The Busse Bunch

High School Baseball

2010-06-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

In the blink of an eye, Matthew went from the pony league to junior varsity high school baseball this month. He culminated from Millikan a few weeks ago, and the next day got invited to play on his high school’s summer team. At yesterday’s game against La Crescenta (beautiful field!) he got to pitch and then made his first solid hit. It was a beautiful afternoon.

Matthew's BB Game

2010-05-27T23:43:00.000-07:00

Matthew got his hero’s moment this last Monday, in his Toluca Dodger BB team’s first tournament game. They were playing another Toluca team that had previously beaten them pretty soundly, not once but twice. This game begins with the Dodgers chasing the other in runs, always a bit behind. At the end of inning six, we were down 8-9. The other coach wanted to call time, but it was decided to play one last inning. After the other team didn't score, the Dodgers were up with two outs, and the bases loaded. So Matt comes up, swings and misses once, and then BAM, hits a pop fly to the right of the outfielder. It drops to score a double and the Toluca Dodgers win the game! Too cool for words! Check out the video to see the last minute of the inning.

Mother’s Day 2010

2010-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Here’s one of my favorite photos of you with Kurt way back in the beginning of your mothering days. One down, four to go, and nobody did it better than you! Hope you have a terrific day. Love, Kathy

Santa Susanna Baseball Game

2010-04-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

Matthew's Toluca Dodger team had a very interesting game yesterday. After struggling pretty badly in the first inning (can you say down 11 to 1?) the coach told them to picture the next inning as starting a brand new game. Matthew came in to pitch and he had 4 amazing innings with only 1 hit, and striking out one of the other teams monster hitters. It was really fun to watch all the kids go from being glum to walking off the field with an 11-2 loss, but being proud of their efforts. Yay baseball!

Apt. #307 in Studio City, CA

2010-04-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom and Dad, just found these photos of our new apt. before we moved in over a year ago. Thought you might like to see them. Think I said I would send you these about a year ago. Oh well...

The main room, where my office is set up now. The kitchen is to the left. Steve's office is up in the loft.

The rest of the main room, leaving off to the balcony.

My kitchen. Not crazy about the fake cabinets, but love the window!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-04-11T22:52:00.001-07:00

Happy 75th birthday dad, I hope you have a terrific day. I'm still playing around with our old family photos, and came up with this version of a picture of you and Kurt on what must be one of your very first John Deere tractors. Hope it brings back some happy memories!

At the Santa Monica Pier

2010-04-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't know this, but this picture says a lot. Some leftover birthday passes to Santa Monica Pier left Matthew with the option of inviting three friends to hang out with for the day. Two boys were invited, and one girl, Catalina. Very nice and very sweet, but a first for all of us, I think. This picture of the four kids way in the background to the right of the yellow pole comes from me remembering at the last minute that I had brought my camera, but didn't want to embarrass my kid by calling them back for a photo. Oh well. What's that saying, "they grow up so fast" or something like that.

Matthew's Saturday Baseball Game

2010-04-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

My first movie post! Cool! I caught Matt warming up his pitching art with his dad. Gotta do more of these...

Matthew at bat, showing his dad-perfected form. I think he walked, which was an accomplishment because the pitcher was throwing these 75 mph fast balls. Yikes.

Matthew after the game, with his mates. I think you can make him out by the sleight height difference between them all. The Dodgers lost by about 10 runs or so (I stopped counting) and the sun never came out, but it was still a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-08-21T01:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom! I altered one of those old family photos to make this painting from your wedding day. It’s such a nice picture of you that I thought it deserved another life in another form. The real thing is coming in the mail in a day or two. I hope your day is a special one! Love, Kathy

Matthew's 13th Birthday Party

2009-08-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Steve and Matthew on his 13th birthday at the Santa Monica Pier.

Matthew’s friends at the edge of the pier. A gorgeous day!

The boys on something called “The Slider”.

The world’s most decadent cake. With buttercream frosting.

Happy Father’s Day!

2009-06-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Dad, here’s my artsy treatment of your John Deere picture from way back when. Hope you have a wonderful day!
–Kathy

San Franscisco Visit

2009-06-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

Gary, Kris and family passed through San Francisco this weekend. Kathy, Steve and Matthew drove up to hang out with them for a day. Here’s Matthew and Eli with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Steve found what had to be one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

This was some kind of building remains along the beach, not far from the Presidio. Eli (the little red dot in front of the tunnel) and Matthew and Levi went down to explore.

Steve took a photo of the whole clan. A windy day!

Pirates Baseball Tournament

2009-05-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Matthew’s baseball team scored a big win in round one of the season tournament today. All of the kids played really well and he had a great game, knocking in 4 of the 7 runs they scored. Mom and dad are proud!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

2009-05-09T23:03:00.001-07:00

Hi Mom, Here's one of my favorite baby pictures, with a little color added to it. Hope you like it!

2009-04-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

Mom found these pictures after Christmas.

Pirates Baseball Game

2009-04-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

Matthew pitched a mid-week game in Toluca Lake. Nice afternoon, but alas, not one for the win column. The other team had two of the best pitchers in the league, so the score was pretty lopsided. A nice way to spend a Tuesday afternoon though!

2009-02-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody! Just checking to see if I could figure out how to do this. Now if I can show Mom.... Love, Dad.

Christmas 2008 in Tennessee

2009-01-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

The Busses got together in Tennessee to celebrate Christmas. Lots of great food and card games were had by all. Here's just a few photos of the week that was shared!

Matthew with Grandma & Grandpa at the Memphis airport.

Eli showing Matthew his rugged driving skills in the family Polaris.

Eli and Matthew got a chance to feed one of Uncle Bill’s cows (Betsy?) on his farm.

Uncle Kent and Lorrie, Kade and Karson, visited at Grandpa and Grandma’s.

Karson and Kade are ready for bed after the big gift-opening night.

The vines in front of Grandpa’s house are still no match for Eli Smith!

Matthew and Eli had fun playing with his beautiful white cats at his house.