Xander and Clare

We had a quick (and fun) visit with Adelaide, her parents, and her new baby sister.

Hugs from Corwin and Sydney.

It was hot at Xander's ballgame, so Clare got a giant otter pop.

Jessica and Henry came with us to watch X play.

Our first baseman, about to make a nice play.

Three of my favorite little goofballs.

Xander and I took off for the 10U Cal Ripken State Baseball Tournament in Moses Lake, on the other side of the mountains. We took Olin with us and met up with his parents the next day.

Pizza stop in Ellensburg.

First things first after we checked into the team's hotel.

The boys ran around the hotel, finding their teammates and playing wiffle ball on the lawn until bedtime.

Just outside our hotel room door -- a lovely view of the lake.

Fueling up for day one of the tournament.

X gets a nice hit, while O looks on.

Night two: more pooltime.

Playing on the hotel's back lawn.

Everyone moved down to the lake and forgot all about the pool.

Coach told everyone to be in bed at 10pm, which Xander loved, since that's a good hour or more past his usual bedtime.

Ready for day two!

Celebrating an amazing comeback win.

I happily melted in 104-degree temperatures every day for this team of fabulous kids.

Playing flyers up after sundown.

High fives from Coach Brueske.

And a fist pump with Coach Morris.

Getting a run.

The last loss of the tournament was a tough one (a blow-out against our local Lynden team), but these boys did a fantastic job and came in fifth in the tournament.

X and I watched fireworks with his teammates and their families over Lake Moses until midnight, while Michael and Clare celebrated at Taya and Tony's with homemade ice cream.

Our last breakfast at the hotel before we hit the road, headed back home after a fun four days.

The only selfie we remembered to take, at a rest stop near the Gorge.

We stopped for a late lunch at a random DQ about an hour away from home -- and inexplicably ran into one of his teammates and his family.

Xander and his team were asked to run out onto the field with the Bellingham Bells a few nights later.

Waiting to be announced and run out on the field.

Playing a silly game in between innings.

 

Meanwhile, Clare dominated her own game of flyers up with some of the Titans younger siblings.

It was a great end to a fantastic 10U Bellingham Titans season.