Summertime!

We've all had a busy summer and I've tried to select a few photos to show all the activities.  Wendy & Kelly bought a big waterslide for the boys, so they had fun playing on that.  We also took our annual trip to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels...right after the flooding they had there.  Much of the park was open, but some of the rides and slides that we enjoy on the Bahn side were closed and did not reopen while we were there.  But there was plenty to do and we all had a wonderful time.

So, here are the photos.  

This first group was taken at Schlitterbahn

The following photos were taken at Splashway

The photos below were taken in the backyard

The photos below were taken at Zane's birthday party at the Aquatic Center

Snakes in the Library

Wendy and the boys visit the library fairly often during the summer.  You can imagine how excited Gage and Zane were to find snakes there one day.  I'm not sure what kind of snake Zane has on his shoulder in the photo below, but the snake draped around Gage's neck is a boa constrictor.  I can't remember now how long Wendy said it was...maybe about 7 or 8 feet.  She said that a 10 foot snake is big enough to squeeze an adult to death if no help is available. 

Whee.

Darth Vader in his happy place

I mentioned previously that Gage and Zane really like their Star Wars characters.  Last Halloween Wendy and Kelly bought them costumes that were sturdier than the ones found in Walmart.  And they still like to put them on and role play.

 Snack time came while Gage was still in the Darth Vader uniform.  Here are a couple of pictures that Wendy took and shared.  We might need to get him a more manly cup!

Swimming lessons?

Well, yes...they did have swimming lessons.  I didn't go to any of them this year.  It just didn't work out for me. Or rather, I wasn't needed; everyone managed without me.

Carolyn sent all of us a photo of Kate and Carlee taken at 7:30 on the morning of their first swimming lesson.  They were all decked out in their cute swimsuits and goggles.  Kate even had on a swim cap.

As an illustration of how different the boys and girls are, Wendy sent a photo (that she titled "Ready for swimming lessons") of the boys.  Gage and Zane are into all things medieval as well as Star Wars.  They basically look the same don't they?  Medieval and Star Wars.

So here are the two sets of children...ready for swimming lessons two hours before the lessons.

Hmmm...very interesting.

Kudos to the Garners!

There has been so much good stuff going on for the Garner family, it's hard to keep track.

The video here is of Gage's piano recital. I had already posted it on my Flip Channel, but, thanks to Carolyn's Verizon Wireless connection, I was able to quickly download it from the Flip Channel to my camera and then from my camera to this post. There's probably a quicker, easier way to do that, but I've been on antihistamines for about 5 days and I'm not thinking as good as I think I usually do...if that makes any sense at all...other than to me.

So, here's Gage at the piano. Note his sweeping, dramatic bow at the end of his performance. I think it's so cute!

I would like to download a few more videos starring Gage...he has had his share in the past week or so. But, I'll spare you...in case there's someone other than immediate family reading this.

While I was in California, his Pee Wee League Baseball team, the R & R Printing Marlins, completed an undefeated season and eventually won the post-season tournament to become the champions. Kelly, who helps coach the team, and othe other coaches deserve a lot of credit for helping the boys get to this point. I just wish I had been there to see it. I think he got a trophy...maybe a medal, too. I'll correct this if I find I've got it wrong here.

The day I got back from California, Wendy called to let me know that Gage was getting a special award at the 1st grade end of school program...so, I made plans to attend that the next morning. He had missed only one day of school this year, so he got a trophy for that.

Next, Mrs. Chappell, the music teacher, gave out two awards for the Outstanding Music Students in 1st grade, a boy and a girl. And Gage was the boy! We hadn't known about that, so it was a nice surprise. Mrs. Chappell explained that it was very difficult for her to decide on these two awards. She wanted to pick the boy and girl that she felt came to her class every day willing to do whatever she asked, whether it was dance a jig or make a funny face. In addition, they needed to do it with a smile. Okay, I downloaded that video. It's below. Watch or don't watch...I'll never know!

Finally, Mrs. Miranda, the computer teacher, gave out the special award that Gage had won. It took her over 4 minutes to explain what the Fast Forward program is...a brain training program. To try and condense as much as possible, the 1st graders started this program in kindergarten and then continued it in 1st grade. Gage was the only student at Myatt Elementary who has ever completed all four parts of the program. So, he got a special trophy, certificate, and maybe a medal, too.

Needless to say, I'm pretty proud of him...as are all the rest of his family and extended family. I hope you'll excuse this bit of boasting.

