Cardinals vs Cubs Playoff Game

Our second playoff game today was against the Cubs. We had a hot day for it. The temperatures reached the upper 80's and the kids were extremely hot. We kept the boys cooled off with wet towels and drinks.

The boys won 4 to 3, with Wynton bringing in the winning run. We play tomorrow night against the Marlins.


... and the team rejoices. Congratulating Wynton on his great hit.


The winning run comes home.


Sean hitting a nice one between first and second base.


Watching the game from the bench.

Cardinals vs Marlins Playoff Game

The guys lost the first playoff game. 6 to 10. They will be playing their second game on Sunday afternoon at 3:00. They will be playing the losing team from the Dodgers vs. Cubs game.


After game review session.

Pregame

Pregame warm ups.

Little League Playoff Games

The Little League Playoffs begin this afternoon. Our schedule today is really up in the air. We play our first game this afternoon against the Marlins. If we win, we will be playing a second game this evening at 7:45. WOW! Either way we will be playing a game on Sunday as well.

Camping Trip

Walter is heading out this afternoon to go camping in Brandywine, WV. He is going with a group from Timmons. He'll be riding up with his Uncle and cousin.

Hopefully they won't have to contend with too much bad weather.

Sophomore Award Ceremony

Danielle receives her academic letter, from Mr. Koste - principal, in the Sophomore Awards Ceremony today. (The picture is a bit blurry - I took it from the top of the second tier balcony.)

Surgery Follow Up

Danielle met with the doctor this morning to follow up on her surgery. She is doing great! He explained what some of the pictures that they gave us back in March were so here is what the inside of Danielle's knee looks like.

Band Awards

Danielle attended her band banquet this evening. The award ceremony did not go off as it had in prior years, the band had already received their awards some time ago and the colorguard had to wait until after the banquet to get their awards in the band room.


Danielle received her 2nd year bar and 2nd year letter from Mr. McCarney.


Danielle & Pam (Flagline) show off their awards.

Front Yard Fun

I managed to get some great shots of the children in the front yard this afternoon.


The boys are enjoying hanging out in the front yard under the birch tree.


Everyone is getting into the act.


Sean is hiding from Walter behind a leaf.

End of Year Testing

Walter begins his exams today. He exempted all his exams except, Physics and Government. Good luck on the testing. He only has a few days left...then graduation.

Sean is taking his SOL testing for the next three days.

Danielle will be starting her exams next week. She too has exempted a majority of them.

Trip

The trip to Pennington Gap went well. We got Mamaw home without any trouble and she was all settled in when we left.

I had a major breakthru on the trip down and was able to come up with the design for Armbruster's. YEAH!! I had been worried that I was going to go slightly mad trying to figure it out.

On the way down we stopped in Hillsville to visit and meet with our cousin, Wanda. It had been almost 40 years since I had seen her. It was great knowing that she has a great place to live and work.

Last Day

Tonight is Walter's last night working for Friendly's. He is getting all set for graduation and beginning his new "full-time" job. He has worked for them over 15 months. Good Luck with the new job.

Bike Trip

Dean and Sean went on a bike ride this afternoon. Much to my surprise, I received a call from them while they were out. They had ridden to the local theater. I drove up and joined them for a viewing of the HitchHikers Guide to the Universe. It was okay, but not quite as adventurous as the trailers would lead you to believe.

Award

Walter received an honor cord to wear at graduation for Culinary Arts. He had a "B" average for the whole year.

Way to go Walter.

Color Guard

Danielle made the Color Guard Squad again this year, but....
this time it is the RIFLE squad.

Way to Go!

Cardinals vs Angels

The game last night was tough getting started. After enduring a sudden downpour, the boys started the game in a light drizzle. The Angles scored the first run of the game. It looked like the boys were going to have a hard time dealing with the rain. But they pulled back when they came to bat, scoring three runs.

That's when the weather took over...Lightening began to strike and thunder could be heard rumbling close by. The game was called with the boys leaving the field in a hurry.

Cardinals 3 - Angels 1

Four Generations

Four generations attended the Daughter's of the King Tea at Swift Creek Baptist Church today. The only girl in the family not in attendance was Abigail. (Maybe when she's a bit older.)

