Dearest Boys,
October started off mild and soccer games still felt really nice to sit through
Seeing you and your teammates have fun together makes it all worth it!
I captured this picture of your leg muscles doing some crazy stuff!
School pictures came in. While you claim not to like this picture, I want you to be able to look back at see yourself sophomore year. (And I always think you're cute!)
When the state fair came to town, Grandma and I concocted a secret plan. We surprised you both by checking you out of school in the middle of the day and not telling you why. We drove down to the fairgrounds and spent the afternoon skipping school together!
8th grade football wrapped up and someone took a picture of you looking so unlike yourself! You're known for your smile! Ha!
Y'all were soaking wet after a rainy game but you were still smiling!
You and Connor tried out a new VR gaming place together. It was fun to watch!
And then Halloween snuck up on us! You both decided to go out with friends at the last minute so we had to be creative with "costumes". These onesie pajama sets totally worked!
November started with a nice surprise as you were awarded with a Magnificent Marauder award. Each teacher picks one student to give the award to each semester and your AVID teacher chose you and said such nice things about you! You got to go on stage to receive your award and I think you were more proud than your face shows in this picture....
In other exciting news, the Texas Rangers won the World Series so we celebrated at school!
Our weekends continued to be packed with soccer and baseball and we continued cheering you on!
Downing had a spelling bee and you made it to the Top 12 (I think you actually got 8th place, Colt!).
Cross Country season was short - only 4 meets!
Mid-November brought Middle School Match Up. I LOVE this tournament as they let you form a team with your middle school. That's nice because our middle schools don't have baseball teams so this is a unique chance. Downing had 8 awesome boys come together that weekend.
Some players from nearby schools joined in to form a whole team.
Our school had a dodgeball fundraiser one weekend and you and your friends had a blast!
I had to capture what would probably be your last cross country event ever...
Your school's soccer team did some volunteer work together and I was proud of your work ethic!
The days turned cold but that didn't stop you from participating in your newest thing, Young Life. Y'all meet every Wednesday night for Bible Study and it's nice to see you involved in something like this.
Right before Thanksgiving, we volunteered for Feed The Hunger. We've done this for a few years now so we're professionals and know how to keep it fun!
For some reason, I took not a single photo at Thanksgiving. Of course, Grandpa and Grandma hosted us again and we had a lovely time. The only picture I have from that time is a headshot of Dad. Dad doesn't get enough blog love so I'll just leave this right here. :)
At the end of the month, our girl gang got together to uplift Michelle. We filled the night with all the GOOD C words - Chinese, champagne, charcuterie, conversation, and crafts. We were trying to distract Michelle from the yucky C word since she was headed off to surgery soon.
While Michelle was out of work through December, I got to fill in for her and work the clock for basketball games. It was truly fun so I didn't mind one bit!
December also brought "Signing Day" - HA! Young Life makes a big deal about signing up for their summer camp. This picture looks so official and you were officially pumped to spend some summer time in Colorado!
December meant holiday events. One of those events was Jingle Ball - a concert put on by a local radio station. And headlining that concert was one of Grandma's favorites - Jellyroll - so I bought us tickets for her birthday.
With the holidays, comes the holiday parties. Dad's work party had him wearing a light up suit jacket!
Holiday concerts happen too! And you in a tux is one of my favorite looks!!
I love the wall the tree's star looks like it's on your head during your soccer celebration!
As first semester at school wrapped up, you were recognized for your hard work in performance course.
The week before Christmas was the perfect time to celebrate Brandie's 40th. She picked Cabo for her hot spot so we flew down for 4 days. The Vaughns couldn't make the trip since Michelle was still recovering from surgery and we missed them every day!
Look closely to see our gift to Brandie! Those matching swimsuits were a hit at the resort! And Michelle and Justin even participated from afar and sent pictures of themselves hanging out in their swimsuits!
Meanwhile, you two stayed with Grandpa and Grandma and kept the traditions alive. There was gingerbread decorating:
A visit to Bass Pro's Santa:
And a trip to Gaylord's ICE!
Back in Cabo, Dad and I kept kissing on the beach ; )
And eating fancy all-inclusive dinners!
And golfing on the most gorgeous course I'd ever seen!!!
Be warned: you don't swim in the waters around Cabo. You just walk the beach. And that's fine by me!
Better yet? Just lounge in the infinity pool.
We got back to Texas just in time for Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day was joyful - we started at our house, then logged on for "computer Christmas" with our favorite Hoosiers, and ended the day at Grandpa and Grandma's.
Dad's birthday was the perfect time to fit in our annual Holiday Triple Date. We ate at a fancy new-to-us restaurant in Grapevine, browsed the decor along main street, and then played games at the Harycki's house.
I can't believe we're going into the new year with two teenagers!!
Even so, I have about 2023 reasons that I love doing life with y'all.
