Thanksgiving, Kickball, Girl's Night and the Iron Bowl

I hate lumping the whole weekend in one post but I'm afraid i'll never get it all posted if I don't! :)

We had a crazy busy, exhaustingly fun long weekend.  

Barrett spent a little time on the ipad before we got the day started.  He looks so big.

For Thanksgiving lunch we went to my Grandmother's house.  They boys worked on building a new deck.  Porter was prepared with his took box and safety glasses.

This is the only picture I took of Barrett all day.  After lunch we picked up Patrick and went to the Horton's for dinner.  As usual I took zero pictures.

On Friday my big brother planned a family kickball game.  It did not disappoint.  Mom and Dad were team captains.  Mom chose both of my brothers and my sister and my dad chose me.  Dad's team dominated the first game.  

I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  It was so much fun!  My little brother set up his GoPro camera and we loved watching the footage.

During the second game I had a couple of memory lapses and made a fool of myself but I survived.

I just love that the whole family played (except my Patrick, he had to work.).  My parents played and ever Barrett toddled around the outfield and kicked the ball a few times.  It was so much fun.  I hope we get to do it again while everyone is around for Christmas.

Friday night Brittany and I hosted a little girls night paint party.  I invited all my "boy mom" friends.  All of our boys are right around the same age.  We painted doorhangers and I thought they turned out so cute.

We had a fun night laughing and painting.
Saturday was the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.  I was so excited.  Jennifer and I planned on watching the game and my cousin's house but I ended up getting a ticket and we found Jennifer one too so we both got to go.  I loved the night games when i was in school.  Now that I have to travel to the games I don't enjoy them as much.  It makes for such a late night. We ventured to the quad to see what was going on. Meanwhile back home Patrick was trying to corrupt my son.  I can't get over how big he looks here. Last week at Lowe's BB bought him this flashlight.  He's been using it as a headlight on this push toy.  He cracks me up. Ms. Linda picked up this book and I love it.  It is so cute and so sweet
I got to sit with my sister.  The other girl was an Auburn fan we made friends with.  She reminded up so much of our sister-in-law Hope that we had to take her picture.
Then I went to find my other friends.  I'm pretty sure Matt wonders why he's friends with me.  I like to think it's because I'm fun, I think it's because he feels sorry for me. It was a long night.  I was crawling in the bed as Patrick's alarm clock was going off.  I've never felt as old as I did Sunday. Monday I finally got the ornaments on the tree and our halls are officially decked! 'Tis the season!

December Goals

I did okay on my November goals.  

1) Finish Christmas Shopping.  I didn't even come close to finishing.  Oh well, it'll get done.  I'm not sweating it.  2)  Plan Barrett's birthday playdate.  I've got everything planned.  It's going to be super low key and relaxed.  I'm excited about it!  3) Have Family Pictures made.  We did this and I'm so in love with how they turned out!  As soon as I get our Christmas cards ordered and in the mail I'll share them with you.  They are beautiful!  4) Order Christmas Cards.  I haven't done this yet.  I've designed them, just have to order them!  5) Decorate for Christmas & 6) Make Advent Calendar, I'm combining these because I finished them both tonight.  I finally decorated our tree and added the cards to the advent calendar.  We are ready for the season!

I didn't write out my December goals because I just want to enjoy the season.  I really want to soak it up.  Barrett is really noticing everything this year and it makes me so excited. I have a few things that I want to do, Go see Santa, buy a gift for the angel tree at our church, drive around and look at lights are just a few of them.  I know the years of having small kids is only a short season and I want to soak up every single moment.  

Thankful Hearts

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

(Photo by: lb studios, this is one of my favorites)

I love these people fiercely.

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  

Health.

Jobs.

Family.

Friends.

Food.

Shelter.

Transportation.

Freedom.

And The Lord, without him we'd have nothing.  

There is so much hurt and heartache in the world.  It's hard to understand why some people go through the things they go through.  We just have to have Faith that His plan is the best plan.  I hope everyone can find something to be thankful for this year.  We are all blessed, we just have to take the time to realize it.  

The Horton House wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

2014 Homecoming at the Capstone

Saturday was Homecoming in Tuscaloosa.  It was really late this year.  I really wanted to go and take Barrett.  Patrick was supposed to go with us but he ended up having to work.  We left Gardendale around 9:00am and traffic was at a stand still in Fultondale.  Luckily my mom noticed it before we got on the the on ramp.  After our little detour we made it just in time to walk to the end of my cousin's street to watch the parade.

