Kaatz Family Blog

So I signed on to post a final entry stating that I've officially given up on this thing for the faster, more exciting, and more personal information-violating FB, and now I am thinking that I should start this back up again. Nothing wrong with some old-fashioned blogging!!

It's Memorial Day weekend, 2010. I can't believe we are already at the unofficial beginning of summer. Time has just flown by this year. No baseball tournament this weekend, so we decided to pack up the trailer and go camping at the river. Well, I caught the flu last Sunday (6 days ago now) and am still not 100% recovered. And, its been pouring down rain, and I just don't see myself camping in this weather, even if it's in the trailer. So now, I am trying to coax Ward to come back home. He left early (Thursday afternoon) to get everything all set up.

Nick has been doing really well in school (As & Bs) and is currently on two baseball teams. That is enough to keep us hopping! He plays shortstop and pitcher for his school team, and 1st base and some pitching for his tournament team. Last week, he hit his first home run! Quite exciting. He is such a joy to watch!

That is it for now, Hope to post more before Memorial Day, 2011.

Chris

Bruins Lost :(

Well, the Bruins lost a close one today 6-5 against the number one seed team in the tournament. It was a real heartbreaker. Our boys played really well today and made no errors. They came from behind to even up the score, and then held them through several innings. Unfortunately, we left the bases loaded, and seemingly got 'robbed' from a base hit that would have won the game for the Bruins. Nick had a couple of amazing plays at first base, and a couple of scorcher hits. But in the final inning, with two outs, one of their batters came up and scored a run. Such is life. Next tournament is in three weeks in Wenatchee.

Academic Achievement!!

Nick Kaatz Joins the Honor Society

In addition to playing basketball and year-round baseball, Nick managed to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA at school.  Last Friday evening, he participated in an Honor Society "induction ceremony" at his school.  It was a really nice presentation.  Amongst all the focus on sports, etc., it's great to see such an emphasis and recognition for the academic achievement part of the student's life.  The folks at Cascade Middle School really did it up nicely with a somewhat formal candle lighting ceremony, an oath, the orchestra, a certificate presentation, and then cake afterwards.  Then we all went to The Ram in Kent for dinner and met up with Jill, mom and the girls.  Too fun!  

Gabby Johnson Graduates from High School

On Saturday night, my cousin Gabby graduated from High School.  She, along with another young lady, were home schooled and their ceremony was at Valley View.  This too was very awesome, special, and touching.  Gabby came to live with my aunt and uncle in 2003, and was coming from a rather difficult life situation.  She has worked so hard to turn that around and has grown into this amazing, capable, beautiful, talented young lady.  Only two years ago she discovered that she has a real gift for playing the piano, and has become quite an accomplished pianist.  We had family fly in from out of town to see Gabby graduate.  We are all so proud of her and are so thankful that she is a part of our family.  Way to go Gabby!

Our New RV!!!

We got a new RV today!! We have been wanting one since we got our camping property a year and a half ago. But knew practically nothing about RVs and weren't sure what kind was right for us. We decided on a pull-trailer kind, so we can drop it off and go into town without hauling it around. We also still wanted to use the back of the truck for hauling things when we aren't camping, so that meant no fifth-wheel. And, with Nick's baseball tournaments, we thought an RV would come in handy.  Over the weekend, we rented an RV and took it to the Gorge this weekend for a concert and that was it - we were sold. After returning the rented RV in Tacoma, we stopped at Bardos in Fife and found the one we want at the price we want.   Some cool features are:  two bedrooms at each end of the trailer.  The front bedroom has a queen size mattress, the kids bedroom has a good size bunk bed, it's own dining area, another pull-down bed, a TV mount, and a closing door!!! The bathroom has two entrances: one from inside the trailer, and one from the outside.  So, dirty baseball boys don't have to track dirt through the RV to get to the bathroom.  Yay!  It has NO carpet, which is important to me for keeping it clean, and it has TONS of storage.  It also has an oven, which I think will come in handy for Thanskgiving / Holiday dinners when you could use an extra oven.  Oh, and it has a flat-screen TV mount so the TV is visible from the main living area, and it swivels around so you can watch TV from the front (our) bedroom.  Yay!  Isn't it great to be able to get away from it all and still have XBOX and the ability to lay in bed, eat bon-bons and watch TV?  

Here are a few pictures kindof out of order:

This is the kid's dinette in the kids room.  The table pops down and makes into a bed.  And, the wood frame drops down for another kid sleeping area.  These are big enough for full grown kids too! 

This is Nick's room with the bunk beds.  A TV will bolt down to the top of the dresser. 

This is the bathroom showing the exterior door.  I LOVE that feature!  Someone really had their noggin' on...  Probably a Baseball Mom. :-)  Oh, and the shower is tall enough so that Ward can stand up in it.  

This is the kitchen.  Microwave, stove, oven, fridge, freezer.  All represented. 

Bump-out Dining table and Sofa.  And yes - the clock STAYS!!

This is where the flat-screen TV goes.  This wall is also the divider wall from the front bedroom (aka: OUR bedroom) and the main living area.  It has sliding pocket doors and the TV frame swivels.  

Bedroom window complete with day/night privacy shutters.

Front bed / storage.  There is also storage underneath the mattress. 

View along the outside.  Notice the porch lights, the awning, and the dual doors.  Cool!  

It's a Surveyor by Forest River.  Warren Buffet just bought this company. 

Dual Propane tanks with auto and manual switching.  Even the casing is cool.  You don't have to lift it off to switch a tank. 

That's it!!!  Can't wait for camping!! 

I am baaaaack!

OK - I haven't posted in a couple of months... Seems like FaceBook is taking all my attention! What is it about that electronic friendship generator that is so darn addicting?? Actually, I love the fact that I have connected with so many long-lost friends from grade school. Folks have been posting class pictures and commenting about them and laughing at all the clothes, etc. It's been a blast. A couple of weekends ago, I hosted a mini-reunion and it was so much fun seeing everyone again. Everyone had a really good time, I think.

Nick has been VERY busy with baseball. Several tournament games as well as league. We are playing in a Bellevue league, and it's real interesting to see kids with ex-mariners names on their jerseys - meaning, they really are the ex-mariners' kids in this league. We've seen a few other local semi-celebrities on the field too. Nick has had a screamin' great year so far. He primarily plays first base, but also pitches from time to time. His batting has improved dramatically this year, and is currently batting fourth in the "clean up" position. Check out his game schedule and pictures at www.bruinsbaseballclub.com

Little Luke is now 2 months old! It's just amazing how fast time flies. He is an absolutely perfect, beautiful baby boy. His mommy and daddy seem to have settled into a nice routine with him, and other than managing a sensitive little tummy, he seems to be thriving! He can already hold his head up, and actually he could do that since he was born! NOT making that up. He is the most snuggly little baby boy I have ever held, and I just adore him! Being a "grammy" is really really great. For all the latest pictures of Luke, check out Ben and Christina's blogspot - link to the right.

More later!