Birthday Party at the DBAP

For the boys' birthday party, they thought about having it at several locations.  Frankie's Fun Park and Chuck E Cheese were options that they discussed.  But one place kept coming back to the forefront of the boys' minds.  The Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) to watch a Bulls baseball game.  

The boys were able to invite 8 of their friends for a one of a kind birthday party.  The plan was that they were going to have a pre-game catch on the field with a player, a picture with Wool E Bull, and fun times in the playground area.

The eight friends they invited to the game were:

Drew Kinder

Ryan Kinder

Alex Byrd

Luke Robley

Sawyer Bliss

Luke Veilleux

Drew Blackmond

Darin Ayers

On the way over to the game, we had our first sign that the party would not go as planned.  On the way to Durham, we had a massive thunderstorm.  Luckily it was abating when we pulled in the parking garage next to the stadium.

Once we got inside the stadium, we were told that there would be no pregame catch since the tarp was down on the infield.  No problem.  Starting then, we were just going along with the flow.

As the rain subsided, the boys enjoyed seeing the tarp get pulled off the infield.  The rain stopped early enough that the game could start at the normal start time.  In the first inning, the birthday party got their picture made with the mascot and then each received a Bulls hat.  

We had cupcakes that Mommy and Daddy had brought to the game in the top of the 2nd inning (it had to be then as the cupcakes were melting in the sun that was radiating onto the stadium).  

After the 5th inning, we went to the playground area.  All of the kids enjoyed that.  There was a place to throw and hit baseballs, as well as some playground areas (like you see at Chick-Fil-a or McDonalds).  

After the game ended (a quick 2:10 3-0 Bulls shutout victory), the boys were the first kids to run the bases.

Finally, the boys were on the field.  After they ran the bases, we went into left field and the boys had a game of catch.  It was awesome.  All of the kids had a great time.

Jack and Mark were so excited and had the best time ever.  

Here are some pictures from the day:

Getting ready for the first pitch.

Party group with Wool E Bull

Jack and Mark with Wool E Bull

Cupcake cake!  Yummy!

A Quick picture before everyone takes a cupcake.

This party rocks! - Luke Robley

Cupcake.  Good!  Icing on my lip.  Even better! - Jack

Cupcake eaten with no problem! - Mark

The sugar rush makes me start dancing! - Sawyer

The cupcake just chills me.  - Luke Veilleux

"Happy Birthday Jack & Mark" on the video board.

Watch me throw a strike Jack! - Mark

And there off! Time to run the bases!

Rounding third and heading home,

Even though I am about to score, always time to look at Mommy and pose for a picture. - Mark

We enjoyed that run around the bases. - Jack and Mark

Having a great time at their birthday!

Catch time.  Jack - catch this! - Mark

Throwing it back to you Mark! - Jack

How cool is this.  Having a catch while the bull watches.

Brothers doing what brothers do.

The party people after throwing for 10 or so minutes.

Happy partygoers.

A motley crue in front of the scoreboard!

Happy Birthday Mark and Jack!

Family picture in front of the bull!

Mommy, Jack, Daddy, and Mark.

Best friends!

Jack, Drew, Mark, and Ryan

Boys turn 6

On Wednesday, Jack and Mark turned 6.  Mommy and Daddy took the day off from work and were going to have a great day of fun with the boys.  We started the day off fast and never stopped.  Here is our itinerary for the day.

8:30 Breakfast from Bojangles
8:43 Picture with Jack on his birthday minute
8:46 Picture with Mark on his birthday minute
9:45 Tennis Practice
11:00 Leave for Durham Bulls stadium to pick up the tickets for the boys birthday party on Sunday
12:30 Lunch at Chili's
2:00  Golf practice at the Lonnie Poole driving range
3:30  Fun times at Marbles
5:00  Home for a few minutes
6:00  Swimming lessons
7:00  Dinner at Red Robin

As you can see, it was quite the day.  We never really stopped.  The boys were excited during the whole day.  They loved playing tennis as they start Tennis camp next week.  Then, they showed Mommy and Daddy how much improvement they are having playing golf.   At Marbles, all they want to do is to play with the basketballs and hockey areas.  Jack and Mark enjoyed it so much.

