Avenue of the Giants

On Sunday, June 20 on our way home from my cousin Jan's wedding to Ben in Eureka we drove on the Avenue of the Giants. This is a 30 mile drive that takes you through the Redwoods along Highway 101 and has many places to stop along the way and walk among the awesome Redwoods.

What we could see as we drive through the Avenue of the Giants.

When we stopped at the first spot Sean took off running and climbed this tree stump. It was like a kid in a candy store. He was so excited to see the tree and climb to the top.

Although it was just Sean, Trevor, Hayley, Auntie Karen and I we were able to take a picture thanks to a small pile of Redwood branches and my quick feet. If you look close on the top of the tree stump next to Sean you can see Trevor and Hayley.

Although there are many picture of my bum (thank to Auntie Karen) as I climbed this tree stump, here is a nice family picture with an enormous Redwood.

The kids had fun climbing on top of the fallen trees.

Look how huge these trees are.
It was amazing to see and walk beneath them.

If you look through the hole at the back of the tree, really the top since it fell, you will see Trevor poking his head through.

Look how massive this Redwood is.
We look so small in comparison to how round its trunk is.

Thanks to Trevor and Hayley I was not stuck under the fallen Redwood for long.

Hayley climbing on the roots of this fallen tree. How cool is that.

It was so neat to see the fallen trees and imagine what it must have been like when they fell over. I bet this made a LOUD sound when it fell and split in half.

Just hanging out in the Redwoods.

It was so cool to just stand in one spot and look around at all the different Redwood trees. Some were still standing and were enormously tall. Others had fallen over but you could see how tall they used to be. Still others had fallen and landed on other trees causing one or both to crack/split apart.

During our drive through the Avenue of the Giants we were able to see some beautiful areas of the Eel River. Several times during the drive we crossed over the river and each time there was something different to see.

Trevor and Sean saw this tree from the road and had to go climb out on it. From the car it looked like one tree that had broke when it feel, but it turned out to be two different trees, one going each direction.

Here they are half way across the first tree they encountered.

And now out onto second of the 2 trees. This tree is more than double the length that you can see in this picture. Not sure which tree fell first as where the meet the first tree is split in half.

Of course, us girls were not gonna let the boys be the only ones to climb out on these massive tress. We just were much slower in our walk as it was a good distance from the ground. I was nervous climbing out there with Little Miss Hayley because she was so fearless and kept trying to go ahead of me and rather quickly too.

After we all took turns walking on the trees I decided the whole family should climb out and have Auntie Karen take our picture. This time I made Sean go with Hayley.

Lauren's High School Graduation

On Friday, June 11 we had the privileged of going to Lauren's High School Graduation. It was a very hot day, but we were so glad we could be there to see her graduate.

Here she is just as they announced her name and she received her diploma.

Walking down the ramp and on to the next journey in her life.
We are so proud of you, Lauren.

Little League Day with the Oakland A's

Sunday, June 6th was Little League Day with the Oakland A's. The game didn't stat until 12:30 or so, but they had festivities in the parking lot for the kids starting at 9:00.

Trevor and his team mate Rhay on the huge slide.

Hayley bounced in the air as she went to go down the slide and looks like she is standing up in this picture.

There was an obstacle course relay race inflatable, but poor little Hayley did not have anyone she knew to race with. At this point on Trevor, Rhay and Hayley were there from the two teams.

This did not stop her from having a great time.

The Oakland A's allowed the players and their parents to walk around the inside of the baseball field. It was a neat experience as some of the players were out in the field practicing for the game. The kids loved that name of their little league was on the Big Screen.

Trevor, Hayley and their friend Xavier with their backs to Home Plate.

As we were walking back to the stadium after the parade the kids spotted a motorcycle cop and one of them asked is he had any stickers. Well, he did and he took the time to stop and give each kid one. That was really cool.

After the game the kids were allowed to run around the bases. I was not able to take good pictures from where they would let the adults stand, but it was fun to see the smiles on the kid's faces as they rounded each base. The Oakland A's staff took pictures of the kids and if I want to I can buy them online. Amazingly those pictures came out great, but as you can imagine are expensive.

Closing Ceremonies for Little League 2010

Saturday, June 5th was Closing Day Ceremonies for the kids Little League.

Here is Hayley's T-Ball team, The White Sox.
They normally have 13 players, but 3 were not able to make Closing Ceremonies.

The White Sox back in line after receiving their trophies.

Trevor and his team, the Farm Angels.

Along with the the trophies each player also received a Tootsie Roll Can.

The New Addition to the Backyard

So we finally did it. We bought the kids the Water Slide we have been telling them for 3 years we would get. I kept watching for sales and then finally just broke down and bought it over Memorial Day Weekend. They were so excited and by waiting and watching the sales we were able to get one that Sean and I could go on as well. Yippee!

Hayley was the first one to climb the ladder and use the new Water Slide.

She loved the slide, but the water at the bottom was SO COLD!

Trevor was smart the first time down and tried to avoid the pool at the bottom of the slide.

After a few trips down the water slide it did not matter how cold the water was because they were having a great time.

There is even a smaller slide to play on.

Double Trouble!

Opening Day of Baseball

Today was the Opening Day Ceremonies for the kid's baseball league.
They teams gathered in the parking lot and then had a parade to the Minor field. Each team was announced by their Coach/Manager, all the players said the Little League Pledge and then it was "Play Ball."

Well, not for Trevor's team. The first game for the Minor B division was canceled due to the conditions of the field. The field was still very soggy and muddy from the rains yesterday and was not ready for the first game of the day in that division. So Trevor's team, the Angels, did not get to play against the Tigers. The will play their first game on Monday. Hayley's team did get to play, but just started late so the coaches and parents could get the puddles on the base path taken care of. It was a bit nice that Trevor's game was canceled since both kids were to play at the same time which meant Sean would not have been able to watch Hayley's 1st T-Ball game ever.

Hayley being announced by her coach. Normally the kids run from the outfield to the pitcher's mound and are announced from there, but will the incredibly soggy/muddy infield they just stayed where they were and tipped their hats.

Hayley's first at bat. She was so cute to watch. I wish I would have captured the picture with her tongue sticking out. Such determination by the little girl.

She made it to First Base and was so proud of herself. What she didn't realize, and we didn't tell her, was that if this was any league other than T-ball she would have been out. Hayley hit the ball directly to the First Baseman who picked up the ball and tagged the base before she even got there. Being T-ball they let the kids stay on the base for the first part of the season as they are just learning.

Getting ready to run when the next batter hits the ball.

On third waiting to come Home.

She loved the fact that she made it all the way Home. Just after I took this picture she jumped onto Home Plate. It was very cute.

It might appear to the untrained eye that Little Miss Hayley is playing baseball and may have just thrown the ball. but in reality you would be wrong. She just picked a huge batch of grass, threw it into the air and caught it in her glove.

During her 2nd at bat I was able to catch a picture with her tongue out. It is going to be a very exciting year watching Hayley and Trevor play baseball. I might even get some much needed exercise in walking back and forth from his field to her field. Thanks!

She is really playing baseball this time and getting ready for the bat to be hit. Maybe being in the infield makes the kids pay attention more since there is no grass or flowers to play with. Just my theory.