My little nephew!

This is the coolest picture I've ever seen!!! Here is my new nephew!!! Rob & Tiffinnie's little one!

Ally's first softball game!

On Friday night Ally had her first softball game. Her team is called the "Gator Girls". You can't miss them with their 80's neon green colored jerseys. She was a little nervous about playing her first game. The boys were also scheduled to play a game tonight. As all three of the kids were suiting up for their games the boys were busy giving her tips. It was so cute watching her warm up. Excitingly she ran to third base to get into position. Unfortunately my Dad and the boys only got to watch the first inning because they had to be out at their field for their warmups. The funniest thing happened when she got her first at bat. I had really struggled to find a helmet that would fit her. I ended up having to special order a helmet with a faceguard for a t-ball size player. She geared up to go bat but her coach said she needed to have a chin strap for her helmet. She did not have one. She would have to use a team helmet. They slipped one on her head and she went out to the plate. The only problem was she could not see! The helmet kept sliding down over her eyes. They stopped the game and had to run out with a new helmet. Again it kept sliding over her eyes. Her head was so small that the game had to be stopped three times to fix her helmet. She got a nice hit though. Her next trip to the plate she got a hit, the only problem this time was she did not want to stop running. In her division you can only run one base at a time. Ally has been watching her brothers steal bases for so many years that she got a little confused. She ran to first, then second, and she didn't realize we were yelling Go Back! Go Back! until she was already at third base! To say the least she was out at second! Poor Ally. She's got some wheels though! Although they dont keep an official score the Gator's did end up winning their first game. It was so much fun! The boys did not win their game but the boys both got some great hits. Austin is batting over 500 for the season (as a NINE year old!!!) that's better than most of the kids on the team. A.J. is batting over 700 so far this season. Another parent said "Those Hall boys sure can hit" after the game last night. Although we lost the boys were proud of the way they played!

Father Daughter Dance

Last night was a night that will probably stay in my heart forever. One of those events you dream about when you have children. Ally went on her first date with the sweestest man I've ever known..... her father! The father daughter dance is held every year around Valentines day.
For some reason the past few years Kirk was unable to take her. This year he promised her that she would go. We went shopping last weekend and found her a beautiful dress and new shoes. I have never seen her so excited about anything and was pretty worried when she came down with strep-throat early this week. Fortunately she was feeling better by Thursday and returned to school. She got up yesterday and after getting dressed laid out her shoes, tights, and her dress. When she got home from school she got dressed. I said "Ally, there is four hours left before you go" so the dress came off and the pacing started. We curled her hair and carefully dressed her. Like any young girl she nervously waited for her date to arrive. By the time Kirk got home she was all ready to leave and like any proud mother the photo shoot started. As I was taking these pictures I was thinking of how fast the years have already gone by and in a short time this could be prom night. With a little lump in my throat I watched her slide her hand into his as they exited the door. He was holding the umbrella to protect her from the rain and she turned with the sweetest smile to say "Bye Mommy". It was the most tender moment.
She returned wearing a beautiful little corsage and had lots of stories to tell. What a great memory!

Hugs & Kisses

Ahhhh..... !

Draft night!

(this picture was from winterball, the first time they ever played on the same team)






Tuesday night was draft night for our little league. Kirk is the major player agent so he was responsible for running the draft. This will be A.J.'s second year in Majors and as most of you know he is on the Yankees. Because he was already drafted to the team last year he is a returning player. All three of A.J.'s coaches last year had boys moving up into the junior division. This meant the entire coaching staff plus nine of the twelve players were gone. Not knowing who was going to be on the team or who would be coaching it has caused alot of concern for A.J.
We were thrilled when we found out that our good friend, David (who by the way is Kirk's assistant coach on the traveling team) was picked to manage the Yankees. Adam, his son (a good friend to A.J.) would automatically be on the team. This was a great start! So we were really excited on tuesday night to see which kids would be drafted to our team. We were pacing the floor waiting for Kirk to get home and tell us! He had great news for us! Several of the kids drafted are close friends of the boys and we are good friends with the parents.

The most wonderful news of all though was that our little Austin was drafted to our team too! The boys will be playing together! Austin was the only 9 year old drafted to the Majors! Most of the boys are between 11- 12. The funny part was when David picked Austin the registration officer had to tell him that he didn't even have paper work for 10 year olds there, let alone the 9 year olds!
This should be a really fun season for the kids!

"Westside Storm's First Tournament"

We had our first tournament this weekend with Kirk's new traveling team. For those of you that have not heard Kirk hand picked a team of kids that will play various tournaments throughout the year. It is seperate from our little league but consists of many 12 year olds from Roseville West little league. These boys are all very skilled and dedicated players. Six All-stars from Roseville West (including A.J.) and four All-star players that play for surrounding leagues. The other two boys are also very good players. It was held out at the Sacramento sports complex. Very cool place! They have 4-5 fields with a big diner in the middle. Great food, big screen t.v. and video games. They had great coffee too which was a big plus. It was freezing!!!! We had our first game at 9:00 a.m. ( a double header) and had to play the early game on Sunday too. The boys got through first tournament jitters and learned a great deal. The rules of play are major league rules, not little league. There were some mistakes at first but by the third game they played really well. A.J. pitched a great game on Sunday and had some good at bats. We play our next tournament next weekend out at the same complex.

Oh Baby!

I am thrilled to announce that I'm gonna be an Auntie again!!!! Rob & Tiffinnie are expecting a baby in September!!! Yipee!!!! We are really excited about this little one! We have been waiting for another baby on the Meleski side. Courtnie & Alyssa are very excited that they will both be big sisters and our kids are crazy about the news! Austin is hoping the baby will be born on his birthday. His little cousin Shayne was born on Sept.11 last year so he's hoping the baby will want to share the same b-day. Ironically the baby is due the same day I was due with Austin (23rd) but he came 2 weeks early. It's also the birthday of my little niece Katie. I can't wait to start shopping for this one. Babies , Babies, Babies! This will be my kids 7th cousin born in less than two years. Congratulations Rob & Tiff on the wonderful news! We Love you guys!!!

Jeter, Jeter Pumpkin Eater!

Jeter is like a walking vacuam. He will find any little thing on the floor and try to eat it. The kids starting singing this litlle song to him whenever he is roaming on the floor. We discovered that he has a thing for cheese so his newest treat is "CheezPups". He goes crazy for these things! He also really enjoys these little rawhide sticks. This helps with his teething and it's so cute to watch him chew on them. He holds it with his paws like a human. Is he cute or what!