A Walk and a Run Scored

AJ's team won this game by quite a margin. Here's one of AJ's at-bats: a walk and a run scored.

Cervical Collar

Jonny's recent MRI showed the decompression still looks great but there's some instability issues in his spinal column (possibly) causing pain problems again. So we are doing a trial run in a cervical collar for the next week to see if that improves his symptoms. Pray it helps and it’s not a battle to keep on. So far so good. He got a very good night's sleep last night with the collar, even slept in!  #chiarimalformation #chiariawareness

Rock Climbing Camp

If that doesn't sound like the best idea ever for AJ! Today's the end of two weeks of rock climbing camp at CityROCK Climbing Center in downtown Colorado Springs. They've even got a cave to climb in. And in downtown!

Tracy got some good shots.

AJ's got his hair back in a pony tail for climbing in the
cave. He and Matteo are growing their hair to donate
to St. Baldrick's Foundation next Spring.
They need at least 8" to donate.
Sorry it's not a better photo of AJ, but the point was
to show the very cool climbing facilities.

Miscellany from Vickie's Visit

Aunt Vickie left this morning to return home. What a fantastic visit. If you haven't been following along, here are some highlights covered in other posts:

Mount Herman Trail hike
Class 3 whitewater rafting
Gators and Gorges
Rocks and Railroading
Alamosa, CO
Pool with Aunt Vickie

And below are some miscellaneous final pieces...

A church downtown Colorado Springs. We were walking around with Susan.

The Lucky Dumpling, Brother Luck's newest restaurant.
The "Not So German Egg Rolls" really aren't very German! But very good.

Mochi Butter Cake.

Da da da du, da da da du, da da da du. They're...

Vickie's feet at the Club.

Mount Herman Trail

There's a Mount Herman Trail here in Colorado Springs area. It's also known as Monument Preserve Bike Loop. And there's a Mount Hermon in California that's a very popular church camp and conference center. Who knew?! Today, five of us set out for the trail just north of the west end of Baptist Road (Monument, CO area): Nana, Aunt Vickie, Fina, AJ, and me. We didn't cover anywhere near all of it (the area is riddled with unmarked trails), but some of us did make it to the rock formation. Below are Vickie's pics. Jamie's pics are here. Oh, we were told by another hiker that there was a bear spotted in the area this morning. While I kinda wanted to see it, we never did.

Seen only in the photo. AJ is convinced it's an angel.
Some odd light reflection thing, no doubt.

(One of my pics so we get Vickie on here.)

First Band Concert

Matteo took up trombone a mere six lessons ago (started last week). The school district has summer lessons for beginning instrumentalists in bands. They happen to hold the lessons at DCC (our school, how handy!) but kids from all over the district participate. They had a concert today for friends and family. The beginning band was about 100 strong! Their repertoire went from whole-note pieces to Good King Wenceslas.

How about Catcher?

Look who wants to be a catcher... AJ. Wish him well for upcoming tryouts.