We bleed BLUE!

Navy blue=NY Yankees (AL) Royal blue=Chicago Cubs (NL)

We love baseball! This past weekend we went to watch the Cubs play during Spring training. They play in Mesa, Arizona and it just so happens that that is where Scott's grandma, Nanny lives! It's fun to go to the games but seeing Nanny is the best reason to go to Arizona!!! We went with Jonny (my youngest brother) and his awesome wife, Mendy. I'm telling you, we had a flippin' blast!!! They are great traveling companions! We had so much fun with them. We laughed and laughed and laughed some more! Jonny and Mendy are the ones with my little nephew named Wrigley. So obviously Jonny is the brother that is obsessed with the Cubs! It was SOOO funny and entertaining watching him like he was a kid locked in a candy store! He was goin' nuts! The games didn't start until 1:05 pm and we were in line by 10:15 am--not. kidding. WOW! That's the best time to go though; when all the players are out and warming up and they just start to play the music and just start to cook the hot dogs and the smell of that, etc. We got some autographs and got to talk to some of our favorite players.
The weather was beyond perfect about 80 every day. It was so hot to us that we took full advantage of Nanny's pool. Now that was a fun afternoon! I love sitting in Nanny's swing in her backyard and reading a book--with the smell of the orange blossoms from her orange trees and the birds making their little chirping noises, and all topped off with her early-morning pot-smoking neighbors. Nothin' better!!! Everytime I visit Nanny I love Scott's mom more and more. Nanny is Scott's mom's mom. I learn new things about mama Lee when I sit and talk with Nanny. Family is so, so important to me and that includes knowing the specifics of my spouse's family. I like to remember the details of present family and family that we come from.

Without further adieu, here are the infamous (more than famous) pictures from our trip:

How funny is this? In Orderville (some tiny little town in Kane county) they park this bronco with a blow up "lady Sheriff" in the driver's seat...LOL. I made Jonny turn around and let me get a picture! Priceless!

Dude, do you even know who this is? It's Ryan Theriot! Pronounced Terry-o, but they call him Ryan The Riot--talk about a nice guy! Holy cow, he talked to us and hung out and signed tons of stuff. HE IS TOUCHING MENDY'S SHOULDER!!! Wow we were excited about this! I asked him to sign my shirt--the one I had on. He said and I quote: "You might have to take that shirt off, Sweetie!" Um, OK. I, of course did NOT. BUT it did cross my mind, until I realized what I had on underneath...more for HBO and Big Love to mock!

Where's Waldo? Can you see Scott and me in the crowd? I'm sure you can find me, probably by the size of my ginormous mouth! The lady next to me with the turquoise hat was all but humping my leg to get closer to the field!

Here we are just leaving Nanny's house!

Ya, the gates opened and Jonny and I sprinted to get this spot to stand and watch batting practice!

How fun huh? GO CUBS!!!

This was the day they played the reigning World Baseball Classic champions, Japan (notice the Japanese characters under the sign "Media"). It was so fun! Jonny and I started chanting Fuk-o-dom-e rah, rah, rah rah rah...repeat...and none other than Fukodome, himself came over to sign a World Classic baseball that was thrown to Jonny! Fukodome is from Japan so was playing with them but plays for the Cubs during the season, so it was extra cool!

Man we were excited! Jonny let me wear his "precious" hat!

Jonny was just chattin it up with people in line and then some camera guy came over from Channel 12 in Phoenix and wanted to interview him...I swear he gets picked all the time for stuff like that! It was hysterical to watch!

Sweet Georgia Brown--it's Derrek Lee! He is my relative, I'm sure somewhere in the family history research we have to be! He only signed one of the days and it was down the row from us. I really wanted his signature right next to my name written on my mitt. But alas, he never came over to us. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I yelled "Mr. Lee, bring your fine a$$ over here and sign my mitt!" hmmm

This here is Larry--the pitching coach. He is signing a little baseball hat for our new found friend "Eddy." He was a riot and we hung out with him for a few hours!

"MR. DEEDS!" This is Doug Deeds he plays backup outfield. He also was the runner for Soriano during this game. This guy is a STUD. He was so nice! He told Jonny he would bring him out a ball and about 30 minutes later (when we thought he had forgotten) Deeds came running out to give Jonny a ball. I got him to sign my mitt. DEEDS #66!

Jonny and me! My baby brother 10 1/2 years apart, but same age in maturity! LOL

What? I just wanted to get a picture of the backs of their jerseys. Ya know, their numbers. You thought it was for their "buttocks?" You're sick!

Alfonso Soriano (who was a Yankee, then a Ranger, then a National and now a Cubbie) was a hard sell. He wouldn't give us, or any other fans the time of day. Poopy pants!

So pretty much the most expensive hot dog you'll ever have...but you just gotta do it!!! And some nachos, and maybe a churro, and for sure a soda, and some ice cream in a souvenir hat, etc.

The afternoon we spent in Nanny's pool--Scott showed us all how it was done! He climbed on top of the roof and...

...did a cannon ball!

Jonny was cleaning Nanny's pool and thought he was so cool (unintentional rhyme). He saw a wasp flying around and he tried to catch it in this pool cleaner thing and got all turned around and actually fell into the pool!

It was HYSTERICAL! He did NOT listen to his good wife who suggested he change into his swim trunks. Of course in his pockets were keys and a new phone...that has now been replaced...again!:) Worth every second of blowing up this picture to see Mendy's face laughing!

Trying to dry his shorts after the aforementioned incident--seriously so funny!

How cute is Mendy? I just adore her and what a great wife she is to my brother and what a great mom she is to my sweet nephew Wrigley!

You can't get anything cuter than this! I love my Scotty he is so much fun to be with. Ya, I love him, but ya know what? I actually really like him too. He's my favorite person to be with at any time!

Mendy took on the challenge to jump from the roof and of course did...

...an "X" jump!!!! OMG We were dying...look at her ripped muscles..impressive!

Here is Jonny trying to get up on the roof!

Getting ready to jump...

...right out of his shorts!!! LOL

We may or may not have spoiled our dinner by eating two dinners...I just can't turn down Sbarro's.

What a couple of hunks!

More of me and my bro.

Can you find Jonny in the crowd?

Me with Ryan Theriot behind signing like mad!!! Gosh we all got so sunburned!

Now can you find Mendy?--Who is just about to jump out of the crowd and sit on that green tarp to get her picture with The Riot!! Love her!

I love this picture. Don't mind the bright blue sharpie in my hair. But hey, you gotta have those ready for autographs at a moment's notice!!

THE GREATEST NANNY IN THE WORLD! THANKS NANNY FOR LETTING US STAY AND HANG WITH YOU!!!

On the drive home, Scott and I got out of the car so we could continue the Lee tradition of running across the bridge over Glen Canyon dam. And yes, of course Scott threw a rock in the water even though the sign said: "Do not throw any objects from the bridge!"

Scott and I went to Mesa a year ago at this time and I'm glad to have that year pass. This was our 2nd now annual trip! We had so much fun and made memories that will always last! Thanks Nanny for everything and thanks Jonny and Mendy for being so dang cool and such great friends to travel with!!!