Bump, Set, Spike..

Abbie had her first volleyball game today.  This was a big day for her.  She has been practicing her serves & bumps for weeks.  We got her knee pads to protect those precious knees.  Alright, actually we had to buy new ones because Abbie didn't want some one's sweaty old ones.  I don't blame her.  So she was decked out in her 3 sizes too big school uniform and lookin' way older then I want her to look.  

Remind me, how did we get here so quick????  

Oh yeah, we blinked!!!!  

The team did really good for their first game.  Abbie even scored two points!!!! You go girl!!!!  Papa & Mama were so proud of her.  Luke even cheered the girls on.  

Too stinkin' cute!  Good times!

Finishing Strong

We are finishing our swim season tonight & have had a great season. The girls branched out and competed in new strokes this year. They practiced very hard this summer. We are so proud of those two critters, or should I say fish! Here are some shots of our last swim meet at Garces:
Hopie's Self Portrait - Mad Dog Face

Abbie headed into the water

Ab's freestyle

Abbie getting ready for her backstroke

Hope's freestyle

One funny thing after our season of swim meets; when Luke races he goes like this:
"Take your mark, set, beeeep"
That cracked us up. That is a boy who has sat through his fair share of swim meets at the age of 4.

Orange & Black - Tigers Attack

We have loved our new Friday night pastime. Jerry joined the Wasco High Tigers football team. That means local Friday night games at the high school stadium that we can walk to. The children love it so much. They look for friends, yell for Jerry, dance to the band music, and Luke flirts with Tilly the Tiger! We feel like the tv show "Friday Night Lights". Okay, maybe not quiet that glorious or dramatic, but we are will take it. Go Tigers!

Jerry is number 82! Go Jerry!!!

Tilly the mascot!

Luke flirting Tilly! :)

Uh, Tilly flirting back!! Back off Tilly, that is my boy!

Ok, I let him meet her. She scared him! That's my boy, run to Mama! :)

Red vs Blue

Aaron, my baseball-crazed man, got a fabulous opportunity that he wasn't about to pass up. For him that would be a win-win situation when it comes to “the game”. For this native Buckeye, it would be the Reds (Ohio) vs. the Dodgers (California)! The opportunity arose for great seats to watch the Reds vs. the Dodgers, in LA. He snatched them, we jumped into the car, (Note: I was a very good passenger ~ see Wild Rides), and we enjoyed a fabulous, action filled, spirited game this evening. There is NEVER a dull game with my man around.
Check out our view! Wow!!

Swimming Finals

It has been a great season of swimming. Tired children at the end of the days from swim practice. Makes for easier bedtimes! ;-) Long Saturday swim meets with friends, food, & lots of cheering! Here are some pics of the girl's swim finals.

Orange & Black - Tiger Sharks..Attack!

Taft has a great swimming facility.

Anyone recognize this handsome devil!!!

My Man & His Game

Aaron loves baseball & softball. In his own words, he has loved "the game" forever. I refuse to share our story of his autographed drawing of Johnny Bench. We are NOT going there. This post is about my man & his love for the game. This year he is in not one league, but two and happy as can be. The only thing that makes him happier is his bride making it to his games. Last weekend was far too crazy for me to make his games (see Mission Possible post). Things lined up for me to make a game of his today, which made his day. I was the proud wife snapping shots of my man at his game.

My man coaching first base.

An outstanding double to right field.


This is how I got to watch the game...just kidding.
We all had a blast.

Kung Fu Hopie

Hopie has wanted to be in karate for a couple of years now. We wanted her established in school before she took on anything extra. We finally decided she could do it. The discipline of the art would be good for her temperament. Don't tell Hopie that! So here is our little Tae Kwon Do student.

Hopie is learning the basics before joining the class.

She is loving it.

Tae Kwon Do will be very good for her.
Papa has been practicing at home with her and she is excited to show her master how much she is working on things. She just doesn't yell at class, which has us totally baffled. We as her parents KNOW she can yell, but won't at class. We know that she will as soon as she gets comfortable, so watch out master!

Dodger Date

Papa took Abbie to her first Dodger game, for their date. She had a blast with her Papa. Our fashionable daughter made sure she had the correct attire. She had her outfit put together a couple of days ahead of time. I wish school was this exciting! She came home singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" for several days. It was really cute. She told me that she could go to a Dodger game EVERY night! I cracked up a couple of days later when I heard her ask her Papa, "By the way, who won the game?" Apparently the Dodger didn't win or she wouldn't have had to ask that question.

They had a fun time together!

A little girl & her Papa!!!

Abigail beats the heat & her time!!!!

Tonight was our last swim meet for our first swim season and it was a hot one. This was Abigail's second swim meet and she did amazing.

She took 4.5 seconds off her 50 meter backstroke and

9.7 seconds off her 50 meter freestyle!

Go Abigail!

Today's Swim Meet

I am so happy that the girls are enjoying swimming this summer. I wondered if things would get old for them after awhile but Kayanna is dressed first thing when I say it is time to go to swim. They are lovin' it. Today both the girls got to participate in the swim meet. Abbie was sick for the first swim meet but Kayanna got to swim in that one. So today was Abbie's first swim meet.

Our first event us Kayanna in the 25 meter freestyle.

She cut almost 8 seconds off her time ~ 36.72!!!! You go Hope!!!

Our second event was Abigail's 50 freestyle. We almost missed her! We had been looking for her then we turned around and she was up on the block. Hence ~ no good movie footage. She did great with a time of 50.98. She was telling us of her butterflies even after her event. She has gone into this very apprehensive because of the crowds but she did great.

Our third event was Kayanna swimming a 25 meter backstroke. Again, she cut almost 6 seconds off her time ~ 38.07. She did fabulous.

Our last event was Abigail swimming a 50 meter backstroke. She does this stroke beautifully & gracefully. She came in with a time of 1.01.97. We are so proud of her.

"Swimmers set your feet!"

It was a fun, hot day watching our fish swim. They are amazing!

Our First Swim Meet

Yes, the Abshire Clan has entered into the world of organized sports. Today was our first swim meet for the girls. Abbie didn't get to swim because she has been sick all week and still didn't feel good today. She was able to go with us to watch Hopie swim. The meet was in our home town so Papa was down there at 6:30 setting things up. The place was packed by 8:30. It was fun to see friends & their children from other towns come and swim. Hopie swam in two events, the 25 yard backstroke & the 25 yard freestyle.
Here is Hopie after warm up.

Hopie doing her backstroke.

Hopie preparing for freestyle.

Hope's freestyle....

Papa has his girl after the race.

Our Tiger Shark did so good for her first time in a swim meet. It was fun to be together and hanging out. This is what our Saturdays will look like for a while this summer. We look forward to watching the girls race, hanging out with friends, and having fun in this new season of our lives.

We took the plunge!

It has happened ~ we have entered into the world of organized sports, here at the Abshire homestead. We got close a couple of times but never signed up. That was....until yesterday! We have officially taken the plunge into our local swim team. To our surprise, both girls decided to swim. Hopie was the one very excited to swim for the team. Abbie saw her swimming laps and decided she could do that. Today was their first practice and they both did fabulous.

The girls after several laps!

Abbie swimming

Abbie peeking over the side at her "Mamarazzi"

Hopie doing a great job.

Luke & Mama snuck over to the park for some swing time!