A fun game of football

A few weekends ago, Yvonne & Dave invited us to picnic in the park with them.
Lately, with every ones schedules it's been pretty tough to get together.
The only instruction that we were given was to show up & bring our own food.
Easy enough for us. 
We ended up grilling brats & hot dogs and also brought fruit to snack on & potato chips.
After dinner, the kids ran around a bit and then Creag & Hank decided to round up the boys and girl for a game of flag football. 

For me, this ended up being the most memorable part of the day.
There were laughs, teamwork, high fives, and just good old fashioned family fun.
I just sat on a blanket on the sideline with Yvonne, Mica, Skylar & Willis.
We watched the game & snapped a few pictures and there was no where else I wanted to be.
It was the perfect afternoon & I'm so glad we were able to get together.

RYF!!

This year, for the first time we're trying something different.
Cheerleading.
I have to say Sky, that you are really having fun with it.
Your confidence at your games amazes me.
You never, ever cease to amaze us with your personality.
I know that you're not shy in the least, but to cheer in front of a crowd takes guts and you have 'em.
Watching you cheer, so far has been a lot of fun for everyone.

Your first game:)



Here's to a great football season!
Gooooo Raiders!!!

7 things about my 7 year old...and a birthday party

1.  You absolutely love being around your Papaw, you've had a lot of time with him this summer at    the River & have really enjoyed yourself.

2.  You love anything outdoors.  Fishing, swimming, boating, anything.  You're favorite though, would be Mamaw & Papaws 4-wheeler.  You love, love, love it.  You love it so much that one time before you rode to the store with Papaw you took the helmet with you so no one else could ride it until you did.  You tend to show off a little which kind of scares me.  You look at me to make sure I'm watching you when you should ALWAYS look straight ahead.  I'm trying to get this to sink in.

3.  You have been golfing quite a bit.  Creag bought you a set of clubs & tries to take you weekly when we have you.  You are doing great.  You are very patient with it & are getting a little bit better every week.

4.  You just lost your second bottom tooth, & you're top ones are also getting a little loose.  I'll just start calling you toothless.

5.  You are becoming a very independent reader & you love it.  You sat in bed the other night & read "Hank the Cowdog" by yourself.  When your time was up & I came in the room to tuck you in, you asked for 2 more minutes.  I gave it to you. 

6.  You are really excited & scared to start the 1st grade.  You seem to be your own worst critic, and are questioning if you're smart enough.  Of course you are!

7.  You are still a busy, busy, spunky little red-head with the cutest freckles. 

Birthday Party

You've been at your Dad's a lot this summer, but on Friday night on your birthday Creag and I along, with Sam drove to Dayton after work to pick you, Skylar & Wyatt up for dinner and birthday cake.  It was a great night spent with family & friends in celebration of your birthday.  We met everyone at Marions Pizza.  After our pizza dinner we had a marshmallow & chocolate cake that I had baked for you the night before.  You played games with your brother & sisters, your cousin Travis, & Jacob and just had a really good time. 

After the games, you opened your gifts & loved every one of them.  You didn't get a lot of toys this year, which was good considering you never, ever play with them.  Creag & I got you a baseball themed gift since you love the Reds.  We packed your new back pack full of fun things & you kept pulling stuff out of it saying "What!?  Is this Christmas or something!!"  It was awesome.  Everyone loved watching you.  You kept us all very entertained.

Your new shades!

And your candy mustache....

I think you favor Mr. Redleg.

A few other things that were in your bag were a MLB PlayStation 3 game, a set of baseball cards & a set of football cards. A Reds binder & card sleeves for your cards, baseball tickets to a Reds Game, a Reds hat & jersey, a pair of tennis shoes & random candy, like a Reds Pez dispenser & Big League bubble gum. Uncle Steve got you a Bengals t-shirt, Mamaw & Papaw gave you money & a new pair of skater shoes. Aunt Becky, Grandpa Wiggins, Uncle Justin, Angie, Amy & Jacob all gave you money which you used to buy yourself your first BB Gun!! You & Creag picked it out together online from Dick's Sporting Goods and you should be getting it delivered to you any day now. I would say overall, your birthday this year was great. I'll leave with a few more pictures of your day.

Happy Birthday buddy! I hope you had a great day!!!

XOXO,

Mom



A letter to Hank @ 7 years old

Hank,

It's really hard to believe that you are 7 years old!
I know I say the same thing every year, but it is truly crazy how fast time is passing.
I still remember the day that we brought you home from the hospital. 
A tiny 7lb 12oz baby boy.
You've had me wrapped around your finger since Day 1. 
There is something very special about a mothers love for her son that I just cannot describe.
My love for you grows more & more every single day.
You make me so very proud.
As much as I miss "Baby Hank", I love the boy that you are becoming.
Your hugs and kisses are still so sweet & you are so kind. 
It doesn't always show through your orneriness.
Because believe me, you are ornery!
A little spit fire, and you test me to my absolute limit most days.
You are always on the go & have so much energy.
I hope that one day you use all of that energy & turn it into passion for something that you love.
As you get older, every year it seems I have to step back a little bit more.
Let you make decisions for yourself.
Because I will not always be there to make decisions for you.
I do want you to know that mistakes are OK.
You are going to make them. 
Everyone does.
I hope that you learn from those mistakes.
They will shape you into the man that you are supposed to be.
But as the years fly by, always know that you will ALWAYS be my baby.
I love you son, to the moon & back.

Love Always & Forever,
Mom