Cardinals vs Yankees

Way to Cardinals, another one in the win column. Cardinals 9 to Yankees 7. Sean did well again this game. He got a hit - it was caught in the outfield, but it was still a great hit.

After the game he ended up visiting Patient First....there had been an earlier incident at the batting cage involving a 60 mph pitching machine. It seems that the ball hit him in the right wrist, leaving an indentation where the ball hit. Now, he has his right arm in a splint that has a hard support on the underside. He's to wear it for 5 to 7 days.

Cardinals vs Cubs

This evening we played against the Cubs. We won 17 to 5. Way to go Cardinals. Special commendation goes out to Sean who got two hits this evening, a single and a double.

Sean up to bat. Just before he hit a single.

Dean anxiously awaiting Sean's turn at bat.

New Again

Dad found out last night that our old game 10Six has had a reincarnation as Project Visitor
He has already set up a base camp and is getting it organized to play.

Another One

Danielle will be receiving her letter for color guard on the 1st. So that makes 2 letters again this year. Go Danielle.

Chef Walter

Chef Walter created a wonderful oriental dish this evening as he served it up to Mamaw Stapleton. It was a delightful taste combination. He has certainly become creative in the kitchen.

Cardinals vs Rangers

Another another to the win column. GO TEAM!
The boys won 7 to 1. We're off for another game tomorrow night.

Handy Dandy helper......

will you put that in the car for me. Of course...

Cardinals vs Marlins

Sean heading out to warm up practice with the team. They won 5 to 2. With three more games to go this week.

Guess What!!

Guess who is receiving another academic letter this year.....

DANIELLE.

Go Danielle!

Setting Fence Posts

We spent part of the day today helping Tim out. Sean and Walter put in some excellent labors digging in the yard. Walter worked with the post hole diggers and put in two new post holes and help remove the old chain link fense. Sean took a turn at breaking up the old concrete in one of the holes, moved three old landscape timbers and then broke up dirt and moved it to help level out the area.

Digging a post hole.


Breaking up the soil to level out the ground.

Cardinals vs Orioles

The guys put in a good effort, but didn't win this one. Better luck on Monday's game.

Cardinals vs Mets

Tonights game was a late one. The guys did great. They won 14 to 11. Sean assisted with a great play at homeplate, by throwing in the ball from the outfield. He got on base once and scored a run.

Graduation Portraits in the Making.....Almost

This is what happens when you try to take pictures of a graduating Senior that doesn't like to have his photograph taken. A sort of gloomy, non smilling shot or smiling hiding behind a tree limb.

Please don't make me put this thing on.

Little Einstein

Terry walking around looking deep in thought with his hands tucked behind his back.

Mother's Day

Mom with her snazzy new hat.

Dean & Louise

Mom & Mamaw

All Dressed Up

Posing after church.

Wishing All Mom's A

Mamaw Stapleton

Mamaw Stapleton is coming to town. She'll be here to visit beginning this evening and will be staying as long as Mom can get her to.

Visitor

We enjoyed our visit with Mr. Alex over the past two days while his mum was out of town on business. I believe that he had good time getting home from school early for two days, and having a bit of time to play outside before dark.

Dental Visits

The visit to the dentist today went well. No cavities, no other problems. Looks like that we are headed for a cool 6 months.

Happy Birthday

Granny reached a milestone of 81 years today. She decided early in the day that the celebrate by doubling her daily walking to 2 miles. Don't forget to give her a call and wish her a Happy Birthday.

Pregame Antics

Sean & Tommy relax before their game.

Cardinals vs Angels

Sean at bat. Notice the baseball leaving the hand of the pitcher. (It is just above the outfield fence to the right of the pitcher).

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Dean and I went to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to tour their Egyptian and Greek exhibits for his Humanities class. These are just a few of the objects that we found interesting on our tour.

Egyptian Pottery


Greek Pottery


Statue of Bess

Greek Vase

Greek pottery

Cardinals vs Yankees

Sean on third-base again. Waiting to come home.

Cardinals vs Rangers

This is a progression of photos showning Sean scoring his first run of the season in their game against the Rangers

A Novel Tour

Sean is playing the role of Willie Wonka during his 5th grade class' Novel Tour presentation.

Opening Day

Playing Center Field

Baseball Portrait 2005

Sean

Slaying the Dragon

Dean has successfully slain the dragon (car repairs). The van will now start!!! YEAH! It took a bit of poking and prodding, but ignition has been achieved.

