Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Too Cute!

My cousin, Sara, got married this past Saturday. I have TONS of pictures from the reception! But because I don't feel like going through them all this morning, (we have to get around and go to the dentist pretty soon) I thought I'd just post the good ones of the other happy couple.

Ryan Ickes took this one from across the table. It's my favorite! Notice that we kind of match, but not really. And notice that my husband was the only one, over the age of 10, at the wedding without a tie!



Here is the first picture Braden took of us.


As he tried to correct his beheading, he just kept taking pictures. Even when we weren't looking at him. There is a lot of power in a camera, especially when you are eight yrs. old, and Mom almost never lets you touch it.


Doesn't it look like he's yelling at me when we should be dancing?


He really was yelling at me, kind of. He was putting off so much heat, and it seemed like the song was never going to end. Plus, the way my shirt was made prevented me from putting my arms any higher than his elbows. JON'S REALLY TALL! I even had heels on! So I may have been complaining and he may have been threatening to never ask me to dance again.


On a side note: I opted for the shirt with pants because of the MANY bruises on my legs. It was a bit disgusting and I wanted to save others from the sight. :)


Side note #2: Our first dance EVER was the anniversary dance at this wedding! We've only been to 2 other weddings together. Both of those we left before the dancing had begun. And we didn't have our own wedding, so.......... WOW!


Side note #3: Any suggestions on what I should do with my hair? I'm trying to let it grow out. We'll see how that goes!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Ouch!

Here's a cute picture of my snobby little one. She stole a bone from Raider and then laid like this, half in her kennel, so that he couldn't take it back. Despite the 5-6 other bones in the house, they only want the one the other has....... Just like kids!

Here are Dallas and Daddy hanging out. Dallas likes to get right in your face and make you pet her!


And finally the OUCH! Brady's bike got mad at him on Tuesday and threw him off. He had tire marks on his left knee and this on his right thigh. He was a trooper though. He got back up and rode a little further before deciding he wanted to go home. And he only shed a few tears.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Tourney Champs

They won! 2-1 (Yes, that was the final score!) They ended their season as League Runners-Up and Tourney Champs! (Again!)

Way to go Rivercats!!!

Here is Brady clapping for the Express as they get their trophies and medals.

Brady and Cade clapping for their teammates as they get their trophies and medals.


Last but not least, Brady Van Cleave.......


The champion Rivercats


My little champion!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

More Baseball

Monday night we went to our first Ft. Wayne Wizards game. They got slaughtered! Jon was tempted to warm up and pitch for them. But the boys enjoy baseball and I got a whole bag of cotton candy all for me!!

A view from our seats. Thanks Dad!


Braden and Ryan. Weirdos!


Can you see the shirt? "You can't spell AWESOME without ME"



Look carefully and you'll see (from right to left) Digger, Ryan reaching towards Digger, Brady watching and smiling, and a police officer!!
"No, I've never seen these boys before, Officer. They aren't with us!"
When Brady saw the cop, he ran back to our seats and left Ryan all by himself. He didn't get arrested or in trouble :)



And later they all became friends!

Foul Ball!

Jon's job throughout the night, as you can see, was protecting me. He made sure I wasn't accidentally killed by a foul ball. He did a great job! I'm still here!

Ryan was lucky! He went and sat farther up in the stands and ended up bringing home a souvenir!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

What a Game!!!!

Last night was Brady's first tournament game. He had an AWESOME game!!! His best ever! They won big. His first at bat, he had a triple with 3 RBIs . (The dugout was cheering his name as he stepped to the plate!) He had a double with 1 RBI during his next at bat. And he was the lead off batter in his last at bat and got on first.

All of his hits were grounders? ground balls? Whichever wording is correct..... So Dad wants to continue to work on his swing. But he was on FIRE!!! He also had a big game at first base. He made a great double play! He caught the ball to get the batter out and then tagged the runner as he tried to return to first. He had another great catch later in the game. Also several outs at first from balls teammates threw to him. We were very proud of his all-star effort!

Here are Brady and Daddy are during warm-ups.



Daddy coaching him on his form.


Another shot during warm-ups.


Running the bases after the game. Brady's on the left in the back of the pack.


The team and coaches after the game.


They now play for the championship this Saturday at 11:30!

Oh, and Jon's game was cancelled for some reason which is why he was able to be at Brady's game.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Daddy's little girl

The other morning my son, who sleeps in only his boxer briefs, was chilly. Most people would simply put on some clothes. But not Brady!!! He went upstairs and got my pink Victoria's Secret robe and wore it around all morning!
Daddy was so proud!

