Derek's Fishing Trip

While Justin and I were having a blast in Waco, Derek was in Southern Ontario, right across the Minnesota border. He, his dad, and his uncle Roger went fishing on Lake Kakagi where cooler weather waited to greet them.



Tom made breakfast every morning.


The view from the cabin. I can hear the quietness in this photo.


Derek thinking hard about how to maneuver the pole.


One big, freezing cold lake


Topped with a gorgeous sunset


Derek with Uncle Rog. Derek had the privilege of living with Roger when he was in Las Vegas with AAA Dodgers. It was fun to go out to eat at places that Roger knew about, especially when he was treating the poor folk to dinner!


I have to hand it to the fellas for constantly taking photos of themselves.


Derek kept talking about how peaceful the trip was. I can see it in the childlike glee on his face in all these photos. They had guides take them out to show them where to catch the fish, etc.


Sometimes they caught long fish


Three amigos


Sometimes they caught small fish


Mostly big ones though


Tom with his great prize


Don't ever wonder where Justin gets his dimples. They go back for generations. May all our children (whenever they decide to arrive) get this wonderful trait.


Derek reminded me that Tom, the oldest of 4 kids, and Roger, 3rd in line, are 13 years apart. And they act like best friends when they get around each other. Comforting to know that no matter the distance between our kids, they can still remain close.


Another big fish for Big D


The keepers for the day. Though the complication of putting them on dry ice made them leave the fish behind when they flew home.


As Derek told me, he hopes to take this trip as often as he can. How old does Justin need to be to join the boys' trip? :-)

Justin's stay in Waco with Grandma

While Mommy was shooting photos for the Starburst tournament, Justin and Grandma were off having fun and staying cool.

They stopped by Grandma's work to say hello.


Then they went to the Lego knight's exhibit at the Mayborn Museum.


Perfect since just the week prior he had attended his Warrior Prince Camp. Apparently he stayed by this exhibit long enough to show everyone how to do it as well.


They constructed many a lego maze.


Best bet of the day was helping the train conductor fix the broken engine.


It wasn't up to speed, so this little boy got to be the helper. Life's dream.


Justin laying down like a dog, since his towel was a dog as well. Because that's what dog's do, right?


Grandma took Justin to the Jumping Party, but I forgot to tell her to take socks. So they were able to borrow a pair in order to make the day work.


Always a great activity to wear a boy down before naptime.


I should have put this on the last post, but Mary Beth took this photo pre-smiles and I think it's hilarious. In the day and age of digital cameras, I wish there were more like this.


It was a wonderful treat to play with Uncle Ryan who is in Waco for the summer.


We drove to Dallas to pick up Derek and his dad from their Canada fishing trip. Justin wanted to be put in a container so he go take a go on the conveyor belt with the other suitcases.


Excited to see our scruffy men!


So glad to have our Daddy back!


Thanks again, Grandma, for watching my main man all week. More Waco/travel posts to come!

Starburst Junior Golf Tournament '10

Now where were we?

I tell you, this summer has flown by faster than I ever could have imagined. I have had such a blast being with my family of three, somewhat out-of-touch from our normal routine, yet having such a heightened awareness of what matters most right now in my life.

Don't know if I will ever catch up with all the posts that await me, but what's the rush? My google reader is competing with my personal blog, and right now the posts of everyone else are winning my favor.

Starburst Golf Tournament is a permanent fixture in my life now. For years, due to baseball life and then working while pregnant, I missed out on the showcase. Now I get to proudly be a part of the masterpiece that this tournament has become.


Justin kept talking about Papa's tournament and when did it start?


Since the J-man was my sidekick at times, a good reprieve (and an emphasized special treat) was the access to all the car racing games on the family's phones.


For what it's worth, everyone said he's really good. Which is reason number 1862 why D and I don't do games on our phones.


I think the reason why I love Starburst is the fact that it's a big family event. Even my dad, who gets an average of 3 hours of sleep a night (I could be high balling that), helps pick up trash for the 1100+ contestants and their family members.


My mom mans the store, where this year a makeshift dressing room was added to the mix.


When else does a big sis get to smile arm-in-arm with her brothers in 90 degree heat?


Shane was also a big helper with the store this year. All the workers get matching/coordinating shirts to wear each day of the tourney. My closet is now full with ready-to-wear golf shirts. Which some day may come in handy when I follow my son on the course. Not as his caddie - are you kidding me? - but as his photog.


Aaron was a great babysitter to Justin and Tate, his Starburst buddy every year.


Papa would come and sit a spell during our dinner each night.


Justin insisted he go to the driving range with him, as if he had nothing better to do.


Gotta love another lefty golfer. First Uncle Shane, then Daddy, who has been a transfer from the righty world for less than a year, and now little man.


This picture is horrible quality, but I had to quickly catch it of Justin holding Roxy so she could "see" the TV.


Justin noticed how small some of the kids were in the tournament. So he had to practice with all the rest of the bandits every evening.


Nothing is more fun than the helicopter ball drop. Here Miss Debbie is helping the boys cover their heads from the windy overpass.


AnnMarie came for her first Starburst experience just in time to smile with the helicopter.


Only a select few get to ride around with Aaron on the cart. Helps to be related.


I love this photo for so many reasons, most of all because Katy is a buddy back from the days of braces and hall passes.


Dropping 2500 balls to see which one makes it in the hole, all from the opening of a moving helicopter.


Everyone had to push the balls out of the way to grab the select ones that made the hole, only to go back up in the helicopter to be dropped one last time.


All the while Birdie was helping out two little birdies who had been interrupted form their nest by the roaring 'copter.


Hey there, small fry!


I absolutely could not do Starburst without the help of my mother-in-law! Another post to come of the fun she and JT had all week.


Elise and I tried several attempts at a photo all week, but they would all end up looking like we were just sitting around sweating or something.


Justin and AnnMarie with their mommies (just a photo of firstborns)


Looks suspiciously like a senior prom moment, only I don't know if Daddy Sean will approve of the gesture.


I kept thinking, "Let's get a family photo, we're all here!" But then I remembered that Derek wasn't present. Next time.


Wednesday, Papa joined me and my permanent shadow for the last day's worth of photos.


As I am shooting a golfer putting a hole, I notice my son has escaped from the cart and is raking the dirt. Such the helper.


Justin has continued his helpfulness this week. We made mini chocolate chip cookies to munch on all week. Yep, it's Wednesday, and they are all gone, but I'm getting to that.

Monday night I came in rubbing my tummy. Justin asked me what was wrong. I guiltily told him that I had eaten 6 cookies and my tummy hurt. He gasped as his hand flew to his mouth. He then told me, "Mommy, you should not have done that! That is not good for you!"

And then we came home from meeting a friend for lunch on Tuesday. He asked if he could have a cookie for dessert. The rule in our house is you don't have to finish your meal, but to have dessert, you must clean your plate. Justin unfortunately did not finish his lunch, so I told him he couldn't have dessert. He then asked me why I had grabbed a cookie since I had not finished my meal either. The fact that I had not liked my salad is neither here not there. He was correct - that's one smart cookie!

Until next year Starburst....