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!