Merry Christmas ...my Grandma's Style

This was the first year to have Christmas without my Grandpa H. As last year was the first without my other grandpa I thought somehow I would be a bit better....it wasn't any easier and shed no new tactics on how to make it easier. Nonetheless, my Grandma was very strong as always and with a powerful prayer by my Mom Christmas was an absolute joy...yes Grandpa was missed, there were tears, but their was also a house full of love, memories, happiness and laughter..we spent the day eating, playing games, and chasing one kid after another. We are blessed to have such a wonderful family...Grandma I hope your next three Christmases this year are as joyful as the first. Our family photo below...my grandma, my mom, dad, sisters, brother in laws, nieces, nephew, Ciff and the kids....Merry Christmas!!

A Baseball Kid and His Dreams

Haden tells us regularly he is going to play baseball when he gets older.  He says for the high school and at college.  (He periodically references that to Alabama - Cheyann insists she will then go to school with him so she can cheer him on) 

In any event, we started kid pitch a couple of months ago.  Wow! Alot to learn - there is stealing bases, picking off kids, getting hit with the pitch, pitching, and when you are catching stopping every wild pitch that comes within a 10 foot radius!  Haden loves it and looks forward to practice everyday!  He started pitching and continues to catch.  He surprised us with his pitching! The first game he pitched a no-hitter, pitched only 9 pitches the first inning and allowed only 1 walk with 4 strikeouts during the first two innings!  The other outs were pop outs!  Not too bad. 

I can tell you the games are much longer - not alot of action but the kids feel like they are big stuff!  Here are few shots of him pitching in his first game!

 

Cheyann and Junior High

It has seems like a lifetime since I updated this blog.  The last few months have flown by and free time is hard to come by.  I could probably right for days to detail this few months so for now I am going to get started with Junior High and try to be better about posting on a more regular basis!


The McBroom family has journeyed through alot here lately.  Cheyann is now in Junior High!  Busy in cross country, on student council, attending volleyball and football games, and active in CYM at church (Vice President).  

Running for Student Council brought on Cheyann's first campaign.  We had to make posters, flyers, handouts any type of approved campaigning material to try to win her vote.  There were 10 kids running for 5 positions.  We spent an entire weekend making posters, broom pencils, labels and flyers.  Thanks to Cliff for his super idea on the poster with "bloom", Aunt Cheeto for the handouts....it was lots of fun.  I don't know who was more nervous and anxious on voting day her or I.  At the end of the day she called me excitement ringing she had been elected.  She was so super happy! 

Vote Cheyann she will help "sweep" away your problems!

This was totally Cliff!

Family time...

It had been a year since we had seen Cliff's sister, kids and his mom.  Haden had been dieing for them to come see some baseball. Cheyann had been dieing for Alyssa to get here (they are the same age, full of drama, lots of laughs and well two peas in a pod!)  We were very thankful that they loaded up and made the very looonnngg drive down here to spend some time with us. 

We spent lots of time at the baseball park - glad they caught several games, we sat in the rain, sat in the heat and did lots of cheering.  It was very hot and no one ever complained.  I think the girls kept the sno cone place in business.  And I was thankful Ashley was here as she took lots of pictures with my camera of the games (more on those later).

We managed to find some time to go shopping, watch a movie and do some swimming.  I would say they found some time to stay up late and catch up with stories and laughs...I am an early bird and was always the first to bed! 

Thank you for coming down! 

What do you get.....

When you put about 10 excited and energetic boys together in a pool with smiles from ear to ear.....the Chaos crew!  The coaches decided to throw the boys and their families a swimming party to celebrate their victory at the State Tournament.  We shared in laughs and stories and relived the victorious games from the weekend before.  The boys had a great time and Coach Larry even got wet!  We are all very proud of the boys!!



The trophies Chaos has won....




Ty getting ready to jump off Coach Larry.



Haden trying to find the next chapter of trouble to get into



Zach Seigrest taking a swim...



