Bullard Softball is Best of the West!

On 4.15.09, Bullard High captured the Best of the West Tournament in Santa Maria, CA, besting 26 western High Schools. Congratulations, Knights. You're champions!

Bullard High Varsity Softball Team

Pre-game rally gets the team charged up!

Lauren at-bat

The Peanut Gallery of parents

Lauren slides home

For more softball photos taken during this tournament,

click here and click here.

To read the sports article in the Santa Maria Times, click here.

Easter Break

Lauren had a varsity softball tournament in Santa Maria, CA 4.13-15, so we left two days earlier to spend family time at the coast for Easter. We spent time in Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Cambria and Solvang.

Lauren had a softball tournament here at

Barney Schwartz Park in Paso Robles a few years back.

Good memories so we decided to stop and revisit.

I spent a lot of time on these bleachers

Lauren on a walkway overlooking the beach.

It was a bit chilly this morning.

Kirk looked on-line and found that Bien Nacido Vineyards in Santa Maria was conducting a walking tour. Our guide at explains the growing season and how the vines are attached.

Such a beautiful day to be strolling the vineyard

Our next stop was in Solvang, a town fashioned after its Danish settlers. Kirk wanted these aebleskivers (a round Danish pancake), covered with raspberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Kirk's other place (Linn's Bakery in Cambria) He loves Linn's olallieberry pie. We drive here just for this ...

For dinner, we drove to Pismo Beach for clam chowder with fish and chips. Kirk and Lauren snag a window seat at
Splash Cafe. Can you see my reflection on the left, snapping their picture?

Fish and chips for Lauren! Pass the malt vinegar, please.

The next morning, we head to Montana de Oro State Park. We used to take Lauren to the tidepools here when she was little (doesn't remember, she says. Should have waited to do all those things when she got older and remembered the experiences!)

This animal started staring at Kirk. Perched, ready to attack. Nah! Just kidding. It was a stuffed animal on display at the Visitor Center.

Hiking down to the tidepools, Lauren soaks in the ocean view

Following my troops down to the ocean

The sound of the waves crashing and the salty ocean air is so settling. We're headed down there ... Corallina Cove

She found a couple little starfishes here. Not the orange starfish, but the ones that camoflauge in these rocks.

Lauren is stepping onto the next little tidepool

She was happy to be out and about today. Me, too.

Lauren's blue toenails. She matches the ocean.

No words spoken. Just soaking in the day.

Avila Pier
Kirk & Lauren went to sleep on the beach, so I strolled the pier.

Some things you never outgrow. Like playing in the sand.

I told Lauren she looked like a snickerdoodle. Her face was "sanded" like a sugar cookie. She smiled. She likes snickerdoodles. Softball tournament starts tomorrow so this downtime with family has been good. Very good.

To see more photos taken during Easter Break, click here.

Happy Easter!

He is risen! Happy Resurrection Day!

I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

and, whoever lives and believes in me

will never die. -John 11:25-26

Softball Starts!

Softball season is back. Bullard Varsity Girls Softball.
Bring on the sunscreen, seeds and hollering, "Go Knights!"

Kirk thinks parents are rowdier in softball (more than basketball and volleyball). He said something about the sun, the heat, and all that waiting time between pitches and plays makes parents say things they shouldn't.

Maybe he's onto something there.

Lauren #24, on deck, studying the pitcher

Eyes steady on that ball

Kicking up some dirt

Mom, Dad & Kirk are lined-up, sitting behind the plate.

Kinda interesting just seeing the back of their heads.

Lauren #24 came up to bat.

I grabbed my camera when I saw everyone together.

Grandma, Grandpa, Papa ... all watching Lauren at-bat.

Hit it, Lo!