trying to get back into the swing of blogging....fast forward to now..

We went from the last day of school in May to a busy summer.  Something we had never done before was an 8 day family road trip that took us through 8 states and 2,300 miles.  Now we are into the start of 8th grade and both boys are in cross country. 

 

a photo caught at a school race in August...

 

catching the boys on the last stretch...Glynn's face and push to the finish line always

makes me smile!  Sean had a 14:30 and Glynn was 16:37 for this 2 mile race this weekend

Football comes to an end...

we have one more game next week.  I have to say, Im so glad.  Going to school at 7:30 and not getting home til 6:15 is a LONG day.

Sean started seeing some time on the field with last weeks game.  I was really super excited.  Of course Glynn in return did not see play time.  However they are both still very happy and good attitudes about limited time on the field.  I'm just thrilled that overall, they both got to see play time.  I think the biggest impact on this experience has been Sean.  He has really taken a new role on things.  It is unclear at this point whether Sean will return to football next year.  He is on the fence about cross country or football.  Glynn is a thumbs up on returning. 

We have now hit the end of the first 9 weeks and grades are very good.  Band is in full swing as well.  The band overall gets to play for the 8th grade game during the last 2 football games.  So this meant that we played football, met the boys at the side line, took off pads and put on their band uniform shirt and played during the 8th grade game.  Both of the boys really had a good time with that.  I sure hope we continue our "love" for band into High School!

It's busy here with work so for the first time in a while, my Halloween décor and party has been sidetracked this year.  Well don't get me wrong, I DO have Halloween up inside.  I'm not that sidetracked! 

 

Glynn...#11 above and below running after a kick return

 

Sean above and below..#6 taking the field

and a stand off with a Chelsea player

 

 

I got a shot from the stands...

 

I could not find Sean in the stands..they were all sardined in there!

this is the band playing for the 8th grade game.

 

We are the Ultimate Frisbee team: The Disc Dogs!

Here they both are with Ms. Festino their science teacher

trying to make a play...it's really fun to watch.

Every Sunday at the middle school football field

football band and what not.........

well the 2013 football season is on and I have to say..saying yes to letting them play and encouraging them along was one of my better mom moves.  Sure, injury is always there...but the love and fun  far out weighs the "meh". . (frustration and disappointment).  Of course if something does occur by way of injury..well, clearly it's Michaels fault.

Every week my football players dress in game day attire for their school team on game day and they proudly take the field after many hours of working out...sore muscles...and dedication. 4 days a week right after school and they blew through a very strong summer routine with the team.   It's a hard mom moment when we don't always get to play..especially when Glynn gets field time and Sean does not.  I hear "mom I work my butt off during the week and still didn't get to play"....  Its tough moments for sure.  But we work at looking at the bigger picture. 

Yep, and I'll tell you when we are playing that supposed 7th grade team and I see these 200 lb 7 foot freak of nature kids walk out..I say the "thank you God we are not first string" prayer. 

On a side note...my sweet boys are also very active trombone players in the Helena Middle School band.  Sean is first string and Glynn..well, he is working it.  Glynn has taken a big interest in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) association and both boys are joining FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).  Don't get to impressed..we're still early in the new year!  Interest come and go and pretty soon I'll be yelling on Friday mornings that we're late for some meeting.  BUT...I keep pushing to branch out, try it all and force the them to learn to finish what they started.  . or what mom forced them to try. 

Not the best pictures.  But I work with what I get and manage to shoot.

much love family..and random stranger that happens upon my post.

 

Glynn taking the field... #11

 

um yea...my little Seanie #6 along side some team mates.  He may not be

as tall but wow..he is super fast.  He is trying out for track in spring.

 

 

Grade....7

It is amazing to know that I have 7th graders.  It is moments like this that make you stop and realize time really is a fast moving as the wind.  This morning I made the traditional pancakes.  It was hard to shape out the 7 not because my culinary skills are lacking but because it is that "wow" moment.

This year was a little new for me in our grown up moments.  We spent a lot of time shopping for the right back to school outfit.  Glynn seems to have mastered hair in less than 30 minutes so this is a huge turning point for us.  Sean tends to go for the more bold approach.  He likes being different.  His color choices ranged from hot pink to screaming yellow.  Glynn, much more conservative. 

We are in the band and from now til the end of October we are playing a safety and corner position for the Helena Middle School Huskie football team.  So I'll let you imagine the trombone case and massive football bag (as had a scrimmage on Friday) plus the new binders for school that had to make their way to the band room, 7th grade football locker room and eventually home room.

We always have the butterflies the night before and no one can sleep.  Of course at 6 a.m. they were dressed and ready to roll.  I had not had coffee yet so it was hard not to say "for the love...like this will last."  But we made it out the door and I watched those sweet faces take their trombones in then come back to the car to get football bags. 

I don't cry anymore but I do get a bit teary when these moments occur.  much love....Courtney

 

From grade 1 to grade 7.....

Fast forward to Summer 2013...

well, I am really going to try and stay on top of the blog moving forward.  Here are some highlights of our summer.  I cant believe that we are starting 7th grade tomorrow.  We had a very busy summer.  We have been working on our Husky Football summer practice, traveling to  Pensacola, Florence AL, Memphis, Little Rock, North Carolina, ran a Color me Rad race, joined a basketball camp in July, wrapped it up with Mobile and Destin.  BUSY!  but we had a great time.

More regular updates to come....

Merry Christmas!!

Here we are Christmas Eve.  We visit with the Murray's and Dassau's each Christmas Eve!

 

cookie making...

 

Murray's and the Daaau's below...

 

Christmas morning...

 

we're very excited about our xbox nba something something something....

 

after Church we make peppermint pom champagne!

 

December

So I suppose I will do a better job at keeping the blog updated because wow, what a pain to play catch up.

 

annual Christmas "we found a tree" shot...

 

furbie love..

 

it was Sean's turn to put the star on this year...

 

here we are going to the boys Christmas Band Concert..

 

pondering what should go on the Christmas list...

 

for whatever reason, the fake tree downstairs is the fun tree to climb..