Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2019

We started the celebration a few days early with a Mother's Day Regatta at NSLC. 
Cami and I assembled and decorated this sailboat...

then she and her adorable classmates sang us a few songs to commemorate the special occasion.

Afterwards, she gave me this adorable hand towel.  Isn't it just the cutest thing ever? 
You can bet it's front and center in our kitchen. 

We were supposed to leave town the next night for a soccer tournament in Georgetown.  Lila's team was planning to win the big trophy on Mother's Day weekend.  Alas, there was too much rain, and the tourney got cancelled, which left us with an open weekend.

Why not run up to Lake Texoma?!  Even Maverick got to go!

We awoke to a gorgeous day, and I had my coffee on the back porch while getting to chat with our kids.  Isn't he so handsome?  His mother sure thinks so.

Our youngest child was so well behaved!  I couldn't believe it. 
Must have been his gift to me on Mother's Day.

Although they can frustrate me like no other, I love these three monkeys with all my heart. 
Jackson is this close to being taller than me, but he's still my baby!  

We had nothing on our agenda, so we decided to explore the flooded lake. 
All my ducks in a row, following some ducks out to the water!

So much sass in her small body! Love it.

They were sweet to me the whole day...

and even let me snap a few pics in the bluebonnets!

Happy Mother's Day to me!

Go Team!

There is no "I" in Team.  That's what you are always taught growing up.  Playing a team sport means much more than just personal growth and achievement.  It's one of the reasons I am thankful that all our kids play them.

Jackson has had a pretty good season, but his team has not.  It's been tough to watch, especially since they enjoyed so much success last year.  They finally started to turn a corner a few weeks ago, though, and their smiles came back.  Really, really great to see!

This is such an amazing group of boys.  We feel very fortunate to have found this team and will ride out the rough season together.

We love cheering for these boys.  Cooper has struggled for most of the season, with pitching and hitting.  He has been hitting 9th in the lineup for the a while now, and wasn't having much luck at the plate either.  A few weeks ago, though, he pitched an excellent game and then...wait for it...hit a grand slam!!!  Everyone was SO HAPPY for him!

And speaking of home runs, #7 got one himself in that same tournament!  

Go Jackson!!!

The Angels have had a tough season as well.  It's their first time in kid pitch, and they are playing in the 10U division, which means some kids are a whole 2 years old than our girls.

We are so proud of Lila for her sweet fielding skills, though!

She was extremely solid in the field this season, and played short-stop a little, 

but mostly third base, just like her brother.

They both have the arm to make the long throw to 1st base.  Get it girl!

Madi and Lila no longer play soccer or basketball together, but they are still the best of friends.

Next season, we hope to see Lila gain confidence at the plate.

I have no doubt that she can do it.

Hey batter, batter...

swing!

When she gets the hang of it, I know this smile will be on the field the whole time.
I can hardly wait.

The team that had a winning season were our precious little Superheroes!

Cameron still loves playing soccer...

and is always ready to warm up and score some goals.

Having Callum, aka "Goal Scoring Machine" on her team is a big bonus!

These kids are hustlers, for sure.  Stop that ball, Cami!
Most of the time, she was able to do just that.

All the kids love their coach...

and get as much enjoyment out of giving him hard high-fives as they do scoring goals!

Next season they are going to work on not playing defense against their own teammates!

Way to go, Cameron.  We love cheering for you!

Gooooooo Superheroes!

Reasons to Smile

This time is of year is always hectic.  

Sports seasons are winding down, with playoffs and summer seasons on the horizon, and the end-of-school is near, which means lots to do!  In the midst of all the chaos, though, there are many reasons to smile.

Class picture day is always a treat.  This girl loves to get her hair done and she was over-the-moon happy that she got to wear wedge sandals to school!

The icing on the cake was seeing little Lilly all dressed up, too.  Precious girl finally got to wear her Easter dress.

Baby Mason has learned to smile, too.  Adorable!

I took Lila and Cami to a baby shower a few weeks ago.  While Cami will get dressed up at the drop of a hat, it takes more to get sweet Lila to do so.  They were very well mannered little girls and made their mama proud.

Sunglasses on a baby--how can you not smile at that?!  Impossible.

Lila's team got beat that day by a team of fast, skilled boys, but she didn't really care.
She had Miss Lilly to hang out with, after all!

Lilly's first time in a swing...

she loved it!  Smiles for days.

Mason came to Cami's soccer game one evening.  She was so thrilled that she really tried to just stay on the sidelines so that she could be closer to him.  I told her that she had to actually play, though!

Memaw has taken Cami to Bible Study Fellowship every Tuesday this year.  I'm so thankful that she has been willing to invest in our kids and provide such a positive influence on their lives.

Cami and Callum--BFFs!  They were all smiles on our Chuck E Cheese playdate!

Cami and Maverick.  She loves him and honestly, he loves her.  I wouldn't tell the other kids this, but it's so clear that Cameron is his favorite.  He follows her everywhere and just adores all her cuddles.  So cute.

The Eagles haven't had too many reasons to smile this season, but they turned a corner at the Strikes Against Cancer tournament.  It was beyond great to see this kid's smile return on the ballfield. Go Eagles!

While we were at the tournament, Lila and Cami opted to stay with the Hays family.  Lila got in lots of good play time with Connor...

and Cami got to help take care of Mason.  Good job, girls!

And finally, after a hot day at the ballfield, it was fantastic to be able to come home and let the kids hop in the pool.  Big smiles for that!