White Mountain Morris Family Reunion

Papa and Carly right next to the river which was higher than normal.

This year Erik, Carly and Lindsey went to the Morris Family Reunion without us. Conner had All-Star Baseball practice and Cole doesn't sleep well, so we stayed home. It was really weird to not go, I have gone up every year since we've been married (and even the year before we were married)! They had a super time. The weather was gorgeous and lots of fun cousins to hang out with.
Carly the first day they arrived.

They used our tent this year instead of the trailer. Since there was only the 3 of them it wasn't worth messing with the trailer. The girls were sad, but they survived.

Out to dinner at El Farol's with the Lavolds, Braley's, Gramers, Papa and Nana.

Lindsey and Lauren, last year they both had braces on their teeth. Look how straight!!

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Liz - snapping some pictures!

My TWO favorite girls!

The river is flowing really fast and is a bit nippy, Carly not sure she wants to get in. Poor Jake Lavold stepped on some glass and had to get 6 stitches on his big toe, Ugh!

The teenagers will show you how it is done. We love the river, it entertains our kiddos for hours!

Stephaine Braley and Carly hanging out!

It wouldn't be a complete trip without finding a snake, Cole would have loved it!

The Little Colorado River - an absolutely gorgeous spot!

Lavold Clan - it was really cold!

Lindsey and Carly, what cute girls!

Braley bunch

Papa - colder than normal!

Traditional picture - missing a few family members!

Molly Butlers Steak House

The Webbs caught up to everyone for dinner! All Grand kids but missing Shelene, Conner and Cole.

New sign - they have the best homemade bread!

Family Talent Show - it is always loads of fun filled with tears. The Morris' are very talented - a Saturday activity everyone looks forward to.

Lindsey what talent are you going to share? Can't do boy watching - you are related to everyone!

Papa, Gramers, and Nana ready for the talent show.

Papa Morris, Aunt Daisy Orr, Aunt Sandra Carter, Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Ozzie and in the chair Uncle Budda (the only siblings of Papa who were able to attend)

What Conner wants to be when he grows UP!

This week I have had a lot of one on one time with Conner. Yesterday I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up?

1-Professional athlete (preferably Baseball)

2-Geography Teacher

3-High School Coach

oh and when he is a teenager he wants to work at the Hat Club!

It is always interesting to hear what they have to say to this type of question. I told him whatever he ended up with as a career I was sure he would do a GREAT job! I love this kid!

More baseball...update on Cole

time for more baseball...

Conner made the Queen Creek 9-10 year old All-Star team! This means he plays baseball all of June and possible a good part of July. He has practice every night Mon - Fri. and games will start June 13. We are excited for him and happy that his same coaches Larry Alaya and Chad LeSueur get to coach him. He loves baseball and can't seem to get enough. One thing Conner is excited about is his really good friend Jordan Jacob is on his team.

The only bad thing is Conner, Cole and I had to stay home from the Morris Family reunion. Sacrifices!

Cole doesn't sleep well, so I sent Erik with the girls and said, "Have FUN!"
Life right now seems so busy trying to make decisions with Cole. Helping a Behavior Analyst write goals/objectives for him. We have interviewed some therapist and hope to get them trained so they can help with Cole. Moved to a new center L.I.F.E. for O.T (Occupational therapy) it is much closer. As of right now Cole receives O.T. and speech once a week, will start the SARRC Jump start program this week 2 days a week and have therapist at least 3 days. I am trying to juggle Cole and the other 3 kids (Conner and Carly start basketball camp this week and Lindsey leaves for Girls Camp Thursday). I think the hardest thing for me is preparing to have people in my home almost on a daily basis and trying to help Cole with behaviors we are starting to see as the therapist begin to push him to his limits! I know we will get through it...the Lord is always by my side.

D-Backs WIN the championship!

