Pest Problem

We have a couple of pests that we can't keep out of the pantry! But you have to admit, that is one cute little mouse!

Operation Christmas Child

For the past decade Becca and I have participated in Operation Christmas Child. This is an amazing ministry and a very easy way to spread the Good News and give hope to children from all corners of the globe that have very little. We decided that the boys were old enough to help this year and it was fun to make them apart of this tradition. We had a good conversation about why we were filling the shoe boxes for kids we did not know and how lucky we were to have so much. We thanked God for our family and everything He provides and then we headed into the store to fill our boxes. I told the boys that their boxes would go to a boy somewhere in the world that was their same age so they should pick out things that they would like and that someone would need. They took this very seriously but of course they are still 5 year old boys and I did have to veto a few items from the box. A few of the items that I had to reject were: silly string, a cell phone case, plastic nun chucks, a decorative piece of fruit, and novelty Hill-Billy-Teeth! We came home, packed our boxes, and finished the night off with some hot chocolate. For more information on Operation Christmas Child or Compassion International click the links below.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

http://www.compassion.com/

Are you ready for some football?!

Football is a big deal in our house. We all love it. We especially love cheering for our beloved Baylor Bears! Jordan and Nathan are enamored with Baylor football and will often have lively debates about who is going to be Bryce Petty and who is going to be Shock Linwood or Shawn Oakman while running plays in the front yard. We recently signed the boys up to play flag football in an Upward league. This is a fabulous Christian organization that promotes athletic competition while also focusing on Christ. The boys had to memorize a scripture verse during the first week and recite it to their coach at practice. Both boys memorized it easily and were very proud of themselves. The verse was about how two are better than one and how they can overcome more together. Nathan confidently quoted his verse and then proudly recited the reference as "August 4:9!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

We had a VERY cold game this past Saturday but the boys didn't seem to mind at all. Jordan and Nathan both had long runs for touchdowns during the game. Like most everything else in their lives Jordan is extremely focused and serious while Nathan laughs, gives the official hugs, forgets if he's on offense or defense, and even interacts with the crowd! How are these two guys brothers and best buds???? Jordan wants to be Bryce Petty and Nathan always volunteers to be the center because no one else wants to. These boys are so different! Becca and I love their unique personalities but ultimately our prayer for their lives is that they will grow into Godly men who reflect the love of Jesus Christ. As a father, I pray that they will always defend each other, hold each other accountable, and sharpen each other-as iron sharpens iron.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion."   --Ecclesiastes 4:9

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."   --Proverbs 27:17

Jordan (QB) having a disagreement with the center (Nathan) about the snap count!

Mr. I NEVER Smile During Competition

Nathan psyching out the offense...one of his defensive strategies is to mess up the opposing centers hair and/or remove their hat! (which he usually followed up with a hug) 

Nathan going in for the tackle! 

Brothers

Jordan on his way to a 75 yard TD run!!!

Why aren't you sleepy?

As if our bedtime routine isn't exhausting and crazy enough, sometimes Harper insist on crawling into Carson’s crib for a little extra playtime! 

Mr. Crazy Pants....

Well, this might explain why Harper’s doll stroller keeps breaking! I walked in the living room and found him watching tv like this. This little dude is a riot.

Gram discovered that Carson had made his own table and chair this week by turning a couple of buckets upside down! Check out that spoon! Love this kid. I’m sure his peaceful dinner for one was shortly interrupted by his sweet little sister soon after this picture!

Let's go GATORS!!!

Jordan and Nathan officially have another baseball season in the books! After sitting out a season, Nathan decided to give baseball another shot. They were able to play with the same coach and group of boys. The Gator’s had a great season and it has been fun to see the boys improve. This season was the first time for the

boys to have coach pitch. Nathan received the game all early in the season when he hit a nice single off the pitch. Jordan finally got two hits in the very last game of the season and received his game ball! Nathan also continued his tradition of entertaining the crowd while playing catcher this season (despite the numerous times Becca asked him not to talk to the crowd J) The true MVP was Becca who had to chase Harper and Carson around at every game this season (with the help of Gram, Papa, Meme, and Grandad of course)! Carson already mimics most of what his big brothers do and baseball is no exception. He wears a ball cap and glove around in the house and can chunk a ball half way across the playroom. Harper, who couldn’t care less about sports, enjoys the snacks and an occasional nap at games. She loved to wonder over to the player circle at the conclusion of each game so she could snag a snack from some poor unsuspecting player! But who could ever get mad at that precious girl?! 

Book Character Day

For Book Character Day at school, Nathan and Jordan went dressed as Fred and Ted.  They were pretty cute little puppy dogs!

They might have been just a little excited.

Halloween

We decided to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood again this year.  It was such a delightful evening!  The streets are full of kids and families walking together for hours.  The whole neighborhood is outside oohing and aahing over the cute, funny, precious, and silly costumes.  What other day of the year are all of the neighbors outside all at the same time.  I love it.  I eat up the fun!  After the kids (the 5 year old kids) were tired of walking, we headed back home to hang out on the front porch, greet our neighbors and hand out treats. We were honored to hand out treats to our neighbors and it was our privilege to smile, ooh and aah over their costumes, introduce ourselves, tell the little princesses they were beautiful, and tell the Pirates they were fierce.  We loved it.  All six of us.  Even the babies wanted to sit on the porch for hours dumping candy out of the bucket over and over again.  

Harper was not so sure about all this at first.  She would only take a selfie, while looking at herself in the camera with her paci and blanket. There were a few minutes when I thought this really might be the only picture of Harper on Halloween 2014.  Thankfully, she perked up!  

Ghostbusters-Jordan, Uncle Si from Duck Commander-Nathan, Buzz-Carson, and Minnie Mouse-Harper

Played so hard...

Jack-O-Lantern!

Surprisingly Jordan was willing to get his hands dirty and dig the goop and seeds out of the pumpkin.  Then the boys insisted that the pumpkin have teeth just like Mater.  :)  Turned out pretty cute!