Caution - Busy Times Ahead

The whirlwind of our busy lives that typically begins after 5pm is about to start back up. We have enjoyed the nice break. Although, we have remained fairly busy with Tristen and all of his extra-cirricular activities.


Tristen's basketball season is coming to an end. He and his team have done AMAZINGLY well and we are so proud of Tristen. His team's record is 5-2!!!! They have 2 games left and I really think Tristen will miss basketball. 3 weeks ago he joined the Cross Country team, which surprised us b/c he really hasn't ever been a 'runner'. He just came home one day and said, I'm joining Cross Country. So, now he is at school at 7am for Cross Country practice. They have practice 5 days/week. Plus, he then has basketball practice after school. Mondays are his basketball games and Tuesdays are his cross country meets. He has had 2 meets so far. He placed 6th place in his first meet! He was SOOOO excited and we were so proud. They were running against 2 other schools. This last meet, I'm not sure what place he came in, but I know he was 2nd from his school. I think he was probably 11th or 12th to finish. Jason and I switch off who leaves early each day so we both aren't having to leave work early. Thankfully, we both have quite flexible jobs and employers who understand. While I appreciate the games starting early so that we aren't out until late on school nights, it is quite chaotic in getting to his games/meets on time. Basketball games start at 5:30 (actually they always end up starting early) and Cross Country meets start at 5pm. I work 26 miles from home/school and Jason works about 20 miles from home/school. Not to mention the games/meets are spread out across the school district, so that means even more travel time.Tristen is also in Student Council and often has to be at school early to participate in meetings and other things that Student Council is doing around the school. He is a busy, busy kid, but he has learned to manage is all so well and his grades have remained strong! Both Cross Country and Basketball wrap up in February and then it is on to Track, which he is required to participate in regardless. If you play football, which he did, you are required to run track, which is some school rule. We are glad that he has become so involved at school. He has come a LONG WAY since this time last year!!! We couldn't be more proud of him!

Colby's baseball is starting back up. They've been practicing twice a week since December and games and tournaments will start in February. He has tournaments the last 3 weekends in February and then 3 tournaments every month thereafter until July. HOLY MOLY! Goodbye weekends! Besides tournaments, his team will also be playing league play which will be during the week. So, we go from one busy schedule to the next. Next year it will been even more chaotic with both Tristen and Colby in athletics. 7th grade plays on one day and 8th grade plays on another day AND we'll have a newborn!!!!!!!!!

We are having Colby's 12th birthday party this weekend b/c all of our weekends in February are booked with baseball and our family trip to Shreveport. We'll be heading out to Shreveport on February 5th for our 4th annual Mardi Gras trip. Although I won't be participating in any of the drinking festivities that are usually occurring, it will be a fun trip. The boys look forward to this every year.

We have our next baby appt on Feb 9th, which won't entail much, but the appt after that which I'm assuming will be on March 9th will be the BIG sonogram. I CANNOT WAIT! I'm ready to start buying stuff!!! It will soon be time to start on the nursery. I've already been 'window' shopping on the internet. We plan on doing a few 'improvement' things to the house before the bebe comes too. Painting the nursery and the hall bathroom, changing out hardware to oil rubbed bronze pieces, replacing ceiling fan in living room, and a few other things. Next year, I'm planning on us rennovating the kitchen (Jason hasn't received this memo yet.....so shhhh!!!!) Although I say that I plan on rennovating the kitchen in 2011, my plans my change and us use our tax return for a nice family vacation instead. Jason is talking about a cruise, but I really want to go back to Mexico. We'll see though.....as that is still a LONG time away, well really...it isn't.....just a year from now.

Tristen's Last Football Game

Tristen played his last football game on Wednesday. Grandpa (Jason's dad) and Jeannean (Jason's stepmom) came to watch Tristen play in his final 7th grade game. I can't believe the school year is flying by so fast. Tristen did amazingly well his first year playing football. Jason and I were both very proud of him leading the team as quarterback, but also being the punter.

Basketball tryouts started yesterday and go through Monday. Unfortunately, there will be a cut made. There are just too many kids who want to play and not enough teams. There will be 3 teams and Tristen hopes he makes one of them, but he also said that he won't be disappointed if he doesn't. If he doesn't make a basketball team, he'll continue to do off-season football and then will compete in Track in the Spring.