Can you say "We are the CHAMPIONS?" YEAH, we are so proud of these boys. They have worked so hard. The final score was 6 D-Backs 3 Red Socks! Out of 6 innings Conner pitched 4 and did amazing! He was calm and did a wonderful job! We are so proud of the his growth and the many lessons he has learned this season! A big thank you to our Coaches Larry, Chad and James we appreciate all the time and effort you gave our boys!
Conner's #1 Coach Papa Larsen. Thanks Papa for all your help and encouraging words! We are so blessed to have such a talented Papa!

Gotta have a trophy group picture, yippee!

A huge thank you to Conner's support team. A few people we didn't get in the picture were Gramers and Papa Morris, our home teachers (Bro. and Sis. Larson), Sis. Bond, Aiden and the Brimhall family (baseball ghosts), Udall family, Jordan Jacob and family, Lopez girls and all the many parents of the players. We have had such a fun season.

Conner's last Jr. Minor game - moving up to Majors next season.

Conner said, "I am so glad we won, but sad that the baseball season is over! "

Baseball ghosts

We woke up to this Tuesday morning, "baseball ghosts" ! Balloons, posters, streamers, sidewalk chalk with encouraging words all for CONNER! It looked so cool! Conner was playing in the Jr. Minors Queen Creek Little League Championship game that night! He was so happy to think someone would do this for him! We all walked around and read all the awesome good wishes!

So creative and thoughtful!

What awesome friends we have!

Go D-Backs!

Memorial Day Traditions

This year was a little different when you think of our traditional Memorial Day. We always meet at the Mesa Cemetery at 10am. Erik, Lindsey and Carly were there, but Conner, Cole and I didn't make it. Conner had batting practice at 9am. No worries Cole and I went over to Oma's and Papa's to cut our the veggies for later that day - since his practice was right down the road. Carly is getting so tall.
Braley boys and Stephanie, belong to Tina (Erik's sister).

Lavold girls and Jake, belong to Liz (Erik's sister)

Cleaning off Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Morris' headstone.

Many observers...learning why we celebrate Memorial Day.

Lindsey's turn to clean with Papa's help.

Now over to clean Erik's little sister, Stephanie, who was still-born, headstone.

Now to Grandpa Williams headstone - this is a very neat experience. It gives us opportunities to teach our kiddos about their ancestors. After visiting the cemeteries we all met up at Gramers and Papa's for lunch. I love this time because we get to visit and enjoy one another. After eating and relaxing we headed over to Aaron and Liz's to swim (that is everyone except Cole and Erik they went home for a much needed nap). Sadly Aunt Liesl was sick with kidney stones and Marcus stayed home to sleep (missed you all). It was a gorgeous day!

Around 5pm we met up with the Larsen clan to hang out. Eating yummy grilled or fried chicken, veggies, pasta salad, watermelon, strawberries, and much much more (thank you Oma for always making the holidays enjoyable!). Oma had set up water fun for all to enjoy. Cole not sure about it at first.

Cole likes to always care some sort of toys (today was cars some days it is dinosaurs).

Jase, Lisa's youngest, I love this picture of him - little cutie pie!

Heather (pregnant with baby #3 another boy) and Lisa

These little ones were quite the daredevils! I thought Jase was going to break his neck and Case drowned the way they jumped into the pool! Glad there were no serious injuries!

Don't mess with Crew!

Case, Jase, Crew, Kylee and Cole having a great time!

Time for dessert (donuts and ice cream sandwiches) Case was in hog HEAVEN!

12-1-1

Isn't he a cute kid? Especially when he SMILES and is happy! Conner's baseball team "Diamondbacks" are rocking hard this season. Their record is 12 wins 1 tie 1 loss. They have won their first play-off game and we hope win the tournament. Their infield is so hot and pitchers on fire. We love watching them play and appreciate all our family members who have come out to cheer Conner on.
Conner and proud Dad Erik -his first play-off game was Saturday night so Erik could watch the WHOLE game.
Cole and Conner both hit home runs, yippee!
Afterwards "Sparky" the ASU Sun Devil mascot was at the ball field and was signing hats and baseballs. Conner was able to get his hat and baseball signed WOW, what a night!