Gator Football 08/29/09

Alex's first practice in pads as a Griffin Gator was today! He's practicing in #83, but doesn't know if he will keep that # or not. He didn't seem to mind using another number other than his standard #23. Coach Eli came to watch his Wildcats practice. Alex practiced in the first team defense as a linebacker. With about 90 kids playing (1 of them a girl) they didn't get a lot of playing time today. Can't wait for the first game! It's hard to get used to wearing gold and green, but we are getting there. Gotta get me a gator shirt!!

Omaha Girls Trip 08/03/09

Carmen had a genealogy conference to attend for DAR and she invited me along. I was really excited about a girls only road trip. JoHannah got to come along with us and she was alot of fun. While Carmen was in her conference, JoHannah and I got to shop, eat, swim and goof off. She is such a smart, sweet, young little lady. I don't think I've spent that much time with her all by myself because my kids are always around or her mom. This picture was taken on the Pedistrian Bridge over the Missouri river in Omaha. Halfway over the bridger you enter Iowa.

All the way through Nebraska, Carmen kept saying she wanted her picture taken in the corn (because it was EVERYWHERE!!!) but we couldn't find a spot along the freeway. When we visited Hogback Bridge, she was able to get her picture in the Iowa sweet corn. We bought some in Winterset and I have to say it was the best corn I've ever eaten!

Roseman Bridge, Madison County Iowa, 8/6/09

Carmen, JoHannah and I visiting Madison County, IA on our way home from Omaha, NE. We loved the book and movie "Bridges of Madison County" so when we realized how close we were, we couldn't resist. This was the bridge in the movie where Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep were filmed. I don't think JoHannah enjoyed it as much as her old aunts did, but she didn't complain. We also saw the Hogback Bridge. The town of Winterset seemed like a small town with the Courthouse being the center of the town. We walked around the little shops and the Visitor Center. Carmen and I bought covered bridge charms for our charm bracelets. Winterset is also the birthplace of John Wayne, so we drove by his birthplace, but didn't go in.

First Week of School...

Going well...getting up at 6 a.m. to get Alex to football is tough. Alex crashed on the couch at 9 p.m. tonight watching Ghost Hunters (a favorite show of Charlie & the boys). They've been doing homework most of the evening. We did stop and go to the cul-de-sac to play kick ball with those kids. Joey had soccer practice, but they called it for lightning after about 1/2 an hour. Just a light sprinkle today. Joey has his first Spanish quiz tomorrow--he knows the spanish alphabet really good! They are all so smart!

We've Been T-P'd!!

June 2009--The first T-P! Charlie and I had gone away for our anniversary and the boys were staying at Carmen's. When we came home the next morning, what a surprise we found!! The girls that pulled this off were PROFESSIONALS!!! They had the TP in the trees and wrapped around limbs. We couldn't believe how well it was done!!! Joey & Alex were excited that they had been t-p'd (a right of passage for any middle schooler). They did clean it up and insisted on doing it themselves. Ben refused to help clean it up--he said "it's not my friends that did it!" He was right about that. We found out who did it and retaliated a few weeks later. Some other girls hit us again later in the summer, but they weren't as good as these. That cleanup was a snap. Oh, summer fun!!

First Day of School

August 24, 2009--The first day of school! Joey & Alex are in the 7th grade and Ben is in the 6th grade all at Griffin Middle School. I wasn't too worried about Joey & Alex last year when they started middle school, but this year I was worried about Ben. I don't know why because he is such a confident and incredibly smart boy, but I guess because he is my baby. The twins always have each other, so I worry more about Ben because he's all by himself. He did great like we knew he would. He did go out on the wrong side of the building when school was out, but Alex went and found him. Ben is with his best bud, Ashley, this year. She went to a different elementary school for the last 2 years, so he's really missed her. Alex started football and goes to practice before school at 6:30 a.m. Joey is in athletics too, but is not doing football. Football conflicted with his soccer practices which his coach wasn't about to tolerate, so Joey is doing off-season basketball. They are all doing well in school and the first week has been good. They all love their teachers and enjoy being with their friends. We might try riding the bus home next week so I can have a break from the carpool lane.

Schlitterbahn

Joey had a soccer tournament in Austin, so we decided to go down a day early and go to Schlitterbahn! We love this waterpark. It's a Texas landmark and now they have them in other states, but the one in New Braunfels is the best! It's water from the Comal River and it's ice cold! Some of the water rides dump you right into the river and you just float on your tube until you get out. The kids loved all the rides. The Raging River was the BEST!! The place is huge and you can take a tram to a whole separate section that is newer. Charlie & I were exhausted and were popping the ibuprofen on the way back to the hotel! We could tell we were getting old when our legs starting hurting after walking for about 7 hours! We had a blast riding the water slides and watching the boys enjoy themselves.

Braces!!!

08/13/09--Alex gets braces!! He has to wear them for 16 months. His main concern was the mouthpiece for football! They gave him a green one for Griffin! He's doing a good job taking care of them by flossing and brushing. Who knew we had to get him braces in order for him to brush his teeth daily??? Joey's next, but not for another year.

Ben Wins Chick-Fil-A Drawing Contest!

One day this summer we were eating lunch at Chick-Fil-A and it turned out to be a "dress like a cow" day. No, we didn't dress up, but the place was packed and they were having a drawing contest as part of their celebration. Of course Ben was drawing while I waited in line for the food. He drew a great pic of the cows in a rock band. We gave it to the manager when we left and didn't think anything of it. They called us in August and told us that Ben won this giant Chick Fil A pez dispenser. We were going to Six Flags that day with Jacob & JoHannah, so we picked it up on our way. He ate all the candy on our way to Six Flags that day. He's a great artist!!!

Our New Blog...

I'm starting this new blog to keep track of our busy family & all that we do. My goal is to record something daily and to eventually share this with our family that we rarely see.