Love the UPS Man...

I love coming home to packages from the UPS man. I had not 1, but 2 packages today! One I was expecting, the other was kind of a surprise. I ordered me a new Texas Tech t-shirt b/c it was too cute and I had to have it, so I was expecting that one. We play A&M this weekend, and it is always a big game! Wreck 'Em Tech!

The other package was Christmas ornaments. Yes, I know Halloween isn't even here yet! On a message board that I frequent, we do ornament exchanges. This year we are doing 3 exchanges. I received my ornaments today from my 'Secret Santa'. I LOVE them. They are from Pottery Barn.

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.

A night out...

2 weekends ago, we were finally able to get a night out without kids. Our friends Chris and Stacy had a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. They rented a party limo bus for us all to ride on. My intentions were to have a drink or two and be done for the night. Yeah, that didn't happen. It is very rare that I have more than 2 drinks when we go out. I'm not sure what got into me, but I had a blast! Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it to their wedding, as they were having a destination wedding in Mexico. Below are just a few pics from the evening. (We are slowly approaching the end of our bachelor/bachelorette parties. We only have a handful of friends left that aren't hitched yet.)

1st Six Weeks - Check!

We've survived the 1st six weeks of school! Wooohoo! Report cards came home today, and both boys made the A/B Honor Roll! Although, I actually already knew they had both made the A/B Honor Roll. Online gradebooks are AWESOME! I'm not so sure how awesome the kids think it is, but I especially love it for Tristen b/c his teachers actually update it on a weekly, if not daily basis. Anyways, we are super proud!

Our All-Star Baseball Player

Last weekend, Colby played in his 2nd tournament with his new select baseball team. He came home from practice last week telling us that he was going to get to pitch in the tournament. As always, I told him, 'That is awesome, son, but remember, just play wherever the coach puts you.' Coaches have a tendency to tell a kid one thing and then do another. Colby has been eager to pitch for quite some time. He has only pitched 3 or 4 times in actual games. He just have never been given the opportunity to fully develop as a pitcher. The kid has some amazing arm strength (even for a small as he is).

Anyways, so Saturday, 2nd inning comes along and Colby is placed on the pitcher's mound. I could no longer sit. I know most of the people who read this don't have kids our boys' age (so you don't really understand), but the feeling you get when your child is the 'center of attention' whether it be on stage, on the field, on the court, etc. your stomach just turns in knots. You get nervous and excited - all at the same time. I got up and paced back and forth b/w the bleachers and the dugout. Colby did AMAZING. He struck out several batters. He had 2 ball hit straight back at him. One he dove and caught for an out, and the other one he snagged as it flew right by him for another out. It was so great to watch him finally get his real chance to prove that he can pitch. After the game, while we were at the concession stand, he had several parents from the opposing team come up and tell him how great he did.

When the tournament was over on Sunday, each player was presented with small little wooden home plate in memory of the girl that the tournament was benefiting. Along with the commemorative home plate, an award was given to one player on each team. It is called the Barnabas Award, which is given to athletes who encouraged others to strive for their best performance athletically and personally. Colby was selected as the player from his team for this award! Of course, my camera died as I was trying to take a picture, so I missed the picture of him being presented with the award. Below is a picture of him at home in the backyard with the award.

Last weekend's fun... (long entry!)

Friday - My youngest brother's graduation from Dallas Fire Academy. He is now offically a Dallas Fire Firefigther and I'm one proud sister. My brother has a passion for what he does and has been involved with firefighting since he was 18. He went on to get his Associate's Degree in Paramedicine. He then went to work for the City of Austin. Last year he began the rigorous process of applying to be a firefighter. After a long 8 months, he was finally offered a position by the City of Dallas. He has been in the Fire Academy since April and he will soon be placed at a Fire Station. The boys got to see him in action and got a tour of the training academy. As soon as Bear gets settled into his new fire house, the boys will have many opportunities to hang out at the station and even go on calls with Bear. They are more than excited!

Boys and I waiting for graduation to start.

Bear drove the truck and set up the ladder as his part in the simulation.

Building on fire...

The little brother and me

Uncle Bear with the Boys

Saturday - Early morning wake up to go to the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes walk in Plano. This is the first time the boys have done a charity event and the loved it. Although, they didn't participate in raising any of the funds, they were able to see and hear stories of kids who suffer from diabetes.

The boys w/Savar - the kids club mascot from my work.

The boys loving all of the paraphernalia from my work.

Tristen - enjoying his apple while we walk.

-Colby -

We finished the 5K walk!

Saturday evening - We had family over to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday, Jason's birthday and Bear's graduation. We had a full house - about 25 people. ! This was the first time we've had people over since we've been in the house. I've already deemed that I need a bigger kitchen! Really, I think we just had too many people in the kitchen trying to help prepare the stuff for hamburgers. It was a successful party!

Mom and my youngest brother, Bear

Marty, Christy, and Pat

My awesome 'etch-it' cups! (Scratch your name into your cup!)

Jason and his sisters - Brandie & Marty

Me and Abby

Sunday - We cleaned up and lounged around. That evening we went out to dinner w/Jason's friends for his birthday dinner (a week late). It was a long and exhausting weekend but all in all we had a great time.

Tristen and Abby's self-portrait

Abby - telling her mom that she wants a baby brother! HAHA!
Marty - holding Alex, Kate's precious baby boy

Happy baby boy, Alex and KateJason - after he was sung Happy 21st (*cough* 31st) Birthday!)

Updates

Yes, I know I need to post some updates. We were crazy busy last weekend and it hasn't slowed down. Not sure that it will slow down until after this weekend's baseball tournament. I'll try to put up something entertaining (somewhat) soon. Tonight we have baseball practice, parent meeting and youth group. Tomorrow is just baseball practice, so maybe I can find some down time tomorrow.

In the meantime, here is a picture of Jason and Alex (Allen and Kate's adorable boy...aka - our pseudo nephew). He is such a natural with babies! LOL! Can't wait until he is holding our latest and final addition! Yes, we are planning our timeline to have a baby!