Mississippi State Fair...

We have taken the kids to the state fair the past couple of years and always had the best time.  However, this year was a little disappointing.  We were not able to go until the last day, and Anna Lauren got invited to go with a friend for her birthday.  So...not only was it so crowded you could hardly walk without bumping into someone, Cooper was missing his sister and favorite riding buddy.  If we go next year, we will do it all different so that hopefully it will be fun like it has been in the past.

I cannot ride rides because I get sick so this has always been my favorite...I couldn't pass it up when Cooper wanted to do it first.  However, I thought it was fast...it was so slow that I stopped at one point and had to push myself down.  The boys zoomed on down though...

Not that best pictures but at least Nanna captured us all three going down the slide...

He was excited to be at the fair until he realized how long all the lines were...then the excitement kind of went down hill.  He wasn't willing to wait in line for whatever reason.  

Matt rode a ride or two with him.  Matt would have ridden anything with him, but honestly, he wasn't into the long lines. 

Other than the water ride, that is about all he did...like I said, we will do it all different next year so that hopefully it will be more fun...

We did bump into these girls long enough to take a quick picture but by this time, we were like...we are going home...we were over the fair!!!

Couples Baby Shower...

Back in May we went to the beach with our best family friends.  We sat in our chairs at the beach/pool and discussed how this was the first vacation that we could truly just kick back and relax because our kids were all old enough to swim, play, etc without us watching their every move.  Little did Matt and I know...Christy was actually pregnant and just not telling anyone yet.  Therefore, she and Jeremy were just going along with us all while thinking that may be the case for ya'll.  Shortly after our trip they told us that Christy was pregnant and not with just one...but...two!!!  Just when we thought we were all done, God had different plans and has blessed our sweet friends with twin boys!!!  And thankfully God knows EVERYTHING and knows that they are the couple that can handle twins and not us!!!

We are so excited for our friends and last weekend had so much fun hosting a couples baby shower for them...

Of course, no party happens without the help of my talented friend, Leah.  How cute is the chalkboard, which made for the perfect centerpiece.

I know better...I really, really do.  Why oh why did I not consult my mom about the baby's breath?  She typically either does the flowers for me or tells me exactly what to do.  I told her I could handle it because I thought it's just baby's breath...surely I can do that.  Well, I can, but I sure should have asked her how much to buy.  I had baby's breath for days and it ended up EVERYWHERE!!!

Over the years, I have decided simple is my favorite...so...I just stuck with blue for decorations.  And since it is fall, I used blue pumpkins and loved, loved them!

Told you...baby's breath was EVERYWHERE!

Since the weather was nice, I had seating outside for people to eat...

Pretty sure Matt and I moved this table all over the back yard trying to find a level place.  You just think your backyard is flat until you need to set up a table/chairs...

A sweet friend from our Sunday School class offered to make the cake...it was beautiful and oh so delicious!!!

I took the easy way out and ordered the food from Sonny's...

Few appetizers...

And you know how it goes...once the party starts, you forget to take pictures.  After several couples had left, we took a few pictures.  Sad there are not pictures of everyone...

Pretty sure that the two of us couldn't be any more different, but we have the neatest friendship and for that I'm thankful!  

We've been hanging out together for 14 years...wouldn't trade anything for our friendship and are looking forward to welcoming the twins!!!  Lots of memories have been made and lots more memories to make!!! 

Flag Football...

When we were kids, it was totally normal to play one sport per season...because...that is all that was available for you to play.  Now almost every sport is year around and it becomes more of an "ok, you can pick two".  Some families play three but two is our limit and honestly, is probably too much.  After much thought and even a few tears, Cooper picked flag football and baseball.  Was hard for him to let soccer go, but I could tell it was his least favorite of the three so I knew he would be ok once the decision was made and he started playing football and baseball.  And honestly, I don't think he has missed it...I even asked him the other day, and he told me he didn't miss it.  He told me he likes to play for fun but doesn't have to be on a team.  

Due to Matt's football schedule we originally signed him up to play at Pinelake because Matt could be at all of his Thursday night games.  Once we got the baseball schedule and realized baseball practice was every Thursday, we switched him to Ridgecrest because they only play on Tuesday.  So...he can play football on Tuesday, baseball practice on Thursday, and baseball games on Sunday afternoon.  Lots of moving pieces, but we got it worked out so he can give 100% to both teams (which is a big deal to me).  And Matt was able to drop a couple games and only have to miss one football game...like I said, many moving pieces!!!

The problem with signing him up late at Ridgecrest was the 1st and 2nd grade teams were full...we could bump him down to kindergarten are up to 3rd and 4th grade.  He promised us he would play "big" so we chose to let him play with the older boys.

It is obvious he is younger, but he is holding his own.  The one advantage is 3rd/4th graders get it and can be coached...so...he is learning SO much and for that, we are thankful.  More than anything Matt wants him to understand the game before he puts on shoulder pads and a helmet.

A couple Saturdays ago, they had a jamboree and played 3 games back to back.  It was hot, but the kids all played their little hearts out.  I wasn't sure what it would be like, but honestly, it is so fun to watch!!!

People think that Matt would be so hard on him...he is NOT hard on either one of the kids.  I probably have higher expectations than Matt.  However, Matt wants them to understand the game so here he is simply explaining to Cooper what happened/how he could have done something a little different.

He seems to "get it" and stays pretty focused...

He's pretty quick so he plays rusher on defense and loves it...this was a big play for him, and we were oh so proud!!!

It may not be tackle football, but we still say he "sacked" the quarterback...

Pretty sure he wanted everyone to know he got that flag...

There are some really talented boys on his team so he doesn't get to play much offense, but every once in a while, you'll see him carry the ball...

Did I mention it was HOT???

Like I said, it was HOT and when you play back to back games, there is lots of water/gatorade drinking going on...

It was such a fun morning watching this little football loving boy of ours play flag football for the first time.  And it was even more fun watching his team win all three games.  They've played one more game since then so they are now 4-0.  Let's be real...everyone likes to win so to be on a good team makes it even more fun.