Baseball Throwing At A Target
Filling A Bowl With Water Relays
A Balloon Toss
Pie Eating
Tricycle Riding
Dressing Of The Goat!
A good time was had by all, then it was off to the hotel in Garden City. We all managed to turn in for the night and the boys were up and ready for practice the next morning. Phil took Caden to practice while Reece, Ellee and I went to pick up my nephews, Ethan and Austin, who came to spend a couple of days with us while we were there and to watch Caden play baseball.
It was a pretty laid back afternoon as we prepared to play ball at 7:30 on Friday evening. We needed to be at the fields in Lakin by 6:00 for the opening ceremony of the tournament. So we were all loaded and vehicles assembled in a line to make our way to Lakin when the storm clouds came rolling in.
Phil and I both said as we made our drive to Lakin with this storm rolling in that we loved Western Kansas when it was storming because you could see it forever.
We arrived safely in Lakin to make it to the batting tunnels when a meeting was called and the games cancelled for the evening. We headed back to Garden City with some disappointed boys. We arrived back in Garden City only to find out that while we were in Lakin a hail storm had hit Garden and it looked like it had snowed while we were away. So we did what we do best--eat! A wonderful meal for 30 at El Conquistador and then off to bed in hopes of playing tomorrow.
Saturday arrives and it's raining again. We get word that the games are going to be played as scheduled, so we loaded up with boys dressed in full uniform and made our way to Lakin again. It continues to rain but they give the go ahead to play ball. The boys line up on the field the baseball pledge was
read, the national anthem was suppose to play, but didn't due to technical difficulties. However, there was a game waiting to be played, so they shouted "God Bless America, now lets play ball!"
Bats were swung, balls were hit and missed
5 Innings of amazing pitches by none other than Caden Bressler. Going into the 5th inning it was a tie ballgame. They scored 3 runs on us and we couldn't recover in the top of the 6th. The game is over, they shake hands with the other team and line up for the MVP and WOW awards to be handed out.
The MVP for Haysville goes to Caden Bressler. Good thing I had my sunglasses on because my eyes welled up with tears and it was a memory worth remembering for a lifetime.
Most Valuable Player
My tears were dried up quickly and in true Caden fashion he thought it was cool, but to him he was just doing his thing and that thing just happens to be playing baseball.
One game down and now it is on to the opening ceremony.
Color Guard enters the field
each player is announced and given their participation certificate.
Pictures were taken the National Anthem sung off key by two brothers,
and the opening first pitch thrown by the Garden City Community College Broncbuster Baseball Coach.
On to our second game of the tournament. We face none other than Cimarron River which is the Liberal All-Stars. They are a team whose coaches showed little sportsmanship. Despite a commanding lead, they continued to steal bases and take extra bases at every opportunity. Avery Harjo was pitching for us and did an amazing job at throwing strikes and they hit them. When the top of the 1st inning came to a close the score was 18-0. Caden was behind the plate and did an amazing job of stopping ball after ball and never
gave up. We ended up losing that game 21 to 2 but they had a tough time getting any more runs on us after they scored 18 in the first inning.
We were done for the day. We went back to the hotel, the moms did some grocery shopping for a cookout while the boys, siblings, and dads did some swimming. We enjoyed watching the boys just have a good time, running around outside with a few water balloon fights busting out, great food was prepared by the dads while the moms washed some pretty smelly ball uniforms.
Sunday arrives and we took my nephews to meet their dad in Sublette. It was hard to say goodbye and Aunt Trasie cried, because that is what she does. However, they were excited to be going back to spend the day at the water park in Liberal. They helped me out while they were
with us by watching Ellee so she didn't roll off of the bed and they took Reece everywhere that he wanted to go, not to mention Caden loved having them there to watch him play.
Ethan and Austin,
Thanks so much for all of your help! I love you bigger than any ocean and I hope you will come and stay with us again soon!
It proved to be a little bit disappointing for a boy who gave it 100% in all three games. Once again the line was made and they stood there waiting for the announcement of the MVP and WOW awards to be handed out and that frown was soon turned upside down when the announcement was made that he was once again the MVP for Haysville.
Most Valuable Player Once again your Dad heard someone commenting about your size and how it was going to be easy to hit off of you, and once again your proved them wrong. You proved that big things really do come in small packages!
Stats
11 Innings Pitched
If you know me, you know that I am a patriotic person, that I love the Grand Ol' Flag and all that it stands for and I couldn't be more proud of the men and women who protect MY freedom and the country that I love. I do have to say that as this very flag was carried in front of us, my husband and my son stood with their caps over their hearts, Reece, Iya and I with our hands over our hearts, and Ellee loving the red in that flag, all standing silently with my husband thanking them for their service, I looked across the street at people who SAT talking amongst themselves, laughing, and never once standing up to acknowledge the flag. I want my children to know that the land they live in did not happen by accident, that there are people that give their lives to protect them everyday, that their freedom came with a price and that IT IS NOT OK to sit as the Stars and Stripes of this great nation pass before you. It's called respect! I guess my parents taught me enough about respect for my elders to keep my mouth shut that day, when all I really wanted to do was scream at them to set an example for my children and pay respect for the people who have fought and continue to fight today for this One Nation Under God that we live in.
Reece loved the parade and every part of it. Seeing the 4th of July through the eyes of a 5 year old was truly remarkable and I was reminded that not every little boy in the world has the freedom that he has.
Where but small town America during a parade would a lady stop to answer the 100 question that a 5 year old had about her horse?
This little lady on the nursing home golf carts all decorated up for the parade knows that she lives in the greatest country on earth and is proud to be an American.
With the Freedom Rider ending the parade, proudly with his flag, I thought to myself what an amazing place this is to raise a family.
In true SUPER MOM fashion I forgot to take a picture of this little firecracker all decked out in her red, white and blue dress with her ginormous hair bow to match, so for now you get to see a picture of the freshly bathed baby getting ready to enjoy the firework production put on by her brothers in her PJ's. In the near future when she is wearing her outfit again I will take pictures.
And what a beautiful production it was!.jpg)
Playing Peek-a-boo I see you ~ Peek-a-boo I love you!
Your Beautiful Baby Blues
Knowing that you have 2 big brothers who love you so much!
Your Jumperoo
Rubber Ducky Your The One
I Think That Mr. Monkey Understands You Completely!
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