Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday afternoon, we went to the Pumpkin Patch. The kids had a great time picking out their pumpkins! There are lots more pictures of Gracie, because she was the one that was excited about the pictures. The boys didn't want to get dressed up either. Stinkers! Since we're doing family pictures this week, I decided it wasn't really that necessary. I'm learning to pick my battles, I guess you could say!

We LOVE fall!!!! I wish it would stay fall until Spring, and we could skip winter all together!

Soccer

Another soccer season is coming to a close. It's been a fun season. This year, Rhett has been playing U8 and Braden has been playing U10. Rhett graduated up to playing the full length of the field this year and actually learning positions. He has enjoyed it a lot more and has done much better with paying attention to the game and knowing what to do and when. It's been very fun to watch each of them play this season.

Rhett- in the middle.

Braden

Braden is still loving soccer and has decided to stick with it through the winter this year. He made the decision to focus on soccer (for now) and he will be skipping basketball this winter and possibly even skipping baseball in the spring to continue. His plans are to try out for the local academy soccer team this spring. Rhett will be playing basketball for the first time this winter. Braden will continue to have soccer practice on Mondays and we're not sure what night Rhett will have basketball practice. Throw in Gracie's Tuesday afternoon dance class and the fact that the boys each have homework to do each night and it makes it nuts on those nights! Jason is usually working into the times that the kids have their activities, so I'm on my own a lot of the times. It doesn't bother me as long as I can do it. I'm a little concerned if their practices are going to overlap though. How am I supposed to have them in different places at the same time?? I'm trying not to worry about it. Hopefully Jason will be able to help out most of the time to ease the burden. The most interesting part is that they will both be playing their games on Saturdays with varying times on the schedules. So, this should be a rather interesting juggling act. But, such is life and what's a little more chaos on an already KRAZY life?!?!
I'm thankful that we have the means to allow them to partcipate in these things that they enjoy so much and I'll follow them wherever they want to go!

A Little Hairy

Last Saturday, we had an hour to kill between the boys soccer games, so we sat in the lobby and had a snack, watched the razorback game on tv and played around while we waited.

Luckily they have toy vending machines there...

Hoedown Day

The boys had Hoedown Day on the day of Braden's birthday.

How cute are they?!

Since it was Braden's birthday, he had birthday pancakes before school!

I just love fun theme days at school. It's so fun for the kids and it gives them something to look forward to. The had lots of fun getting all dressed up!

Bye Bye Babas

No, this is not a figment of your imagination. You're seeing it right. No more Babas for Sissy. For some reason that I still don't understand, she ended up going without one for 2 days without us even trying. So, I woke up that 3rd morning and decided that if we could go without for 2 days, we could be done for good. That 3rd and 4th day when she asked for one, it wasn't fun. But, by day 5, they were long gone and I decided to take the plunge and throw them in the trash.

What a beautiful sight!!

Braden's 9th Birthday

My firstborn is officially 9! On Oct 1st, his actual birthday, we had his birthday party. He chose a rock climbing party, and boy did we have fun!!

Here's him with the cake I made for him. He chose the baseball theme for the cake. You can see the bottom of the "B" in "Birthday" is missing. It was in tact when we got there. Someone decided they wanted a taste... I still haven't figured out who!

Yes, that is Rhett creepin' in the background behind the cheesecake I made!


I made the cheesecake, because technically, that's what Braden asked for his birthday cake. I had to practically beg him to let me make him an actual birthday cake! The boy LOVES him some made-from-scratch cheesecake!

So many of our friends were able to join us. Both new friends and old ones who drove a LONG ways to come and celebrate with us. I am so thankful for everyone who loves my children!

Here's the big birthday boy climbing the wall

Gather 'round for cake!! Did anyone else notice that my "baby boy" is almost as tall as I am?!

Wall climbing fun!

My neice Ela

Gracie

Rhett

Jaiden

Trenton

Aggie

Tasha

My hunky hubby!

Hutch

Russ

Tre was so upset when his daddy started climbing the wall, so PaPa sat down with him to watch.

PaPa Climbing to the top!

Me!

I will add here that all the adults made it to the top and rang the bell except for one. Me. But, I made it within 3 feet of it! And the fact that I even attempted it was success in my book.

Tasha, thanks for coming early to help me set up!

Thank you to everyone for coming to celebrate Braden's birthday with us! We had so much fun. Everyone made him feel so special and so loved!

A Big Day!

Today, I sent my baby girl off to preschool. She has been counting down the days until she could go for weeks.

When we got there, she went right to her class and started playing with toys immediately. I did get her to pose for 1 picture, but had to beg for a kiss. She said, "Are you dropping me off?" and I said, "Yep! I'll see you later. Have a great day. I love you!" and I walked right out. She didn't even look my way.



I have mixed emotions about her reaching this big milestone. This will be so good for her to get out of the house for a couple days to have fun and be able to make friends and get used to the school routine. Also, I will have some much needed time to myself. I can't tell you how excited I am about that! While I'm sad to see my baby growing up, I'm also excited about the way our family's life is changing as our children grow up. I've been a mom for 9 years now, and I've cherished every moment I've had with them as they've been little. But, in a way, I'm ready for them to grow up and be more independent.

Love you baby girl, hope your first day of school is GREAT!!