SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!!!

(favorite picture of the two of them-ever!!!!!)

Football ended on Saturday with a bang!!!! We made it through the playoffs and had the super bowl (championship) game on Saturday. Our team has a fantastic group of parents. And the majority of moms are all great friends so we probably got a little too excited and thought this would be the perfect time to put our creative minds to full power! We had rally rags and flags (thanks to Sherri), jingle-bell noise makers, signs, T-shirts....and a pep rally!!!! After a week of planning and stressing we had a pep rally in the elementary school gym for our boys. The cheerleaders for the league attended as did the high school and JV cheerleaders, the dance team, the Mascot, and a high school senior player even gave a pep talk. It was perfect!...now don't get me wrong- it was no high school pep rally but for a bunch of moms who haven't done anything like this in quite awhile-it was fantastic! We even had a slide show with "the Boys of Fall" song to end the rally with pictures from the entire season! (thanks nikki-it was amazing) I think most of us arrived at the field on Saturday with knots in our stomach and were holding back tears of joy as we watched our little guys take the field. The game was exciting, stressful, and most of all-a perfect example of TEAM work. It took every last one of those players and coaches to win that game!!! The boys came off the field so excited to have won...35-13!!!! I looked at Robo and he wasn't smiling-he was just watching everyone around him...I asked if he was ok and he said, "yeah-I just can't believe it's over". All of the build-up, practice, and hard work was done-and he didn't know what was next. Soon he was over the sadness and celebration began. I think we took about a million pictures. Big Rob couldn't even give a speech to the boys because he was crying...I know-your thinking really? they are only 7 and 8 years old...but it was perfect, it was amazing, it was a memory I will NEVER forget!!! The boys on that team have made great friends and I hope they continue to play "as a team" for the many years to come!!!!

Goofy kids-I think they were pretty tired of pictures at this point! : )

Dr Jekyll and MRS. Hyde

I remember being sooo excited about having a baby girl...a princess...a shopping buddy....a cheerleader....however, lately I have had a rebellious, out of control, UFC fighter. That's right- UFC fighter! She has always been an independent, strong-willed, quick-witted little princess (diva is more like it) but on Tuesday she turned into MRS.HYDE.
I got to school to pick her up from the after-school program and the teacher said, "She has been in quite a bit of trouble today. Could you please sign this paper because if she continues she will no longer be allowed to participate in this program." Holy crap!!! I instantly felt my face get red and my mind was racing with all of the thoughts of what could have happened. I turned to Neely and asked what she did...she simply said, "I punched a girl in the face. She only bled for a minute." OMG!!!! I froze- What do you say? What do you do? My first reaction- what child and is she ok? 2nd reaction-How do I handle this? What is a reasonable punishment for Neely? I apologized to the teacher, walked Neely to the car, and counted to 10 about 20 times!!! We went straight to football practice from there so I didn't even get to talk to Rob until dinner about 7 pm that night. We made Neely recount the story in her words... basically the girl told Neely that she had make-up in her backpack, Neely asked to use some, the girl said she was just joking, Neely said don't lie to me and punched her in the face. Where is the nearest boarding school and what did I fail to do as a parent for her to think this is reasonable?! After a longgggg talk, many privileges revoked, and no TV she is starting to come around. The princess, fun-loving, baby girl has turned into a "mean girl". My worst nightmare!!! I want her to be a good person, good friend, one who will stand up for her friends, and do things right. Not the girl who everyone avoids making eye contact with and who thinks they can get what they want by pushing everyone else around. We have spent a lot of time together this last week talking about what being a "big girl" means, responsibilities, and expectations. I hope and pray that this is a one time occurrence because if not- we are seriously forking out some dough for boarding school!

HALLOWEEN!!!!!

A ninja (again) and a mermaid....so I'm not a very creative mom this year!?

We had the annual Buffalo Gap Elementary Fall Festival on the 23rd. The kids had a blast! Trick-or-treating this year was in Lawn with a bunch of kiddos and friends. We rode on a trailer all over Lawn! It was great-the kids bailed off at each house while we got to sit on the hay and enjoy the great weather!!! Thanks to the Cadjews for having us over! We can't wait until next year!!!!

