Weekend sweep of Longwood

After we finished the River Bandits game, we went straight to the NC State home game against Longwood.  We arrived in the 5th inning as both games started at the same time.  State had taken the first two games from the Lancers, who are a smaller college in Virginia.  State doubled up Longwood 6-3 to sweep the weekend series.  With State being on the bubble, a sweep was absolutely needed.

It was time to run the bases.  They run them faster than they did last year.



Here are some pictures from running the bases:

Mark running down to first base.

Enough of these high fives.  It is time to run fast.  - Jack and Mark

Are these Wolfpack or River Bandits on the Wolfpack's field?

Finishing up the weekend series

The next day, after church, we had another game against the Sea Dogs.  The team played pretty well. They hit the ball well and played good defense.  Mark scored the game winning run to lead the River Bandits to another win over the Sea Dogs.

Mark was named the player of the game.  We are so proud of both of them.

Here are a couple of pictures from the game:

Postgame handshakes.

Gotta give coach the high five as player of the game! - Mark

Coach Mike and Mark

Getting ready for church

Sometimes, you just need a brother's help to get ready in the morning.  This morning it was Jack helping Mark this Sunday morning.

Rigel's birthday party

That afternoon, Jack and Mark went to a birthday party for one of Jack's classmates, Rigel.  The party was at Play Nation.  This was the same place that Jack and Mark had their party for their 5th birthday. With the place opening a new section, it was good to have them having fun in a new section of Play Nation.  They had a great time.  Lots of slides, trampolines, and bounce houses.  But Jack and Mark took to a ball...of course.  They threw a big kick ball back and forth and at the basketball goal in the trampoline.

The boys had a really good time at the party.

Here are a couple of pictures from the party:

Dylan, Xavier, Anders, Mark, Jack, and Oak

Mark with a Star Wars hat on.

Weekend Series vs. the Sea Dogs

On Saturday, the River Bandits started a weekend series against the Sea Dogs.  We were scheduled to play them both on Saturday morning as well as Sunday afternoon.  With team pictures in the morning, we didn't get to have our usual warm up.  This caused the hitting to not be as good as sometimes.  But they did play well in the field.

It was really cool to see Jack and Mark get 4 outs combined with that combination.  In one inning, Mark caught two ground balls and threw to Jack at first base and got 2 outs.  In the next inning, Jack caught two ground balls and threw to Mark at third base and got 2 outs.  It was really cool.  All of that playing catch is starting to pay off.

Jack, with getting two outs, and getting a couple others while being at first, as well as his good hitting, was named as the River Bandits player of the game.  Not only was Jack the player of the game, but the River Bandits won their first game of the weekend series.

Here are some pictures from the game:

Jack and Drew pregame

Alex and Mark pregame.

That is a vicious swing.  - Mark

That is Brett Austin...oops..it's Mark!  Nice form.

Taking the away pitch and hitting in the hole on the opposite field.  - Jack

Listening to Coach Mike in the post game.  Am I going to be the player of the game?  - Jack 

Is my brother the player of the game?  - Mark

Give the coach a high five! - Jack

Count us down Jack! 1! 2! 3! Arrrgh! River Bandits!

Coach Mike and Jack

Trip to Kingsport

The next weekend the River Bandits did not have any games, surprisingly.  It worked out well for us as we were planning on going to Kingsport to see Mimi (we were supposed to go on Easter but Jack was sick).  The weekend wasn't looking good in terms of weather, with rain expected most of the weekend.

On Saturday morning, we did something that the DeVault household rarely does, they went out for breakfast.  We went to Krispy Kreme.  Mark was SOOO excited.  Jack likes the icing on the doughnuts right now, but Mark loves the glazed doughnuts.

After feeding Poppy lunch, we were able to go outside and play.  Given that the rain had held off, the boys were super pumped about being able to play baseball and other games outside.  They showed off how well they can catch now:

 

We had a really good trip, being able to have a lot of fun with Mimi as well as enjoying our quality time with Poppy.

Jack and Mark are already looking forward to the next time they can visit Kingsport.

Here is Mimi and her grandsons:

Jack, Mimi, and Mark

Another win for the River Bandits

Another weekend brought forth another River Bandits game.  Jack and Mark really look forward to their baseball games.  The interesting thing is that the team has started off really well, especially in the field.  It is surprising given the complete lack of fielding practices due to the way too wet spring.  All of those times that Jack and Mark play catch is paying off.  They have made some really good defensive plays.

Today their bats and their gloves were working in harmony as the River Bandits ran their record to 2-0 with a good win.

Here are a couple of pictures from the game:

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance before the game.  

A happy bunch of players.  Sawyer, Mark, Jack, Alex, and Drew!

Art Show

It seems like a lot of the things we do with Jack and Mark revolve around sports and church.  And that is true.  However, they were really excited to tell us about the art show that was being held at school.  Each child had made a piece of art.  Then the art teacher framed each piece from the students.  We went to the school and all of the pieces of art were in the gym.

When we found the pieces that the boys made, we were able to purchase them.  Jack and Mark really wanted to buy their pieces...and so did Mommy and Daddy.

We did purchase them and are trying to figure out where to put them in the house...and get ready for next year's art show.

Here are some pictures of the art show:

Check out my framed picture! - Mark

Here is my picture! - Jack

Our artwork and soon in our house! - Jack and Mark