Take me out to the ballgame,

Take me out to the crowds,
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks
I don't care if I ever get back...

Are you humming along?

We have officially begun Little League at the Wood house. Mark played baseball through college and Ryan was throwing a baseball before he could walk so I knew this day would come. I just honestly can't believe he's big enough...ahem, I'm OLD enough...to have a Little Leaguer!

Ryan is lovin' him some baseball right now. He is playing coach pitch this year and having a blast at the practices. He had his first scrimmage last week and I was so proud of him for many, many reasons. Not just because he marched right out there and got a hit each time (he smoked one to center field:-)). Not because he was excellent on defense and made a couple of really great throws; but, because his shyness didn't come into play AT ALL!! When I think about the past 6 and 1/2 years with my little man it makes me want to tear up. Every new thing he tries each year is always a little bit of a challenge until he starts to feel comfortable. But with baseball, he didn't know anyone on his team, he's never played coach pitch before, worn cleats or a helmet and he did it! There were no tears or hesitation or embarrassment from him at all. This is a really great day! I think he is coming out of his shell a little bit and I am very proud of him. In fact, he has been getting warnings at school for talking-that's right TALKING TOO MUCH!! Those of you that know Ryan know how quiet he is in front of adults so this is a whole new world for Mark and I.

I can't help but think he looks like a little mini-Mark out there.

Cheering on big brother

Ryan I hope you have a fantastic season this year. You make your momma proud!

'cause we'll root, root, root for the home team...If they don't win it's a shame. For it's ONE, TWO, THREE strikes you're out at the Old...Ball...game!!

Summer here we come!

On Saturday, Mark and I were working in the front yard pulling a million weeds when all of the sudden we were greeted by these guys in their swimsuits. I guess if it's 80 degrees out it's swimsuit weather at our house:-).

Ms. Priss and her cute polka dots. I'm like a moth to a flame when polka dots are in the vicinity. Especially polka dots on all the cute little girlie stuff.

Yes, I did buy Ryan a pirate swimsuit. He has been wanting something with a skull and crossbones on it for almost a year and I thought I'd surprise him with this. I really don't know where his fascination with all things Star Wars and good vs. evil comes from, but I figure as long as he has Jesus in his little heart he can wear pirate garb in moderation. (Do you see how I'm still talking myself into this purchase:-)!!!) I really wish I had a picture of his face when he saw his new suit. He was So excited.

We had such a fun little day playing outside. Bring it on Summer!

Fishing with GP

Well guys, I am finally well! This was a sick 10 days and I have never been more thankful for my health. I appreciate your concern and prayers and I am looking forward to staying well for a long, long while. Now onto fishing news...

Thank the Lord for GP! Ryan has been begging to go fishing at the lake for months now. I know my son well and it's probably because there was a new Star Wars fishing pole at Academy that he's had his eye on. Thankfully, My dad took Ryan and Ally on a quick fishing trip last week to Twin Rivers. I know that all you Waco peeps are laughing at that, but they have a stocked pond out there and we got permission to fish away as long as you throw them back. They were really, really excited!

Mark bought both of them new fishing poles. I know they will get used a lot at the lake! GP, I hope you know what you're in for...

After a stop at the bait store they were ready! (Notice the Star Wars fishing pole:-))

This big girl loves spending time with the boys.

After about 30 seconds, Ryan caught his very first fish!!! Way to go buddy.

Ally loves her princess pole and is already asking to go fishing again with GP and Ryan.

There was another very special visitor at the pond. "My cousin Lila!"

These two were more interested in feeding the ducks,

or having a little snack,

or chillin' in this new chair. Like mother , like daughter:-).

Thank you Kacey for taking these pictures and Thank you GP for taking the kids fishing. I have a feeling it will be happening a lot this summer at the lake, or maybe cousins camp 2010!

Spring Break in Pictures

I love Spring Break, I always have. As a kid, a college student, teacher and now mother, I really look forward to this week every single year. I love spring colors and spring clothes and 70 degree weather, baseball and leaving the windows open. Love it. love it. love it. We were planning on taking the kids on a surprise trip to San Antonio, but we rescheduled. Hopefully we will take a family trip over Easter, when all four of us will be W-E-L-L! (OK enough about being sick...sorry). Since we were home, and it's been gorgeous, we have been outside soaking it up.

Ahh thank you Ally for the weed, I mean flower.

Mark and Ally having a tea party

Shorts,

Basketball,

and a lot of Star Wars go fish.

Ally trying to hypnotize Mark. She kept saying,"You're getting very sleepy." I bet he was:).

