tales from a far-land

This spring, we had plenty of opportunities to spend some extra special times with our friends we consider family.  We were able to enjoy time together at spring training baseball games, the Billy Joel concert, saying goodbye to one of the Valley's iconic restaurants - Don & Charlie's, a girls' night out to see a play, Sisters in Law, at The Phoenix Theatre Company, and a morning learning Mahjong with my yentas.  I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life to share of all of life's fun moments. Toni and I at a Dodgers Spring Training Game With my peeps at the Billy Joel Concert Saying Good-bye to Don & Charlie's Girls' Night Out to see Sisters In Law Winning my first game of Mahjong

Going to a spring training game during spring break has become an annual tradition.  Unfortunately, Kathleen's favorite team, the Dodgers, were not playing at home while she was visiting Arizona.  So, this year, we decided to check out the Padres and the Cubs at the Peoria Sports Complex. The day started with donuts for the kids with Aunt Kathleen while I had a client appointment. Afterwards, we headed over to the game.  We enjoyed ballpark food and beers.  The kids each received a gift from Aunt Kathleen -- a ball cap for Madi and baseball Legos for Aiden.  Thank you, Aunt Kathleen!  Our biggest complaint would be the weather.  It was a really warm day! Even a little too warm for me.  Luckily, the ballpark had a splash pad for the kids to enjoy, but it still didn't allow us to stay too much longer than the fifth or six inning.  Overall, we all still had a great time.  Maybe next year, the weather will be a little more accommodating. ...

Every year, I like to take the kids to at least one spring training game.  The game that we attended this year was during Madilyn's spring break when Aunt Kathleen was visiting while on her spring break as well. Kathleen loves the Dodgers, so we all headed out to Camelback Ranch to watch some baseball. The kids seemed to have a good time.  Before the game started, the kids got their programs signed by a couple of the ball players. Then, Aiden really wanted a baseball from one of the players, so he went right down to the dugout and stuck his hand out and waited for someone to give him a ball.  He waited and waited very patiently, but no baseball was given.  One of the spectators in the first row watching this whole event transpire reached into his bag and handed Aiden a baseball.  Aiden was so excited!  He told the man thank you and ran right back to us to show us the ball.  He held on to that ball for the entire game.  When we were starting to l...

On the last Sunday of March, we took the kids to a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium to watch the Angels play the Reds.  Sadly, the weather was extremely warm that day (ninety plus degrees), so we only lasted until the fifth inning.  While we were there, the kids enjoyed running down to the dugout in between innings in the hope that one of the players would toss them a ball.  We really enjoyed our time at the game with friends and our kids.  Too bad the weather didn't cooperate very much! The Bauman Family Megan and Aiden Palmer Girls Selfie Trying to obtain a baseball from a player View from our seats Aiden enjoying the game  Josh and Aiden  Travis and Connor

This past weekend was a whirlwind.  The Farrell-Landers family stayed very busy traveling from one activity to the next.  Our weekend included Tot Shabbat, soccer, dance, three birthday parties, a memorial celebration of life, and a spring training game.  And somehow, I was still able to complete four loads of laundry.  Here are some snapshots from our "jam-packed" weekend... Friday Night:  Madi and Aiden marched their Torah around during the service Saturday morning:  Aiden played in the first game of his second season of soccer Sunday afternoon:  We all attended a Spring Training game at the Peoria Sports Complex with our neighbors, the Hortons.  Sunday evening:  Celebrated Brandon's birthday with burritos, beer and cake!

March in Phoenix is synonymous with spring training baseball.  This Phoenician loves spring training, which is odd as I am not really a huge baseball junkie.  What is there not to enjoy?  Great weather.  Fanatic fans. Hot Dogs and Beer.  A closeness to the players.  And fun company.  It is an annual tradition I look forward to every year! For the past three years, my girlfriend, Kathleen, has visited me in March during her school's spring break. She is a *huge* L.A. Dodgers fan, so we, of course, have to visit Camelback Ranch to watch a couple of spring training games.  This year, Aiden joined us for his first baseball game.  He was so happy!  He loved the entire experience.  He ate hot dogs.  Yes, I said hot dogs.  He had two!  He enjoyed Cracker Jacks. We walked down to the dugout so he could say "hi" to the baseball players.  He sang and dance to the songs. He rooted for both teams.  He was such a tr...