Time with Friends

In our community group, each year, we take guys and girls trips.  This past weekend was the guys chance to get out of town and hang out together.  But when the boys are away the girls (and the kids) play too, cause why do life separately when we could do it all together?!

The guys left town on Friday afternoon packed up with all kinds of "manly" food that consisted of beans, brats and plenty of beer.  They headed to the Buffalo River and stayed in a cabin near Snowball, AR.  When they arrived, there was some manual labor to do--moving rocks and wood piles, but there was some hiking and exploration as well as shooting of hand guns.  From what I've heard it sounds like there was some good conversation around the fire too...I'm pretty sure they had a good time being all together.  I am  thankful Adam has such great friends who encourage him while also just being great friends to share funny stories and laugh with.

They found this old dilapidated home on their hike.  And also found an elks hoof (which I thought was super gross) but Adam obviously thought it was pretty interesting.

While the guys did their thing, a couple of us got together for pizza and brownies on Friday night. The kids watched a movie while us Momma's visited.

Saturday morning Whitney and I wanted to take the kids up to Wye Mountain to take pictures with the daffodils (pictures of this will be in my next blog post.)  When she got here, we started loading the kids in the car only to find out that my battery was dead.  So she got in the driver seat and put it in neutral while I pushed it out of the garage.  Next up we jumped off the car and waited for it to charge a bit.  Of course this happens when Adam is out.of.town....but the good thing is, I knew how to do it and we were up and going in no time.

And my "just in case"--filled with jumper cables and other car necessities--came in quite handy!!

That afternoon we met up with friends again and did the SEC women's gymnastics championship.  It was fun to watch the Gym-backs do their thing on the vault, beam, floor and uneven bars.  The kids were not as into it as I'd have hoped...they preferred running around the chairs and hanging on the hand rails to actually watching the meet.  However, the popcorn and sodas helped keep them occupied and we made it almost through two hours of the first seeds meet.  When it drew to a close, I was glad to walk back to the car and strap my people into their carseats.

These kiddos are such cuties.

Life is just so much better with friends!

That evening we all got sitters and went to Bonefish for a tasty dinner that was prepped, made and cleaned up by someone else...a big score all the way around!  I truly enjoy being with these women and am thankful for each of them.

We couldn't come to Bonefish without ordering some Bang Bang Shrimp!   They were so yummy!

Friends make life so much sweeter.  I truly feel blessed to have such great ladies in my life who help make the hard times bearable and the happy times more fun!

End of a Season

This past winter, Adam coached both Peyton and Lawson's Upward basketball teams.  Monday night was back to back practices for both the Tigers and Falcon teams.  The boys both loved playing and actually did pretty really well this year.  Peyton was actually able to get aggressive this season I think mostly due to the fact that he's getting more comfortable and proficient at the game.  He's grown in his self confidence and ability to drive down the court to the goal and make the basket with some regularity.  He had several opportunities to shoot free throw shots and made some of them and was really starting to get the hang of screen plays by the time the season drew to a close.  Adam and I were very proud of how hard he practiced and how he always gave it his all...with a bright red face at the end of each game that proved it.  Whether he was dribbling down the court or going after a ball, he really played tough!

And this shot of his went "swoosh"!

Lawson had fun this season too.  He got really comfortable dribbling up and down the court and even made multiple baskets throughout the games.   He too, played very hard and was on the floor a lot. Between the dusty gym floor creating a slick court to play on or whether he was just diving for balls, he spent a fair amount of time on the hardwoods giving it all he had most games.

There was no dunking, but there was a lot of fun had by the players and the Mommas who were cheering on their boys!

Several of Lawson's little buddies were on the team which made it fun for the boys and the parents!

Adam and I are glad for the opportunity to expose our kids to many different sports that allow them to play and practice hard but also help them to have fun while doing it and not take it too seriously.  I say this every season, sometimes I wish that basketball lasted a few more weeks because it seems that just as the boys are beginning to mesh together as a team, the season draws to an end.  Tigers and Falcons, you both played hard!  Way to go boys!

Little Rockers Marathon 2016

Peyton enjoys running, and in particular, with Adam so when it came time for the Little Rockers Marathon this year, he was excited but only because Adam said he would run it with him this time. Last year we were out of town and my parents were keeping the kids.   It was cold and sleeting the day of the race last year and he had trouble putting his eyes on my parents once he finished the race. Needless to say both of them were anxious to see one another since there was a sea of people everywhere they looked!  So he was NOT excited to do this race again, unless Adam went with him.  I think between the beautiful sunny weather, having a companion to run with and a crowd of cheering fans cheering him on, we redeemed any bad feelings toward races that he might have had!

Here's my marathon runner at the beginning of the race.

And we couldn't pass on a photo op with Batman.

My Dad and I dropped Peyton and Adam off at the starting line then went to find a spot with the other kiddos where we could watch them cross the finish line.

In my hurry to get out the door I packed all the "essentials" like goldfish, apple sauce squeezers, drinks and even some sunscreen.  I neglected, however, to remember any toys or electronics for them to play with while we waited!  (I even accidentally walked out the door without my cel phone!)  So the kids quickly befriended our neighbors sitting beside us, thankfully they had several devices and extra coloring books to share.   It takes a village!

And this stroller sat empty most of the time, it served as a snack holder and a place for her monkey to "rest"...faced down at that.

We got to see the Chick Fil A cows cheer the kids into the finish line.

Peyton did awesome on his run!  Toward the very end he started to get tired but with Daddy's encouragement and then hearing his Gigi and Aunt Whitney cheering him on, he perked up and continued running on in, he never walked or stopped!  We're so proud of you buddy!!  Way to go!

My two runners did great and had a lot of fun too!

Here was his cheering fans section.  It was a beautiful day for the race with perfect temps and a clear blue sky!  I'm so glad that we redeemed the Little Rockers Marathon in his mind.  We'll probably be back next year.

Welcome Baby Abigail!

My computers hard drive crashed last week so I didn't get this posted as quickly as I'd have liked.  Two weekends ago our family celebrated the birth of my first niece!  Joseph and Molly welcomed baby Abigail about 8:00 on Friday evening.  She is adorable, cuddly and sweet, I couldn't wait to get my hands on her.

Her big brothers, Jojo and Malachi enjoyed holding her too.  They were so sweet to her.  As soon as I saw her sweet little face, I couldn't believe how much she looked like Jojo!  (It's always so fun to see who they look like and which features they have that resembles some one in the family.)

Malachi enjoyed "loving" on her for sure!

I am thrilled for Ava Jane to finally have a girl cousin and have high hopes that they will be very good friends.  With all these big brothers, I'm certain they will have much in common and both be able to hold their own.  What a blessing she already is.  We thank God for her precious life and look forward to lavishing our love on her and soaking up all the hugs and cuddles we can get!

Sweet Abigail, you are a child of God...you are wonderfully made, dearly loved and precious in His sight.  Before God made you He knew you...there is no one like you!!  Welcome to the family baby girl!  We love you already!!