Co Ed Game Recaps

Our coach and good friend Keith has been creatively coming up with "recaps" from our coed games and I just have to share them. I find them extremely enjoyable to read, so I going to start posting them :-).
This one is from July 1st:

07/03/2007 2:03 PM ET
Johnson names players who received game balls for Sunday’s game
Kent Oliver to resume pitching and leadoff duties upon returning for important midseason game vs. recing crew



o-crew headlines


O-crew glossary
Lewis gives stellar effort, but O-crew fall

C. Lewis and N. Cory receive game balls
Claire: Johnson’s integrity shines on

Stevens injures foot

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LYNNWOOD – O-Crew manager Keith Johnson and Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Dean Stevens announced today that there will now be an O-crew glossary of terms to be used for communicating on the field with players and coaches. This is being done in hopes that the mishaps that have occured the last two games might be avoided. Stevens and Johnson still have high hopes for O-Crew reaching their goal of making the post season. Any rumors that the Oakley merger with Luxottica Group effecting the players and coaches has been denied.
Johnson, 33, is in his first full season leading the O-Crew coaching staff. He joined the staff in the beginning of the 2007 season and has served as the first base coach, shortstop, and EH, while also helping instruct the outfielders and baserunning. With the recent mistakes in the field and baserunning Johnson decided it was time to fix it now so O-Crew will better their chances of getting to and surviving the playoffs.Glossary of terms will be found at the end of this press release.
Dave Lewis stepped in to pitch and for a second consecutive game saw a stellar performance go wasted as O-Crew was not able to hold off the Blue Wave. Blue Wave jumped out to a seven nothing lead early but the O-Crew bats came alive to go ahead 10-9 but couldn’t hold the Blue Wave as they scored two in the seventh to take the lead and win 11- 10. Kent Oliver will be back this Sunday to resume pitching and lead off duties. Hopefully this will get O-Crew back on track and headed to the playoffs.
Some bright spots of the evening include Cori Lewis making her debut at second base and playing extremely well earning her the game ball for the night. She has been hitting the ball well only to fall victim of the at’em ball. Nathan Cory also played well in the field and brought his youthful enthusiasm that was sorely missed in the previous week.
Although coach Johnson had some rough moments in the game and had to walk off frustrations at key moments he did not suffer a heart attack as rumored and he is back at work doing fine(sort of). Bonnie Oliver and others rallied to keep Johnson in check thus keeping his head from spinning and flying off. Thanks to John Kirkham for ending the night in prayer and reminding us all that it’s just a game. See glossary below because although it’s just a game why not make it easier for all.

BATTING/BASE RUNNING TERMS:
Take A look, usually means the pitcher has been struggling so it might be a good idea to make him/her throw a strike before swinging
RED LIGHT, DO NOT SWING THE BAT FOR ANY REASON! Especially men since it is a double if we walk.
GO GO GO!, Quit looking at the ball and listen to your coach! If they say go you go until they say stop. This one is pretty straight forward.
FREEZE ON LINE DRIVE( IE) in the air, you don’t move a muscle unless coach says to go. Must be aware of outs at all time, with two outs you go no matter what.
FIELDING TERMS:
EAT IT! Hold the ball , run it into the infield
CUT AND HOLD, See previous definition
HOLD IT, HOLD IT, HOLD IT, yep you guessed it, this means hold the ball.


And this one is from July 8th's game:
O-Crew has plenty of smiles all around despite continued struggles
Associated Press
Updated: July 6, 2007, 8:57 PM ET
LYNNWOOD, WA -- The O-CREW activated right-hander Kent Oliver after he missed the previous weeks game for personal matters and optioned righty Dave Lewis back to the outfield, “It’s not an outfield. It’s an adventure”, said KO on his first night back on the mound in two weeks. An adventure it was. Unusual drops, unusual catches, and if you haven’t ever seen it before; last night you did! Although the final result was a loss GM Dean Stevens was genuinely pleased with the player’s ability to follow the new glossary in it’s first week in use. It has come to Johnson’s attention some other key terms may need to be added, but we will see how next week’s game goes.
Last night was a different Dave Lewis as well as he wore something other than his normal hotpants, “they fit tighter around his buns”, Kirkham said. “I don’t mind that at all”, was heard somewhere in the dugout. One can only hope it came from his wife Cori, one can only hope. In my years of covering men’s softball I can safely say I have not heard comments such as these before.
Back to the game: O-Crew started out falling behind after the first inning and played catch up all game. Two separate rallies got them within a run but Recing Crew was to much this night as O-Crew couldn’t get the bats rolling in the seventh and fell short for the third game in a row. With all the smiles and laughter in the air you wouldn’t k now who was winning or losing as O-Crew has set the example for the rest of the league to live up to. As tradition for O-Crew tonight’s game balls go to Jeff Muter for collecting three hits and playing a solid short, and the women’s ball goes to Beany for a solid effort at first and at the plate. • More O_CREW Headlines
• Johnson receives call from Hargrove
• E Expected to be back next week
• Oliver’s will be lost due to Country Burger this week
• Tracy Muter still searching for opportunity to swing one handed
• FAMILY CAMP THIS WEEK HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU THERE!

