Sprinkler System

So after 12 years, we are finally getting grass in our backyard! I don't like admitting that it's been that long but it seems like with all projects, when you have the time you don't have the money and when you have the money you don't have the time. Well whether or not we had the time or money, we decided it absolutely couldn't wait one more year! We have had the trees and a patio for several years. We are fortunate enough to have a really large yard (we live on almost 1/3 acre) now we can start enjoying it.
Brogan likes to dig, so he helped with the trenches.

Connor helped Ty with a lot of the pipe - glueing, fitting corner pieces and laying it.

Ty spreading the humus.

Ty's friend Antonio tilling the humus into the dirt. Antonio helped out so much and probably did most of the prep work for us to be able to do this this year. We traded his labor for one of our trucks. What a great deal! He is such a hard worker and a really good guy.

Sand Harbor

Over 2 months into summer vacation and we finally made it up to Lake Tahoe. Usually we get up there sooner than that. Just Grammie came with us this time. We didn't get to Sand Harbor until early afternoon, so we didn't have a lot of time to spend there that day because I had to go home to get ready to go play Bunko.
It is so nice up there. The water is so pretty and clear but soooo cold (as you can tell from one of the pictures of Brogan). It's not so bad though and actually feels kind of good once you get your whole body in and over the initial shock of how cold it is.
Grammie buried Aidan in the sand - one of his favorite things to do at the beach. Finn had fun playing in the pool of water they made with the sand and the log. They like playing with the log out in the water or sitting on it at the edge of the water. Connor found all kinds of rocks to take home (not sure what his plan for them is - he always has to be finding something from somewhere to bring home). Aidan brought his flippers and goggles and had fun with those. Brogan didn't venture too far out in the water but Finn went out really far with me on the fun noodles while Grammie stayed with the boys on the beach. That was a fun little girl time for me and her.
We had a really great time!

Crampa and Finnie Fall Asleep

One night while hanging out at Grammie and Crampa's house, Finnie and Crampa fell asleep together. Then Crampa woke up from me taking a picture.

Air Center Criterium

Ty telling about the races:

This was the last race, the criterium (photos below), of a 3 day stage race, kind of like the Tour de France but 90% easier. The first race of the stage was an 8 mile time trial, which is a race against the clock as well as your competitors. Aidan's time was 24 min. The 2nd stage was a grueling 24 mile race from Boca Dam to Stampede Lake. It was a long hilly race that took about an hour and a half. The 3rd day I didn't want to go because I was so tired from the other races, but Aidan called asking if we were going to go. He really wanted to do it, so we went. The 3rd stage is a criterium which is a race much like a circle track. We ride as many laps (1 mile) as possible for 30 min. You ride in a pack drafting, handling and strategy is the key to this game as I found out being my first criterium. I think it is the funnest bike race because it's like running and it maxes out your cardio and heart rate. This was a tough stage race overall for Aidan as well as me. I am really proud that quitting was never an option and he never whined or complained.

Aidan telling about the races:

I had lots of fun in the time trial because I kept up with a lot of the guys. And I was the only kid there. I was the only kid at all 3 races. After Dad finished his time trial race, he turned around and came back to find me and I was a lot closer to the finish this year than I was where he found me last year. The 2nd stage, the hills were something I've never done before. Going downhill was my favorite part! I got to 41 mph! I was having a hard time picking up speed because I didn't change my gears at the right time. But I still had a blast doing this race. In the beginning of the crit (3rd stage) I kept up with the pack, but by the 3rd lap I was falling behind. I eventually got lapped a bunch of times. It was pretty hard doing a flat land race like that, especially going against the wind. It was fun doing my first crit race. At the end I won a free pizza.

Playgroup Day At Wild Island

Every summer we have a playgroup day at Wild Island. Instead of paying $23/person, we only have to pay $9/person with the special group rate. I don't know if we would ever go if we didn't get that rate. It is so expensive. Plus you're not allowed to bring in your own food or drinks, so you have to buy their overpriced food that's not that good or bring a cooler and eat lunch in your car. But since we are getting a really good admittance price, we go ahead and buy their food because really it's much easier than trekking the kids out to the car. Word spreads quickly about the day planned at the water park and before you know it, you've got 60-130 people coming. And when you are the contact/planner (like I was), you get a free admission for every 20 paid. It can get a little hectic with all those people giving you their money ahead of time so you can go buy the tickets then hand them out, but soooo worth it to get a few free tickets.

Aidan likes going on ALL slides. Connor only likes some of them and this year I tried to talk the twins into going on the bigger slides that they were tall enough for instead of always having to stay in the kiddie area. Finn said she wanted to go, but Brogan didn't. Connor went with her (see picture below with the ones in the green swim suits) and I was sure that as soon as she got to the top and looked down she would be heading right back down the stairs. She has always been the more cautious one and Brogan being the more brave one who will do just about anything, so I was a little surprised that she would go and he wouldn't. Well, she didn't come down those stairs.....she came down the slide.....and loved it! She said how much fun it was and that was it...Brogan had to go now! So he went with Aidan (see picture below with the orange swim suit) and he loved it! They kept going on the slides and I even got to go take turns with them. Even though it is sometimes sad to watch your kids grow up so fast, it is also nice to be able to really enjoy some fun things with them.