Barrett was a little scared at first but he eventually warmed up and started waving at all the pretty sorority pledges. 

He did not like when the big trucks blew their horns.  I loved getting to do this with him.   

He did great all day.  It was very surreal to see Barrett and Matthew playing.  Matthew came to his first Alabama game when I was in school.  He was just a little older than Barrett.  Now he's as tall as I am.  The kids were so sweet to let Barrett play with them. 

Before long it was time to head to the stadium.  We had to get our picture in front of the sign.

Barrett didn't get take a nap and he started to get fussy during the game.  Luckily the sweet lady behind us shared her popcorn with him and he was happy.

Ava sat with us too.  It wasn't that long ago that I took her to her first Bama game.

He was very interested in the dancers.  He liked the football too.  He cheered and clapped.  

I just loved getting to take him to the game.  I took him to homecoming last year and I'm hoping we can make it a tradition.  I was so proud I didn't cry at all.  I did get a little teary eyed while we were watching the parade and again when we first got to the stadium.  I just love being a mom and I love getting to share things that I love with my son.  He may or may not like football or Alabama and that's okay but until he decides I'm going to enjoy days like this.  I hope I never take for granted how blessed we are to get to do these things with our baby.  

Week-in-Review

We've had a fun week.  

Last Tuesday my friend Brittany invited me to attend a dinner and live auction to support Just Keep Smiling.  It was so much fun.  We didn't win anything but I loved the auction.  It was very exciting.  They also played "Minute to Win It" type games and our table was called to send up a person.  I volunteered to go and I had to stack ding-dong snack cakes on my forehead.  I didn't win but it was still fun. I thought this was a pretty picture of Brittany and me before we went in. We finally got Barrett a new carseat for Patrick's truck.  He was very excited about his box.  Patrick cut a door and a window in it. They played in it all night.
Saturday I headed to Tuscaloosa.  For an unexpectedly big game.  It was a cold one and we won! So that always makes for a fun day! This is a terrible picture of me but Jennifer and I had so much fun together. I didn't take any pictures because I dropped my phone and shattered the screen.  Luckily it still works but Patrick's got to replace the screen.  After the game we went to the Houndstooth.  It was fun.  Every time I go there I feel older and older.   Sunday, Barrett and I braved the yucky weather to go to church.  After church we went to John and Hope's house so Patrick could help John run all the wires for the TV through the wall.  Barrett was trying to do whatever the boys did.  It was cute.  We enjoyed getting to visit with them.   Now it's about 30 degrees and we're just trying to stay warm.  I'm not usually a Christmas music before Thanksgiving kind of person but this weather has me in the spirit.  Maybe I'll put the trees up this week... Maybe not.

Weekend(s) Review

It's been over a week since I posted.  We've been staying busy.  I keep saying I don't want to be busy but I keep finding fun things to do.  Oh well...

Jackson and his mom and dad came and watched the Auburn/ Ole Miss game (Last week).  These boys are so cute together.  They wanted a front row seat for all the action
Last Sunday we went to Mass on the cemetary where my mom's parents are buried.  I love getting to be with all that side of the family.  Barrett wanted to play football with the big boys in the back yard. 

There were so many times in my childhood that I wanted to play football with the boys in this backyard and they wouldn't let me.  (Sometimes they let me play, well they let me stand around and pretend to play.)

He needs another haircut.

All my parent's grandkids.

Some family pictures.

I love these boys to much!

On Tuesday we had family pictures made. I loved choosing our outfits.  Thankfully my friend Brittany let me borrow something cute to wear!  I can't wait to get all the pictures back.  She's posted a couple sneak peeks on facebook and I'm in love.  (Local people, Lacey Barnwell at LB studios is amazing.  She did our family pictures when Barrett was 6 months old and I'm kicking myself for not booking a newborn session with her when he was a baby.) 

The rest of the week was spent working.  I'm so thankful for the growth of Signs of Sophie this year.  This is typically a slow time but not this year and there are no signs of it slowing down.  I love it!  Barrett had speech last week.  He's doing so great.  I need to do an update on all of his progress.

He's also started climbing.  I routinely find him on top of the table.  I'm pretty sure he would climb on the cabinets if he could get the chair up to them.

