Go Vikings!

Chase had his first real football game last week. It was so confusing for all of us! There were two teams on one regular-sized football field, each with 40 yards! So, the boys attention was divided between their game, the other game, and oh so many cheerleaders!! We were excited that Mrs. Susan came to see us. She dressed in purple and came bearing gifts! The kids had a blast (and lots of snacks)!

I think Chase was more excited about the cheerleaders than his actual game. This is our neighbor, Jillian. She and Chase were so excited to be on the same "team".

This isn't Chase, but I love how proud these boys are of the flags they just took!
Just the girls...

My Blog in Print

I finally printed my blog! I got my HUGE, 300+ page book last week, and we have had the best time reading through it! The kids like for me to read it to them at bedtime, and, of course, I am loving every minute of it! It has been so much fun to remember the funny things that have happened in the past four years.

More than anything, I am thankful that I have it all recorded. There are so many things I would have never remembered but that make me laugh so hard, I cry! Our life has truly been an adventure.

Luke Sywalker of the Battle Hughes

Meet Chase's new pet....a Bearded Dragon!

We love Luke (which really is short for Luke Skywalker of the Battle Hughes)! "Beardies" are known for being content just sitting on your shoulder and hanging out. He did that at first, but since his last name is Hughes now, sitting is just not on the top of his agenda! He'll sit for a little while, but he would rather crawl down your back and run around a little. So, we got him a leash - seriously! It is the funniest thing. You can't walk him like a dog, but you can put him down and make sure he doesn't run away! I'll post a picture sometime soon with him on the leash!

Wondering what he eats?...crickets, meal worms, collard greens, and carrots! Mmmm...aren't you hungry now?

And he sleeps in his desert aquarium in Chase's room as content as a little lizard can be!!

Legos Galore

Thomas is REALLY into Legos right now! He was so excited to be able to buy this Toy Story 3 Lego train with some gift cards he got for his birthday! Now that he's older, he wants more expensive things. So, it took a few of us pitching in to contribute enough to get it for him!


Anyway...we had the best time building it. Mary Frances and I helped with the caboose (which we started with),
but Thomas finished the rest of the train on his own.
It took hours broken up over two days, but he finally finished it and has been playing with it since!

Sisters

My sister, Jessica, came to Texas for Thomas' birthday and the Labor Day Weekend. We had so much fun hanging out. With the kids in school, we had the chance to spend some quality time together - shopping!! I am so thankful for my amazing sister! I just wish she lived closer - hint, hint!! :)

Homework

So school is in full swing. Thomas is anxious to get his homework done each day and move on to better things. Mary Frances is so excited she has homework, and Chase can't wait to get to kindergarten to get homework!

Thomas is doing GREAT reading and continues to do well in math. This year, he also has social studies homework and QUIZZES!! Silly as it may sound, I can't believe he's old enough for quizzes. We actually have to study spelling and social studies! I'm nervous when I know he has a quiz coming up, but he's making all A's so far - his first year with true grades!!

Mary Frances just had her first night of math homework. Of course it took all of 2 minutes, but she was so excited! She also brought home her first reading book of the year. We had such a hard time reading last year that I was DREADING the book, but she did GREAT!! I couldn't believe how much she had improved!

My kids are growing up! I know that's the whole point of what I'm doing. So, why am I so surprised?

Thank you, God, for growing children. Thank you for the opportunity to mold these precious little people into someone you can use for your kingdom!

Thomas turns 8

Thomas asked for a baseball party this year! So, we reserved one of the fields we play on and had a pickup game with some cake and ice cream!

Chase enjoys some time up to bat!
Mary Frances was so excited to be included and have a chance to wear her softball gear!
Thomas & his school friend and teammate, Evan
Thomas with our neighbor, James
George is also a school friend and teammate
This was one of my easier cakes
We had such a fun time watching the dads play with the kids! I'm pretty sure they had fun, too!
I was thankful for Jessie coming for the weekend, too! She's going to start coming for all of the kids' birthdays! I'm so excited to know she'll be here!

Are you ready for some football?

Check out this season's newest flag football player...At 48 pounds, he stands just under 4 feet and has a mean face that will make you cry!

Taking down the giant...Check Chase out holding that big guy! He has at least 2 years and 20 pounds on him!
Sir, yes sir!
I'm coming for you...
Maggie and Uncle Glen got to see Chase's first scrimmage! We were so excited they came for the weekend!
Good game! Vikings Rule!

