October 2024

October brought us some of our favorite fall traditions, but this year we got to add in homecoming. James decided to cut off his longer hair and get a buzz cut after school pictures were taken. He loved it! 

Homecoming freshman year for James. I loved seeing him with some of his friends from when he was in elementary school going together.

Calvin and his buddies in 6th grade at the OPE Fall Festival! James and Bentley volunteered for the ax throwing booth. I loved seeing them with the little ones.

Hayden got to go with Matt for a Florida gators football game with one of his friends from work. They had a great time in the swamp!

James loving Younglife his freshman year - all that paint was from their color war or maybe neon night.

This pictures is probably why I found that old picture of papa in his mountain biking clothes. The dirt 'tan line' is killer. and prepping his halloween costume.

All four in the same frame on game day. I love getting pictures like this one.

Young Sheldon and Charlie Brown for a party with friends.

My baseball player and a young Mark Rober with his own squirrel, phat Gus.

Halloween parade at school for the baseball boy and Mark Rober.

The high school boys for Halloween.

Thank you Lord for all the fun of dressing up and being with our friends. It is such a funny and sweet part of our boys lives, and it has become something they look forward to the time with their friends every year. Thank you for giving them these opportunities and may it bless them. Amen.

September 2024

September was a blur of getting back into the routine. I got to see my sweet friend Jennelle at a football game now that our boys are there together. We had soccer tournaments and school work and practice routines. Not a lot to talk about, but the little moments of life.

Had to make a before and after of how much our boys have grown since they got to meet big David. James has absolutely skyrocketed. One day they will all be big guys together.

New back to school shoes for James to match one of his favorite shirts.

These are both by Calvin - the origin story of the R2D2 toaster and a poem he wrote about 3D printing.

This is my mom's wedding punch bowl and cups. I love the cut glass; it is so beautiful!

David was captain this day I think, and he wanted to show off his muscles after.

These boys went with Matt to see the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp play some baseball.

Thank you Lord for all that we got to see and do. It seems like so much time passed without lots of pictures taken, but may we be grateful for what you give! Amen.

August 2024

After we got home, we got to do our official shark tooth count: total for 2024 was 560! 

Hayden did have a sleepover with his four best friends to celebrate his birthday after we got home. These four are always fun together.

The school year starts sooner than we want every year; how does that happen? But we welcome the new shift in our daily routine the same way that we welcomed summer. After a little while, we are ready to have routine again and see friends. School work is the last of things the boys look forward to, but who can blame them. Work can be done with a good attitude even if it is not something they enjoy.

Mr. Harris on his toes next to James still makes me laugh.

Hayden and I went to Grumpy's to celebrate his first day.

These four boys and their dad after a Sunday afternoon lunch at Ted's. I loved catching this picture.

Hayden's end of summer obsession with filling balloons as full as possible with the pool pump. He made some impressively large balloons!

Thank you Lord for the new beginnings. Help us to be ready and able to tackle new challenges. Thank you for the new chapter of high school. Please give James grace for his high school years. Amen!