Summer Road Trip '12 -- Part Three

After four nights of camping, we packed up and headed toward civilization -- and showers!  We drove straight through Tennessee (with only a short stop to see the University of Tennessee's baseball stadium) and Kentucky into Ohio, where we spent a night in Cincinnati. My good friend Lori and her family drove down from Columbus and we had such a nice time catching up. We haven't seen each other since Rhys and her son Jackson were about 18 months, but the kids didn't miss a beat!

The next day was the much anticipated BFF reunion. We arranged to meet in Cincinnati at a Reds game, and the sheer joy of the kids seeing each other from across the street was like something out of a movie.

The game seemed trivial compared to the reunion, but we really enjoyed the Reds experience.

Express Camp

Two weeks ago, Rhys went to the Round Rock Express baseball camp.  Unfortunately, in this summer full of blessedly mild temperatures, his camp was the one week we've had so far with 100+ degree temps.  He's a tough guy though, and he enjoyed it despite the heat.  He did very well too -- he came home the winner of every pitching contest they held, was Camper of the Day one day, and won one of only three end-of-camp awards: Most Coachable.  As always, we're very proud of his hard work!

An Instagram snap from one of the days at camp.

     

Receiving his award.

Spring baseball

We wrapped up spring baseball for both boys a couple of weeks ago. It was the end of Griffin's last t-ball season, and a shortened Voodoo season for Rhys.  (The same kids that screwed us over for fall with football decided to play league ball All-Stars so the Voodoo didn't have enough players to finish out the season. I think this time we actually learned our lesson about them...at least I hope we did.)  Rhys moonlighted this weekend with the Phillies out of Round Rock, and he might do more fill-in work this summer.  He just wants to get in more baseball any way he can!

Anyway, Griffin had another great season with his fantastic coaches, Patrick and Kellen.  His team went undefeated and won first place in the league!  He has learned so much this year and is really starting to get in the groove with baseball.  He even caught his first fly ball!  He mostly played 2nd base, but he also played some outfield, and even a couple of short stints at catcher. The only unfortunate part of this season was the team name. Since the team was the Longhorns in the fall, the coaches thought it was only fair that we be the Aggies this spring.  It was painful.  Hopefully next fall they'll pick a random team that nobody has ties to!

I'm not sure what was happening here, but I'm pretty sure he's *fabulous*!

Rhys had a tougher season this spring.  For whatever reason, the Voodoo didn't play nearly as well as they did in the fall and their record was less than stellar.  He still had a great time with it and is very sorry it's over.  Rhys continues to have no regular position, and fills in pretty much wherever he's needed. He pitches every weekend, but he also plays catcher, short stop, second base, third base, and center field. 

One of my favorite parts from this season was the BABIES!  I do enjoy baseball -- I like the game, I like to be outside, I love the tradition and history, and most importantly, I like to watch the kids do the things they love -- but it's made all the better when you have two adorable and squeezable babies to cuddle!

Rangers come to Round Rock

The day after returning from our beach trip, we went to the second annual Texas Rangers v. Round Rock Express game.  It's so fun to be able to see all our favorite players up close!

Elvis Andrus at bat.

Josh Hamilton in the outfield.

Derek Holland pitching.

Rhys and David getting as close as they can to pitchers Yu Darvish and Neftali Feliz.

Ian Kinsler running the bases.

Griffin and Zach.

Bill and Lizzie.