Howdy ya'll. Its been a little while since Joy or I have had time to get on here but alot has been happening the past few weeks.
First off....We want to congratulate our oldest, John, for finally making it and graduating high school!! We knew he could do it but it took alot of convincing on our part to prove it to him...LOL!! And as some of you know.....his celebration will conclude in a couple weeks when we stage his blow out graduation party up on the lake (Erie that is )

Along with this going on we have had a very busy season of Little League Baseball with our youngest, 9 yr old and HUGE IH fan, Logan. And yes I meen BASEBALL.......fast pitch as hard as you can throw it just like the big boys!! Tonight we got some news and we are just busting to tell everyone.

First let me explain a little something so this all makes sense..........in Little League Baseball.....a base runner can steal, and usually does, a base when a pitched ball gets past the catcher in any way ( stolen bases not allowed when ball is on pitchers mound). So if you make a base hit, or walk, chances are you will steal at least 1 base and more than not, 2 bases (stealing of home plate not allowed).

Now as some of you already know, Logan has been playing catcher for his team and sometimes 3rd base. Well his team made it to the tournament games, this season, but unfortunatly tonight they lost the fight in a 9 inning game (regular game is 6 innings) by 2 runs.

For the past 3 tourny games Logan played catcher position for 16 of 21 innings total. In those innings played, he only allowed 9......yes 9 stolen bases. And he contributed to 10 outs ( should be 12 but 2 outs called back on technicals...go figure). As some of you may know.....that is one hell of a feat in LLB!! Especially when you look at possible stolen bases in 1 inning per team is 14 stolen bases!! Yes folks 14 possible per inning per team!!

Logans team, The Reds, will end up their season in 3rd place. But tonight we learned that Logan was hand picked to play number 1 catcher position for the Little League Nationals All Star Team!!!! This is a HUGE deal and Joy and I both are exploding with pride.

Next up will be Leslyn......next American Idol??......American actress??

We are very proud of all our kids and know that yall will join in with us to congratulate them for kicking ass and taking names.

Congrats are in order! I know how proud you must be in your children as I am in mine. Have a blast with the graduation party and good luck with All-Stars.

Richard

Congrats are most certainly in order, Mark! I wish you all the best in all that you venture to accomplish.

I am very proud of all the youngsters in your house, Mark & Joy - you know they are like family to me, please give them all a hug for me and tell them I am proud of 'em!

CONGRATS! Good luck in the ALL-STARS!

Yes congrats are truly in order. I know you guys must be very happy and proud for all of your children's accomplishments!!! Have fun at the graduation party!!!!!

Mark that is just awesome! My boys played in little league and I can appreciate what an accomplishment this is for your son!

Congratulations to John and welcome to the real world

I'm sorry we couldn't come to the party its been awhile since I've been home and it would have been nice to come. I realized how long it had been when I saw the picture of John who looks like a man now. Joy I don't know how our kids get so much older and we don't

Congratulations to Logan also, isn't that the little league that is shown on TV?

Nice to see all is well with your family, see you in July (hopefully).

Yeah, it's been crazy around here!

I had shoulder surgery the day before the IronHorse/Outlaws concert, but toughed it out to be there with the guys and hold down my spot at the "swag" table. I left that night with fingers the size of sausages, but it was worth it. Since then, I'm still nursing the shoulder and waiting for the green light from the doc to go back to work, which now looks like mid-August.

Finally got John to that spectacular day..."Graduation." I can't believe he made it, or that he's even old enough. You're right, Lindsey...how is it our kids get older and we don't??

Logan has been busy with his baseball. He says someday he's gonna play for the Yankees. I could only hope! He loves to play catcher and 3rd base, this year catcher was his main spot. Actually, he's playing for the Nationals here, locally...I don't know if he'll make it to the televised games, but who knows.

And, Leslyn....the drama queen/singer is still singing and acting. lol Who knows, maybe someday Ron will produce her first album?

Thanks to everyone for you kind words and good wishes. Hope to see many of you in a few weeks.

...Joy!

Congrat's you guys! Children are such a joy to have! Then they grow up and you miss them horribly! All of you with young ones, enjoy it while you can!
(You guys sound as busy as we are! )