A Great Weekend

There are some weekends that fly by and I don't feel like we ever had time with each other. Then there are some weekends that this last weekend where the planets aligned for a few days. We had a fantastically fabulous weekend!! Between two different family visits and getting some much needed items checked off of our honey to do list, it was a great time. We love it when we have company especially our own parents. Here's why: it doesn't matter what the kids do, it is at our own house...they can't destroy anything that isn't already ours. And although we all like to visit our parents at their houses (hello no cooking and no housework for a few days and all sorts of fun stories and good laughs) it always seems to lead to a certain stress for Ryan and I because it isn't our own home. Although I love my kiddos not being the sit and play video games for hours or even watch tv for an hour, it does tend to create problems. So when we host at our house, it seems much more relaxed and I LOVE that!! I don't have any pics from most of the weekend since I was enjoying just being with our families. I do have pics from Chase's scrimmage.

This was a hard game for us to watch. Reminders of the big kid from last years scrimmage were clearly not forgotten as he took the field again. Weighing in at a hefty 270 pounds and was probably at least 5'10"...he was menacing to say the least. We will hear about him later in life and know he is going to go far as a football player. He seemed to be just born to do it. But he is ill matched with all of our boys. Last year he was up against our smallest boy who seemed to figure out that if you bear crawled, it worked. This year, he was up against Chase. Chase didn't exactly know how to handle this and neither did any of the other boys. It is hard to not let that affect you. The boys played well and coaches now know where our weaknesses are and where we need to go.

I mean could you line up across from this kiddo every time?




As always Chase played with all that he had.




Here he is being manhandled. He was no match.


Add on the heat of that afternoon, it was absolutely miserable. The boys handled it well.

There was this though....do you see the ball in the upper right corner of this picture?

This was headed for Chase. I panned my camera to the right to photograph the catch and run, only to watch my son get laid out by anothe player. And since this is my blog, I can talk about what it felt like to watch that moment, zoomed in to see my sons head fly to the side as he landed on his back. There are no words to explain that noise and the feeling of losing my breath. I know it is football and I know we are allowing him to play this incrediablly dangerous sport but it doesn't mean I don't feel pain for my boy when he gets hit. It was so hard to see that happen and know I couldn't run out there and scoop him up. Coaches ran from everywhere and here I was on the sideline, frozen with my camera still up to my face because I didn't want every one, especially him, to see my crying. It was tough to see this:


and better to see this


and after some help from Ryan to help pull himself back together and calm down a little (because he was very scared and upset at the way he felt, Chase that is), Chase was ready to get back in


It was a rough scrimmage to watch and photograph, even without that hit. I know Chase loves this game and wouldn't put himself in this situation if he didn't like it. I just hope he continues to play well with little injuries.

I hope you all have a great Monday! We have a busy week of visiting a farm and having a playdate later this week!! Fun stuff!!

A quick Thursday post

I had no pictures yesterday to do a Wordless Wednesday post :( but with the weather forcasting the most gorgeous day, the park beckoned us which meant pictures. So today we headed to a new park over by a lake. It was just absolutely perfect. It had a little playground for the girls and a walking trail right next to the lake. We enjoyed a nice picnic under a tree in the (dare I say it) cool morning. It was heaven for this momma and exactly what I think we all needed. Here are some pics as well as some ice cream fun with the girls afterwards.

I could have literally sat here all day...ok maybe laid there all day...beautiful!!






I know someday that little whipsy hair will be but a distant memory..sniff sniff








why hello mr "i can give you warts faster than you can blink" frog.




New shades :)







It has been a little crazy around the house lately...not sure if teething is to blame or just that daddy and mommy have a lot to get done for work. I am hoping to slow down tomorrow and enjoy company, a great football scrimmage, and some Sunday football with my family!! Happy Thursday!!

Farmers Market Love

We headed to the farmers market this morning amidst the rain and grey storm clouds. I am just in love with the simplicity of this time of the week. We are all excited for the start of the week as well as excited to see all th goodies that all of the farmers have to offer. Today we didn't have to get too much but that still didn't hinder us from enjoying the whole market.










This weekend is the Tomato Festival so why not get a tomato painted on your face?! When Ella told the face painter this, I was a little surprised. But check this out, that is one fantastic tomato!!




I have been reading a new photography book and practicing this week. I am learning new things that are making my pictures better but I still have so far to go. I saw this photo opportunity this morning but between the bouquet of flowers I was holding as well as my purse, the fruit purchase, and Kyndall's hand...it didn't come out as clear as I wanted it...oh well.


Happy Weekend!!

Ahh all is right in the world

Football has begun!! All is right in the world!! I can't tell you how much I love this part of the year. School starting, football beginning, and the weather is cooling off. Ahhh heaven I tell ya!! Last night Chase had his first scrimmage. This was also his first time in pads because of his summer at dad's house. It took him a few plays to get back into the groove but from that point it was fantastically fun to watch. I know there are many moms out there that hate football or cringe at the thought of their sons playing this very dangerous sport and I do have those feelings BUT to watch him play is just magic to me. I love watching his concentration and his determination to get the player with the ball or help move the ball down the field. I love watching him light up another player, as mean as that sounds, I love to see that look on his face when he knows he helped his team. I am so happy that I get to witness it :) through the lens of my camera. Here are some of the pics from the game.


A few tackling moments brought to you courtesy of Bubba!!






"yeah I just carried you that far"


Getting a little coachin' from one of our newest coaches


I would not want to be on the other side of that face



We played the 6th grade team last night and many of the coaches (I think had at least 10) came up to talk to Chase. I know he doesn't know what a gift he is to many of the sports he plays, but he is. And it is because of that fact: it is so natural to him. It is just like breathing. He hunts the ball down like a mosquito hunts down blood. Sorry, typing outside brings out some great analogies!!

The girls had a ton of fun last night as well. One of our new players has 3 sisters and the girls are in heaven!!




In other news, school has officially started and that means for everyone. E and K are joining me everyday in our new preschool room (aka the living room) for a little play, reading, and math. I needed to stretch my teaching legs and they are gracious enough to let me do it on them :).  They are enjoying it so far and so am I. (BTW- this is PE time for them and blog time for me.) We are soaking up every minute we can in the cooler weather but I am seeing that weeks of TV watching is going to take a while to get over.  But we will.

I have also started a new blog and would love for all of you to check it out. This is more a blog for me to talk about being a mom, a creative person, and a fabulous cook...ok maybe not fabulous but we can all dream right?! It is Cameo Leigh...come check it out!

Happy Tuesday ya'll!!