Thomas & Mary Frances go to school

Thomas and Mary Frances were so excited to get back into school! We were all ready for a routine! Mary Frances is in 1st grade this year, and Thomas is in 2nd! I can't believe it! I feel so old!

Look at my babies! They are ready for mommy & daddy to leave so they can do their thing!
Mary Frances with her fancy lunchbox from Honey!
Mrs. Mosley is Mary Frances' 1st grade teacher!

Mommy Dates

Before school started, I took each of the kids on a special date to spend time with them individually. We try to do it every once-in-a-while just to be sure everyone gets special time with us. Anyway, I just wanted to post a few pics of me with the kids since they are few and far between!Thomas and I went to the Children's Museum in Houston and then out for ice cream at Baskin Robins! It was so much fun! The museum really is amazing, but I can only do it with one child at a time!
Chase wanted to get a build-a-bear. So, we went to the Galleria and picked out a special bear who also got a "Darth Vader" costume!
Mary Frances and I went to the movies to see "Despicable Me" and then to Chick-fil-A for an ice dream! Yummmmyyyy....

I had so much fun spending time with them and having time to talk with them without being interrupted!

Thank you, Jessie!!

Thomas let Jessie pull a tooth that had been loose for AT LEAST 2 months!! She numbed his gums with some type of Orajel and then tied a string around it and pulled! I couldn't believe he let her do it, but it didn't even hurt. He did complain about his tongue feeling funny, though! The medicine worked a little too good! :)

Grandaddy's Workshop

Anyone who knows my dad, knows how much he loves to build! He builds amazing things, too! So, naturally he enjoys sharing his hobby with the kids!

For our most recent visit, he planned a pretty big project to complete with Thomas - a Soapbox Derby Car! He worked hard for weeks before we even arrived prepping the project and even putting it all together to be sure it worked before taking it all apart so he and Thomas could build it together!They spent all day that Saturday building the car, and I documented most of it in pictures. My favorites are the ones of my dad smiling as he enjoyed spending the special time with Thomas!


I think this is the coolest things for a granddad to do with his grandkids! This will be a lifelong memory!

After our visit earlier in the summer, Granddaddy built three treasure chests and filled them with pirate booty (gum coins)! Then, the kids used their compasses he had given them in June to find their chests in the yard! He is so creative!!

Down on the Farm

Just before school started, we went back to Florida for a short trip. We stayed with Papa and Peppy, but we spent some time on the farm, too! The kids always have a blast playing out there!

We had fun seeing the chickens and goats they have now!
I was really excited that Jordan went with us! It made for a fun trip! Finley LOVED Jordan! I must admit that I was jealous! Finley never talks to me, but she wouldn't let go of Jordan!
I can never resist snapping pictures of the kids with their grandparents! I love this one of Chase with his Papa!

Kentucky Friends

We were thrilled to be able to spend a day with our friends, the Brown's, this summer! They came down from Illinois to visit!Mark and Laura were our neighbors in Kentucky when we were in seminary! We had Thomas and Izak 3 months apart. So, the boys were very good friends! We love getting them back together!

Mark and Laura have three beautiful children - Izak, Esther, and Josiah! I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Esther! She is absolutely precious! I loved visiting with them!
The kids had a good time, too!

Happy Birthday, Grandmary

Even though Grandmary died when Thomas and Mary Frances were babies, the kids still talk about her and miss her! Surprisingly, Chase seems to miss her the most. I think it upsets him that he never met her.

Anyway, they never cease to amaze me with their ideas of how to invite her to parties or tell her things. They've suggested using a really tall ladder and throwing an invitation REALLY high into the sky in the past.

On Grandmary's birthday this year, July 31st, Chase suggested we send her some balloons! I was so excited that it was something we could actually do! So, we got 2 balloons (just in case) and wrote a birthday note to her. We sang Happy Birthday and let the balloons fly! It was so special. I'm so glad we were able to celebrate her someway! We love her so much! She was such a special lady, and we miss her SOO much!

Mmmm...Pancakes

Chase Turns 5

Chase turned five in July! So, we celebrated with a Batman party at our pool! The kids had a blast watching the daddy splash contest off the diving board!
Chase was so excited about his cake, but it melted before we made it to it!