Frisco Roughriders...the best place in town!

Seriously, how have we missed the boat?!  This is such a great family outing, I am just kicking myself for not going until now.  Friday night was Wylie Baseball night at the Roughriders game, so our family headed out there to see what all the hubbub was about.

It was also my dad's birthday and he said that he couldn't think of a better way to spend it.  He was so right, too!  From the moment we got there things were all good.  First, no trouble at all with parking close. 

Jared met us there from work and we walked inside the ballpark.  It was so cute. 

Soon after, we met up with some of Jackson's teammates. For some goofy reason Jackson got all sad when they asked him to pose for this picture.  Just look at his face!  He looks like he's being tortured.  C'mon, son!  Pull it together.

By the time we made our way to the right field foul pole he was doing much better.  The kids and coaches all gathered there so that they could go down on the field before the game.

Here are the boys walking out for the pregame festivities.

They were front and center for the National Anthem and first pitch.  Pretty cool!

After getting to be on the field and then getting a drink and hot dog, this kid's tears were long gone.  Thank goodness.

We had been told that there was a lot of entertainment between every inning at these games.  The Kiss Cam was one of them.  Mom and Dad didn't get on the big screen, but they smooched anyway!

A few innings into the game, the kids started to move around.  First, Cole came over to hang with Jackson.  Immediately, Madison crawled over my mom and then over me to get to sit next to the boys.  She's proclaiming them the "Three Musketeers!" in this picture:)

Another fun thing was catching people on camera who were dancing and putting them on the big screen.  Maddie danced like all get out to "Shake Your Booty" but they didn't see her! 

Jared and I took a little walk around the park.  It really reminded us of being in South Carolina.

There is even a pool in left field! Now that's cool.

Later on in the night, my dad took Cole and Madison to the gift shop.  They came back with these foam fingers, a Roughriders monkey and batting helmets for Cole and Jackson.  Grandparents are such softies.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  We had a great night and hope you did too.

The Roughriders won the game and clinched a spot in the playoffs...

and we ended the night watching the cool fireworks show.  We will definitely be back soon:)

Boom Pa's birthday

We celebrated Boom Pa's birthday yesterday with him and some coworkers. 

The kids all worked very hard on their cards.  Jackson even wrote out "Happy Birthday" on the outside and drew a picture of him and his granddad on the inside, signing the card "Love, Jackson."  Maddie drew him a flower and signed her name as well.  Lila's contribution to her card was in the form of stickers and stamps.  They were all super cute.

After some good italian food it was time for the cake. Thank goodness he had so many willing helpers to assist with his three candles.  Not sure he could have handled things on his own!

The lunch party crew.  Thanks for inviting us.  We enjoyed celebrating with you!

Summer...still my favorite season!

I realize that I have been out of school for well over 10 years now, but I still get giddy whenever summer time rolls around.  There's just something so fun about a less rigorous schedule, playing outside after dinner and getting to spend more time with your friends.  I love it.  And I think the kids do, too.

Last weekend we went over to my friend Kelly's house to celebrate her birthday.  The kids had a blast.  How cute is this picture of Lila and Chloe?!  They were playing so sweetly together over at Andie's kitchen.  Chloe told Lila, "you cook and I'll watch your baby."  The funny thing is, Lila played right along, and was working so hard in that kitchen!

After they got done cooking dinner, they joined some more of their friends in the living room.

After the bounce house went up, it was time to take the party outside.  These kids bounced until their little legs almost fell off.  They loved it!

Teagan and Maddie had to take a break and came inside to visit the younger ones of the group.  After dinner and cupcakes, we packed it up and headed home.  And it was 9:30!  See what I mean about being more relaxed?!  We even slept in a little the next morning.  I don't think any kid woke up until after 8am.  Genius.  Pure genius.

Today we decided to get out the fun water toys that dad bought the other day.  The kids took many turns going down the slip and slide...

and the girls even took turns somersalting into the shallow pool.

I'm pretty sure we set a world record.  Most children in the world's smallest baby pool.  Sawyer, Lila and J man all thought it was great.  For about 5 seconds...

then they were off and running again!  Let's hope the rest of the summer is as fun as today.  I'm smiling just thinking about it.

New Gang In Town

That's right, a new bicycle gang is here to stay.

Ever since this little girlie got her own seat on my bike, we have been all over our 'hood.

On any given morning or evening, you can find me in the lead with two rascals following right behind.
 We are a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure.  Watch out, citizens of Murphy!

Partying down with Pa Hays

This afternoon our whole crew headed to Fort Worth to celebrate with Jared's grandpa.  He will turn 88 on Wednesday, which is cause for a celebration for sure.

Pa Hays is in the center with four of his five grandkids, their spouses/fiance, and great-grandkids as well.  Happy Birthday, Pa!  Much love to you from our family:)

Major Accessorizing

The big kids spent the night with Gigi the other night and apparently found all of her old 80s and 90s jewelry.  The collection is quite impressive!  When I went to pick them up, Madison met me at the door and said, "Look!  Boom paw took me to the mall and got my ears pierced!"  She was wearing these huge gold earrings and smiling from ear to ear.  Thank goodness they were clip-ons!

As soon as this little girlie saw the fun earrings, she had to try some on for herself.  Love it!

Unfortunately, so did her brother.  If this isn't a good blackmail picture, I don't know what is!

They brought about 8 pairs of earrings home with them, along with some necklaces and hair accessories, too.  All of it has kept them very entertained.  Before we left for lunch at dad's work today, this was how these three had accentuated their outfits.

I only let J man wear his for that picture, then he had to stop trying to emulate George Michael and get back to being a little more like Josh Hamilton.  His daddy might have had a heart attack if he'd shown up for lunch wearing those spiffy earrings!  Let's leave the sass a fras for the girls:)

Motorboats and Superheroes

Yesterday, while swimming at Memaw and Poppi's house, Daddo was in high demand. 

Lila kicked things off by requesting that he spin her in circles while singing, "motorboat, motorboat go so slow, motorboat, motorboat, go so fast...

...motorboat, motorboat, STEP ON THE GAS!" The last circle is by far her favorite and her daddy was more than happy to oblige each and every request.

Then it was time for some superhero flying.  First, Wonder Woman began her assent...

and then was launched into the air.  The third time this little daredevil even did a front flip!  It was awesome and she came up smiling!

After that, Superman got ready for his flight...

and was launched sky high into the air! Thank goodness he did not flip over.  Something tells me that Superman would not have had a smile on his face if that would have happened!