Laurel is 9!

Nine is Fine!
The Birthday Girl

Cute CousinsJess & Cam got their money's worth out of the bouncy water slide rental! Little and big kids had a great time sliding and having water gun fights hours before party time.

A kid at heart....

Cam reveals the secret to the tastiest burger ever....50% fat in the meat! Forget lean meat, the artery-clogging stuff is the way to go. And the sweetest pic of the weekend.....Landon reading to Jack at bedtime.

Jack's First Trophy

Jack receiving his first trophy from Coach Allison (one of Jack's many girlfriends) at the Champions gymnastics "recital" (aka a regular class set to music!).
Jack is so proud of his trophy ("I was the winner!"). He carried his trophy everywhere we went for the next 48 hours.....
With best pals Claire and Abby. "We - are - Champions!

Mother's Day 2009

Although it wasn't a dream Mother's Day (Mark woke up with a stomach bug, Jack had an epic tantrum that brought us both to tears when I tried to take him to lunch, and Champ ate the Mother's Day handprint craft Jack made for me at church), I still feel so blessed to have Jack as my son, Nanny as my mom and a new baby growing in my belly! I am a lucky girl.

Bend It Like.....Brady?

Look at our adorable little Lost Creek Lion! Looks like a natural, right?
The mighty Lost Creek Lions!Jack's most recent game. Lost Creek Lions in white. Check out the size of the other team! We were on the sidelines demanding birth certificates - there's no way these kids should've been in the "kinder" league. Their team was running plays while the Lost Creek Lions were wondering, "Which goal are we supposed to kick it to?"So, here's a typical game for Jack....He practices with the team 15 minutes prior to kickoff. He does great - totally into it. Then, it's game time. He runs in with the team and immediately after kickoff, slumps over and is "too tired" to play (see below). The game goes on without him as he remains slumped in the middle of the field.
A pep talk from Coach David doesn't even help. Anyone know a good sports psychologist?

Happy Easter

Happy Easter !!

Golf with Daddy

Took advantage of the great weather after work tonight with a little time at the "big range." Jack hit nearly a full stack of balls (about 60) in under an hour. He's always well behaved at the course, and with another 3-4 yr old throwing multiple tantrums nearby I realized how great he consistently behaves out there - so glad! Jack go the attention of the other golfers not with a tantrum, but rather with his swing. He was hitting it much farther than he had been and received several compliments like, "wow, little Tiger there."

Palm Springs

Last week we spent 5 days in Palm Springs for some much needed quiet R&R. Amy spent her time reading by the pool or at the spa and Mark played 2 rounds at Indian Wells (home of the PGA Skins game). The weather was ideal, cool in the mornings but warm and dry all day.

Graduation

Yesterday Champ graduated from his Taurus Austin Dog school. His crowning achievement was to allow the trainer to put a treat on his paw and wait for "okay" to eat it. Supposedly he has self control at school but it seems to be selective once he's home.... Jack was very proud of his puppy.

Yeee-Haaw

Happy Birthday Kayla. To celebrate her 3rd birthday, she had three ponies in her backyard. Jack "wasn't scared" and rode all 3 horses over and over. Of course, he wanted to race the other ponies around the yard and yelled "Yee-Haw" as he won the race. He told us he's a real cowboy now.

Super Weekend

Gotta love Austin. An hour-long "ice storm" on Wednesday and then sunny & 70 Friday thru Sunday. Jack & Daddy had a great boys weekend, allowing Amy to get some rest (and laundry)! Jack & Daddy went to the golf course both days for hours and jack hit, "One hundred golf balls" at the range.

Huge thanks to Wes for giving his extra UT Hoops tickets to Jack and Mark. Abby & Jack had lots of fun at the game (see video), including OT. Jack was stomping his feet and cheering the whole game - one reason he got on the scoreboard TV late in the game. He even did the "T-E-X-A-S... Texas Fight" cheer on his own once he figured out that everyone was spelling TEXAS he was into it. Unfortunately the Horns lost 85-81.