Quick Update

Just a FYI, startin Wednesday we are at family camp for the remainder of the week! Be sure to check back next monday for some photos & great stories from our AWESOME week! There is also a party up there on friday night for Cori's 30th birthday, so if you haven't already RSVP'd just let us know!

Ankle news...
none as of yet. I had a bone scan and CT scan this morning & I will learn more on the 17th. So far it's been 5 1/2 weeks & counting! :-). I guess it's just another reminder to learn to be patient.

Fourth of July part two!

After I posted the earlier photos of the 4th, my brother, DJ, Ali and Baby Gabe came over for some birthday fun. For 9 days out of every year my little brother becomes the same age as I am. So for 9 more days we are both 29, but only for 9 days :-).



As soon as they walked in the door I took over my duties as favorite aunt.
I got this hat for him cause the sun was shining and he was too little for newborn. It's a premie hat and it's still too big.



Ok, so I had a BOAT load of baby fun... here are some more photos to prove it.
If you're not in the mood for baby photos, just scroll down for fireworks photos :-).


He also got his first Mickey Mouse and he is already in love... That's my kind of kid.


Baby & Papa:


And now for the fireworks...
First Alex & David had tank wars...



And thanks to the neihbor across the street we had about 2 1/2 hours worth of fun.
Here is Josiah & I doing a self portait. The first one describes my life with Josiah. I want a nice photo & yet he wants a fun one. That and I must have told him 27 times to wash his face during the day- I swear he sweats dirt.


and then I tried again, but Josiah was awaiting the whistling pete noise, which we BOTH hate.


Alex running back from lighting another firework:


David, teasing my about my photo taking...


And finally- One last baby photo...

Fourth of July Part one

Ok here is the first part of our day. I will post the second part once it has happened...

First off, we started our day with pancakes for breakfast (thanks Dave). We did some cleaning and even feed our new friend, Squirrel.

We gave him lots of peanuts and watch him burry them around our porch for winter.

Then off to my mom's for the day. So far we have:
Wash the cars (No photos).

Laid around



It's suppose to be in the 80's today, I know, those of you who live else where thinks that's cool, but let me tell you. I was born and raised in this beatiful city and 80 means two things, 1- WHEN WILL IT END... I am dying of heat.... 10 fans is not nearly enough... and 2- cranky boys... I don't think I really need to eloborate on this, but just know that My dad right on down to Josiah get cranky in the heat. It's no fun. I can't wait for winter!


Josiah & David are hanging out in my mom's basement playing pool.


Josiah is getting pretty good, and everytime one goes in he runs to the other side to watch it fall down into the holding area.


So far the day has been a fun one. DJ, Ali & Gabe are on their way over so I will have a LOT more photos to post later on.

Enjoy your fourth! (And by the way... if you are reading this on the fourth thinking- I can't believe she is crazy enough to be online posting pictures, just remember you are also online reading them :-). Plus I'm sitting in front of a fan.

Alex is Driving?!?!?

Ok, ok, he's only 12 so what is he doing behind the wheel? We washed our van at my mom's house and then washed my mom's car, so during the car shuffle in the driveway I let Alex pull the van back in. I was freaking out the WHOLE time, but he was beaming from ear to ear. Sure it was only 10 feet and a corner, but he loved it.


He didn't really do a straight job of parking, but at least it's in the driveway with not dents :-).

Church Picnic

One of my favorite things to do each July is our annual church picnic. It is usually scheduled on the fourth of July, but this year they decided to hold it on the sunday before.
We have a great time, it's a potluck and all the little old ladies bring their home made dishes which make my drool just thinking about them. There is also games for the kids and then a great game of softball.

