Arriving at the fields for Tournament Day, we encountered pirates. Jonny just happened to have a treasure map he'd found on the Internet and printed a few days before. When he showed it to them, one pirate said, "Arrgh, Matey - never show your maps to another pirate!!"
Yet another unsuccessful attempt to get a picture where Mom and kids are looking at the camera at the same time. Believe it or not, this was best of three attempts. What am I saying? I know any mom can believe it!
Big Sis Sophia was such a great addition to the day!
Jonny and Daniel. It was Daniel's 11th birthday too!
T-shirt sighting.
This was cropped from a larger picture. My favorite shot of the day. Justin reaching for Sophia's hand.
Justin and Sophia
T-shirt sighting #2
T-shirt sighting #3
Well, we almost had everyone looking. I'm not only having a horrible hair day, but wearing a size small cap. The sacrifices we make!
During opening ceremonies, there were lots of photo ops for the kids.
Justin and Gecko
Buds
Even Jesse - normally a little more reserved - couldn't resist.
As Jesse would say, "Alright!"
High-flying entertainment
Justin celebrates life!
Maddy and Daniel, the Birthday Boy.
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Caps for Sale! This is a must-have book for any family. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0064431436/smallbeginnings
Sophia and Daniel in center field (is that what you call it? - between second and third base. What do I know? I just write and try to take pictures :)
Maddy and Justin at third base.
Dad and Jesse pitch.
Batter up! Jonny's catching.
Running for first -
Almost there!
Home!
It takes a village to play Challenger Little League.
Jesse's focused.
At third base, this woman (don't know whether it was a mom or helper) took the player out of his wheel chair and said to someone on the sidelines, "He's gonna slide in." The minute the batter hit the ball, she took off running with him for home.
This was the slide :) (Out of focus, but I wanted to show it no matter what)
Can you see the joy on his face?
Maddy and Justin ready at third.
Jesse's up!
The Kid who Slid and his helper play first base as Sophia and Jesse get ready to run.
Jonny hits one - bases loaded with Curtises.
Jesse coming up on first. Justin and Maddy running for second.
Jesse coming in.
Justin coming in.
Jonny at bat again.
Batter up!
Jonny is king of perfect sports moves.
That's the game!
Cheering the other team
Yay!
Congratulations all around.
Bumper sticker sighting in the lot.
From our hotel window Sunday morning. Mother's Day 2007. I'm thinking, "It starts with this - and then you never know where it will lead. I had two daughters when I married Tripp. We had a bunch of kids in a row - and had seven altogether when we had Jonny. The minute I knew he had Down syndrome, I immediately knew that it was the beginning of our greatest adventure. Maddy was born a year later. Since then we've adopted three more boys with Down syndrome. Who would have dreamed when Tripp asked me to marry him that our lives would be so rich and full? All I can say is Say Yes to Life. Say Yes to Change. Say Yes and Grow!
