Saturday, September 30, 2023

2023, July - September


Dearest Boys,

What I didn't mention in the last post, is that we came home from vacation to water damage!  The guest bathroom sink overflowed upstairs and came through the kitchen ceiling!  It was an unpleasant surprise and it meant living in a state of remodeling for the rest of the summer.  This was our kitchen for a bit...

We relished opportunities to eat away from home and Kate's dance convention at the Gaylord was the perfect timing!  

To remind ourselves how fortunate we still were, we joined friends for a volunteer opportunity - organizing school supplies for kids in need.

And then we let the waves wash away our stress with a day on the lake (courtesy of Dad's boss and his sweet boat!).

Grandpa and Grandma got a new puppy so we just had to check on him and make sure he knew we were on the approved visitor list.

After months of classes and driving lessons behind the wheel, you finished your Driver's Ed, Jax.  You and your buddy spent so many hours together and had hilarious stories to share whenever I picked y'all up.

Mike, Jess, and Hailey came for a visit and we found fun ways to stay cool.  One way - so much pool time!!

And indoor putt-putt!

There was also a wizard themed escape room - which we dominated!


They also found an indoor adventure park for us that we'd never been to (Bolder).


July wrapped up with a birthday celebration for Kim...


...and our annual B2S Triple Date!


August meant back to school and my training started right away on August 1st!


We had a pep rally at Marcus...


...and that finally gave us gals a chance to see each other for the first time in months!


Although I had to work on August 4th, we tried to make your day special!  
Remember this balloon creation we ordered for you?


You got to invite a few friends to join you at Top Golf.



And Grandma made sure to make your favorite - cherry cheese pie!


On my actual birthday, we went for pedicures (not pictured) and then headed to the Rangers game.  Grandpa wasn't feeling well, so you were allowed to bring a friend, Colt.



We took our annual picture on the stairs.
1st day of 10th grade for Jax
1st day of 8th grade for Colt


And first day of Year 2 (together) for us!


The big guys on campus had some pool time to celebrate Caden turning 14!


After just a few weeks of downtime, soccer picked right back up!


Your team won the first tournament they entered.


We hung out with Andrew at his gaming convention.  


I'm relishing this year because I already know I'll miss having you around next year!!!


You, on the other hand, relished football.



Jax, I have to include this picture - in hopes that you laugh one day.  This is the day your buddies got together for a Fantasy Football draft.  Just a few months later, you'd place last and have an awful punishment.  I think someone has pictures of it somewhere but I haven't seen them.


Colt, you joined a different Rattlers team after your last coach retired and the team separated.
This group of boys has a lot of silly fun!




Fall is full -  of great sports, great weather, & great memories!















Friday, June 30, 2023

2023, April - June

Dearest Boys,

Spring was packed with good times and here are the pictures to prove it!

We met up with Grandma for our annual bluebonnet pics.  What used to take us a half hour to capture, now gets knocked out in about 3 minutes!



And then my life changed.
Ok, dramatic a bit - but I did attend the best concert I've ever seen - THE Taylor Swift!  I wouldn't have called myself a "Swiftie" prior to April 2, 2023 but I totally understand the hype after watching her stellar performance!  Super thankful that Kate let me tag along on her birthday gift!


I might be biased, but I think the cheap seats had the best views!



Have I mentioned how much I like working at your school??  
I got to see you present your STEM project!


Grandma & Grandpa hosted us for Easter again.



And they spoiled you two again.



That new Easter outfit came in handy as you were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society!



Spring baseball brought a little time on the mound!


Jax, you kept showing up in footage on our district's website!


Your high school soccer season ended and they celebrated with a banquet.


The celebrations continued as you got together for someone's birthday.


And we wanted to celebrate big on April 21st -- but you had a soccer game, Jax.  So, we kept it simple with a stop to your favorite place post game.


And then we did hibachi with Grandpa and Grandma the next night!


A week later, we celebrated for real with some friends at Top Golf...


...and another trip to your favorite place!


The boys spent the night and we had birthday cake for breakfast the next morning!


That meant learner's permit time & you've been an excellent student!


May meant alllll the end-of-year goodness!
Such as the color run!
This picture was taken before Coach Vaughan nailed me with a color bomb INSIDE my mouth and nose!


You also had your final band concert.


And your last school sport of 7th grade!



Us adults got together to celebrate Justin's birthday but those smiles say IT'S ALMOST SUMMER!


Jax, your club team got together one last time to celebrate a great season.


Colt, you earned some awards at the end of the year ceremony.  You were voted "Diamondback Spirit" for the 7th grade and you also got Honor Roll.  You were unimpressed with Honor Roll though as it was for A/B Honor Roll after you got your first ever B (in your Gifted & Talented Class!)!


We had to do locker clean out so I snapped this pic of yours beforehand.


You were also awarded this shirt for being a 5 sport athlete - that means you were on every middle school sports team and that made for such a fun year!!


On the last day of school, my amazing team posed with huge smiles representing a super successful year!


We wasted no time in kicking off summer as Pine Cove was calling your name, Jackson.


I was blown away by how gorgeous it was at The Shores!


I stalked the camp's app all week and snagged a few pictures of you from their albums.





Colt, you chose not to go to Pine Cove this summer.

Instead, your big trip was with your baseball team.  They competed in a World Series Tournament in Branson, Missouri.  Some of the team made the road trip together in a sweet van!


We had team dinner at Lambert's - home of the throwed rolls!


Baseball players throwing bread across the restaurant - what could go wrong?!?


You and your team all stayed together in a dorm while the 3 of us stayed in a cute house down the road a bit.


When you weren't on the fields, your team fit in plenty of touristy fun!


One of your games was on Father's Day so we had to get a group pic.


We spent one of our free nights at putt putt.


Our days were mainly spent watching y'all play ball.


We hit a local course on your one day off!





Keeping up with y'all is my very favorite hobby!