Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving at our house this year with the Gatch's. The kids had fun making glitter turkeys by tracing their hands. I think I will be finding glitter for awhile but they had lots of fun and that is what counts! The guys deep fried the turkey and Virginia and I made all of the sides. Before eating we went around the table and said what we are thankful for. Dallas Jr. said soldiers and Sterling said Gracie. Other answers were friends, family and good health. We also went to the movies and Sterling, Virginia, and I ventured out on Black Friday to thrift stores to find the perfect sweater for the Gatch's "ugliest Christmas sweater" party. The boys played several competitive games of corn hole and went to the park. Thanks to the Gatch's for celebrating Thanksgiving 2012 with us. One of the perks of living in PA is being so much closer to yall!

Scotland Broncos

Dallas just finished up his freshman year of full contact football for the Scotland Broncos. He played linebacker and safety on defense and running back for offense. He made some great tackles and even scored a touchdown. His last game was his best with 9 tackles. He was a one man wrecking ball as his Dad likes to say. Considering he is on the smaller side, it was quite impressive to see him lay out kids that were almost twice his weight. There is an 80 pound weight limit for his age group and those kids had a red stripe on their helmet so you knew who they were. At 43 pounds soaking wet, he was intimidated at first but he really pushed himself and learned some great lessons. We could not be more proud of him for perservering through some tough times. He had only played flag football and some of these kids had been playing tackle since age 5 which is when they can start here. I thought that was really crazy! They are very serious about their football up here! We all had to adjust to a different, very serious form of coaching that included name calling, "what are you doing Susie?" was a favorite and lots of literally kicking them in the rear telling them, "get in there boy!" I have to say though it was quite refreshing in the days of everyone gets a trophy and everyone gets equal playing time to really teach these kids how to play the game and what actual life is like. Sometimes it's not fair and sometimes it's really hard. Sometimes you get the wind knocked out of you and sometimes you get knocked down but you pick yourself up and keep moving. If you make a commitment to something you stick with it and give it your best every single time. These were just a few of the things he learned this season. I learned so much about football this year watching through his eyes and I have a new respect for the sport. I know it helped Dallas to grow up in so many ways. Of course it's not the only way to learn these life lessons but for my sports loving son it was just right.

Happy Halloween

She's 3!

Our beautiful Sterling is 3 years old! We celebrated with two parties! The first was a Curious George party with family in South Carolina. The second was at home with Poppy here visiting. That one was Minnie Mouse themed. Poppy taught her how to hold her fingers to show that she is 3 and she tells everyone, "I'm free". She walked around for several days singing "Happy Birthday to me" and would tell anyone that would listen that it was her birthday. Thank you to everyone who helped her celebrate and who sent cards and gifts!

Sterling's First Day of School

Sterling had a great first day of pre-school! She was hesitant at first but once I left they said she did great. When I picked her up she did not want to leave and I had to carry her out because she wouldn't budge from the room. She will be going 3 days a week and also has gymnastics class one day a week. If it were up to her she would be playing football and taking swim lessons as well. I do think I will add in the swim but the football will have to wait! She has come such a long way since last year when she was very quiet and would not even speak to her teachers. Of course we didn't understand that because she is a chatter box at home and we know how loud she can be but at school she was just different. I think she has more confidence now and it looks like she will have a much better time. She did tell a little boy on Monday who was banging a toy hammer that he was, "hurting my noise". That's what she says when it it too loud. At least she is using her words now!

Dallas Jr. is 7!!!

Dallas had a great birthday on August 8th! We celebrated with a trip to a local arcarde to play games and ride go-karts. He picked out a Hot Wheels theme birthday cake which we presented to him at his favorite restaurant, Nick's Airport Inn. He ordered calamari and sashimi tuna. How sophisticated! While we were at the arcade they each got a Spiderman popsicle/ice cream treat and while he was eating it his already loose tooth became really loose. I have a serious tooth phobia and really could not look at the tooth moving all the way forward and all the way backward! Uugghh, I thought I was going to be sick. I am not sure how I can endure this 39 more times between the two of them. Thank goodness, Dallas Sr. was in town and could help him through this. After we returned home from dinner, he got a wet wash cloth and pulled his own tooth. I never pulled a tooth, I just waited till they fell out! I was really impressed that he did it by himself. When PawPaw asked him the going rate for a tooth, he replied, "Maybe $50 or $100!" The tooth fairy left him $5. I think that is pretty good for a first tooth. The next morning he said "I don't think there really is a tooth fairy, I think it was you, Mom." He also pointed out that he thought the Easter Bunny was his Dad. Guess Santa is up next. Hopefully he won't ruin it for Sterling and the younger cousins. Go Karts, his favorite meal at his favorite restaurant, cake, presents, and losing his first tooth all made for a perfect and memorable 7th birthday for my precious angel face who is growing up way too fast!

Beach Week Litchfield

We had a great week at Litchfield with my parents and Uncle Whit. The kids loved the beach and playing in ocean. They did all the usual stuff jumping in the waves, boogie boarding, playing in the sand, and swimming in the pool. We had some great meals and enjoyed spending time with everyone. Can't wait to do it again next year!