Blastball Game - Week 1 - Maroon vs. Purple

My favorite Maroon team player dressed and ready for his first YMCA Blastball game today.

Sam warming up before the game started.

Both teams met in the middle of the field for a pre-game prayer.  Look at that purple team....all girls!

Sam started the game with a kick from midfield and they were off!

But Shuffie arrived a few minutes later and the world stopped.  Sam ran off the field and into his arms on the sidelines.  I think that made Shuffie's day!

After a few times up and down the field, and a fall that made his lip bleed, Sam started clinging to the coach - his daddy.  He wasn't so sure about going back out there and getting knocked down again...

...but he was a good sport and gave it a try.

He can sure kick that ball hard!

Even though the Maroon team didn't win their first game they were definitely the cutest team out there.  ;)

Batman!

Jack Loves Puffs!

Relaxed

Cruisin' Down the Street

All Smiles

Sam's Sunday Best

Ahoy, Matey!

Today we went to Pop Pop & Bobi's house for Banks' pirate birthday party.

We were greeted by Captain Hook!

Sammy had fun playing in the pirate jumping house and wearing his eye patch to dig for gold and other treasures.

 After some fun playtime outside, it was time to come in for lunch, cake...

 and presents!  

 After everybody took an afternoon rest, we all went back to Pop Pop & Bobi's to play some more in the jumping house.

Even Baby Jack got in and bounced around a little.  He had fun!

Thank you for inviting us to your party, Banks!  We had a fun day playing with you and hope you had a wonderful birthday.  We love you!

YMCA Blastball

Tonight, Sam and the rest of the Maroon team had their first team practice to kick off the fall Reservoir YMCA "Blastball" season.

Cleats..check!  Shin guards...check!  Soccer ball...check! 

All smiles and ready to go!

Sam had such a good time running around and kicking the ball with the other kids.  We are looking forward to a great season!

Happy Birthday, Banks!

Has it really already been four years since I first became an aunt?!  This time flying thing is starting to make me feel old!  ;)

Sam was so excited to help Banks celebrate his 4th birthday.  We all met after work at the Renaissance splash pad so the boys could play. 

It was just a little chilly outside but that wasn't enough to slow these guys down.  They have fun no matter what!  

Baby Jack watched all of the action from Mimi's lap.  I know it won't be long before he will be running around with the big boys.

 After the splash pad, the boys put on some dry clothes and we all walked down to Five Guys to get some burgers.  They had worked up quite an appetite after all of that running around.  The yummy food was followed by the most exciting part of the night for these two -- the presents!!  I don't think Sam was ever more than six inches away from Banks the entire time.  He was checking out his presents and "oohing" and "aahing" over every single one of them.  He was a good birthday assistant.  ;)

We all sang "Happy Birthday" and with a little help from Easy and Hayes, Banks blew out his candles.  Then it was time for some delicious pirate cupcakes.

Jack even got to try a little bite and loved it!

Happy Birthday, Banks!  We had such a fun night celebrating with you and look forward to many more.  We love you!

Ole Miss vs. Texas

Our little family drove up to Oxford yesterday afternoon for the first time this football season.  The Rebels played Texas and campus was packed!!

These two boys were so excited and couldn't wait to get to the grove and listen to the band.

Best buddies!

We stopped for a few pictures along the way and Sam thought he was big time to get to sit on this wall.  Ole Miss fans love the Manning family!

It was Jack's first visit to the grove and he was amazed at everything going on.  The sights and the sounds kept him entertained for sure.

We enjoyed walking around and visiting with friends but as the sun started going down we knew it was about time to head to the stadium to cheer the Rebels on.   

These two boys were exceptional during the game.  It didn't start until after 8:00 p.m., which was past Jack's bedtime, and both of them were clapping and watching the game with smiles on their faces the whole time we were there.    

As we were leaving the game I spotted Shepherd Smith from Fox News walking by!  He is a big Rebel fan and was so nice to stop and have his picture made with Sam.    

This worn out angel didn't even make it back to the condo before he passed out.  He was snoozing away in the car before we made it off campus and slept through me changing him into his PJs for bedtime.  Bless him!    It's exhausting but so very fun to be a Rebel!  ;)

New Cleats

Tonight we went to Dick's Sporting Goods to get Sam his first pair of soccer cleats.  The season starts in two weeks and he is so excited.  I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up!

