Beach Boys

Even though it did rain for half of the vacation, we managed to fit in good amount of fun! Casey discovered sand- and ate it willingly. Charlie fell in love with a "NEMO" kite and I don't know who had more fun with it- him or Daddy. Wrigley and Charlie bonded in the car over pizza. Charlie, Joe, Daddy and I hiked the dunes and dodged a rain storm. Brett watched the boys so we could all sleep a little... just trying to break him in :) And Mom Mom and I even got to squeeze in some shopping. The house was beautiful and the crabs were plentiful. Good times at the Outer Banks!

End of Summer Events

JEN is a REYNOLDS! Introducing Mrs Jennifer Reynolds. The prettiest bride in the Lehigh Valley. Susan and I have been waiting for the big day since we met her in Dickinson B in 1997. Scott is perfect and makes her so happy. We had a blast at the wedding and can't wait for Susan's big day!


A home is born! Blaine and I can't wait for the builder to make the finishing touches and are crossing our fingers all turns out well.

HAPPY 9th Birthday to Mitchell! His biggest present was...

MISS MEREDITH

Born on Mitchell's birthday 9 years later. She is a happy healthy and adorable baby girl. Can't wait to go shopping!

Phase one and two

Phase One: The Lot

The back of our soon to be home

Phase Two: The exterior

We are super excited to have our own house after almost a year and a half of being in limbo. I think both of our parents are just as anxious as we are. Should we at all be concerned that it went up in 4 days? Hmmmmm.

Fishing for complements

It was my friend, Shannon's, last day is the Valley (or A-town as she lovingly refers to it), so we decided to finally get together with the kids and have some good old Valley fun! Where else to go but the Fish Hachery! We were a bit skeptical about it at first, but soon we knew it was a good call. Cameron and Charlie were so adorable together as the fed the fish, called the ducks, and chased each other around.

After we figured out that the fish food smell was unable to be removed from there hands, we decided to forget about it and move the party to RIta's... where the real magic happened! FINALLY Cam allowed Charlie to make his move and hold her hand. Shan and I couldn't have been more excited. We had been waiting for this since Spring Training.

The fun ended after a quick baseball game in my parent's back yard. We will miss you guys! xoxo

Musikfest, Mindy's Birthday, and Roadside America

Musikfest was pretty uneventful. It was hot and Charlie wanted to ride every ride there... until he was riding on them. Sweat and tears, tears and sweat, this is pretty much our family theme.

Mindy turned 38 this month, and somehow, even though she is 9 months pregnant and OLD (ha!), she is gorgeous and glowing. Charlie and Casey are in love with her and I don't know who isn't. She is the best ever!


Blaine and I are trying to do fun family mini trips in our boredom. Mindy cleverly suggested Roadside America. It is off an interstate in a small town where the tumbleweed... well... tumbles. But, Charlie was amused and that is all that counts! After all the fun was had, we went to a nearby diner to feed amongst the locals. We all had a version of grilled cheese. We could have just driven 20 minutes back home and made it, but it wouldn't have tasted as good.... or would it?!

Let's Do Dorney!

Dorney Park is about 5 minutes from our doorstep in Whitehall and Charlie's cousins, MItchell and Peyton, have a season pass to the amusement park. (I did too when I was in school, but it has changed since I was there!) Meema decided to treat Charlie and I to a night at Dorney and Mindy and Peytie met us there.

Charlie was having minimal fun until Peytie arrived. Suddenly, he wanted to do everything that Peytie was doing! They loved snoopy land and the train ride wasn't bad either. Amazingly, Charlie was not scared of anything and wanted to go on everything. Can't wait until he is 16... uhhhhhhh.

Sorry, this is a big one....

This is the first opportunity I am getting to "blog" in almost a month and it is happening in the hospital! The nurses just wheeled Blaine back to "fix him arm" like Blaine explains to Charlie. FInally this happened after waiting about 5 1/2 hours in the pre-op room. But, not so much to complain about... they had tv and were very nice to us. If all turns out well, we will not be bitter!

The last month has been a whirl wind as usual. THe fourth of July started the festivities for the month. We had so much fun at Mom Mom and Pop Pops. Charlie got to "swim" in the "pool" (or stand in the hot tub) and Casey got to be held by about a dozen of his biggest fans. Mitchell, Peyton, and Christopher were there and it made Charlie's day. The margaritas were pouring and my dad started snoring... everyone did just want they wanted to do!



The next day, Charlie and I set off to Columbus to surprise Daddy. We headed out on a Sunday, when Blaine had a game in Toledo and was due back around midnight. So, Charlie and I had a whole day to ourselves. He LOVED the plane ride. Everything from walking through security to taking off was his favorite part. He even spontaneously yelled "all aboaaarrrd" as passengers were boarding the plane!

From the second we boarded the plane until we were about 30 minutes into the flight, he held my hand. This was my favorite part. He refuses to hold my hand just crossing the street! I took advantage of every second of cuddle time. Although he loved flying, once we got up into the air, he wanted to go down. "I go down now" "Plane go down?" It was about an hour conversation trying to explain to him that we couldn't go down until we got to Daddy. When we exited the plane and Daddy wasn't there (because he was playing in Toledo), it was another hour conversation to explain to him that we wouldn't actually see Daddy until tomorrow. :( Poor kid.

That day, we hit the mini golf course (which he discovered at Peyton's birthday party), playground, and dinner out.... just the two of us. I thought it was great quality time, but I think he would've rather have just seen Daddy!

When Charlie woke up the next day, it must have felt like Christmas to him. He came running into our room to find Blaine. They played in bed and then we headed to the water park at the zoo. After a lot of water and a huge amount of sun, we finished the day. It was the perfect day off for Blaine and the best trip for Charlie. But it did make me realize how fast time is going and how big Charlie is growing. Sad in a way.

This trip came about a week after Blaine woke up one morning after pitching and couldn't extend his arm. He called me the second he realized to inform me that his career was over. We are still asking ourselves if it is really over and I guess Dr Andrews will give us a more accurate read on that decision.

The most memorable part of that day wasn't Blaine's call, but how Charlie reacted to the news. After he saw me upset, he came over to me, put his hand under my chin to lift my head, and asked "Mommy... why so sad?". Heartbroken, I sat him down and tried to explain to him that Daddy's arm is hurt and that he will probably no longer be playing baseball. Well, it must have impacted him somewhat because from that point on, he has been telling family, friends, and any random stranger (and I am not kidding) that "Daddy's arm hurt". "Daddy's arm...hurt". He just repeats it until I have a chance to explain.

Charlie and Casey are going to be the biggest factors in the decision to quit baseball... and funny enough, they argue both sides of the decision. If Blaine quits, he will get to be a full time Mr. Mom and see the boys quite often. If he keeps playing, he will be playing for them and to give them the full baseball experience... trips to the park, VIP access in the clubhouse, etc. TIme will tell... to be continued...