Straight from the Harleysville Hornets!

Jacoby Ellsbury isn't the only Baseball player in the family. Here's an update from the others on the eastcoast baseball circuit......Jack is keeping me informed on his baseball games now that he is on the travelling baseball team. He called last night and said he'd been in a "slump" for the past few games, and seemed to be coming out of it. (good news). His email this morning states: "Last night for my game that we lost 18-14, I was not mad because I had a double in the bottom of the first with two strikes no balls, a strikeout to end the inning from being put in to pitch, I hit the ball and flied out to first, and in the last inning I started a six run rally by being the first one to score on a steal to third and home on another double. My favorite positions are, left field first base, and last but not least pitcher. I love playing baseball and I never never never never never give up and everyday get better better better ".

Jack DeSpain

When Jim and I were in Philadelphia Taylor, Jack and I enjoyed the story the 12th Angel, about a young baseball player who never gave up and got better everyday. Glad Jack and Taylor are remembering the story!

Old Friends

I write from time to time about my neighbors... most of us have lived here in this beautiful spot for thirty years. We've raised families.....we've seen joy and sadness in each of our lives. We haven't just watched people live, we have lived with each other, and so we love each other. And because of that, when one experiences joy we all feel that joy, and when one experiences sadness we all feel the sadness. It is such a comforting feeling to be a part of a neighborhood of what I like to call "old friends". On summer evenings I can sit out on my porch, just as twilight comes and it starts to cool down...I can almost here one of the kids yell "over the can on Mandy" and then the screams of all the others as they run in to kick the can before they get caught. But of course it is not those kids screams I hear, but new young kids who are out playing their games. Different kids, different games, but the same, because they are the children of this magical neighborhood. Where everyone knows everybody and cares what happens to you and sticks together. No one ever wants to leave to find a bigger house or a grander area to live in, because they would rather be with their "old friends". So we all fix up our homes and add on if we have to, because our real estate in this little part of the world is more valuable than any amount of money you could place on it. It is the kind of place that, when married children come back, everyone knows them and we can tell their children stories about their parents as young kids and what kind of characters they were. On July 4th we have a wonderful breakfast in the Jorgensen's backyard. All the neighbors come and their married kids and families...how fun to get together and see people we knew from the time they were born and now they have children of their own. We give hugs, we laugh, we sometimes share a tear over someone who isn't with us anymore. But there is a tie that cannot be broken....because we have lived with one another and shared the most important moments of our lives with these beautiful people...our dear "old friends".

How do you spend your days?

Monday, Wednesday and Friday I get to spend the day with this little guy! Doesn't matter what else is going on...all's you have to do is pick him up and give him a hug and all is well with the world.

We've run away

We were suppose to go home Saturday, but decided to stay and watch more baseball, so going home Monday. I think we will have fit in about 9 games while we were here visiting. Each kid twice! Very fun! Today we went to church. It was James and Becky's ward conference and Jim and I were sitting in SS when Brad Larson walked in to visit for a minute. He was there with the Stake YM...so it was fun to see him and give him a hug. He left Gabi to go to church alone with the 4 and she was speaking as well, because she had been called to teach Seminary! How are you doing all this Gabi! Anyway, it has been fun seeing the eastern side of the family...we fly west tomorrow.

Today's Activities

Jim, Jamey and I travelled to Gettysburg today.  It is about two hours from where James and Becky live, so we were gone most of the day.  It was well worth the trip to see the wonderful history and national park.  (Pictures to come in upcoming blog).  We've had a lot of rain today and much to everyone's disappointment, Jack's game got cancelled!  He was so sad, but hopefully they will be able to reschedule while we are still here.  Hogan found out today that he made it on the 9 year old travelling soccer team (he's 7) of course, these boys are wonders, no one ever had such darling, talented grandchildren (anyone of you care to comment?)  After drying Jack's tears we went bowling where Grampa came in 1st, James was 2nd, and Grama was 3rd! (Haven't bowled in about 20 years, I cheated and used the bumpers) then went to get Mexican for dinner, so the day ended well.  Luke keeps us laughing continually. We are having a great time.

Bulletin from the Ballpark

While Taylor is warming up, so are the other boys (I think Luke is warming up for the choir)! Taylor's team team played great scoring 8 runs in the first couple innings. Tay got 2 doubles and 2 singles. It was his last game of the season, so on to the travelling team. Tomorrow we watch Jack!

Straight from Philly

Jim and I took the redeye and landed here in Philadelphia with 4 redeyes on Sunday morning!  We have all ready been to three baseball games with one every night this week which is the reason we are here visiting the PA DeSpain gang!  So much fun to see these growing boys and their parents who, because of their baseball skills are not coming to Utah this summer, but will probably come to visit at Christmas.  Taylor is not a little kid anymore...Jack is a famous left handed pitcher out here.  Hogan is missing 6 teeth and all the brothers agree that he is by far the most gifted athlete.  Luke is also missing teeth and has just gone golfing with his dad and grampa in his plaid shorts and golf shirt.  I will show pictures in the next blog!  We are having a great time!