After a brief rest, they went to swimming lessons and are getting better every time.  It is so good to see.

The boys ate at their two favorite restaurants.  All in all, it was a great day.

We are so proud of how they have grown.  We can't believe they are already 6.

Happy Birthday Jack and Mark!!

We love you both!

-Mommy and Daddy

Here are some pictures from the day:

The family selfie at Chili's.

Look at the ball flight into the dark cloud.  Nice follow through.  - Mark

Good posture and follow through.  - Jack

Time for a quick workout at Marbles.  - Mark

Pump some iron! - Jack

Hanging on the rim like BeeJay Anya! - Mark

No one can get a puck by me! I am Cam Ward! - Jack

Climbing the ladder to being 6 years old.  - Mark

Celebrating the boys birthday in Tennessee

Last weekend, we drove over the mountains to East Tennessee to see Mimi, Poppy, and the Morgans to help celebrate the beginning of Jack and Mark's birthday week.  We were so excited to spend the weekend in Kingsport.  It was a relaxing weekend for Mommy and Daddy, given how busy they had been during the week with work and the beginning of our house renovation.

The boys had a great time playing with Macy and Kate.  The boys got some new soccer balls and enjoyed kicking them outside with the girls.  That afternoon, we went to Pal's Roundhouse, a brand new carousel just opened in downtown next to the Farmer's Market.  All four of the grandkids loved riding the carousel.

Next, we took Mimi out to the driving range so the boys how well they hit golf balls.  Mimi and Poppy, along with Granna and Grandpa, had gotten the boys their new golf clubs.  Granna and Grandpa had seen them hit some, but Mimi hadn't been to the range with them yet.  She came away most impressed.

Following the golf demonstration, we went and fed dinner to Poppy.  It was good to see Poppy.  He ate very well.  The boys were glad to see and hang out with Poppy.

Mimi had gotten a cupcake cake in the shape of a baseball.  Perfect for Mark and Jack.  They were excited and enjoyed the cupcakes.

All in all, a great trip to Kingsport to start birthday week for the boys.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

The extra large birthday cupcake cake for Jack and Mark.  That is a big baseball.

Excitement abounds while Happy Birthday is being sung.

You ready to start blowing out the candles?

I got these over here Jack! - Mark

Fun times on the Santa Special train, oops the Carousel!

I am so excited to ride the carousel!  - Jack

Hi Santa!

Jack and Daddy on the carousel.  He wanted to be on the dog with the Auburn logo.  I sure hope this dog moves up and down as the previous horse was stationary.

Good thing it did go up and down!

July 4th fun

On July 4, the DeVault family celebrated our independence day with a new favorite pastime for the entire family.  We went to the golf course.  The boys wanted to play 18 holes of Par 3 golf over at Knight's Play.

We didn't know if the boys would want to play an entire 18 holes.  Boy were we wrong.  They loved it.  At the end of the round, they even wanted to play another 9 holes.  They love golf.

After we played 18, we all went to lunch and then got ready for the fireworks show that night.

Here are some pictures from the golf course:

Happy 4th of July on the golf course!

OK.  Jack if we are going to catch Daddy and Mommy, we are either going to have to play A LOT better or use this eraser to change some scores.  I say let's play A LOT better!  - Mark

Summer Camps

This summer we are having their first round of summer camps.  Here is the list of the camps that the boys are participating in:

Golf Camp
Upward Basketball Camp
Golf Camp
Golf Camp
Birthday week off
Tennis Camp
Baseball Camp
Tennis Camp
Golf Camp

Father's Day

Father's Day this year was special as it was the first Father's Day with two kids who are in school.  Daddy is so proud and so lucky to have Jack and Mark as my sons.  After church, they wanted to celebrate by going to Knight's Play Par 3 golf course.  Well, who wouldn't want to spend the afternoon with the family on the links?  So we wound up playing 9 holes.  It was so much fun.  Jack and Mark, who had started summer camp at a Golf Camp at the University Club at NC State the previous week, were really improving as golfers.

Here are some pictures of Father's Day:

Mark, Daddy, and Jack

Hey Mommy!  I am waiting.  - Mark

Hey Daddy! I am waiting too. - Jack

The picture of the DeVault boys after the round.