Hot Shots

 The Hot Shots had a pretty good little season this past fall and some even began learning the game a bit better!  Jared recruited Julia's dad, Jon, to help him on the sidelines.  Score!

Their season began by enduring 100 plus temps at practice and during games, and ended by playing in the 40s!

Cameron really started exerting her strength and scoring some goals.

She and Blythe are a great combo!

Go Cami, go!

I'm pretty sure that her favorite part about soccer is that Jared is the coach. 
Aren't they just so adorable?!

He does such a good job with all the girls.  Hot, hot, Hot Shots!

Middle School Matchup

Every fall Jackson gets one weekend to play baseball with his classmates.  It's a cool tournament and he enjoys the chance to play one of his favorite sports with these boys.  This year it turned really cold right before the Friday night game!

Pre-game pep talk with his dad.  The Murphy Mavericks played really well together that night and beat both of their opponents handily.

Jared, Warren, Shelley and I all enjoyed the games (and hot chocolate!), and loved cheering for this cute kiddo.

The next day, the boys got to play at the fields across the street from my parents.  Amazing! They have never played at any fields this close and we all were thrilled about it.

Gigi made the rounds that day, first going to watch Lila play some soccer, and then coming by to see Jackson play baseball. 

He did so good, too!  He batted 3rd in the lineup...

and went 4 for 4 at the plate.  He hit two doubles and was just on fire! 

He also played short stop and didn't let anything by him.

He was a stud, despite his baseball pants being a bit too short!  Oops.

Despite his team playing so well the night before, a lot of them just didn't have it on Sunday.   Bummer.

The boys went home much earlier than anyone expected, but I guess that's just how baseball goes sometimes.  He still loved playing with his buddies, though.

40 and Fabulous

It's really that time.  That time in our lives when everyone starts turning 40.  40!!!

How in the world?

Amanda is one of my very first and best friends.  Her sweet husband called me a few months before her birthday and asked for help with planning her big celebration.  After contemplating the best way to surprise her, we settled on Fort Worth.  Her Abilene friends would be able to attend easier, and it wouldn't be too far for her hometown friends, either.  And Fort Worth is just cool.  I was so excited!  I just love a good surprise!

I ordered some fun 1979 decorations and Amanda's sister ordered the cookies.  So cute!

Surprise!  Our party of 24 met at Mi Cocina in Sundance Square.

We had a tasty dinner...

followed by pit stops at Pete's Piano Bar and Studio 80.  Such a wild and fun night out on the town.

Happy 40th, Amanda!

Halloween Night

Cami's costume barely fit.  I did Lila's tiger face paint at the last minute.  And Jackson transformed himself into Napoleon Dynamite at the 11th hour.  We pulled it off!

I loved the results!

Possibly the cutest wonder woman I've ever seen.  She loved her some red lipstick.

Her Tiger sister was so adorable, too!

Jared even made it home in time to go to the neighborhood party with us.  Winning!

So many friends were there, including Madi, Calley and Delaynie.

Cami is always happy to see Lexie...

Lila is the happiest with her best friends (even if some are a bit scary!), 

Jackson was pumped to see Caleb and Corbin in their inflatable costumes, 

and Madison was thrilled to find Bella, Jordyn and Jazlyn.

These boys played some basketball for a while, 

then all of the kids at the party descended upon the neighborhood!

They got plenty of candy...

enough to share with Mason the Wolf, 

and Lilly the Pineapple! 
It won't be long until the little ones can keep up with the big kids.

Happy Halloween 2019

Field Trip to the Arboretum!

Right before Halloween, all the kindergarteners set off on buses bound for the Dallas Arborteum.  It's one of the best field trips that they get to go on and one of the best times of year to visit the Arboretum.  A win/win!

Cameron's class got a whole bus to ourselves!  It was so quiet, too.  Amazing!

Right after we arrived, we secured a good map.  Cami and her friends checked it out.

Who are we kidding, though?  We've been here at least 20 times.  No need for a map.  Let's go!

It's was a beautiful fall day and there were so many huge pumpkins.

Our group of 8 stayed together, for the most part and we only had a to track down a few kids every now and then!

We actually found all 8 to go see this gigantic pumpkin.

The kids took turns playing this flowered red piano, 

getting some advice from Lucy, 

and even doing feats of strength.  Ha!

It was a great way to spend the morning for the young, and the young at heart:)

So many pumpkins of all shapes and sizes!  I heard they actually bring these pumpkins to town all the way from West Texas.

The Charlie Brown theme was so darn cute.  

After we saw all the pumpkins, we set off for the Children's Garden.  On our way, we passed by cool places, like this waterfall.

The top attractions inside the garden were the treehouse, 

water area, 

and finding sweet classmates, like Zuri!

The wind tunnel was a huge hit as well.  Tornado, anyone?

On our way out, we even ran into one of Camerson's best buds--Callum! 

Almost every kid fell asleep on the bus ride back to school.  I'd say that's a wrap!