Cubs Win!

TJ gave his dad two tickets to the Cubs game for his birthday earlier this month. They attended the game together on Saturday. Although the trip was to celebrate Todd's birthday, TJ ended up with all the souvineers!

GO TIGERS GO

The Tigers faced three teams yesterday in practice scrimmages. TJ is #81 and plays both sides of the line. He caught two passes for touchdowns and was quarterback in the 3rd scrimmage! Here are a few snapshots of TJ making some handoffs to his teammates!

Busy Week

First, TJ rejoined the Aztec Basketball Team for a late summer session on the Court. They played thier first game on Sunday losing a physically rough game 50-53. TJ scored 13 points!

TJ received his football jersey last night. He was very excited to announce he is #81. GO TIGERS. They have scrimmage matches Saturday morning against the two St. Luke teams and Immaculate Heart. Then he and Todd are racing to Chicago to a Cubs game. TJ is already analyzing what souvineer he wants.

Tonight was Back to School night. We visited TJ's classroom and met his teacher, Mrs. Zinkan. She previously taught 2nd grade for 16 years but chose this year to be challenged with the 4th graders! Perhaps she suffers from amnesia since she had most of them two years ago!!!! Not sure what she is thinking.

Tomorrow is another full day for the Mann Family (school, work, practice and homework).

TJ started his piano lessons last Friday. His lessons are weekly and he still enjoys them. Bonus!

Then it is the weekend - perhaps I will rest during the day while the boys venture to Chicago between loads of laundry, bathing the dog, paying bills and updating facebook!

Happy 95th Birthday!

We gathered this evening for dinner at Johnny Carinos in Greenwood to celebrate my Grandma Bruce's 95th birthday. It took TJ a few minutes to calculate the year she was born!

First Day of School

TJ, Todd and I started the 4th grade today. Todd and I are hopeful we will learn something this time through!

Indiana Prospects!

TJ has accepted a place on the 10U Indiana Prospects baseball team for 2010. He tried out for several travel teams and was offered a position on each. He took his time and thought about the opportunities and selected the Prospects. It will be a new program, new coaches and teammates. We are excited for him & TJ will gel with the team instantly we are sure. TJ's first call was to his Skiles Test Cobras Coach - Brett Whigham!

Great Lakes Region Championship Game

Our nephew Devin and his teammates had their debut on ESPN Saturday night. Devin was the lead off hitter for the Bartholomew County Little League (BCLL) in the championship game against Kentucky. Unfortunately, Kentucky advanced to the Little League World Series but we could not be more proud of Devin and his team! They were awesome to watch and we enjoyed every minute of the season!

Proud Parents: Diana & Bill

Back to School Party 2009

TJ hosted the annual All Boys Back to School Party for the incoming 4th graders on Saturday, August 15th. It was great fun and we are happy to report no major injuries occurred. The boys enjoyed games of capture the flag, basketball, corn hole, and baseball. They devoured pizza, cookies and cupcakes (donated by the Akers family) and kept hydrated with gatorades. Great way to end the summer.

First Colts Preseason Game

The food and friendship was good. The Colts performance not so good. They lost to the Vikings 13-3. TJ and his Papa Bruce attended the game while Todd and I hosted friends (Can you believe one dared to show up in a Bears t-shirt?). We quickly dressed his beer in a Colts huggie. GO COLTS!

Indians Game

Papaw, TJ and Todd

TJ, his friend, Joey and Todd attempting the "YMCA"

Following the BCLL's win against Wisconsin, the Mann Family joined Devin and his team mates at the Indianapolis Indians game in Indy. It was a hot but fun evening.

Special Thanks to Bill & Diana for the tickets!

Birthdays

There are many birthdays in August:

August 2 - Todd

August 14- Gary

August 19 - Ethan & Godson Evan

August 24- Great Grandma Bruce

August 25 - Todd's Mom & Dad (Yep - same day)

August 29 - Godson Jonathon

Here are a couple photos from recent celebrations:

Tyler

Ethan

Emma with Little Brother Evan

August Already

We blinked. It is August.

Todd turned 41 on August 2nd. We spent the weekend in Florida soaking up some rays in the morning hours and dodging rain drops each afternoon. It was good to be away from it all! TJ and his Papa bonded while we were gone. They ate out every meal and stayed up late.

Doug's 20 year high school reunion was also this past weekend. Doug managed, as far as we know, to stay out of the Bartholomew County lock up. The bonus to this event is that April and kids are in town. Looking forward to seeing them later this week. We will celebrate Evan's first birthday!

TJ's social calendar has not slowed. He is trying hard to squeeze as much fun into the summer as he possibly can. They return to school on August 20th. A week later than most of the local schools. TJ is looking forward to being a 4th grader. Not sure he is aware of how much homework comes with that honor!

Hef.