Grandma and her love for the Mavericks

For the last several years, my Grandma and Grandpa Link have cheered on every single Dallas Mavericks game that was on t.v.  I don't  care if the game didn't start till 9:00 p.m. my grandparents stayed up till the wee morning hours to cheer them on.  As you should know, the Mavs finally made it all the way through the playoffs this season.  My grandmother didn't miss a game -- I know my Grandpa was smiling from above and as my grandma would tell you - she talked to him constantly through each game, griping about a blown call by the refs or an unbelievable play from Dirk.  I called my Grandma the day after and she was still wearing her Mav shirt!  She got herself a Dallas Mav Championship shirt and looks so good on her!

Cheyann and her trip to Grandma and PawPaw's

Ever since Cheyann was old enough to go and I would say before she was 2 she has always been eager to pack her bags and go spend some one on one time with Grandma and PawPaw.  She goes for about a week at a time and that's only because Mom and Dad or us have other things to do. She would probably stay their all summer if we would let her.  This summer was no different. 


Each trip they make time for special fun memory making events; from the circus, the zoo, swimming, go karting and this year sewing. Cheyann has taken a liking for sewing a gift she inherited from my Mom (as I have absolutely no patience for it.) She decided this trip she wanted to make 4 sundresses for her, Emma Claire, Kamryn and Ashlyn.  I must say mom must have a lot of patience to - not only to sew but to teach Cheyann and help her along the way. I am quit sure there was a lot of lip bitting, head scratching and thread pulling going on. However, despite all that and three trips to Wal-Mart all in one day they were successful and the dresses turned out super cute.

Cheyann and Kam Kam modeling the dresses (I am wondering if this is before the secret trip to Dallas!)

After all the sewing...they managed to get in some time for go karting!  I wish I could have seen that.  Mom has been known to run into a few things here lately..and well then theres Cheyann! 

Driving without a license

Put your mules up~

 After all the late nights, long talks, and lots of laughter Cheyann is gearing up for her next road trip -- on to Georgetown.  Thanks Mom and Dad for a week full of fun and memories for her! 





Love this picture and these two! Cheyann and Mom!









State Champions

And so it began, Friday evening the Chaos Family headed to Conroe for the weekend with hopes and dreams of the USSSA 8U Texas South State Championship.  After some swimming, eating and birthday celebration for Klay, the boys got to bed early for what was to start the long and hot weekend.

Haden in action!

Saturday morning started off against the Defenders, an undefeated team and yes had beaten us before.  After we took the lead – the Defenders came back and one it with time being called 9-7.  1:30 p.m. began our second game.  If they could just get the bats going …and that they did – the boys put it on them scoring 7 runs the first inning and getting no outs!  Chaos ended that game early 18-3~~and so with one loss and one win we knew that the boys would have a long day on Sunday. 

Ty up to bat~

Of course the Moms took advantage of the Woodlands area and hit the roads shopping.   I wish we could have all crammed in one car but we couldn’t!  Some of them shopped for hours – me – well Carrie and I hit two stores before calling it quits, we kept remembering Happy Hour at the hotel started at 5:30 and we didn’t want to miss it!  Our friends, Carrie and Monty introduced us to restaurant called Genghis Grill.  It is delicious!  Haden devoured his entire bowl ~ he said he was full but the food was so good he couldn’t quit eating! Lots of laughs at dinner time with the Vincents and Croaks!  Oh my lots of laughs ~ from Cool to Wow to Mom ~~ It was early to bed as the boys started off with their first game at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday’s games are single elimination games.  If you don’t win you go home early!  No one wanted to have that experience – they all knew the State Championship was at stake and a ring was in sight!  The boys played at 9:00 a.m., with a win they played again at 1:30 and that is just what we did!  After our first game we all had enough time to go eat a bit and yes, we headed back to Genghis Grill!  Our 1:30 game ended in a victory and put us in the state championship game against none other but the Defenders at 4:30.  Remember they were undefeated and had beat us the day before.  Plus the boys had played two games already on Sunday – Defenders only had played one.  And so at 4:30 it started the game of all games!