-- Post From My iPhone

Tristen's Band Contest

Tristen had a Band Solo Contest on Saturday morning. We were able to go in and listen to him play. He did very well. Here is a cute picture of him warming up in the band hall before he performed.

Tristen Updates....

Well, Tristen finally got out of Hopper Jail - (read more here, if needed). He had his freedom for about a week and 1/2, and then he fell back two steps. He isn't in Hopper Jail, but he still struggles with not getting detention at school. (They give detention for EVERYTHING!!!! Running in the band hall, eating candy in the cafeteria before school, etc.) He got little over zealous when he got his cell phone privileges back. We have unlimited texting on our family plan, and well, he took full advantage of it. We can restrict their phone usage (who they can call, when they can call, how many texts they can send, etc.), but AT&T charges $4.99/phone for that. I'm too cheap to pay that, so I just stalk the phone bill and let them know when they are getting out of control with their phones. Honestly, their phones aren't used THAT much; Tristen just took his texting to a different level after getting his phone back after 6 weeks of not having it.

Tristen just selected his classes and electives for next year. OMG...he is going to be in 7th grade! Sheesh! As of right now, he is going to be in PreAP Math, Athletics, Band, Theatre Arts, and then the other core subjects (Language Arts, Science, Texas History). We aren't set on PreAP Math just yet. He has to take a placement test and from there we will decide if we think he can handle PreAP Math. He really wanted to do Band & Theatre Arts, but in order to do so, he had to do PreAP Math. If you aren't in PreAP math, you only get one elective. Odd to me, but whatever. He will get to play sports next year, since they aren't allowed to play sports in 6th grade. He for sure wants to play Football and Basketball, but he says he plans on doing all of the sports. I think for some of the sports you actually have to 'try-out' for the team. With football, I *think* every kid makes the team, but they have "a", "b", and "c" teams. Who knows....it is all a learning experience for me. In any case, I think athletics will be good for Tristen. Sadly, we've had him out of sports now for almost a year. We needed for him to prove to us that he could maintain his grades and adjust to middle school before we agreed to do additional extra-cirricular activities.

Tristen is growing like a weed and will probably pass me in height by Christmas if not sooner. He is 4'9"! He is still excelling in band and has a contest coming up. His private lessons teacher told me he has a Solo, but Tristen has yet to tell me that.

Tristen's Vacation Reacp

Uncle Shane made the below 'newsletter' to recap Tristen's visit to Colorado.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Tristen - Enjoying Denver

(crappy phone picture quality)

Here is the first picture of I'm sure many more to come. Tristen enjoying the snow. It is warmer in Denver than it is in Dallas today. It is a balmy 55 degrees in Denver, compared to our chilly 41 degrees here in Dallas.

Tristen's 1st Flight

Tristen left this morning for his trip to Denver to go snowboarding with Uncle Shane. Uncle Shane is flying each one of the kids (Tristen, Colby, & their 2 cousins) out to Denver (one at a time) for a weekend trip. This was Tristen's first flight and while he was excited to go he also mentioned being nervous/scared because he had never flown before.

This morning came extremely early. We woke up at 4:15am to get up and get ready. We arrived at the airport not really expecting it to be busy. Yeah, we were wrong. We waited in line for probably about 20 minutes. I tried to check him in early, but b/c he was traveling as an unaccompained minor, I was unable to. We were expecting for just Jason to be allowed to take him to the gate b/c I had previously called and they told me only one adult could accompany him to the gate. While checking him in the ticket counter lady asked us if we both needed passes, so that was a pleasant surprise. We had to wait in the boarding area for about 30 minutes and then Tristen was called to board fast. It kind of caught us all of guard (which was probably good) and he was on his way. He was taken down the jetway by the ticket counter lady. We had to wait for the plane to actually take off before we could leave. After everyone had boarded the plane, I went and asked the ticket counter lady if he was ok once he got on the plane. She said he was FINE! He was excited and asked for a window seat. It was dark when he left, so leaving Dallas all he got to see was lights. I'm sure he got to see more when he was arriving to Denver.

So, his trip has been successful so far. Uncle Shane called me when he got Tristen at the gate in Denver. Tristen was boucning off the wall with excitement when I talked to him. His first experience snowboarding will be tomorrow. I'm not sure if they will make it out to the slopes today or not. He arrived early enough and was getting fitted for his board, boots and bindings today.