The boys are ready for some candy!

The hay-ride! Just about impossible to get them all looking at the same camera!!!

WORLD SERIES!!!!!

Last Friday, October 22, Rob surprised me with World Series game 3 tickets for my birthday!!!! Could I have asked for anything better?!!!! It was an amazing experience to say the least!! After a longgggg week- we needed some chill time with each other.

Our week began on Monday with a small accident involving a cow and my Sequoia...yes...a cow! And no-I wasn't driving-Rob was! Between arguing with insurances, trying to get a rental, taking mine to the shop, having sick kiddos, etc. It was a terrible week! We just kept telling ourselves- we can make it to Saturday, we can make it to Saturday!!!! The Sequoia is now in the shop, I have a rental (that feels like a micro machine) and the cow owners insurance is paying. So all is well on this Monday!!!

Back to the World Series.....I thought that the ALCS game we went to had an amazing vibe but this game had an indescribable feeling!!! There were people EVERYWHERE! There were more people at this game then ever before at Rangers stadium....54,000+ Rob and I had a blast! We stayed with some old friends that night and were up way too late catching up and telling old stories-laughing till we had tears rolling. It was a great weekend all around...one that we totally needed! Thank you Rob- best birthday present EVER!!!!

ALCS Game 2 at Rangers Stadium

GOOOOO RANGERS!!!!!! Last weekend was fantastic!!! Sherri (mother in law) and Rob planned a great weekend for us. She got ALCS tickets for my birthday and he made hotel reservations, helped pack, and organize. The game was AMAZING to say the least. Neely got her face painted before the game at Hooters....I know-Hooters, with the kids? But Robo loves their food and Big Rob never objects to going there : ) We have been to several games this season and last but never have there been sooo many people. We waited in line to shop for 45 minutes! You could barely walk around to get drinks, food, etc. because the crowd was a t a stand still. Robo thought it was the best game yet. Neely however, said she won't go back unless she gets to sit in a box with air conditioning and a waiter. I know-she is already high maintenance and we have our hands FULL with her!!!

Neely's cheering on the Rangers!!!


We sat on the 3rd base side for the first time. We had great seats right at 3rd base but the sun was brutal, but by the 5th inning the weather was perfect!!!

Charlie Kitty!!!

So about 2 weeks ago I was Leaving the house on a Saturday morning and saw something furry and black next to the house...we live in the country and you never know what it could be so I immediately freaked out. (I have cried "snake" a few times and never has there been a snake) I tried to calm down and get close to figure out what it was without screaming...it was a baby kitty! It had a large bite mark on its side and was terrified! I sat out some water and hoped it would be there later in the day. We got home that night about 9:30 pm and it was gone...thankfully I hadn't told the kids about it. Rob swore he heard some noises outside like a cat but I just thought he was crazy. The next day something crashed in the garage-we went out there to see the kitty in the garage trying to hide! We have kept it since and it is getting bigger and healthier. Neely named it Charlie ( I think for her favorite tv show Good Luck Charlie). I have never liked cats but this one is precious!!! It now plays with us and tries to sneak in the house...which will NEVER happen by the way. Lil Rob is SUPER allergic! Here is what the kitty looks like this week...by the way-Neely is in Love and wants it to sleep in her bed. I keep catching her trying to sneak it in-little toot!!!

A Barrel FULL of Emotions!!!!

My kiddos birthdays are pretty monumentous to me...I always remember what it felt like before they were born, the joy, excitement, how Rob and I's relationship has evolved...I'm usually a rambling, bumbling mess! Wait-I am again today!!! My baby girl is 6!!! I have watched her crawl, walk, talk, and learn new things every day!!!! She is such a toot and far more independent than even I am. I love her and love our life! She had been an absolute blessing and is my best little mini-me!!!! Happy Birthday Neely! We love you!!!!