"Camping",

Slumber party,

And Baseball practice.

My wonderful dad took the kids fishing (pics on that coming soon!). Mark took Ryan to play golf on the 'big' course at cottonwood where he made two actual bogies playing from the men's tees!!! we have ourselves a great little athlete. We also watched movies and had takeout and a wonderful overall week. I am now ready for the lazy days of summer now, aren't you?

Happy Spring!

Give my regrets to the queen

Ally got to attend her first ever dress up birthday party for our dear friend AnnMarie. Since this momma was still sick, my sweet friend Jennifer took this princess to the ball. She has been looking forward to this party for weeks so THANK YOU Jenn for making her dreams come true!

Can't you feel the excitement? Ally you looked beautiful.

I can't wait to see pictures of the party, Katy. I hear the real Cinderella even stopped by:-).

Cousin ZOO Day!

Before Spring Break we took the kids to the zoo. It was a beautiful day and not crowded at all. It was so funny because Ally was acting like she'd never been to the zoo before and was so excited to see each and every animal. I just love Cameron Park Zoo. In fact, it would for sure make my list of Top 10 things I heart about Waco, Texas:-)

Ally and me

Two little Indians

Ryan the snake charmer

So thankful that Honey loves to play with her five grand kids. She's the best hands-on Honey ever!

Both of my sweet children know that I don't love snakes, so they always try to scare me with snakes. Ally was lovin' the fact that I was surrounded by snakes. (The things I'll do for my kids...)

Ryan also loves snakes and their creepiness.

"Look mommy there's Dori (from Nemo)!"

The cousins loved seeing this alligator as well

G-O-N-G

All in all a perfect day at the zoo!

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 2010

We had such a great President's Club trip this year to Punta Cana. Now to be honest, I had never even heard of Punta Cana when the trip was announced last year and I was not thrilled about going to the Dominican Republic after everything that is going on in Haiti right now but I am SO glad we decided to go. We both needed a few days to do ab-so-lu-tley nothing.

Here we are in our awesome room. I didn't take a lot of pictures on this trip but I love this one.

Nothing beats a giant hot tub in the middle of your room.

The pool

One happy guy

The beach. This was the softest beach I have ever been to and it wasn't crowded at all. I spent my entire birthday hanging out here under one of these crazy shade huts watching people. Aaaahhh just thinking about that day brings me peace.

Then we went to Mark's award dinner. Here he is getting his 10th President's club achievement award. He has never missed a trip and I am VERY VERY proud of my man. He works really hard and is a gifted NFIB field rep.

The entertainment.

Moon lit view of Moon Palace

Mark's Texas friends Lyle (out of Tyler) and his boss Allen (out of Lampasas). We ate most of our meals with these guys and their beautiful wives. It is really a treat to get to visit with our NFIB friends at President's Club each year. These three have some major talent!

We watched the US/Canada gold medal game with about 45 Canadians which was interesting...

It was a great game until overtime.

Here we are standing in front of some really pretty flowers-if only you could see them!

We had such a fun trip until the very last day. We got the news that Ryan was home from school with the stomach bug, Mark's dad was having emergency eye surgery, and my sweet friend Erica's mom passed away. We got all this news within 10 minutes and then the news that our flight home was SEVERELY delayed. I know that the Lord was reinforcing the whole 'Angie...remember you're not in control thing' again, but knowing there was nothing I could do didn't really seem to help my emotional state. It was a really long 24-hours. Spanish speaking airport employees and 7 hours of Calypso music at the outdoor Punta Cana airport is not fun to listen to when all you want to do is get home. Just FYI.

We were welcomed right back into reality with Ryan still sick, Ally acting out and planning a memorial service. Oh yeah and Mark was very sick by the time we got home. Turned out to be strep, which now I have. Lovely. And apparently there are sand fleas in the DR...never even knew they existed but they attacked my left hand. Thank goodness I didn't know about them or this germaphobic momma might not ever go back to the beach. It was really not a big deal just GROSS!!!

My precious mother did all the kids laundry which was about the only bright spot last week. This week Ryan is mucho gusto and Ally is back to her sweet lovin' self and the memorial service was beautiful. Erica spoke and it was beautiful to watch the Holy Spirit come in and cover her with strength, grace and love. I am continually amazed by Erica and so thankful to be her friend. I am also thankful that Mark and I had this 6 day respite. Even now as I type with strep I am glad we had this opportunity and feel very blessed. As hard as it is to leave my kids, I knew they were having a blast with Honey, GP, Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Kacey. Thank you guys for loving our children so much!!! You continually bless us.