Misc Summer Pics

Time for a random collection of summer photos. I couldn't resist posting this series of pics with Connor and Kaitlynn sharing a somewhat rare moment of sibling enjoyment. Kaitlynn now calls Connor "honeybunch" in jest while Connor riles her up with his pet names of "sweetheart" and "darling". They do love each other but sometimes have a hard time showing it!

Speaking of Connor, just when we think he can't grow much more, he continues to reach new heights. No doubt his newly measured height of 6'2" in mid-summer was fueled by his insane appetite that even his buddies remark on again and again. None of us can understand how he stays so thin, although he does stay quite active in all of his sports commitments.

While Connor managed to stay booked throughout the summer with athletic endeavors, Kaitlynn was just as busy with both sports AND fun with friends. One of her memorable summer activities was hanging out with Lily's family and meeting the newest member of their family, Sadie. So precious!

Jeff and I are embarrassed to admit that we rarely cook family meals. We are constantly on the go and generally all eat at different times, so we usually just pull various things from the fridge/freezer which are never all that nutritious. On the rare times we actually cook, we must document the occasion with photos! Ha!

With all the terrible food choices in our house, it's a blessing the kids are so active with their teams and sports. For her part, Kaitlynn could be found outside with her neighborhood friends from early afternoon until late at night for most of the summer nights. It reminded me of how my siblings and I used to play back before electronics took over the lives of kids today (and adults too, for that matter).

Kaitlynn's favorite spot for food and ice cream is Freddy's, and she manages to convince us to take her more often than we'd like to admit. The fries and custard are pretty darn good, we have to admit!

And it wouldn't be summertime in the Houston area without the usual precautions we have to take whenever a tropical storm or hurricane threatens to affect our area. Despite all of Jeff's hard work and preparations, you never know what will end up in the bottom of the pool! One thing is always certain, though: summer storms usually lead to the most beautiful sunsets!

Summer Sleepover

With the busy summer nearing an end, Kaitlynn wanted to have another opportunity to hang out with her two besties, Sophia and Lily. There is never a shortage of fun and excitement with these three!

With an abundance of giggles and squeals, the girls made up a list of must-do activities and worked steadily towards checking off the boxes. First up was some pool and trampoline time outside, always a favorite!

Somehow the girls wound up raiding Kaitlynn's closet to discover her abundant supply of zebra-themed fashion. I've never known a pre-teen girl who continues to live out her childhood obsession with animal print the way Kaitlynn does, but this zebra phase WILL NOT DIE. Ha! The girls had too much fun with a zebra costume photo shoot, and then they decided to take their act on the road for a grocery store shopping spree to find some much-needed snacks and treats. I can only imagine what their fellow shoppers were thinking, but these girls sure didn't mind. Too cute!

Bonus Family Time in Florida

When Connor's baseball team had played their last game together, Jeff and Connor drove a few hours east to visit Jeff's family for one last hurrah before returning home to Texas. They were SO excited to reunite with the whole gang, including cousin Cash who is growing up fast. They had a fast and furious visit together, including their beloved offshore fishing excursion with Cap'n Dan - a long-standing Courtright tradition while in Florida. 

The family visit was short but sweet, and then it was time for the boys to return home. Despite the stern advice (or shall we say, demand?!) on my part, Jeff ended up letting our brand new driver gain some experience on the drive home via interstate highways. Thank goodness I wasn't in the car or it could've been Armageddon, ha! With white knuckles and a pumping heart, Connor took the wheel and managed to do a nice job during his stint on the road. After a short time, he was beyond ready to turn the driving duties back over to Jeff, though. Baby steps!

Although it was a short visit for Jeff and Connor, they were so thankful for the bonus family time. But they weren't the only ones enjoying time together. While the boys were away, Kaitlynn and I also soaked in some quality time amidst our busy schedules of work and cheer activities. Of course, our favorite activity usually involves some type of food and treats, and the occasion of girl time always calls for an over-the-top dessert like a Pizookie Sampler. It was the perfect way to end our busy week while waiting for the boys to return home. Yum!

Baseball in Florida

Connor's summer baseball experience with the Jays culminated in a trip to Panama City, Florida for one final tournament of the summer season. Due to his basketball commitments and conflicts, this was a trip that didn't come together until the very last minute, and Connor was SO excited when he realized he would be able to go. Jeff volunteered to join Connor while Kaitlynn and I stayed home for work and cheer activities, and they drove 9+ hours to join the team for both work and a little fun. By the time they made it to Florida, they were ready and excited for the week-long experience ahead. 

Almost as soon as Jeff and Connor arrived, the baseball tournament was underway. The weather was typical for Florida in July - super hot and humid with some torrential downpours throughout the day. Rain or shine, the Jays gave it their all and played some great baseball along the way. I was so thankful for the team and action photos sent out from a couple of the Moms on the team. Love seeing my player doing his thing!

Connor's pitching was really improving throughout his time as a Jay, and he was always excited for the games when he was able to take the mound. 

But it was Connor's batting that really began to improve throughout the summer with some incredible hits to power his team ahead in the run column. With all of his playing time, Connor really hit his stride behind the plate and ended up recording an incredible .511 batting average by the end of the summer. His confidence was sky high and he relished pouring over his stats from such a strong summer baseball performance. 

One story I heard quite a bit about from one of the tournament games was a "confrontation" that Connor had with the catcher during one of his at-bats. Connor will say that he innocently asked the catcher a question which later escalated into a conference between the coaches and umpires. But the series of photos from the incident seemed to show a testosterone battle between some competitive players during an intense game. Connor now proudly displays a photo of the catcher's gesture - seeming to show "I've got my eyes on you!" - as the screen on his phone. Ha! What I was NOT amused by, however, was Connor's act of taunting towards the pitcher when he made it to first base - all caught on photo. I'm not a fan of these type of antics!

What we witnessed throughout Connor's summer with the Jays was the noticeable difference that true camaraderie makes on the team's overall performance. As these players began to feel more comfortable together and bond as a team, their game greatly improved - as did their fun in the dugout. Connor started the summer unsure about his teammates and his role in the group, but by the end of their time in Florida, these players had truly become a winning TEAM. 

While in Panama City Beach, the baseball games were only a part of the full experience for the Jays. The team camaraderie, downtime at the beach, team dinners and hangouts, and overall FUN made the week such a great time for the parents and players alike. Beyond the actual games played, THIS is what baseball is all about, and we're so thankful for the amazing experience!