Labor Day Weekend

There's been plenty going on this past month, but I've been forgetting to carrying my camera around recently. The camera came back out for my mom's family reunion during Labor Day weekend, though. We flew to TX and spent most of the weekend at the Ranch House, where we've established fun annual traditions like playing an evening game of whiffleball. Playing during the day was not an option since TX has been beating records with two months of over 100-degree weather. They had a "cool spell" while we were there, where the high was around 98, I think. *gack*

The family playing whiffleball in the Ranch House backyard

Aunt Margaret is fully ready to get Addi out, nevermind that she's 6 years old. Addi was definitely most improved player of the year, getting to base every time she batted!

Jackson getting some coaching from Uncle Brian.

Kolby taking off Flash-Gordon-style.

Baby Tucker isn't sure what he thinks of whiffleball quite yet. He will reserve his final opinion until next year.

We played until you couldn't see the ball anymore. The sky was looking pretty as we went inside.

The friendly competition continued with "Catch Phrase" once we got indoors. The hardest part about the game is that when you get the disk, you have to make yourself heard over everyone else who's still laughing, making fun of the last person who went, asking whose turn it is because they can't hear, etc. If you pretend you're making an announcement to 100 kindergarteners in a gymnasium, you'll be fine.

And finally a late night game of One-Bounce. Everyone is demonstrating their best swing.

The next day, we started early on the "big meal" of the weekend. Tricia and Remy made delicious hand-made flour tortillas!

Mom working on fajita toppings

Emily and Addi made the most.amazing.peanut.butter.ice.cream.ever.

Cookies in their finest form. I *may* have OD'ed on cookie dough that day.

While the kitchen elves slaved away, others caught bugs

And chatted (wait, wasn't she just in the kitchen?)

And cuddled. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

It was a great meal! I'm pretty sure I see "food coma" in Dan & Paul's eyes.

Some extended family joined us for the afternoon and evening, and we even got them involved in whiffleball that night.

Dan & I flew home on Monday evening, and after work on Tuesday we headed to the Padres vs. Giants game. Sorry the picture is so dark, but Dan couldn't keep from blinking with the flash turned on.

I won these tickets at work, and they were great seats right behind 3rd base! We loved sitting so close to the action and getting to see the little details you miss when you're in the nosebleed section. Like this guy's batting stance. Cracked me up every time he came up to bat! The Padres stayed with the Giants through about the 6th inning, then it was pretty clear that the Giants were going to win. We left during the 8th inning since it was getting late on a school night and we just can't hang like we used to.