Boys of Summer

Town baseball starts right as school is ending, for me it is a sign that summer has truly arrived.  I held off putting Archy in baseball so he never played t-ball and he went right to coach pitch.  I wasn't sure how he would do skipping t-ball if he would be behind the other kids or not.  I think all the years of watching his brothers play ball paid off because he knew exactly what to do.  He was quite aggressive and Archy was always in ready position and focused on the game.   He was a hoot to watch and his games were so fun.

There's Archy ready to step on the base and get an out

Throw him the ball, he's ready!

Archy at bat

Neon shirts make Archy easy to pick out

Sign the town posted at all the baseball diamonds

Dec always ready for a photo op (portunity)

Treats are sure appreciated!

McCoy loves playing baseball!  He was on a team of 8, 9, & 10 year old boys.  He was 9 this year and so was in the middle of the age group. At this level, the kids do the pitching until a batter walks and then an adult pitches until the batter gets a hit or strikes out.  McCoy most often was the catcher, if he wasn't he was playing in the infield.  Once the playoffs started he was the only catcher.  He did a great job!

Coy goes for the ball as catcher

Coy's ready for the pitch (light blue shirt)

McCoy the Catcher

Ashlee, Pa and Nona came to see the boys play several times.  With all four boys playing, there was a lot of games to chose from.  Now that baseball is all over I kinda miss it but I don't miss sitting in the heat watching them.  Baseball will be back before we know it!

Fun On the the Fourth 2016 edition

As summer comes to an end time sure seems to speed up! Ashlee called and told me it been a week since my last post and I couldn't believe it I could of sworn it had only been a day.

Duncan Az used to be know as "Biggest Parade in Small Town America" not sure if they still carry that title but we enjoy the parade no matter the size.  Sometimes it's a night parade sometimes a morning parade.  When it is a morning parade it adds an element of excitement as we have to travel the 45 miles and arrive before 8am when they close down the streets for the parade.  We have had some close shaves but so far we have always made it in time to join Pa saving our seats.

Election years which this year was means there is a lot of candy, and other handouts.

Here is our group watching the flag bearers go by

We usually bring out breakfast which this year was boiled eggs, bananas and donuts.

Egg-cellent smile

Zany loves boiled eggs!

Dec putting Tapatio hot sauce on his Egg

McCoy dressed for speed this year and he was in beast mode as he collected candy!

Zany was more like one at a time when collecting candy

Given the chance Archy will shot anyone with his gun!

After the parade, there were carnival games for the kids.

Zany pops ballons

Archy gets a few

Declan  does bean bag toss

Archy tries to win

While the kids played games others played cards

While others played Ashlee and I busted her brand new sewing machine she has had for three years without opening it.  I insisted we use it to alter some curtains for her dining room.

Rhiannon with curtain

More Cards

Archy and Zany getting ready to swim

Only thing better than boiled eggs in Zany's book is Corn on the Cob!

Eddy grills our dinner!

We had another fun Fourth o' July!  Thanks to all those who sacrificed to make a day celebrating freedom and patriotism a yearly event we look forward too !

Patriotic Pugmire Party!!!

We look forward to the Patriotic Pugmire Party every year.  Uncle Scott and Aunt Rebecca go to all kinds of work to make a wonderful party. It has loads of good food and good people.  This year we were excited to meet cousin Jen's sweet morsel of a baby!  Our meal is potluck which means everyone brings whatever they wish to share but there are a few expectations.  Some people get known for certain dishes, and of course you have to have homemade ice cream!  The kids enjoy playing while the adults chat.

  

Kids going for the football, McCoy on right

Having a laugh

Pa and Zany

Declan, Grandma and Zany

Declan holds the sweet baby with McCoy

Archy on bridge

Zany loves Uncle Gabe's chicken (an expected dish)!

Auntie Rebecca 

Zany checking out a real life baby!

Soon as it is dark it's firework time! Uncle Scott provides all kinds of amazing fireworks.  He supervises their launching and when the minions aren't doing it right he crosses the bridge to set them straight.  Of course, everyone gets to participate in the sparklers!

Archer

Nona and Pa

Zany

Quinton

Declan

Cousin Jen

McCoy

Possible the finale: Jeanine's Cheesecake!

(Ashlee's note:  Being the designated photographer for our family, I field lots of strange requests of "Take this picture for the Blog, of variuos random inanimate objects. I try to mostly get people in them. But as Mccoy said this dessert was so good,it should make the blog!" And indeed it was!)

McCoy'sTrack and Field Day

At the end of May, Thatcher Elementary has a long standing tradition of a end of the year Track and Field Competition.  Each student gets to pick four events to compete in and there is also a class relay race.  McCoy was really looking forward to this day.  Parents and grandparents come and watch, cheering on their favorites.  McCoy chose softball toss, soccer kick, backwards race, and the marathon (which was one lap around the track).  After the track and field events the students go to lunch with their families.  

McCoy does the softball toss

McCoy with his biggest fan, his mama

McCoy (center, green shorts) waiting for the gun to start the backwards race

He got fourth place in this event.

McCoy (gray shirt/green shorts) runs the marathon

McCoy did a great job at his events and had a lot of fun.  Afterword he picked his favorite mexican restaurant for lunch.  McCoy loves chips and salsa!  That was the best prize for a race well run!

Carlton Peas in a Pod!

I had been wanting to get a ultra-light portable hammock for some time but never had a reason to actually get one until Declan was going on a 50 mile hike for scouts.  I figured he could use it to sleep in while on his hike and then we could use it on any outing.  Declan slept in it for a week setting it up in a different place each night.  He got pretty good at it so when we went to set it up at Blackjack he knew just what to do.  

Declan shows Eddy how to set up the hammock

Once the hammock was set up everyone wanted to try it out.  The hammock can handle up to 600lbs so more than one could try it out at once even!

Zany gives it a go

Archy tries it out with trepidation and Declan helps him 

Let the master show you how its done!

Now it's Quinton's turn

Boy that hammock is almost touching the ground,

 Zany must be heavier than she looks

Who took a two hour nap in it?  Eddy!

Surprise, it's me, I had to use a bag for a pillow

What fun three peas in a pod:  Archy, Zany, & McCoy

So cute! 

You may find this at a local antique store, Germaine's Emporium.

Next time we may even talk Pa into trying it.