KFC/Taco Bell of course!

The Bridging Ceremony

I've been so busy I haven't been able to update everyone on the events going on down here. By the time I have time to sit it's after 10 most nights it seems. Earlier in May the troop held it's Court of Awards and Bridging Ceremony.

We shared the experience with our Sister Troop (Brownies) 1966 and helped them bridge to Juniors as our girls bridged to Cadettes. In addition ALL of the girls in our troop earned their Bronze Award (highest award in Junior scouting) and I know everyone was proud. These are a few photos from that night.


This is the back of Kayla's Junior vest - no more room.


For a brief moment both troops were Junior troops. :)


Kayla starting to bride from Juniors to Cadettes.


Kayla receiving her Cadette vest.


What a perfect ending to the night but with a Girl Scout Friendship Circle.