WAY TO GO!

Valentine Flowers from Dean

A close up shot of the lovely bouquet that Dean gave me for Valentine's Day.

Danielle & Ben on Valentine's Date

Flowers for Danielle from Mr. Ben. As they get ready to leave on their big date.

January 2005

The month of January may just be as busy as December. I will be working on several projects:

1. Doing some work for Cypher in the afternoons and weekends,
2. Grapevine border for the Dendtler's
3. Mural for the Dillion's.

Danielle will be beginning Indoor Colorguard on the 4th. Dad will not be attending any classes this quarter due to the startup of the 300 mm plant at work (One big project at a time). Walter will continue working for Friendly's, after his brief excursion back in the the wonderful world of Timmons over the Christmas break. Sean will be applying himself to his math and spelling.

Go family!

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Happy Birthday Dean!

Gingerbread Creation

Walter's gingerbread tractor trailer. He did a great job for his first gingerbread creation.

December Calendar

Wow December is here and there are so many things to do.

• I will be beginning work on Allison's Serengeti Dream, a mural, today. This project is expected to take until the 17th to complete. I've built in the 20th-22nd just in case it is needed to finish it.
• Danielle will be participating in a Chorus Concert this evening.
• Danielle will march with the band this weekend in the Ukrops Christmas Parade.
• Walter will participate in his first Indoor Track Meet of the season on Wednesday the 8th.
• On the 9th, Sean will be in his class's production "Holiday Dances Around the World"
• The 11th is a busy day, Walter will be taking the ACT's and Dean & I will be attending our Sunday School Class Christmas Party.
• Dean will be taking his final exam on the 15th.
• We will be celebrating Christmas with my in-laws on the 18th.
• Christmas Vacation begins on the 23rd for the kids, and we will be celebrating Dean's Birthday.
• Christmas Eve will be spent out with Dean's family.
• Christmas Day will be spent out with my family.
• Walter will be working full-time the 27th-31st.

I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Have a great month.

Christmas in the Air

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over, it is time to move forward with preparations for our Christmas celebrations. The tree and decorations have been pulled out from storage, and all are in the house. Time to jump into the task of decorating the house.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Thanksgiving Blessings to all of you and your families.

Halo 2

Dean and Sean have a new game to play Halo 2. Their's was the first game out of the store where they purchased in on Tuesday. They've been working on playing online and off.

Wish you both luck in the challenge.

Concert Performance

Danielle & Carson before cut up before their concert performance.


Danielle singing during the concert.

Voting

Dad & I were out at the polls this morning. We were in line for just about exactly an hour. I'm sure glad that we took our coffee. It made a nice outing. The crowd was quiet and not a hint of disorder. There were a couple of surpizes from the county - they always want more money for something.

Go Vote, if you haven't. It is a great way to put your two cents worth in.

Halloween

Danielle dressed as a Renaissance Witch, while Sean showed off his Skateboarding Injury costume.

Homecoming

Ben & Danielle as they prepare to head off for their dinner and dance.

Recap

Here it is almost the end of October. So much has gone on and so much has stayed the same.

According to the High School news, marching band hasn't been all that great for the past few weeks. The trip to Charlottesville didn't come off neatly as it had last year. There were lots of communication errors that messed them up. They scored a 2, but had expectations of a 1.

Culinary Arts has been delicious. Walter has provided us with several interesting meals and has helped out during a catering event at the school.

Sean has gotten into the swing of the 5th grade. I'm so proud of his increased spelling abilities. He's even had his picture posted on the classroom door twice now for being one of the top ten readers of his class.

Dad's class is going. Hopefully quickly. The content is great, but the professor isn't all that great.

Drivers Ed

Danielle has put in a whole hour behind the wheel, so far. I've been slightly frightened. JK. She's been doing just fine. It's the optical illusion of being closer to the edge of the road that gets me from the passengers seat.

We only have 39 hours left, 10 which need to be at night.

Packing a Punch

Wow, The little guy really exploded. He set on of the neighborhood "bullies" right by punching him in the mouth, after they had tormented him for some time.

I hope that this little outburst will finally end the torment. Sometimes after an altercation like this the two parties become best friends....

Here's hope for a change to the better.