                                     

                      

After a few innings it wasn’t long with our bats  and defense the boys were up 8-2.  However, in a blink of an eye the Defenders were back in the game and had tied it up 8-8, they were not ready to give up the undefeated record – not yet!  The bottom of the 5^th Chaos was down 11-10.  I am not sure what Coach Larry told the boys at that point in time, but I knew they had to at least score one run to keep us in the game after all it was the last inning.  Not only did our boys put up one run the boys gave it all they had and put their bats to them.  They scored 5 runs and left the remaining three outs to the Defenders with a score of 15-11.  The Defenders didn’t give up but couldn’t quit pull it through. Our boys had fought hard all day long..they were ready to put it to bed after a few hits they decided it was time for lights out! That is what they did.  They shut them down and won the game 15-13. 

Parents cheered, Coaches hollered, and the boys cheered and smiled the biggest smiles I had seen in a long time.  It was an amazing and special event to be a part of.  We all witnessed 11 boys give it all they had and play their hearts out and earn their victory.  I should say it was a special Father’s day for each Dad too!  This was a memory of a lifetime.  The boys finally got their first place trophy, ended the Defenders undefeated record and got their Championship rings!! 

The Chaos Boys....doing their version of Word Up!

And summer begins

The kids have long awaited Cliff to put up the tent....so it happened yesterday.  The weather is nice and breezy and well the house is nice and quiet!  They played in the tent all day yesterday and decided to try to brave the night. I think they finally came in around midnight (only because I would sleep better with them in the house). Really I was only deterring a 2:00 a.m. wake up call with "Mom we have came inside!"  They woke up at 9:00 this morning and are back at it again....eating breakfast outside. 

Friends

Cheyann and Emma! What else can I say these two girls have become such good friends.  For the Cubs Championship game they decided to wear their brothers old uniforms to cheer them on!  They even made up their own silly dance to go along with it!  They crack me up! 

2011 Directors Tournament

It has been well settled that the Cubs tend to carry on the tradition of winning the Director's Tournament.  This Saturday we headed over to Groves with the same determination as the years past.  However, also heading that same direction were the Dbacks and the Rangers both beating the Cubs in league play.  Both ready to break the winning tradition for the Cubs, both ready to go home with the Championship.  So it started, countless innings, lots of sweat, tears, hits, catches and LATE nights!  The Cubs continued to win as did the Dbacks and the Rangers.  On Tuesday the Cubs faced off head to head with the Rangers (mind you they had beat the Cubs twice and were ready to defeat them again).  The Cubs needed the win to put themselves in the Championship Game on Wednesday. 

Six innings and 18 runs later the Cubs had finally defeated the Rangers.  It was a good game and one that put the boys in the Championship with momentum in their direction. Wednesday back to Groves, again another late night! I don't know how the boys did it...Cliff and I were so exhausted (Get home, take baths, do laundry and in bed hopefully by 11:30 p.m. to do it all over again the next day!) 

Championship Game Wednesday night was among us. The Dbacks were the challenge.  They were eager and ready to win but so were the Cubs.  Mind you the Dbacks I don't think have been held to 10 runs an entire game let alot less than 5.  But somehow the Cubs brought everything they had.  They played an error free game, made double plays and hit the ball with power!  After 6 innings the Cubs had defeated the Dbacks 7-2.  It was a very well played defensive game.   The Cubs were very proud of themselves and had done probably wany many thought couldn't be done.  Standing on the other team, the Dbacks, were many boys that had fought hard and played just as good. These boys are our part of our baseball family too as many of them play on Chaos together. 

Many of you wonder how we do what we do with baseball and have the time.  It is the memories we have made, friends that are like families and the bonds these boys have made that make it all worth while.

