Remembering

I thought Anna Kate and Emma looked so cute this morning that I just had to take a picture before we headed to church. It's kind of neat because the dress Emma has on was the dress Anna Kate wore in their Aunt Samantha and Uncle Brandon's wedding. Scroll down for a picture from that special day. Of course, the beautiful bride is Samantha. Our niece Abby (just turned 4) is on the left. Anna Kate (just about to turn 6) is on the right, and Emma (14 months) is in the middle. They, along with Brandon and Samantha's other niece Annah Brooke (daughter of my blogging buddy Melanie), were flower girls. They were all so cute in their matching yellow dresses. Sweet memories!

Swimming

Although we really enjoyed all the softball this summer, it was nice to finally have a weekend at home. What better activity to do on a free Saturday in the summer? Swimming! Both of our girls are little fish. They definitely LOVE the water.

World Champs

I cannot begin to put into words how proud we are of this team and specifically of Anna Kate for going undefeated this season (17-0) to win four championships: State Games of Mississippi Gold Medalists, ASA State Champions, USSSA State Champions, and USSSA World Champions. In addition to that, Anna Kate's park team went undefeated (15-0) to win the league championship for a total record of 32-0!
Anna Kate's last time at bat in which she helped her team pad the lead at 20-8.

Our team was visitor. In the bottom of the fourth, we allowed them only one run to make it 20-9. Instead of our team then going to bat in the top of the fifth, the umpires applied the flip-flop rule in which the other team was now the visitor and got first bat in the fifth and would have to get at least two runs to keep us from winning in the fifth with the 10-run rule. We shut them down with three straight outs to claim the victory.

Then the squealing and cheering began. Here's the team waiting on the trophy presentation.

Posing with teammates.

Anna Kate getting her medal.

The team receiving the trophy.

Columbus Crush -- the 2009 10 and Under USSSA World Champs.

Showing we are number one.

Our family with the trophy. I couldn't believe how big it was.

Anna Kate was excited to receive another medal. This was her fifth medal this summer. I plan to take her picture with all the medals soon.

So proud of you Anna Kate!!!

First Round

The World Series began today with what they call "pool play." The games today were to set the double elimination bracket for Saturday. Our girls did extremely well. They won both games -- 13-0 and 30-3. Those two wins gave us the top seed for tomorrow's bracket. The girls can win four straight games tomorrow and be world series champions. Here are some pictures of Anna Kate batting. She got several great hits today, and she did great playing center field.

Opening Ceremony

Anna Kate's all star team is playing in the World Series this weekend in Tupelo. The opening ceremony was tonight in the Mall at Barnes Crossing.
She is so excited to to be at the World Series. I remember playing in the World Series when I was just a little older than her. We played in Fort Worth, Texas. It was so much fun -- such great memories that I still carry with me today. We finished 7th out of a ton of teams.

Before the ceremony started she and Emma rode on the carousel and played in the play area they have in the mall.

Each member of Anna Kate's team got a towel with their team and name on it.

Here's the team during the ceremony.

Another Championship

Last weekend we were in Philadelphia for the USSSA State Championship, which we won with four straight games. We repeated that this weekend with four straight wins for the ASA State Championship. It is amazing how well these girls play together.
Here's Anna Kate playing center field. There were no fly balls hit to her this weekend, but she got tons of ground balls and even threw a couple of them in to second real quick for outs. We were so proud of her. She hit great too.

Tim putting the medal on Anna Kate's neck.

The entire team with the trophy and their medals.

Showing they are #1.

They were so proud of that trophy. They worked really hard for it. Their first two games on Saturday were tough, but they pulled through for the wins. They are still undefeated with a record of 11-0.

Here's Tim and Anna Kate with the trophy. We have one more shot at a trophy next weekend when they compete in the USSSA World Tournament.

Look at Me!

A co-worker decided to sell her bike at her upcoming garage sell, and I asked her to bring it to work because I wanted to buy it. Tim and the girls all have bikes, so I decided I needed one too. I brought it home tonight and gave it a go. I couldn't believe I could still ride. I was a teenager the last time I rode a bike. I guess riding a bike is one of those things you never forget how to do.

Happy Fourth

I hope everybody has had a great Fourth of July weekend. Ours was spent at the ball park with Anna Kate's all star team, but we managed to take these couple of pictures.

They Did It Again!

Anna Kate's all star team won four straight games yesterday to claim the 10 and under USSSA State Championship. They all played great, and it was a lot of fun to watch. It was a hot day, but well worth it.
Anna Kate getting a base hit.

Anna Kate on third base ready to run home.

She played center field the entire tournament and did a great job.

The team doing a cheer before the championship game.

Anna Kate receiving her medal from Coach Tim.

The team with the trophy and medals. Way to go Columbus Crush!

Anna Kate and Tim, who helps coach, with their medals. The members of the winning team also received bat bags.