Cousin Fun

Clayton, Ryder, Max, Emily, Harrison, Megan, Melanie, Nicole
Fort Worth Stockyards

I guess I need to send Jerry Jones a thank you card. As a result of him building a state of the art football stadium for the Dallas Cowboys, and for TCU scheduling a game against Oregon State there, my brother Win (a die hard Oregon State fan and alum) brought his family for a visit over Labor Day weekend!!!

We had a wonderful time hangin'out and visiting, touring Prosper, watching volleyball and football games, bowling at Main Event, and swimming.

Now their trip did have a bit of a rough start.  Before they ever boarded their plane, my nephew Clayton walked into the corner of a metal laptop table at PDX, and gashed his forhead open. Paramedics were called to the scene, and amazingly enough got him cleaned up and put back together just in time to board. So when they arrived, first thing the next morning Clayton got to visit our pediatrician and have his wound evaluated and glued shut. Of course this meant that he couldn't get it wet, even though we went swimming a couple of times. Clayton was great at following the doctor's orders and found ways to be in the pool without messing up the wound.

He even kept it dry when they posed for this adorable group shot!

Clayton, Ryder, Max, Emily, Melanie, Nicole, Megan, Harrison

Of course we musn't forget the OSU vs. TCU game.  What a blast!!  Emily, Megan & Melanie made some signs before we went.

And my brother Win, bless his heart, got us 4th ROW SEATS!!! That's club level my friends, and the view is magnificent when you're sitting that close!! We even got on ESPN :) in case you were watching!

They also got to meet Blossom.  Megan liked having her do tricks.

And she got a chance to help bathe her.

Clayton loved her too.  I think they need a Havanese puppy!

And what's a trip to Texas without some authentic western fun?  We visited the Fort Worth Stockyards where Clayton got to ride Big Jake, our very favorite Texas Longhorn.

It was so funny to hear the crowd that had gathered around when Clayton got up there. I overheard, "oh, isn't he so cute!" "Bob, take that boy's picture, he looks better than Jeffery did up there." Everyone's cameras were flashing when Clayton was on :)

One of the things we did at the Stockyards was get a group picture (per Grandma Hjordis' request). Darren brought the tripod, and we used the timer to get this one.

Then we all moved over in front of the water tower to get our best group shots. Darren set up the tripod, and pushed the button for the timer to start. What happened was that he got a picture of us not expecting it, and when he ran over and joined us the camera didn't take the picture of us all smiling (we couldn't see the timer light on the camera to know what had happened because it was so bright out). So we got this picture.

Caught unawares - and where's Darren?

We were so disappointed! So I tried adding Darren in at home.

The perfect group shot.  Darren was able to join us.

Words cannot describe what a wonderful time we had. We are so grateful for family, and for this chance we had to spend time together. Y'all come back now y'hear!!!

Pirate Policies

Taking a knee at a practice scrimmage

This is my baby's (sorry for calling you that Ryder) first year of tackle football.  I think I can safely say that no state in the Union reveres it's football as much as we Texans!!  However, the team Ryder is on values developing good kids just as much as developing good football players.

After last weeks team pep talk on humility and accountability Coach Rob had each of the boys come up and sign a contract that says they will be accountable for making good choices both on and off the field.

Coach Rob discussing Accountability Contract

Ryder signing team accountability contract

Coach Rob does an excellent job of keeping in touch with the parents and teachers of his players so that he can recognize their great accomplishments both on and off the field.  When they do something great, they earn a decal for their helmet.

Ryder's first decal

On the flip side, poor choices earn them some extra running, push ups, etc.

We're looking forward to a great year - both on and off the field!

Practice Scrimmage

First Week In Review

First Day of School Brothers

All I can say is WHEW!!!!!!!!  It has been a busy and exciting week getting 4 kids back to school.  The kids are all happy to see their friends and meet their teachers.  So far there hasn't been much homework to complain about.  Well, except for Nicole who is taking PreAP Chemistry, PreAP Spanish II, PreAP English II, PreAP Algebra II, AP World History (easily her hardest class and scariest teacher!), along with 3 other "more normal" classes.  The most odd thing about her schedule is that she has lunch in the middle of 4th period.  Yep, 20 minutes of class, 20 minutes of lunch, and back for 20 more minutes of class.  I am trying to figure out what they will do when they have a test.  20 minutes of taking the test, 20 minutes of sharing and looking up answers, 20 minutes of finishing their test?!?!

First Day of School Sisters

Of course when they get home from school, the day is not over.  After school this week we had a total of 13 practices, 1 evening of volleyball tryouts, 2 JV volleyball matches, Weeblos Scouts, Mutual for the girls at 2 different locations, volleyball team parents meeting, football weigh in x 2, 1 football scrimmage, 3 days of early morning seminary, and 2 days of middle school "zero period."  It was a very busy week and the future looks similar.

Ryder 1st Day of 2nd Grade

Ryder is in 2nd grade at Rucker Elementary School.  Ryder loves his teacher, Mrs. Eggleston - the kids call her Mrs. E.  She was his permanent substitute last year while his 1st grade teacher was on maternity leave, so he already knows her.  I love that they call their class the Eggleston Earthworms :)

Harrison 1st Day of 5th Grade

Harrison is in 5th grade at Rogers Middle School.  This is his first year with a locker and moving from class to class, and he really loves it.  The whole locker thing was a bit rough at first, but after they went through and oiled the locks things have gone smoothly. So far he is really enjoying the whole middle school atmosphere.

Melanie First Day of 8th Grade

Melanie is in 8th grade at Reynolds Middle School.  This is the first year in her school career where she has been in the oldest class at her school.  It seems every time she was about to be the oldest class, we would move, or they would switch what grades were housed in the school.  So here she is finally at the top of the feeding chain.  She has a very heavy schedule as well.  She is taking Algebra, Speech and Health for high school credit.

Nicole 1st Day of 10th Grade

Nicole is a sophomore at Prosper High School.  As I mentioned before, she has some really tough classes this year.  She also attends early morning seminary (religion class) at 6:00 am every morning.

If you've been counting you may have noticed that all 4 kids are attending different schools - 4 kids in 4 different schools, with 4 different arrival and dismissal times makes for busy mornings and evenings getting everyone where they need to be.  Thank goodness the boys ride the bus!!

Here's to another great year at Prosper ISD!!!