Dun, nuh, nuh, nuh, nuh, nuh - BAT GIRL!

My "little" cousin Courtney continues to fight cancer. Although she achieved remission late last summer, they recently discovered more tumors in her brain and her fight continues.

Courtney is one of those glass-half-full people who when a game gets rained out, she says "The rain smells good." So, in typically Courtney fashion, she's taken her challenge head on and continues to live! She's been traveling the world, Dubai, Egypt, Hawaii... everywhere.

Enter her latest goal - BAT GIRL for the A's. That's right - you're hearin' it. Some people wallow, she applies to become an honorary major league baseball bat girl.

So.... here's where you come in. We get to vote! Find her story here, her nickname is "Courtney in SF." At the bottom of her story, you can click "Vote for this story." Don't judge because she's applying for the A's. She can't help it - she grew up in Tracy!

And for your photographic enjoyment, here's an adorable photo of her and her husband Jay with Marco last summer at the cabin.

We need a pitcher.

Saturday was Jeff's high school alumni game, one of two times a year that he plays baseball. Jeff pitched the first inning and nearly picked off a guy at first (typically Tim's move). Jeff looked pretty good! Form, good. Baseball pants, hot! He got on base and he didn't give up most of the runs in the game. Enough said.

G-pa and Daddy enjoyed some special next-pitcher-in-the-family time. And I'm pretty sure Marco says Grandpa now, or "Grupa."

Marco and Grupa watch Daddy pitch.

Grupa coaches a spit ball. Or something. Something tells me husky baseball pants are in the cards... I mean where, oh where did he get that body?

Good game man. Your Dad got a good hit. Yeah, yours too.

Happy F'easter!

In the Cecchin family tradition, we celebrated Easter the week before the actual holiday so that we can all be together. (Fake Easter is what happens when you have four adult kids with spouses, kids and inlaws.) Unfortunately, the best laid plans can't predict a fever, so Joey had to sit this one out.

Jeff made sourdough waffles for the crew and Tommy, Clara and Marco battled it out in an Easter Egg Hunt. Tommy was the resounding egg Feats of Strength winner, Clara was sidetracked by a monster truck and Marco lost interest when one of his eggs broke open to reveal M&Ms. (No fat jokes Brian.)

Here's the bunny business:

We tried to do a one -nap day. Uh... not ready?

Happy F'easter to all and to all a good night! (I mean, clearly this is the money shot.)

Who are the people from Stockton?

The Bradens clearly can't handle twins. I mean they can barely hold them and look how they dress that boy in those tight pajamas! I mean, really, come on. (oops!)
Marco couldn't believe that there are families with flat yards. And grass... run Marco!

This is Willa's ATV. Marco loved it. It actually drives. I think I've seen this in a Vespa version... uh, love it? Then we went to ACTUAL stockton. Gr-Grandma's place is like a park, if a park had turtles, dogs, fish and tons of old people loving on Marco.

Back at home we made risotto for Daddy. Marco ate by the spoon and handful. That's right, no shame in his game. I'm teaching him to say, "I'm chunky because my Mama makes good risotto. What?"

B is for Juna

We had the pleasure of having Brooke for dinner this week. We picked up both kids at daycare. Brooke screamed like I was kidnapping her until we got in the car and I offered her a snack. Then began a drive full of genius chatter of everything she saw.

And she uses your name all the time like those expert communicators who are trying to make you feel good about yourself. Here's how it went... (I'm leaving out my comments since they were mostly, "Yes!" "That's right!" "You're so smart Brooke!"

Me: "Brooke, would you like a snack?"
Brooke: "Yes, Sarah, thank you! A car! A fast car. A bus! A house. A woman and a blue jacket. Going down stairs. Be careful! Sarah, you take me to Mommy? We go to my house? We go to Jeff's house? Play with Marco's toys? Oh Sarah! The sky is blue! I see trees! Trees with leaves! Leaves are green. Verde! Uh, Sarah? I love pasta!"

So, we went to Jeff's house, played with Marco's toys and ate pasta. Brooke brokered a deal and traded Marco her carrots and mushrooms for his pasta. He was stoked.

We've been trying to get Marco to say "Brooke" now that he says "book," but alas, when we say "Marco, can you say Brooke?" He says, "Juna." (Another girl at daycare who he loooooves.)

Here's some silly proof: