Opening Day!

The Rangers were so sweet to have their home opener on my birthday.  The weather even cooperated, too, and it was a beautiful sunny day!

My parents gave both me and Jackson two tickets for our birthdays.  We were both excited to attend our first-ever Opening Day for the Texas Rangers.  The excitement was palpable before the game.

We got there plenty early and were able to tour the entire ballpark, checking out the live music and new food.

Jackson and Brock are two of the most serious baseball players and baseball fans that I know.  They were soaking it all in, and were thrilled when Brock even caught a free t-shirt from the Ranger girls!

I enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with Jared.  We chatted the afternoon away, loving every minute of being at the game.

Let's play ball!

Our seats were really good, too, which always makes it more fun!

Cheers to being 38 and 11!

We met the whole family for dinner at home after the game.  
An excellent way to cap off my birthday.   

Our Angel Girl

It's softball season again!  So hard to believe that it's been a full year since Lila first started this sport.  She hasn't played since last spring, so we didn't know how much rust there would be.

Turns out, not much at all!  This girl is a force!  She plays pitcher and has full command of what's happening on the field.  

During her first game, she went 2 for 3 at the plate!

Her second game was even better.  She got a hit every time she was up to bat, and she played defense like a true baller!  While playing pitcher, a line-drive was hit hard to her right.  She didn't hesitate to reach across her body and snag it out of the air.  Boom!  It really was the best defensive play I've seen out of her team, during all of last season or this one.  Everyone in the stands stood up and cheered for her.  Way to go, Lila!!!

Just this year alone, these girls have played basketball, soccer and now softball. 
They are all awesome!

We are so excited to see what these girls can accomplish this spring.  Go Angels!

Baby and Baseball

Brand new babies and baseball--two of our faves!  A few weekends ago, we got to combine them.  Lucky us!  Jackson had a baseball tournament in Fort Worth, pretty close to where Baby Connor lives, so jumped at the chance to go visit.

This was Cami's very first time getting to hold her new cousin, and she was in heaven!

I'm pretty sure both she and he were loving all the sweet cuddles.

Jackson and Lila were both anxiously awaiting their turns, as well!

Jackson is so good with him...

and Lila is, too.  

Aunt Crystal only got to hold him whenever she was passing him to another kid, but she finally took a few minutes and held him--back off, children!

Baby love!

As we were walking out the door, Uncle Jared got a quick turn.

We then went and watched Jackson play two games.  The first one was delayed for an hour, due to heavy rain and lightning.  

We had to hang out inside until the bad weather passed.  These girls and all the boys did so well at entertaining themselves!  When the lightning stopped, they resumed play...in the rain.  Then they played another game...in the pouring rain.  Thank goodness they won both games and it wasn't all for nothing!

The next day, we were back in Fort Worth and made a pit-stop again to see Connor.  He was awake this time and everyone loved seeing his pretty blue eyes.

I love this picture!  One day, I hope these boys will be great friends!

Cami is so ready to babysit.  She asked Lyndsie, "So when are you and Uncle Scott going on a dinner date?  We can come babysit!"

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have any trouble getting help with that gig.

The Eagles ended up winning both of their games and this kid was a huge help in securing the championship!  He got a double, scoring two runs, and then pitched the final three innings of the game.  It was a nail-biter, with two runners on base and the tying run at the plate.  The batter hit it into right field and Beau made the catch!  Eagles won!

These boys went undefeated in a Majors tournament and came out as the champs.

Big smiles from the whole fam.  Way to go, Jackson!

Last Day on the Slopes

Thursday was our last day on the mountain.  Bummer!  We awoke to overcast skies...

and by the time we made it to the top, it was snowing pretty heavily!

We had to scratch the original plan of having professional photos taken, but these worked just fine.

We could hardly see down the mountain--thank goodness everyone was in bright colors!

Check it out!  Even Cami got in the group photo this year!

The snow capped trees were so beautiful...

but it was much colder than any other day there.

We visited the little birds once more...

and then spent the afternoon on the far right side of the mountain.

I was so proud of our little ski team.  In the far distance, you can see the Rendevous warming hut.  We skied this run a couple of times and they just got better every time!

By late afternoon, we were on our final run of the trip.  Tired ski peeps right here.

Mom and I went to pick up some chips and guacamole at Slopeside to go with our chicken tacos that evening.  Everyone was exhausted, but in the best kind of way.

We packed up and were on the road back to Murphy the next morning. 
Another fantastic ski trip is in the books.  We love Steamboat.

Winona's, Mountain Coaster, Tubing and Dinner at Saddleback Ranch

 Wednesday was our non-ski day and was honestly one of my very favorites.  I enjoying skiing as much as anyone, but it's also really nice to see what else the mountains have to offer.

We spotted a hot air balloon from our balcony that morning.  Great way to start the day!

Everyone got ready early...

and we got on the shuttle to downtown Steamboat.

Winona's for the win!  We simply love this place. Best breakfast in town.

We walked in and out of all sorts of cute shops, then the kids took turns "riding" this horse.

When we got back to the base of the mountain, we saw this new structure.  No wonder they call Steamboat, Ski Town USA.  Home of 89 Olympians!

It was such a warm day...no snow was on the concrete at all.

That didn't matter to us.  Our mission was to ride the Mountain Coaster!

It was an 8 minute ride to the top, followed by a very speedy descent to the bottom! 

SO MUCH FUN!

The kids loved it so much that they begged to go a second time.  We switched riders and went zooming down once again.

Pure greatness!

A few hours later, our adventures continuing at Saddleback Ranch. 
Time to do some serious tubing.

Two of the most enthusiastic tubers in town!

This place was gorgeous!  Look at this majestic view!

Everyone had a ball...

from the youngest...

to the oldest!

Life is more fun with this little kid:)

After about an hour, the adults took a break...

and watched the action from the this scenic vantage point.

Cheers to Spring Break!

Our amazing day still wasn't over, though.  After tubing, it was time to take a sleigh ride to dinner.

So very cool!

We all enjoyed the half hour ride up to the lodge of Saddleback Ranch.

It was like something out of a movie!

Lila and I couldn't get over the beauty of this place.

As we rounded the bend, the lodge came into view.

They were serving hot chocolate and hot apple cider inside!  We ate a delicious meal and then a cowboy gave roping lessons to the kids.  Madison was the only one in our group who was brave enough to try it.  She did so good, though! 

After the roping lessons were over, they turned the music on and the lights down.  This little lady got the first dance with her daddy.

And these silly cousins tore up the dance floor! 
It was a day filled with memories that I know will last for many years to come.