Last Rangers Games

Our last game as a family was September 26th against Oakland. What we were hoping would be a game that would get the Rangers even closer to clinching the AL West turned into one of the worst games I have ever been to at that ballpark - and I have witnessed some ugly ones. I don't know who that team was on the field, but it wasn't the Rangers that we had cheered for all season. They were lackluster and just plain disappointing.

Because of this, Luke put his rally cap on early. In the 1st inning.


He wanted to learn to keep score, so I started teaching him what I know. He and I were in the lower seats, Daddy and Caleb sat in the upper seats. He lasted a couple innings and then handed me the book. But he was getting the hang of it!

Later in the game we went upstairs to meet up with Nate and Caleb. As we were walking to where they were sitting out in the concourse, suddenly Luke's hand was yanked out of mine - someone had grabbed him from behind and was walking away with him. It was such a blur, I was about to start freaking out when I realized - it was the Rangers Captain. He had picked Luke up and was carrying him around. Nearly gave me a heart attack, but Luke thought it was hilarious - and so awesome.

Because of that pathetic outing, when the boys and I got the chance to go to the game the very next day - we jumped on it! Mammie, Boppa and Justin were going, too, so I took Luke out of school and we went to the day game. So glad we did - the Rangers actually had their heads out of their you-know-whats and played like we knew they can. I was so glad we decided to go.

It pays to go to the game with your grandparents...Luke and Caleb ended up with two new "buddies". Caleb spotted the Kinsler doll in the window of one of the gift shops and totally freaked out - waving, laughing, just all about it. So of course Boppa to the rescue! Luke could have gotten one, too, but he chose the Davy Crockett doll. Shocker. He was so sweet, though; insisting to Boppa that he didn't have to get anything at all, that it could just be a Caleb thing. That made Boppa want to buy him the Davy Crockett one even more!

Definition of Mischief

This kid. He is never boring, that's for sure.

I captured this great series of pictures that just define him. Luke has this pool toy that is a shark with little green fish that the shark is supposed to "eat". Caleb loves to play with the shark, but he puts the fish in his mouth and they are just small enough to freak me out. So I try to keep them out of his reach/sight, but inevitably he seems to conjure one up at a moment's notice.

So he found one and I took pictures of his face when he got it, when he started to put it in his mouth, when I scolded him to not put it in his mouth, and the fit he threw after I took it away. And this, in a nutshell, is my baby boy.

Happy Birthday to Boppa (and Nate)

We celebrated Dad and Nate's September birthdays on 9/25 with a trip to Benihana. That was a crazy day for us - poor Caleb was diagnosed with a sinus infection AND an ear infection after a sleepless night where he coughed nonstop. But he was a trooper through dinner and birthday cake! He cried when the chef first came in and started cooking, but ended up chilling out and just giving him the staredown. It was funny! Luke got in on the action, though; and the chef tossed shrimp tails into Luke's chef hat. Too bad no pics turned out!

Just this one of the boys and Boppa

Blue Angel Kite

Mammie and Boppa got to see the Blue Angels while they were in Pensacola, FL. Since both of my kids love airplanes, their souvenirs from the trip were Blue Angels memorabilia. Caleb got a ball with the airplanes inside, and Luke got a super cool kite! Thankfully it was windy enough so he could fly it with Boppa's help.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Nate and Luke were invited to sit in a suite at the Rangers game today. There was a two hour rain delay, but by the time they got home there was a gorgeous rainbow and even prettier sunset. Luke ran to get Reese to see the rainbow; these two are so funny. I felt like I had a flash forward and I was taking engagement pictures or something! Ahhh!!

Randoms from this week...

{Monday}
Caleb being silly.


Caleb loves Lily! He loves Daisy, too, but she won't sit still where he can get close to her.


{Tuesday}
Nate's 32nd birthday! I didn't take any pictures of him, which made him very happy. It was my gift...the man just does not like having pictures of him taken. I don't know what to do with him.

{Thursday}
Caleb's paci got stuck in the blinds when I was opening them. Not sure how, but it happened. He was determined to get it back, and did it all by himself. I just took pictures.


{Friday}
Date night at the game for Nate's birthday! It was chilly and rainy, and we rocked the ponchos for awhile. But it was a night away! I forced him to take a picture with me.




{Saturday}
Another Cardinals game. I love, love, love with picture of Nate and Luke. It may be one of my all time favs of the two of them out of Luke's entire life.


Batting.


Caleb being crazy.


Saying good game.

More Baseball

Today was picture day, so of course I was taking pics over the photographer's shoulder.


The team.


Walking to the field with Daddy.


First time playing pitcher.


First time playing CATCHER!! He even liked it! And he did pretty good. It made me happy.


Baby brother wants to play, too!


Enjoying his snack after the game with Caleb, who was so excited to see him.


He definitely did better this game. He does really good when he pays attention the whole time - something that you have to do when you play catcher! I think that is why he likes it, because there is always something to do. I can't blame him, that's why it was my favorite position, too.

Story Time

This was our first story time to go to without Luke! Caleb wasn't sure what to do, but it helped having one of his friends there, too.

Caleb Time

Mommy is getting lots of Caleb time now that Luke is at school for most of the day. Everyone asks if he misses big brother, but I really don't think that he does. Caleb is so independent that he likes being able to do his own thing without having Luke hovering over his shoulder. And Luke was so alone for most of his life, that he loves being with Caleb all.the.time when he is home. So it is giving Caleb a good balance now - he loves having Luke around, but he also loves having time to himself.

One thing is for sure - the kid loves it outside! If he is ever grumpy, this changes his attitude every time.

First Fall Baseball Game

Fall baseball has officially started! This season Luke's team is the Cardinals. His team in the spring moved up to 7U and we felt like Luke wasn't ready for that yet. We tried to start our own team, but there were too many teams and not enough players so we were combined with the Cardinals. Maybe one day he'll play on a team where we have no opinions about the major league team.

His first game was at Big League Dreams! He was so excited to play on the big field that Daddy plays on, too.

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance.


First at-bat of the season!


Playing short stop.


Being in kindergarten and playing baseball is hard work!
The first game was a typical first game...he hit off the tee each at bat, and didn't do anything spectacular in the field. Hopefully he will improve as the season goes on!