Saturday we watched a lot of football.  Barrett cheered his little heart out although i'm not sure who he really wanted to win.  Unfortunately for Patrick Auburn lost.  Barrett and I left to go watch Alabama/LSU play at our friend Matt's house.  Barrett was so good.  He stayed up way past his bedtime and was still so pleasant.  He played with his cars and teased the dog.

Here he is climbing on the cooler to keep Matt company.  It was a nailbiter of a game and I thought Matt was going to have a heart attack.  Somehow we pulled out a victory in overtime.  It was a really good game...and I'm really glad we won!

Sunday we celebrated Cruz's second birthday with Mickey Mouse himself.  Barrett was so upset when Mickey showed up.  He was so scared and cried and cried.  It surprised me because he did fine when we met the mouse this summer.  He was not a fan this time.  Makes me really excited for our visit with Santa this year.  I'm pretty sure it will be a disaster. We're geared up for another busy week at work and another big game this week!  Only four more days until the weekend!

November Goals

I can't believe October is over.  It seems like I was just writing these goals. I did pretty good with my October goals.  I kind of feel like I cheated because I made my goals things I already had planned but they were the main things I wanted to get accomplished this month.  1) Pumpkin Patch.  We finally squeezed that in on the 30th.  2)  Take a Girls Trip.  This had been on the calendar since May and I was so excited to finally go!  We had a blast.  3) Start Christmas Shopping.  I didn't get as much done as I was hoping but I did put a little dent in it.  I also got some things marked off my to do list for Barrett's birthday playdate.  4) Host 2nd Annual Trick or Treating.  We had a blast last night!  5)  Exercise!  I just don't think this is going to happen.  I just haven't made time for it and I don't see it happening any time soon. Finish Christmas Shopping.  I don't think this we happen but I really hope to knock a big chunk of it out this month.  I don't want to spend all of  December shopping. Plan Barrett's Birthday Playdate. I've almost got all of it planned.  I need to find invitations and get them ordered and in the mail this month.  I also need to start getting the supplies. Have Family Pictures Made.  I'm so excited about this.  We're scheduled to do this Tuesday afternoon and I can't wait.  I hope everything goes well! Order Christmas Cards. I've been browsing cards a bit and I can't pick a favorite just yet.  I've got a few marked and then I'll decide when we choose a photo. Decorate For Christmas. I usually do this either the weekend before Thanksgiving or the week after.  I'm anxious to see what Barrett is going to think of everything this year. Make Advent Calendar Cards for this year. I loved our activity advent calendar last year.  I'm looking forward to it this year too.  I need to sit down and plan when we want to do things.  I'm hoping we can do a few fun things this year like the Zoolight Safari but we'll see.  Barrett loves lights so I can't wait to see him with Christmas lights!

Horton House Halloween 2014

Halloween is moving up in my list of favorite holidays.  Barrett put on his ghost shirt and we headed to the office. After work I had to run to the store to get some last minute things for our get together. I had to dig past the CHRISTMAS candy and Christmas tree cakes to find some Halloween candy. Then I stopped by my favorite local place and got some mums.  I was so proud of myself because I talked the guy down on a big pot because it was damaged on the back.  Then I walked off and left it.  
This year we added the hayride so we could all ride and hit more houses together.  We were kind nervous how it would work.  It was perfect.  We may have to upgrade to a bigger trailer next year.
This picture just makes my heart nearly explode.

This is exactly how I visioned these years.  Making fun memories with friends.

It was so cold.  I, for one, loved it because we got to bundle up.  We piled all the blankets on the hayride and headed out.  Patrick was so excited!

This was right before we headed out.

The best we could get of Prince Charming and Cinderella. 

Sweet pirate Jackson snuck in!

Cinderella decided she'd rather have the ninja turtle.

She was so excited with the "glass slipper".  It was a near perfect fit!

We died when Jackson and Barrett got my phone and looked like they're trying to take selfies.

Joseph is a children's minister and he some how convinced all the kiddos to pick up the toys and then lay down and watch a movie.  (Barrett bailed pretty quickly)  These four laid there for a lot longer than we thought they would.
We had such a fun night.  I'm just really loving this stage of life.  I know i've said it a million times but my goal in life has always been to have a family and enjoy life together. Now that I'm getting to do it, it's even better than I'd imagined.  I think it'll get more fun as the kids get older and we add more to the group.  Happy Halloween!