Haden after the game red cheeks are from catching all game

The Cubs cheering on the Dbacks after the game

Haden receiving his Director's Tournament Championship hat

The Cubs and the Dbacks 2011 Director's Tournament

Field Day

Once a year the elementary puts together a little Field Day for Pre-K through 4th.   Each year the kids pertake in tug of war, relay races, sack races, dashes, and softball throw.  I love the sack race as it seems year after year, Haden tends to end on the ground before the finish line (always wearing a smile though!)  The softball throw seems to be his cup of tea - wonder where he gets that from.  As for the 50 and 100 yard dashes....well believe it or not he blew it out of the park this time and got first.  He actually ended up with three first place ribbons!  (Softball throw, 50 and 100 yard dash)....



Haden and a good friend, Trent



My favorite event!



See the end result on the ground, before the line, but wearing a smile!



Band Concert

Don't know why she looks frustrated

Cheyann and her friend, Megan, in charge of roll call!

Cheyann wrapped up her 6th grade band performance this past week with their Spring Concert. They played lots of really cool songs. Two of my favorites were Millenium bugs and Shark Attack (Felt like I was listening to Jaws!) They did really good and have came along way in their first year of band.

First Holy Communion

Yesterday was a bittersweet, joyful and awesome day as both of our kids, Cheyann and Haden, took their First Communion.  I missed my Mom and Dad during the service and was saddened that they were not there; however, a few bumps and bruises sidelined Mom. (Thankful she is okay!) Grandma Haught was able to come spend the weekend with us (I think we wore her out!)  It was super special having their with us and we celebrated in this event.  Having her there had me thinking of all the times Grandpa would serve Communion when we were little kids!



My Grandmother and the kids



Haden was so super proud and I think he grinned from ear to ear the entire time.  He also went through First Communion with a good friend and baseball buddy of his, Ty and a dear friend of ours, Abbey.  You can totally tell that neither one of them want to get close to the other.  We will save that shot for their Senior year. 

   

 Cheyann looked like such a young little lady (makes me sad and proud / happy all at the same time) She was the oldest receiving First Communion and gave me strict orders she was not going to wear a veil.  Mom made the flower piece for her and it turned out really cute!  She did a wear a dress. Although I wouldn't bank on her wearing it again.

     I am so very proud of our kids!  Cliff and I are truly very blessed.....

 

May the Lord give His angels
charge over you,
to guide you in all your ways
Psalm 91:11

Washers, Hammocks, Eggs and Four Wheelerin'

It has been awhile since we had been back to East Texas and the four wheeler was calling Cliff's name, the peacefulness, breezes and the hammock were calling mine, and the chickens and good ole' family time were calling the kids!  Getting up the farm for the weekend is always good for the soul.  There is not alot to do in fact nothing really - no hustling bustling, no traffic, just good ole county times. 

We took the four wheeler for rides through a trail or two that my brother in law, dad, uncle and cousin have been working so diligently on.  It is looking really good and it was lots of fun.   We broke out the washers and played game after game.  I won't tell everyone so I will put this on my blog and share it on facebook (that I beat Cliff 8-0 once and then he challenged me again and yes I beat him then too).  Below is a picture of Cliff challenging my Dad...

 
I caught a long over due much needed nap in the hammock!

Cheyann enjoyed lots of special one on one time with her GiGi (aka my Grandma) I am not sure who enjoys it more her or my Grandmother.  I even stayed Friday night with her and we talked and talked.  Before I knew it it was 12:30 a.m. way past my bed time for those who know me! 

Dieing eggs was a fun treat and brought back lots of good memories! Mom took the kids on a mule ride to find flowers....as a little girl, our mom, took us to do the same thing, we made beautiful nests of flowers that we put our basket on for the Easter bunny to find.

Yes, on Sunday morning we got up when the sun came up and the Easter bunny had came by, we did the hunt, the kids checked out their baskets and we made it to 8:00 mass -- for those of you who don't know the Link Family is real good at cramming many events into a little bit of time. Mom prepared a wonderful Easter lunch, pigged out and hit the road back home to reality! 

And the family: