We are a busy family. That is often said on this blog. However, as busy as we are, we do strive to slow down and just be together as a family, no one else involved, nowhere else to go, just hang out and be. That said, after a long day of appointments at the "office", as MK says, we came home, spread out a blanket in the backyard and had a picnic. Following our picnic, the children played, Ryan and I talked, the kids did some jumping and swinging, giggles were heard, happiness was definitely in the air. Baseball season is in full swing now with the boys. MK is well aware of this as she spends more evenings than not at a baseball park. On this particular evening, as the boys were playing a game with Ryan, MK took it upon herself to try and figure out for herself just how this baseball game works.

Maneuvering this glove thing is tough work!

Steady....she has her eye on the ball.

Step one, two, three and throw the ball. Easy.

Everyone is currently enjoying this beautiful, southern style, Spring in Georgia. We just finished up a picnic in the backyard and can't seem to bring ourselves to come inside. MK, donning her undies and socks, is on the the trampoline jumping, the boys are all playing baseball, and me, well, I had to come in for one moment to write about our friends, the Hatchers. The Hatchers began their second journey to China one year ago. Today they met their son, Xin, for the first time. He is four years old and as handsome as can be. Please check out their site at www.babyjellybeans.com (enter Xinran as the child's first name and Hatcher as the last name). So glad to see another little one making their way home!

The Masters

Every year during our Spring break week, we welcome The Masters Golf Tournament into our city. The tournament is played on one of the most beautiful courses located at The Augusta National Golf Club. This year Ryan and I had the opportunity to attend on day one of the tournament. It was fantastic to say the least. Ryan and I do not have many opportunities to just spend time together, just the two of us, without any interruptions. Thursday at the tournament gave us just the time we needed to enjoy being a couple. It was most entertaining too. I was constantly trying to remember Birdie was good, Bogey not so much and Par, what does that mean again??? And, as usual, I so enjoyed watching and talking to the different spectators. People come from all over the world to attend this tournament. At one point I had to remember we were not at Disney because of all of the different languages being spoken all around us. Amazing. And we were thrilled to be a part of the excitement.

The boys were a bit sad that they were not able to join us this year but they quickly recovered when they were invited to my sister's house for the night and we promised to have a Masters party on the last day of the tournament. We purchased t-shirts for all three of the kiddos. On Sunday, we all sat down to our fun filled meal in front of the tv to watch the final round. Ryan questioned me a bit as I was teaching them to gamble. We all took the player that we wanted to win and put a quarter in the pot. Winner took all and Colin was the one who came out on top. Minor gambling (no pun intended) at its best. Following our meal, the boys quickly gathered up their golf clubs and headed out back to play their own Masters tournament. Mason-Kate....well, as usual, she made us laugh. Ryan was putting her to bed. She insisted on wearing her Masters t-shirt to sleep in - yes, after having it on ALL day. EW. Did I mention the whole entire family was wearing a Masters t-shirt? Well, Ryan was putting her to bed when MK looked at his shirt and then looked at her own shirt with the most confused little expression. All of our t-shirts have the standard Masters logo, an outline of the United States with a pin flag marking Augusta. The child size tees have a larger outline than the adult size tees. While pointing to the pin flag on Ryan's shirt, she asked, "Daddy, why your boat little and my boat big?" Very clever I must admit. In her mind, the US outline was the boat and the pin flag was the sail. Thinking outside of the box at its best!

Putting for Eagle.....

P studying for his best shot of the day!