Thanks to Rachel, Jim and Ellie for hosting a great weekend at their place. It was great to have everyone together and fun to see Ellie getting bigger and brighter.
Congrats to the family on the baptism.
Here's our link to our collection of pics from the weekend.
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| Memorial Day Weekend-DC Trip |
Happy 7th birthday to Zach. He got to enjoy most of his birthday in a car for 8 hours as we drove from Cinci to DC. But once we arrived, he had a good time and was happy to get some gifts.
Zach liked getting multiple presents in the car as we drove across the Eastern US. Cole got a couple as well. His Oreo cake was a big hit after dinner at Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jim's place. He liked having a big crowd waiting for him to help him celebrate his big day (and Aunt Sarah's, too.) He's looking forward to Ellie's baptism day on Sunday.
It's amazing to me that the Reds can make the Nats and the Pirates (two of the other NL bottom feeders) look like the '27 Yankees. The Deadlegs have lost 4 in a row against those mediocre teams and now own the worst record in baseball, on pace to finish: 59-103.
After thinking at the start of the season that maybe they could hang with a weak NL Central, they have pulled a move out of the 90's era Bengals playbook, and infected Cincy with a wicked case of baseball apathy.
He doesn't say much (not anything actually), but our Zach gets quite a bit of screen time on this channel 12 news report where they interview his teacher, Mrs. Ruehrwein. I especially like the part where he's picking on one of the girls (he says it was Payton), putting his hands on her head. That's how we knew it was our Zach! (That and those bright orange shorts.)
(This link works right now as I'm posting it, but might not stay alive down the road.) http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=17553#top
We'll take off for DC at the crack of dawn Saturday morning. 500 miles with 2 young kids. What could be more fun than that?
Zach's Lumberjacks bounced back from their loss Sunday with a win on Monday. I wasn't able to make it to the game, but I got reports that Zach hit a home run and a triple, then pitched the last inning to cement the win.
Cole's Wildcats didn't fare quite as well on Wednesday. They started hot, scoring nine in the first inning to take a 9-0 lead, but it was downhill from there, on a long hot evening. The final was a 22-15 loss to the Mason Sluggers. Cole pitched the 3rd inning and did a nice job, lots of strikes, not so much defense behind him.
Well it had to happen sooner or later...Zach's Lumberjacks tasted defeat for the first time this season as they lost to the Loveland Sluggers 15 (or so) to (around) 9. The score is inexact because they didn't want the kids to focus on the score, but they knew they lost.
Zach got a couple of hits and a walk, and he came in as the closer in the 5th inning. Another pitcher started the inning, but wasn't getting the ball over the plate, so Zach relieved him. He faced 4 batters and struck out 3. Maybe the Reds will call him up.
Here's an action shot of the big right hander. 
More pics in this album link.
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| Zach Baseball Game 5/20 |
The kids had an early release from school on Friday and it was a beautiful day. Kings Island is open Fri, Sat, Sun right now. So Pam took them over and got their pics taken for the season passes, and they stayed for a few hours to ride some rides.
The park was nearly empty, so they got to ride a few coasters. And on the kids coaster they got to re-ride without going back through the line. 
That's Flat Stanley enjoying the Mystery Machine.
I wish I could have been along for the fun.
Zach mailed his Flat Stanley to his brother a couple weeks back. So Cole has been showing Flat around town and taking some pictures along the way.
Zach's Flat Stanley hasn't been to Washington DC or out of the country like Cole's Flat did, but this Flat still knows how to have a good time....
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| Flat Stanley |
Cole's Wildcats lost a close game today, falling 9-7 to the Mason Rivercats. It was close all the way. Cole pitched a great 4th inning - he got all 3 outs via strikeouts.
Wasn't his day on the hitting side, as the ump had a generous strikezone and Cole got called out on some tough pitches.
