Fewer in number...

The girls didn't get as many things this year, but we heard no complaints! Lauren finally got a phone! It has been number one on her list of things she would want most in life for a couple of years now.

 

Renee really wanted high speed Internet or a laptop. We got the high speed, but then she still wanted the laptop.

 

Santa hit a good Black Friday deal on laptops...

 

They really love the laptops! This is how we see our girls most of the time now. I'm not looking forward to our next electricity bill.

 

Overall, we had a very nice Christmas. The only thing missing was seeing all of you. I have loved seeing the pictures that you all post and send along. The kids are all growing up so fast...and the grey hairs are creeping in...where does the time go?

Love to all!

Merry Christmas!

We got a new tree for this year. It is considerably skinnier, so all of my snowmen didn't quite fit. Lauren insisted they would if she decorated the back.

 

Lauren played Santa and handed out the gifts.

 

Renee was fine with having the presents brought to her.

 

She did need to pause for a little refresher nap between the stockings and the tree gifts.

 

Don't worry we all managed to stay awake for the rest of the morning...to be continued...above.

Christmas celebrations in the South!

Now, tell me what Christmas celebration is complete without a rousing performance of Cotton Eyed Joe!

 

We were celebrating Christmas at Lois and Don's home with his children and grandchildren. For some reason "Cotton Eyed Joe" came on and Renee & Lauren and Crissy & Tommy needed to show off their moves. This was taken on about the 4th time through by Lauren.

Just struck me as funny.

Well, looks like my first attempt at video didn't work. I guess I'll need to set up a YouTube account. Check back later.

Only in the South!

Do you remember what you were doing Sunday, December 20th, 2009 around lunch time?

We do... Lauren had just finished playing her second softball game of the day.

 

It was cold, but she hadn't yet acquired an appreciation of softball pants yet, so yes, she's wearing shorts. It may be Florida, but there was a bitterly cold wind blowing and it was in the low 50's. Our blood has thinned, we were COLD! Renee proved to be the smartest Stendel, she watched from the car.

 

But, onto the second half of the South topic. The jersey. Yes, folks it reads Rebels. We are not proud or condoning of the idea that it is an acceptable name. Lauren was guest playing with the team.
We have been looking into a travel softball team for Lauren to play with this Spring. The teams we were most interested in were the Future Tour, the Xtream and the Rebels. Location, was a big factor and how far they traveled to play in the weekend tournaments. These were all local and the Rebels actually played in the most close tournaments. The Future and Xtream practiced closest to our home. We know a lot of girls that play for the Future and so were let in on the secret that the Future and Rebels were going to combine for the Spring.
We had taken Lauren to 2 workouts for the new Future Rebels, when they asked if Lauren was going to play with them that weekend. They only asked 2 girls to play with them from the workouts. So, we let Lauren play on Sunday. She has mostly pitched and played 1st for the past 2 years. They put her in Right Field. She caught a fly ball for an out and stopped 3 other balls and held the girls to singles.

We are still in the process of trying out, but Rod has told the Recreation League that he won't be back to coach this Spring. Lauren has been looking very good in the work-outs. Tuesday was rough because it was only 39 degrees. On the plus side, she will now wear the pants!

All 9!

There are 9 positions in Softball. And now, Renee can officially say she has played all 9 in game situations!

 

She had started her career as many rookies do, in the outfield. She played all 3 outfield positions. When they are young these positions aren't as important, but as they get older they become crucial to your defense.

 

By her second year, she focused on 2nd base. By her third year it was clear that the team needed more pitchers. She and her Dad worked on it, went early to practice and showed the coaches, and the next Saturday she was the starting pitcher for the team. She was always calm and cool on the rubber. Last Spring, she did nothing but pitch. She was a total work-horse.

 

This Fall, they had another girl who could also pitch. They shared the pitching responsibilities. She played a lot of 1st base. She guested with some travel teams who used her as a 3rd baseman and shortstop (that's 8.)

 

The last Saturday of the season, the catcher went North to visit family. Renee finally got her chance to catch! 2 games on Saturday, a game and a half on Sunday, a game on Monday night and 2 more games the following Saturday. Can you imagine?! I was worried about sore muscles after the first Saturday. She loved it!

We have had more than 3 coaches tell her Father and I that they "wish they had 10 Renee's on their team." We always knew she was wonderful...but, it's her willingness to do the job, no matter what it is, that has made her the Team Player she is today.

Way to go Renee!!

Sluggers on Three!

 

Go Sluggers!

 

Lauren and Rod had a great season this Fall. Rod's sister, Shari, and her husband, Michael, were Rod's Assistant Coahes. Renee also was a huge help at practices. This season was truly a family affair. The girls always come together and made thier own little "family."
Back row: Madison, Lauren, Tanisha, Erica, Jessica, and Kara. Front Row: Noelle, Oreanna, Maddie, and Kayla.

 

Rod gave them a little Thank You and I'm Proud of You speech that about had all the grown-ups in tears. He truly was so proud of these girls. They were young and inexperienced and always played against very good teams. We didn't have any easy game all season. They managed 3 wins and improved tremendously!

Sluggers on three! Sluggers on three! One, Two, Three, SLUGGERS!!

Roadblock! New Route!

 

So, lately I've had a hard time posting. I've mentioned that we only have dial-up, which makes everything take sooo long. It's slow for me to do this and slow for Renee to socially network. Many evenings, I would want to update things on-line only to find the above situation.

No more! Yesterday we hooked ourselves up with some high-speed Internet and a wireless router!! Granted, Rod had to wait for the guy until 11:45 for our "early morning" "appointment." But, now Renee can go into another room and network and Lauren can be in another room and feed hungry diners and I can go on-line and do "whatever it is Mom does."

I will be doing some updates here very soon!