A Fall Weekend

We've had a very busy, but great weekend so far.  On Friday John Curtis got to go on a field trip with his class to a local pumpkin patch.  He asked Taylor to come along.

On Friday night we drove out to Paint Rock where our staff missionaries are based.  They had just finished up a water drilling course and some of our friends were in from Ethiopia.  The kids love going out there and the weather was perfect.

 Cotton speeding by as far as you can see



 Blocking the road - one reason we love Paint Rock!

JC loves it out there for this reason!

Mmm...s'mores

 

We came home with two happy, exhausted kids and a very happy dog.

 

 

We were up bright and early Saturday for another flag football game and Nutcracker practice.  John Curtis scored his first touchdown so we were all very excited! I thought I would be cool and film with my new phone instead of my old reliable flip camera.  Unfortunately due to the sun I couldn't see my screen at all so I got horrible video that my family mocked. I guess he'll just have to do it again!

We spent the afternoon at Buffalo Wild Wings watching the Aggie game and running to and from a birthday party, and then it was time for our friends' Halloween party.

 

 Our mouse and dragon.  So thankful JC wanted to be Dragon again this year after all the work Taylor put into it!

 Mummy wrapping

Fun day! 

Bad Blogger

I've lost my blogging passion. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of  picture taking opportunities. Life has settled into a predictable routine.  We go to school, ballet, football, and church.  We don't vary from this routine much so there doesn't seem much to share.  Gone are the days when I would search out meaningful activities to fill our days and weekends.  It's different now, but it's good too.  I miss having my babies with me but they are so happy.

 JC wakes up ready to go to school on his own most days.  He is often dressed and playing in his room before we even get up.  He loves his teacher and has made some sweet friends.  He is enjoying football and is improving every week.  I can't believe how much he has grown up this year.  I prayed so hard for all to be well with him this year and my hopes for him have been far surpassed.

Sophie is loving 3rd grade too.  She's learning balance much earlier than I ever did and has said no to some after school activities in order to be home a little more. Her days are still very full and I'm constantly evaluating her schedule to make sure she is okay.  When I was picking her up from Nutcracker today I was watching the end of her practice.  She had the biggest smile on her face while she was dancing.  It's such a joy to watch her! 

We did break away from the routine long enough to escape to Weatherford last weekend since we had Monday off.  We left around noon on Saturday after all our games and practices and got there around 3.  Sophie and Mom and I immediately took off to Fort Worth to do some shopping and see Mimi.  Then I got to go out with Lindsey and her friends for her birthday.  It was such a nice grown up dinner!  Then we went back to her house to watch Season 3 of Downton Abbey that Brian had downloaded.  I spent the night with her and had a slow Sunday morning before we went to their noon church service.  After church we went back to Weatherford for some birthday shopping and a family cookout on Dad's new outdoor kitchen.

 The kids helped Grammy bake the cake.

Happy Birthday DeeDee!

 

We spent the night again on Sunday and took our time getting packed up Monday morning.  After a quick lunch with Mom and Dad we headed back home.  It was a nice get away!

 

 



1st Flag Football Game

 

 John Curtis finally got to play his first flag football game Saturday.

Taylor didn't set out to be the coach, but they didn't have one and kept asking parents so he finally gave in.  It's been a good thing for my 2 guys to get to do together.

The most exciting thing is being on the team with his BFF, Connor!

Serious pregame huddle

Sophie cheering her brother on in her Colts shirt.  She was our score keeper even though we do NOT keep score in Upward.  We lost by a touchdown.

The boys get to run through a tunnel before the game.  JC said this is what made him the most nervous!

 

 JC isn't doing much in these videos because, well, JC didn't do much!  We're working on it!

 

 

 

 

Grandparents' Day Take 2!

Since my parents didn't get to come to Grandparents' Day they drove down last weekend to have lunch with the kids.

 They had a drawing at school and John Curtis won a bike!  Now to learn how to ride it!

 They came to watch JC's first football game but since it rained Thursday they called off Saturday's game.  I know, it didn't make any sense to me either!  Go figure.

 

 

 

Mom and I stayed busy on Saturday shopping downtown while Sophie was in Nutcracker tryouts.  She found out this week that she gets to be a gingerbread girl and a mouse.  She is super excited.  I told her the news by giving her a charm bracelet after school.

 

 

To fill up the rest of our free time we took these pics with an app on Mom's I Pad until we almost peed our pants.  We're a pretty impressive family!

 

 

Grandparents' Day!

G-Momma and Poppa came to see us this weekend for Grandparents' Day at the kids' school. 

 They had lunch with JC first.

 Then it was on to Sophie's room.

 Her class walked to the Farmer's Market Thursday morning to buy veggies.

 Then the made soup for the grandparents.

 They had a little presentation, too.

 

After school we all went downtown for Sophie's ballet class.  The boys went to the library and G-Momma and I slipped in to watch Sophie dance.  Then we stayed downtown for a yummy dinner at Bean on the Bayou.  Lots of shrimp!

 

 

 We hung out at the house for a while and then they took the kids back to their hotel to swim and spend the night.  Taylor and I enjoyed a quiet house!

 

Saturday morning was so nice!  I actually had to put on a sweater to sit on the porch.

 After lunch we were back at the hotel so the kids could swim while we watched the Aggie game compliments of Hampton Inn's ESPN.

 After dinner we played a huge game of Chinese Checkers.  It takes a while to play with 6 people!

We had a great weekend!  Thanks for coming, G-Momma and Poppa!

A Haiku (or 2) for You

 Water slides at church,

Football game on a hot night

12 hour throwup.

 

Kids think school is great

Weather finally cooling off

Now we are caught up!