Finn and Connor

Brogan and Aidan

Then Brogan decided he wanted to go on this one! But Finn didn't!

Aidan went first.....

.....then Brogan. He said it was fun, but wouldn't go on it anymore - hahaha - I think because it was enclosed and he thought it was a little dark.

So that was part of our 1 fun day at the water park this year!

A Day At Rattlesnake Mountain Skate Park

As if hours at the skate park weren't enough the day of his party, I had to take Aidan and Austin to Rattlesnake Mountain Skate Park aka Mira Loma Skate Park 3 days later. This is the one close to Grammie and Crampa's house. Brogan always asks if we can go to this one. Too bad I didn't get any videos of him. Here is Aidan doing a couple of his skateboarding tricks. He thinks it's so cool to have me video him doing it so he can watch himself over and over later!!!

Aidan's Birthday Party

Aidan had a party with his friends the Saturday after his birthday. He invited a few friends to go to the local skate park first, then to our house when more kids came over to swim and hang out. We should have planned more time at the skate park, because that is what the kids really seemed to want to do. After they went swimming, they wanted to go back but I didn't have enough room in the van to take all of them. They didn't swim very long either since it was windy and not an especially hot day for August. It was pretty crazy with 7 extra kids running around the house. Ty had to work, so I was the only adult for awhile. Luckily when one of the boys showed up, his dad Tom (who happens to be Aidan and Connor's baseball coach) stayed to help me with BBQ'ing the hot dogs and hamburgers. Then Ty came home and setup the pinata and pulled it up and down so it would be harder for them to hit. This is the first time we have done a pinata. Aren't they great! Kids always love a pinata! Unfortunately, not everyone got a turn to hit it. Next time, we'll only give them 2 whacks instead of 3. They sure do love going after that candy! After all the kids except Aidan's best friend Austin went home, I took them to another skate park not far from our house that they hadn't been to before. Then back to the one closer to us to take some videos and then not home until after 8. What a long day! I was pooped. It's all worth it to make your kids happy and give them good memories though.

Aidan's 11th Birthday

Aidan turned 11 on July 30. We had the spaghetti that he chose for his birthday dinner, then Grandma, Aunt Rayne, Uncle Dave, Hanna, Grammie, Crampa, Whitney, Ross, Darin and Toby all came over to share cake and ice cream.

He got some great gifts from everyone. He loved all of it! The shirt we got him was the "sickest" (that's a good thing) shirt he's ever had. He got the guitar and Nerf longshot he'd been wanting for a long time. And what's your birthday without getting to light your own candles!

The Day We Met Toby James Tiner

The day Toby was born, I went to the hospital to sit and wait with Mom, Pop and Whit. I got to visit with Ross and Darin for a few minutes while she was in labor. We waited for a few hours in the cafeteria downstairs and finally got a call saying that he had been born just before midnight (around 11:45 I think). Mom was the first one to rush up to see him. She was just proud as pudding to get to be the first one! A little bit later, Whit, Pop and me got to go see Toby for just a few minutes as it was very late and Ross was very tired.
The next evening, I took the kids to the hospital to see their brand new cousin. They were so excited to see him! Finn and Brogan have never got to hold a brand new baby like that before and Aidan and Connor haven't for a long time. They just loved holding him. Of course I was so excited too! I love being an aunt! Especially since I haven't had a baby of my own in a long time. There is just nothing like a newborn and an infant. Sigh.
I can't believe my sister is a mom now!

Flag Ceremony

The twins got to participate in the flag ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem for Connor's All-Star tournament.

Connor the All-Star 2007

Connor made the 9 year old All-Star team for the first time this year and without even trying out for the team! There were only seven 9 year olds that tried out and they needed several more, so the player agent and the coaches agreed they wanted Connor on the team. I said, "Are you sure?" Not because I think he is an awful player, but because he is just not as strong of a player as his big brother (although I think he can hit the ball better sometimes). Another funny thing about this is that originally he didn't even want to play baseball at all this year.
Our league hosted the tournament this year, so it was nice to have to only drive about 2 miles to get there after having to drive to Fallon for Aidan's tournament.
Connor played in left field and then at 3rd base. He did fairly well at 3rd for not having played the infield during regular season except to pitch for about 2 innings once. He made several hits during the tournament, 5 games in all. Let me just say that they lost every game and same as for Aidan I will not say by how much! The last game they played much better and held the other team from scoring so much. I was really proud of them. Needless to say they came in 5th place, but Connor never complained and always thought their team were winners! He had fun and I think it was a good experience for him.

Aidan the All-Star 2007

Aidan made the All-Star team again this year. This time he was on the 10u team. The tournament was played out in Fallon this year, so as much as I was excited about watching him play we were dreading the drive out there. For anyone not familiar with this area, it is an hour drive from Reno. It was also around 105 degress out there. But as far as driving goes, I guess we lucked out because we only had to drive out there twice.
Aidan was catcher the whole time and had the first hit of their first game and got a hit in the second game.
It was a double elimination tournament and they lost their first 2 games. I will not say by how much! However, I think I took it harder than Aidan did. I LOVE baseball and would have liked to see him go further in the tournament. Not to mention how much I would love it if he had a career in baseball! Just a mom's wishful thinking!