Spring Training scrapbook

Having a ball. Get it?

Hint: Max is sitting on a giant baseball.

Showing some range

Max's new best friend, Malory

A dip in the hot tub with mom

Yeah, I think we could get used to this vacation thing

Put me in coach

Our little prospect

Max and Elisa arrived in Phoenix yesterday, after a long adventure traveling here. First they reported to Royals camp about 8 miles up the road. With some assistance, we finally got them to the Mariners training facility out here in Peoria.

It's sunny and 70 today. Perfect baseball weather for our little slugger.

Driver's permit at 15 months or 15-years old?!

Happy 1st Birthday, Max!

From birth...

to birthday cake.

Words cannot convey the pride, joy and thrill you have given us.

This has truly been the best year of our lives.

Now onto next year!

Toddlerhood here we come...

My funny Scottish Valentine's weekend

More highlights from our weekend in Spokane.


Max got a special kilt in the family Buchanan tartan for the Burns party from his Grandpa Ridley, who had it tailored from one of his scarves. Oh, and Max also took his first few steps later in the night! Guess his knees just needed a little air.

Mommy's little William Wallace

The clan

A visit with Great Grandma Betty and Art

A surprise visit from Great Aunt Debbie

...and scene.

"I went to a Scotch tasting and a Hugh Grant movie broke out"

That was a quote from one of the party goers at the Ridley's annual Robert Burns bash shortly after I proposed to Elisa. That's right, as the photos prove below, with nearly 100 people on hand, including my own parents, I made a special toast to our families, Max and the woman I can now happily call my fiancée.

It started with the ceremonial entrance of the haggis followed by a toast and...

A simple question... "Elisa, will you marry me?"

That's a yes!

And with our little Scotsman looking on,

a kiss to living happily ever after

Eat your heart out, Hugh.

Room Service!

Did we pack everything?!

Heading to Spokane, the Las Vegas of Eastern Washington, for the Ridley's annual Robert Burns bash. We're all packed and ready to go.

We got our toiletries, clothes, um... what are we missing?

Swing set? You bet!

With apologies to our friends in the DC-area, it was a perfect spring-like day in Seattle. Sunny and 55 is just right for a long walk and trip to the playground.