Super Bowl

Hamilton's Pee Wee Tackle football team was in the championship game this past weekend. They were undefeated all year. They did have one forfeit, but every game they played, they won. 

This game was no different. They won 36-12. It was bitter cold, but a great time.

The day started off with a police escort out of the city limits. Pretty cool for 6-7 year olds. 

Hamilton had a great day and enjoyed playing football. 

I know he is ready to do it all again next year! 

A few favorites

Been looking through photos and realizing its about time I share these sweet boys with you. 

I know, not what you would expect from us, right? 

Well, the boys recently went to an OU football game with their Pappa and they truly embraced it. 

Speaking of football.

This is what we have been doing on the weekends! 

Through rain and super cold. 

After the bowl game last week. 

This weekend... CHAMPIONSHIP game!!!! 

And yes, those are my two beautiful sweet boys. Halloween brought out the best in them, huh? 

For Science day at school Hamilton represented winter and Hollister partly cloudy. 

I liked these costumes much better. 

And most recently, this one now needs TWO hands to tell you his age. 

Super quick and simple, I know. 

But, I've had these pictures I have wanted to share. 

#makingtimeforfamily

New School Year

Yes, I am ashamed that I have nothing posted about our summer vacations, but all in due time. 

I wanted to update you on school. 

We have been in school for 2 weeks now. Yep, TWO WEEKS! 

I started teaching 5th grade. So far, so good. 

The best part of being at school with the boys is seeing them during the day!!! 

I got to see them both on the first day during their lunch times. 

These are some of my students on the first day. They are not camera shy. 

5th graders are not that different from sixth graders. That part has been easy. 

Teaching all subjects is MUCH different though. 

Another thing I love about going to the same school with the boys is getting to see them "in action"

Yesterday, kindergarten made gingerbread cookies and then the gingerbread man ran away. 

They had to chase him all over school to find their cookies. 

While making copies in the workroom, I spotted this: 

My classroom is in the front of the school. During my conference time, I heard something about the gingerbread man and recognized the teacher's voice. So, I grabbed my phone and headed out and there  they were in line looking for their cookies. 

I got some great hugs from him and went on my way. 

So fun to see him during the day and get some love! 

The start of school has been good. Hollister is doing great in 4th. Hamilton had a little bit of separation anxiety to begin with, but has finally gotten past that. Waking up early still stinks, but they are troopers for the most part. (Elementary starts pretty early and even though we live close we have to leave earlier than last year.) 

Meanwhile in College Station... 

CJ started college this week. 

We went and visited him last week and saw his dorm, took him to lunch and spent a few hours with him. He seems to be doing okay. It's very different for him. Time will tell I guess. 

And Hamilton found a great friend in the student center! 

Perspective and Priorities

I cannot believe the last time I blogged was the last day of school. We just started a NEW school year. 

Yes, I will get caught up. 

But today, after a really yucky day, it's about perspective and priorities. 

Today, I remember how lucky I am to have siblings and how lucky my boys are to have each other. 

Love and miss you Travis! 

A School Year Difference

The school year has officially ended. 

And after 4 years at the middle school, I am moving back to elementary. 

I will be teaching 3rd grade. 

The boys and I will be going to school together! So excited!!!! 

A Sea of Red... High School Graduation

One week, two graduations, emotionally draining, but also proudest moments as a parent. 

Thursday night, CJ graduated from Belton High School 

This is what 601 graduates in red look like! 

The ceremony started late and was L-O-N-G, but worth it. 

We were limited tickets due to the size of the graduating class. We had good seats though and were able to spend a lot of time with CJ before and even after the ceremony. 

Mary brought me a present too, Kleenex! I did use one. 

After all the speeches, the fun began... calling out 601 names! They had a system though and in all reality, it went fairly quickly.

There he is under the arrow. He was on the 3rd row, 3rd one in. Thankfully with his last name beginning with a "C", he was one of the first to graduate. 

waiting

 waiting

 and yes, waiting some more 

 This was when the principal was presenting the class to the superintendent for their diplomas. She accepted and the important stuff began. 

 Waiting in line... 

 Getting closer

I  wanted to take the moment in and not worry about pictures, so I had Kendrick take photos of the big screen. This is with the superintendent. She shook every students' hand.... 

 These are his academic medals. He calls one of them the "participation" medal. Said everyone got one. The other is for graduating cum lada. He was in the top 10% of his class. 

Incredibly proud of this boy and excited for the moment! 

His next adventure after the summer is TEXAS A&M!!!! 

Thankfully we can go from red to MAROON!