Soccer - CDR - Nottingham

Soccer - Jacob played soccer this fall for the very first time, but he has decided that he loves it and that he is going to play soccer FOREVER! Here are a few pictures from his first game.

Getting a pre-game inspirational talk from the coach!

Jacob is #9

He got to play goalie for part of the game - he looks bored!

Here comes some action...let's just say that he became a better

goalie as the season went on...

The after-the-game inspirational talk from the coach...we'll get them next time!

The season is over...on to basketball...his first love :)

CDR - One of our favorite places on earth was the site of the fall youth retreat. Morgan is the only "youth" in our family, but when it comes to CDR...well, we all come along for the ride! It's a good thing they need chaperones :)

Here is Jacob doing the "Ms. Huffley" - she is a teacher at his and Haleigh's school that Haleigh is terrified of! Jacob likes to pretend he is her to scare Haleigh!

What a spaz!

Nottingham - Did you know we had an actor in the family? Neither did we until Morgan told us she won the part as "Martha" in the school musical Nottingham. It is the story of Robin Hood set in the 50's. It was very cute, funny, and a blast to see Morgan sing, dance, and act!

Morgan and Allyson "getting ready".

Morgan and Stormie

Morgan and Cooper

Morgan beginning to turn in to Martha!

Goodbye Morgan, Hello Martha!

Holt and Morgan as John and Martha after the performance.

You would think this is more up Haleigh's alley, but she said she would NEVER do what Morgan did in front of all those people...so funny, and so opposite what I would think of my girls.

Our Star! We are so proud of her.

Jacob Turned 6!

Jacob turned 6 in September. He decided to go to Joe's Crab Shack for his birthday dinner.

They made him dress as 'Superman', but he didn't want to stand up and fly around the porch. So...he did his "I'm very uncomfortable smile" and just sat there while we sang to him.

The next day we celebrate with friends and family at the park. It was a beautiful day, and Jacob had a lot of fun.Lynzee, Morgan, and Haleigh decided that they would see if they could fit a whole cupcake in their mouths. They all can! Big mouths :)

Opening presents!

Lake of the Pines

We took our annual church camping trip, but this year we weren't able to go to Lake Texoma. We ended up in East Texas at Lake of the Pines. It is very beautiful, and we had a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures from our weekend.

FRIDAY

Allyson, Haleigh, Morgan, and Amy.

Jacob learning how to catch fish in the net from Justin.

Our view of the sunset/lake from our camper.

SATURDAY

Mark and Haleigh (Allyson behind Mark).

Now you see Haleigh...

now you don't! She rode in the middle after that fall!

Me and Mark

Ryan, Lacy, Marenda, and Sami

Allyson, Haleigh, and Sami

Mark - doing what he loves the most.

An amazing Texas sunset.

SUNDAY

Jacob and Wyatt watching the girls and taking bets on who would fall of first!

Haleigh and Marenda

Morgan and Allyson

Morgan (with Allyson in the background)

Jacob and Wyatt

Our campground from the lake.

What a handsome boy!

Allyson, Amy, and Morgan

Haleigh and Kylie...

and here again after they took a fall!

Jacob and Wyatt...

how nice of Wyatt to help Jacob up - Jacob loved falling off the tube!

We had a great weekend at the lake, and we

are looking forward to next year already :)

change

Why is it so hard to change? We get set in our ways, and we don't want to change a thing even though it would be better to make a change. I struggle with that. I struggle with pride. I don't like to be told I am wrong, and I sure don't like to admit that I need to change. That is my big struggle right now. I need to make some changes, but it is so hard. I am scared of change, but I need it to be healthy (mentally and physically). So, today I begin my quest to change. It seems about as scary as that shark! I am afraid to be defeated.

some of my favorites...

I love movies. I love spending time with my family watching movies. These three movies are sooooo good, and they are quality family movies that you should check out if you have never seen them.

1. August Rush - one of our favorite movies of all time. It will make you cry or at least get goose bumps every time you watch it. Amazing music too!


2. The Ultimate Gift - This movie is a movie that I recommend to everyone, but it is not well known. Check it out - a great life lesson kind of movie.

3. School of Life - This is one of my all time favorites. I think it was a tv movie, but you can order it through Blockbuster if you do it online. I think this is Ryan Reynold's best movie, and I love him! This is such a good movie, and it is a real tear jerker too.

If you have never seen these movies, rent them. If you have seen them, you have already been blessed! I just love movies that actually have a purpose instead of just the regular Hollywood blockbusters.

1 video I forgot

Jacob learned how to swim last summer, but at the beginning of this summer he thought he forgot how to do it. Well, he hasn't, and he is quite the fish. He doesn't ever want to get out! Here are a few of his latest tricks.

What we've been up to lately...

School is out, and now we are playing! All the kids had a great year in school. Morgan is moving on to the middle school next year (man, I feel old), Haleigh is going to be in 4th grade, and Jacob graduated from pre-k. He is so excited to be going to big school next year with Haleigh. Here is a little of what we have been up to since school let out.

We spent the last part of last week getting the girls ready for camp. This is what my living room looked like trying to get 2 weeks of stuff ready for 2 girls at camp...

Once all the suitcases were packed, it was time to play Little People. Jacob was thrilled when we cleaned out the storage building and he found all his Little People toys that I packed away (because I thought he was too big for them). He decided that they are his favorite toys again! Apparently a five and a half year old is not too big to play Little People. I guess neither is a nine year old or a twelve year old!

We have decided that while the girls are gone Jacob needs to learn to ride his bike. We have waited long enough for him to learn, so here we go...

NO TRAINING WHEELS!

It was quite frustrating for all involved, and there were some tears shed. We are going to keep practicing though :) Here he is...all by himself!