Josiah waiting very patiently to be told when he can play with the parachute.


Our church owns a parachute and it's a HUGE hit with the preschoolers, but you have to be a good listener...


Mikayla with the parachute... all the good ones of her I got were blurry.


Probably one of my favorite photos, and also a warning to those with Blackberry's. Please be careful cause this is what your love life could turn into:


This is Kim & Keith (Mikayla's dad). He loves that blackberry.

While Josiah was playing kid games David & Alex headed over to the softball field for some fun...











Overall it was a great day, perfect for a picnic in the park. Later that night we had another coed softball game. I found out I was playing second, and I was so excited! I love playing second!! didn't do too badly. I was also the lead off hitter- which I realized last night I'm not fond of that spot in the line up. I didn't hit that well so I think it's time to go to the batting cages.
I know Kim got some shots of me at second so I hope to get them from her.

I learn more about my ankle tomorrow & I will post information then!

It's A Boy!

Today was an exciting day... my little brother became a dad... a scary thought, but a good one. Gabriel Robert Branley was born on 6/24 and was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19" long. Ali had a c-section because little Gabe was breech (Already causing trouble)Here are some photos I took.. in these he is only a few hours old and so Precious.

When I arrived he was sleeping on him mom's chest...


Is that a Branley or what...


Proud Auntie Cori finally pulled the baby away from the proud mommy... just let me hold him for one second (*insert evil laugh here*).


Ok, ok, if I have to give him up I will... but I'm not happy about it. Here is Grandma's first chance to hold the new little one. Please notice that he is STILL sleeping...


And time to pass to my dad.. the proud papa.


And then off to the proud Daddy for his first bath, still sleeping...



Time for my first bath...



I actually have video of the bath, but I am having issues posting it. I will try again later today or tomorrow. But just so you know... he slept through the whole thing!!! I can't believe it either :-). He even slept through drying off, foot prints & his first shot. I wish I slept like that.



And finally, the family...

Ankle Update & Birthday news

Quick ankle update. I am in a walking cast until we get the results of the MRI I have scheduled for Thursday. once we know exactly what we are looking at, we will know the course of action. And yes, I did ask him about Softball, he didn't really give me a straight answer on whether or not I should keep playing, so until we know the treatment I'm gonna keep doing what I love :-).

Birthday News!!!
In less than one month I hit the big 3-0. I am very excited about this (please note that on the same day my sister hits the big 4-0, which makes her much, much, much older than I am). We will be at family camp and we want to invite EVERYONE we can think of up for a BBQ Potluck. Check out the evite link below and RSVP for this fun event. Sorry if you didn't get the orignal email... I really didn't know who I should send it too.
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=XMUPTLEGKZUBAVEXFDBV

Father's day

Just a couple of quick photos. We went out to lunch with David's family- sorry I didn't pull the camera out once everyone arrived.

Saturday...

So on a whim, I decided to take Josiah to the Marysville for the Strawberry Festival parade. David was off to Xbox night so I thought it would fun. I invited my parents along because I don't like to take Josiah to something like that on my own. Having someone else there keeps me sane and allows me to take him the bathroom with out having to pack it all up.



Josiah & my mom


Josiah waiting for the parade...


You know you are watching a "Hick" parade when...
the retirement home puts a bus full of seniors in the parade,


The crowd cheers that the lumber trucks that go by. The City talent show winner has his own float and each entry gets it's own prize.
The only saving grace of the parade was that it is an offical SEAFAIR event so we get the cool stuff like...
Seafair clowns


The Vigilantes


and of course, the Seafair pirates. They are a great group and the have a very loud cannon that goes off. That is why Josiah is covering his ears. It caught the attention of one of the pirates. All three of these groups (Clowns, Vigilantes and Pirates) spend their time and fund raising money for sick children and childrens hospital & the Make a Wish foundation.

My dad is offically old

Today was my dad's 61st birthday... after work we met them at their favorite watering hole and headed down to their favorite mexican resturaunt in downtown Seattle.


We had a great time and I actually got pictures of my parents together which is very rare!


And I even got some good pics of the boys!


I had to bribe Alex with a dollar to take the photo and Josiah with a dollar to wear the hat! (Just kidding, I only had to bribe Josiah- Alex hasn't got on to the bribing idea).




And finally the group shot.


We had a great time!!! Happy Birthday Dad!!! Remember only 5 1/2 more years til retirement...