Cooper's Soccer Party...

A couple weeks ago, Cooper had his "end of season" soccer party at Back Yard Burger.  Of course it was a divide and conquer night so Matt took Cooper, and I took Anna Lauren.  However, Matt managed to get some pictures so we can remember this fun season of soccer.  Cooper had the BEST coaches and sweetest little team...he loved very minute of soccer, and we loved every minute of watching him play and getting to know some sweet families. We are looking forward to hopefully playing with the same coaches/team again in the Winter/Spring (oh...it's going to be COLD)!

Meet the Tribe...

Yesterday we made a quick trip to Birmingham for Meet the Tribe...all ACE gyms gather in Birmingham and "showcase" their squads as a preview leading into competition season.  

All smiles as she is ready to kick off competition season...they start practicing the first week of May so come November/December they are ready to show off...

Headed to warm-ups...

The Desperados take the stage for the first time this season...

Anna Lauren was a little disappointed because her flyer got sick and could not come...so...they had to mark all their stunts.  

Considering this was their first performance, they were "together" for the most part...

This is a very talented group of kids...will be fun to watch them compete this year.  And actually they don't compete until end of January so they still have two more months to "perfect" their routine.

And afterwards she was all smiles...think they were pleased with their performance.

And on the 3rd attempt, I got a sweet picture of Brelye, Mary Addison, and Anna Lauren.

Back to the gym practicing three days a week...just a little taste of competition season and now to practice more and perfect the routine before they really compete!

Happy 7th Bently...

Last Saturday, Halloween, we celebrated Bently's 7th  birthday. Everyone dressed up and due to the rain the outdoor party at the park became an inside paint party, which I think everyone loved just as much as playing at the park.

I cannot believe I did not get a picture of Anna Lauren's "costume"...she borrowed and NWR cheer uniform and look so cute!

The birthday girl...

There are no words for these two...

After they painted, Barbie had several games planned for them to play...

This little guy...he's just so cute and so fun!  And...the army costume may have been the best money I ever spent...he wears it ALL the time...not just for Halloween.

Pretty sure Cooper never left Ashton's side...he loves, loves, loves Ashton!

After the party, we went to Nanna's church and enjoyed Trunk or Treat and got more candy than we will ever be able to eat.  By that point, I had been out in the rain all day, was exhausted, and didn't even have the energy to take pictures of the chaos...I mean fun! Not the "traditional" Halloween of Trick or Treating, but they had a fun time, which is all that matters.

NWR Football Game...

Since Anna Lauren participated in the NWR cheer clinic she could cheer with the high school cheerleaders during the 1st quarter of the football game last Friday night.  Due to weather, Trick or Treating got changed to Friday night, but Anna Lauren wasn't concerned...she was going to cheer at the football game.

It was senior night, and we just happened to get there in time to see our our most favorite senior...Kat!

Cooper and I took Anna Lauren down to the field and then found a seat in the bleachers...few minutes later I look down and see this. Think she was in heaven?  Let me help...yes, she was!

She went to almost every practice with these girls this summer so some of them she got to know pretty well...

She ADORES Kat...not sure what we are going to do if Kat doesn't babysit this summer.

This is just a little scary...she thinks she is as old as them...she probably learned more than most 8 year olds this past summer because I can assure you she listened to every single word they said.

She loved the pom poms...

Such a fun night to get to watch these two cheer together.  Her only complaint was...why couldn't I cheer the entire game?  She wanted to keep cheering.  However, pretty sure she will have plenty of opportunities to cheer at many, many more games in her life unless she does a 360 and decides to quit cheer...that is no where in the thought process at this point.  She loves it!

Bacotween...

While Anna Lauren was at cheer, Cooper and I enjoyed "Bacotween" at Millsaps.  Bacotween is trick or treating through Bacot, which is a freshmen dorm on campus.  They decorate the halls and pass out candy to all the kids of faculty and staff.  We try to go every year because it is such a fun night for the kids...

This little army guy was so excited when I picked him up from school and was ready to trick or treat...

Although my job has been somewhat challenging the last year, I wouldn't trade it for any other job.  Love, love, love being a part of the Millsaps community and my children getting to grow up in the "community"...

These students could be doing a million other things, but they are taking time to hand out candy to our kids!  Just makes me smile...

Queen of Hearts...Hadley, Evie...Hollie Grace, and Army Guy...Cooper who got hot and had to take off his jacket.  The dorm was REALLY hot!

I hate Anna Lauren had to miss out on the fun, but Cooper was sweet and shared his candy with her.  She understands that she made a commitment and cheer comes first...therefore, she really never complains when she has to miss out on something fun.