Cici Ninny's her name, spoilin's her game

Game 8 — Tuesday night vs. White Sox

Cici Ninny drove all the way down from Nebraska by herself this afternoon, just to see Jack's last baseball game. She surprised him by sitting on our porch as he got off the school bus, and he instantly ran up to gave her a big hug.

Even though they were in the same league, Jack and Brody's teams never played each another all season. But since their final games were back-to-back, I at least wanted to get a pic of them together in their uniforms.

Twelve very squirrely boys, and all 24 eyes looking at the camera! Thank you very much.

It was easy to get Jack to pause for this picture during warm-ups, 'cause he was proud of himself for learning how to throw and catch the ball so much better.

The Cubs' final pre-game meeting.

As second-baseman fielding the ball.

Déjà vu.

Landon doing a taste test to see which one's better: yellow crayon, or a Slim Jim.

It was neat to play their last game at a different place for the first time -- the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex.

I love this shot.

When Nicky asked me beforehand how many players were on Jack's team, I knew that she was up to something. Sure enough. She brought with her big boxes of concession-type snacks for the kids to load up on after the game — green apple cotton candy, Chocolate Lover's Poppycock, Slim Jims, sunflower seeds and peanuts in the shell.

Landon's turn to run the bases.

Game 7 — Monday night vs. Cardinals

Fielding the ball as "pitcher," to get the out at first.

Trash talking with the ump. Thankfully, the young guy was a good sport every time Jackson called him "Blue."

The moment of contact.

Gettin' ready to score.

2nd Annual Float & Tip

After the success of last year, several fraternity brothers and I set off on another float trip adventure this past weekend.

We drove more than five hours through the Show-Me State to the depths of southern Missouri (taken out the window going 70 mph).

We finally arrived outside Eminence, Mo., Friday evening and set up camp on the bank of the Jacks Fork River.

Opposite the sunset, the full moon rose through the trees.

We purposely chose the "loud" section of the campground. The music being played was definitely more rockin' than Kumbaya.

Chicken in a Biscuit in one hand, Easy Cheese in the other. Life is good.

We all awoke early Saturday morning, made breakfast, and waited for the bus to come pick us up at 8:30 (after using the camera's self-timer, propped on top of a cooler).

Our four canoes shoved off from Alley Spring State Park right at 9 a.m.

Bartles & James.

The first of many throughout the day.

Also, the first of many throughout the day.

Carl and Jay getting the most out of their float t(r)ip experience.

Water fights.

Shane.

Chad and Ken.

One of the funniest things all day, was when Craig and James tried to manuever their canoe over some rapids between this log and the shore. They ended up dangerously close to the angled log, forcing James (in front) to lean all the way back until he was practically laying flat. But Craig (in the back) actually went over the log and — without saying a word — ended up stradling it, as if he had planned it all along! Their canoe kept on going without James even realizing it. They couldn't do it again if they tried.

So we used it as an excuse to stop for a break ... and some more laughs.

Again this year, the weather was absolutely perfect.

Ken-jive.

James divin' and swimmin'.


Since Jacks Fork is spring-fed, the water's especially clear and cool.

Craig makes a good Huck Finn.

"We all live in a yellow submarine..."

Paddling hard on the homestretch.

We ended up floating 14 miles to Two Rivers in seven-and-a-half hours.

Already looking forward to doing it again next year.

Juicy fruit

After Jack's baseball game last night, we came home and sliced open a big watermelon we'd had in the fridge. The weather had turned surprisingly nice and it was a perfect night for eatin' watermelon in the driveway.

Making his own comedy/tragedy mask.

Slurping.

Sharing.

Jack was really good at spitting the seeds! (I almost got out the tape measure.)

It was so gorgeous outside that we didn't want to come in; it was almost 10 o'clock before we finally had our fill of watermelon deliciousness and got the boys ready for bed.

A mid-summer night's dream.