Sara's Getting Married

My cousin, Sara, is getting married in 2 weeks. Friday night, she had a little bachlorette party. We went to dinner at a tasty Mexican restaurant and then went back to her house for gifts, drinks, and games. (Some of her cousins are underage, so they opted to have a party everyone could attend)

Here she is opening my gift. "What'd ya get, Sara?"

A little elephant for Jared! Won't that be fun!
*** Just so I don't take any credit, Jon went to a store in FW and found this lovely gift. I did not go with him. ***

Just Plain Pooped

We got home from Texas around 10:30 Sunday night. By midnight, we were all sound asleep. Monday morning, Brady and I went and picked up Raider at Dr. Wilkin's.

While I was fixing lunch later, this is what I found in the living room.

And then he looked like this.


Three hours later, he was refreshed and ready to go........ to Grammy's! She had called to say she made his favorite cookies for him!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

I Can't Sleep

Now that I have all of our "Trip to Texas" pictures loaded, I thought I'd post a random update of random things. (Mostly because I took a power nap before dinner and now can't get to sleep)

While we were in Texas, some of the funniest moments were:
1. Amanda, my oh-so-smart sister-in-law, and her realization that there are only 4 time zones in the U.S. All this time she's thought Texas, Ohio, and NY were all in different zones. (Texas is, the other 2 are in the same zone) You probably had to be there, but trust me!

2. Megan showing her mom the necklace she got as a bridesmaid gift. (Another one that was only funny to me and Amanda at the time)

3. Jon and Brady getting pedicures

4. Jon's forehead on Saturday. He's a bit freakish looking in the pictures, but still funny

That's all I can remember 2 weeks later. I knew I should have posted all of this back then!

And now for this past weekend:
Saturday Brady's baseball team lost their final regular season game. Badly. They finished the season in 2nd place. They start tournament this Tuesday evening. If they win that game, they will be in the championship game on Saturday (maybe). Tuesday Jon has church softball. They too are vying for position. They're tied for 1st and will be playing the team they are tied with. So he'll miss Brady's game. And on Saturday, he is in an all-day softball tourney! But he thinks the other 2 coaches are also going to be out of town. So........ we'll just have to wait and see. They can't play coachless.

Saturday afternoon, we took Brady shopping in FW and drove thru McD's on the way home.
My 8 yrs. old son:
-- needed to shop in ONLY the young men's sections
-- bought 30x30 khaki pants and 30" shorts
-- has a foot that will currently fit into a 7 1/2 shoe
-- is so excited about the shirt Dad found for him that says "you can't spell AWESOME without ME"
-- and ate the same thing for dinner as his dad: a dbl quarter pounder (no cheese though), fries, and a drink!!!!
This kid is going to be a GIANT

Reception

I completely forgot to post pictures from the reception! We were only there long enough for the boys to eat. Then we headed back to the Van Cleave house to pack and sleep before hitting the road at 4:30 the next morning!!!

Here are the flowers at our table.

A view across the dance floor.


Brady getting a drink at the juice fountain.


Haley's cake was pretty, and I do have a picture of it...... but I'm a chocolate lover! Phil's cake was just amazing! I never had a piece, so I cannot vouch for the taste, but it was gorgeous!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Picture Time!

The wedding was finally behind them. Now it was time to capture the moment with the bride and groom together.

Here are Mr. & Mrs. Jack Van Cleave with Mr. & Mrs. Phil Van Cleave.

My boys looking great!


Some of the wedding party waiting for direction.


Haley and the bestmen.


Brady and his aunts.

My little man

Brady walking Grandma down the aisle. He looks so focused! And Grandma looks very proud of him!

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Jack lighting the unity candle.


Brady and Brock after the wedding.

More Pictures

Brady with Grandma and Grandpa.

The best family picture we took.


Black and white was the best way to cover up Jon's tan line on his forehead.


He still takes my breath away! What a hottie!


Brady's adorable as well. Who knew he cleaned up so nicely!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Before the Wedding

Phil and Brock trying to get their picture taken. Brock was just too excited!

Grandma Kathy helping Aunt Amanda fix her curls.


Grandma Kathy and Aunt Megan looking lovely.


Aunt RyAnn and her boys. Don't they look adorable!


Haley, the blushing bride, on her way to the sanctuary!