What's Cookin', Good Lookin'?

This little chef was beaming tonight after he walked into Lili and Shuffie's house to find this new kitchen!  I'm pretty sure I remember my mom talking about ordering it for him for Christmas; however, it has turned into "just a happy" since "he's so sweet and good."   

I don't ever remember receiving a "happy" like this as a child.  These people have turned into some major softies lately!  ;)

Mornin' Sweet Boy!

Happy 5th Birthday, Rusty!

Today my sweet, furry baby turned 5!  

Sam couldn't wait to put on a party hat and help Rusty celebrate.  This boy LOVES his dog.  :)

Jack, on the other hand, wasn't so sure about the hat.  It came off rather quickly.

We sang a few rounds of "Happy Birthday" and then gave Rusty his usual ice cream treat.  I bet that cup of ice cream didn't even last two minutes.  He definitely enjoyed it and the boys loved watching him eat it.

Happy Birthday, Rusty!  We love you and are so glad you are such a special part of our family.

Weekend House Party

Adam and I just got back tonight from a fun and relaxing "date weekend" in New Orleans.  From the looks of this picture there seems to have been quite a house party while we were gone.  ;)  Thank you Lili & Shuffie for taking such good care of our boys!!

Ten Months Old!

What has Jack been up to lately?

*He is wearing size 4 diapers, 18-24 month and some 2T clothes and a size 5 shoe!

*He has 2 teeth.

*He is drinking (4) 6-7 oz formula bottles a day and loving his baby food fruits and veggies.  He is such a good eater and really enjoys puffs and other small things he can pickup and feed himself.  

*He is sleeping 11-12 hours every night without a peep and then takes a great nap in the afternoons.  I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for another good sleeper.  It makes all of the difference in the world!!

*He is beginning to get attached to his blankets, or as Sam would call them, his "meanies." He loves to grab hold of anything soft and put it against his face with one hand and suck the thumb on his other hand.  So sweet!

*He is crawling all over the place and is so proud of himself.  It is also so much easier for him to play with his big brother now that he can move around.  They are having so much fun together and it warms my heart to watch the amazing bond they already have at such a young age.

*He isn't a big fan of bath time but he is getting better.

*He follows me around the house now that he is mobile and you better believe he is usually right on my heels.  I laugh and call him Godzilla sometimes because he can sure slap those hands on the floor as he crawls after you.  He definitely isn't going to be sneaking up on anyone anytime soon.  :)  

*He is my snuggler and still such a mama's boy.  I can usually pick him up, anytime night or day, and he will immediately lay his head on my chest and suck his thumb as if all is finally right with the world.  He has definitely stolen my heart just like his big brother!

I'm so thankful for a sweet, growing, healthy boy that brings us all so much joy.  We love you, Jack!

Unwanted Visitor

This past weekend our neighbors found a snake in their house near their little boy's toys!  A snake inside my house is certainly one of my worst nightmares!!  Ever since their spotting I have been paying extra attention when I'm walking through our house and looking around carefully while we play outside.  

This morning I went to let Rusty out into the backyard and as I was shutting the door something moving on our rug caught my eye on the back porch.  I waited a minute and realized it was our very own snake!!! I just don't do snakes....AT. ALL.  I called Adam at work and was freaking out.  I could instantly tell he wasn't feeling very sorry for me when he told me to go outside and take care of it.  Yeah...right!!  It was time to move on and call someone else.  ;)  So naturally my next phone call was to my mom.  Now she isn't a snake lady either but was SUCH a trooper and said she was come right over.  I tried to watch out the back window to keep an eye on the snake but ran quickly to the garage to get a shovel and when I got back he was gone!!!  Well, the only thing worse than spotting a snake is losing him and knowing he is still lurking.  I stood watching at the window hoping I would spot him again.  My mom arrive and she immediately took the shovel and went out the back door in search of our unwanted visitor.  It took a little while of hitting around in the grass but he popped up striking and she got him!  Whew!!  She is my hero!

I hope if any other snakes were thinking about visiting that they changed their minds.  Snakes and my little babies don't mix well here.  Thanks Lili for saving the day!  :)

The Spots Have Arrived

Unfortunately, it looks like we didn't escape the dreaded spots with this round of hand, foot and mouth.  :(

Little Rebels

Since our little Rebels are still under the weather, we will be cheering for our team from home today!

Hotty Toddy and Go Rebs!