One last thing...Wendy also was recognized at Wharton County Junior College this year. She was one of three (I think) teachers selected to receive the WCJC Excellence in Teaching award. Of course, we all know that Wendy is going to do a great job...it's just very nice when others observe what we know to be true!

Great job, guys!!! Way to go!!!

Whirlwind Visit

Just as I finally got my internet to connect, Wendy and the boys dropped in.  They were going to pick some sweet corn from the nearby field.  Wendy intended to let the boys help her...although, "help" might be too positive a word.  Zane would probably be off like a rabbit or covered in ants in seconds.  Gage is more likely to have actually provided some help, but that is not always a given either.

But, as luck would have it, the field was being watered.  So, Wendy left the boys here while she went to get the corn.

They were like marbles in a pinball machine.  First here, then there.  First they were in the playroom, which had a lot of pillbugs near the walls.  I walked 20 feet away to get the broom and dustpan and when I got back they were gone.  They were in the game room where the small weights (1-10 lbs.) were.  I shooed them out of there, explaining that if one of the weights dropped on the tile floor it would break the tile.  They migrated to another corner of the room and got the big exercise ball and started bouncing/tossing it around.  One of them took it up the stairs to let it bounce/roll down like a big boulder.

After discouraging that, they decided they would like to play Wii Fit, so I attempted to get that started.  It wouldn't come on.  That meant I had to get the manual and find the Troubleshooting page.  While I searched for the page, they moved on to something else.  I needed to unplug the Wii and leave it for two minutes, so after unplugging it I headed back to the playroom to sweep up the pillbugs.  While I was doing that, the boys found the Nerf Ping Pong set that has resided on the bottom shelf of the bookcase for decades.  Gage started putting the plastic net together and I realized that the long folding table would make a pretty good place to set it up.  So, after sweeping up some of the pillbugs, I got the table and Gage helped me open it up and put it in place.

Obviously, there was no volleying back and forth.  Gage would hit the ball to Zane.  Zane didn't necessarily react in time to move his paddle.  Zane chased the ball and hit it (sometimes) to Gage...like a rocket.  Gage couldn't react in time.  I chased the ball out of the room a couple of times until I ended up closing the door to at least contain it in the room.

About that time, Wendy came back and we talked briefly in the kitchen.  Turns out the area where the sweet corn is located was not being watered, so the boys could have gone with her, not that it matters.  When we returned to the living room we found Zane on the stairs at the first landing and Gage at the bottom of the stairs, playing ping pong their own way.  Not safe, we said. 

She herded them out of the house and they loaded the corn into the car and headed home.  Back inside, I replugged the Wii and it came on right away.  So, then I put all that away.  Put the broom and dustpan away and headed back upstairs to try and use the internet before it decided to not work again.  So far, so good.  This all happened in about 30 minutes.

Except that when I got this ready to publish...the internet connection was lost.   GRRRRR!!!

I had to come to Wendy's to check-in for my flight to California...so, while waiting to be able to do that, I was able to publish this fascinating post.

First Homerun!

Wendy texted me this photo of Gage at about 10:30 last night.  I was at the bay, so I missed his baseball game.  He got his first homerun last night!  The ump gave him a ball.  You can tell he's pretty excited about it.  I sure wish I had been there to see it.  Uncle Brent was there, though, and reported that Gage was hitting the ball really well.

Game 3

Gage's team is the Marlins, sponsored by R & R Printing (I think.) I had to miss the first game, but have been able to be at the last two. This time I remembered to take my camera and I hope to have three short videos so the other grandparents can see how our favorite 7-year old Marlin is doing.

This first video shows Gage getting a hit and running to first base.



The following video shows the next batter getting a hit and Gage running from 1st to 2nd and then, after some hesitation, to 3rd.



Finally, in the last video, we see Gage go from 3rd to home, making a nice slide...just for practice, I guess.



The game was a quick one and didn't go the full 6 innings. The Marlins scored at least 10 runs and the opponents had none and didn't want to play all 6 innings. In the last game I went to, the Marlins outscored the opponents by 19-6, but the other team wanted to play all 6 innings.

Zane and Wendy shared a Little League Special. Zane really enjoyed the burger, fries & drink. He'll be looking forward to that at the next game. He'll also be looking forward to the snow cone that he earned for being such a good boy!

Carolyn and Brent were there with Kate, Carlee and Jax. Kate and Carlee waved and yelled to Gage who was in the pitcher's position during this game. He acknowledged them with a very discreet little wave while waiting for the inning to start.

Random Photos

Wendy, during Robin's baptism on April 3

Robin and Wendy, after the baptism

Family members and Father Gary

Zane, in disguise, with Wendy on Easter Sunday