Colby will be going soon and I can *ONLY* hope that he will be just as excited and not scared of his first plane ride. He is a little bit more reserved and quieter than Tristen.

I'm so jealous that I'm not in Denver hitting the slopes this weekend.

*I'll post pictures after Uncle Shane sends them to me. Tristen has a camera in his possession, but who know what kind of pictures will come off of it.!*

Recent Happenings...(w/pictures..finally!)

Tristen - right before his Christmas band concert
(note to self- the fireplace, does not make a pleasant background for pictures)

Colby - at his 5th grade Christmas party. They had to wrap a package with one hand tied to their friend. It was quite comical.

My girlfriends and I at Pete's Piano Bar. Jolee and Beth were in town from Midland to see the Cowboys last game at Texas stadium. I loved having them in town and wish they lived closer. Our Friday night was fun filled at Pete's. Saturday, we headed out for a power shopping trip. (Side note: the malls in West Texas pale in comparison to even Vista Ridge Mall.) I tried to take them to Stonebriar or the Galleria, but a) we didn't have time and b) they were pretty much spent after our 2 hour power shopping trip.

Jolee, Beth, Me & Haylee (my sister-in-law)

Since it is has been awhile....last, but not least, a recent picture of the hubby and me.

Tristen's 12th Birthday

Tristen turned 12 this past Sunday!!! We are 363 days away from having a TEEN on our hands. Oh dear! I'm a HORRIBLE mom and could not find my camera on the day of his party, so I do not have any pictures of his birthday party. (It was later found under a stack of blankets on the couch!) Tristen chose to celebrate his birthday at Main Event. He and his friends had fun bowling and playing video games. Tristen's birthday wishlist didn't really consist of a whole lot besides gift cards. He did want a Texas Tech/Michael Crabtree jersey, which he received from us. He also wanted a Texas Tech hat. (Yes, I've trained him well!) My mom sent him money for him to go pick out his own hat. He was more than ecstatic to get to pick out his own hat. He received lots of gift cards, that will put to use soon, I'm sure.

**Insert picture of Tristen** (making a note to myself!)

Our Cornet Player

Tristen ventured into Band this year at school. He had to choose a Fine Arts elective. He choices were - Band, Orchestra, Choir, Art or Discovery. He chose Band. The instrument he picked was the Cornet. We have him enrolled in private lessons 1 day/week and they seem to be paying off. He is also required to practice 30 minutes/night. Some nights, those are the longest 30 minutes hearing him practice, especially since he is a beginner. Granted, he is in beginner band, and has only been doing this for the past 7 weeks, but he is doing great. I didn't realize that they were already doing Chair tests. (For those of you who don't know what a Chair test is - it is a test that places you basically from best to worst. The goal is to be 1st chair.) Last week Tristen was 7th chair (out of 24). This week he moved up after his chair test. He is now 5th chair! Woohoo! He was so excited to come home and tell us.

Tristen - Update

We have been busy this week with getting Tristen ready for Middle School. He attended a Middle School camp that gave pointers with note taking, learning his 'learning style', etc. In his words, 'It was boring.' <~~~~~~~Typical 6th grader for ya! LOL!

Today we had Tristen's orientation. Oh my! They listed it as being 3 hours, but I didn't figure it would really last that long. It did! We arrived on his new campus, registered for PTA, purchased everything the PTA had available for sale (HMS t-shirt, HMS sweatshirt, Gym Bag, and PE Clothes). At first, I wasn't going to buy all of it, but at the same time, I put myself back in his shoes and remembered my first day of jr. high. After we picked up all of our HMS goodies, we headed to the gym where orientation began. After the principals spoke, the band played, and the cheerleaders did a cheer, the students were given their schedules, locker #s and locker combinations. After the schedules were handed out, we had a 'mock day' at school. We started at 1st period and went through 8th period. In b/w each class, the students went back to their lockers to practice opening them with their combinations. It will be quite an adjustment from elementary. I had to remind Tristen a couple of times - 'You only have 5 minutes in b/w your classes.' In any case, it was a long afternoon, but it was good to get a feel for how things would be for Tristen. He is excited to start school and make new friends!