Drivers, start you engines!

Another week has flown by - so fast that I didn't take many pictures! Fall is settling in with cooler temperatures. We did celebrate great first quarter grades - all As for Brenner and Nola! Nola has a cough that just won't go away but otherwise we are staying healthy! Hope that you can say the same for you and yours. 

Mass band night at the Friday night football game. Brenner is holding the white bass drum between some of the tubas. My favorite song was Paint It Black - gotta love the Rolling Stones!

Grandma Val gave Brenner a certificate last Christmas for a Grandma-Brenner day. He chose a NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway. But alas Grandma got sick on Friday....but luckily Cousin Colten went in her stead. There was a bit of a rain delay but lots of smiles.  

Colten surprised Brenner with purchasing pit passes to explore prior to the race. 

B got to sign his name on the wall - that is pretty cool!

Another car driven by someone.....(sorry not a NASCAR fan). Grandma loaned the boys her scanner (which is what Brenner is carrying) to listen to the pit crews and announcers. 

My dad was such a race fan - he would have loved that his grandsons went together! What an experience for B - he talked about what a great time that he had! Thanks again to Colten for taking him. 

Clouds Sunday night outside of our house.  The storm system brought tornadoes to the south of us (by only a few miles). If you have grown up in Missouri - you know to pause and take notice of these clouds - and be ready! Lightning was occurring in the bottom of the swirl.

Big shout out to the hubby that helped get this awning up at church....it did require a trip to the ER lol! Great job, Matt! 
 

Let's Go Pirates

Another speedy week with work, school, and other activities. Football wrapped up and we had some gorgeous fall weather. The leaves are starting to change in the yard!

Popcorn on the playground in lieu of Brown Bag Lunch at Nola's school. We briefly hit the playground before going into the book fair. Nola sure was glad to have saved her birthday money - she got a ton of books. Love that she loves to read. 

Popcorn to football - we then headed to Brenner's football game at Versailles. B had some great kickoffs.

The regular runningback was off quarantine so Brenner was moved to cornerback. 

Look at that form. Just prior to this, Brenner was set up to kick the extra point after a touchdown but there was a flag on the other team. Boonville then decided to get the 2-point conversion. 

#12!

Finally a picture with his RecSpecs (he dislikes them but they allow him to see!)

Second extra point kick! He made all attempted - great job buddy. (My video of his first one wouldn't upload - grr). 

Remember that regular runningback - well he broke his collar bone so Brenner was back in. 

Our line was having some trouble - had did those two Versailles players get all the way to B?!

Brenner ended up getting cleated on his left shin near the end of the fourth quarter- you could see it immediately on his leg. He tried walking but Coach Donnie insisted he get off of it. 

Brenner was so embarassed to have to be carried off. We could see the swelling from the stands. The Pirates prevailed and Brenner gimped along for the handshake at the end of the game. He was just really sore for a few  days. 

Brenner's last football game on Saturday morning was cancelled due to the other team not having enough healthy players. The 8th grade team did some scrimmaging on the beautiful crisp day and Brenner had a big crowd of fans with Grammy, PawPaw Floyd, Uncle Chuck, and Aunt Theresa! Aunt Theresa made an impression to some of the kids asking about beer and whiskey in the concession stand line! (Yes - we heard about that lol!)

Fun times!

Siblings. The kids were ecstatic when I said the rest of Saturday was a free day and they could do anything they wanted. Brenner played MineCraft and Nola watched Netflix....and I got peace and quiet. Wins all around! 

Matt spent the weekend at Hermitage getting the stove installed.

Looks cozy! 

Nola asked me to take this picture Sunday morning...both of them don't seem to be happy!
 

Grandmas are the best

My kids are so blessed to have support from many family members, but Grandma Val holds a special place in their hearts! Grandma Val logs more miles, gives more smiles/hugs, declares money is no object, defends her "kids" vigorously, and provides more encouragement than anyone else we know. We love you! 

With players under quarantine, Brenner was starting running back and the White Rabbit (thanks for the nickname Uncle Chuck). He got beat up pretty good but held his own! 

Grandma Val was praising of Brenner and wanted to know why the line wasn't protecting him better!

Pretty sunrise on our walk to the bus. You can see the fog along the grass if you look closely. 

Remember that ear piercing certificate that Nola got from Grandma for her birthday. We went on Friday and Nola was SUPER nervous! 

Ear one done but the tears came!!! She didn't want the second ear done.....

But cried through it! 

Once done, she enjoyed the look in the mirror! 

Post piercing photo! Yes - we went to a tattoo parlor! There were some interesting things to be seen - especially since the place was running a $25 tattoo special. We needed a mask for her eyes as well as her mouth! 

Dinner then shopping - love our girl time! 

The weather on Saturday was gorgeous so we took a drive over to Arrow Rock for their annual festival. We ran into many friends and acquaintances. 

Sunday we drove to the Lake area for Brenner's soccer games - and it was H-O-T! 

No game pictures (if I am being honest, Brenner was being a turd in the morning and I didn't feel like taking pictures with my fancy camera after the attitude I received). That said - they played well winning both games with no subs (4-1, 2-1). Brenner had some nice goals and great teamwork/awareness of the field supporting younger players.  It was weird for him playing on grass again! Between game breaks, the boys watched the girls play....hmm......

On our way home, we had to stop at the Ice Cream Factory! Yummy - I will not disclose who got a triple scoop (although he wasn't in front or behind the camera)! 
 

Homecoming week and Wedding weekend

We had another jam-packed week. Luckily, Brenner was on the mend from his sinus gunk but still wasn't 100%. The weather has been glorious including much needed rain at the end of the week. We rounded out the week with the homecoming parade and Cousin Colten's wedding!

Tuesday was game day for this kid - he was ready to play with his new RecSpecs. Imagine that - getting script goggles so you can actually see the plays being called from the side lines! 

I get a frantic call (during a work meeting) from Brenner around 2:45 pm - he left his RecSpecs in his gym locker at school and the team was already on the bus headed to California. Lifesaver buddy Drystan and his mom (who live across the street from the school) saved the day by bringing them to our house so we could then skedaddle down to the game before kickoff (which Brenner is doing in the picture). 

The boys were oh so sluggish - they must have all felt like Brenner! They didn't seem to gel but did get one touchdown....by BRENNER! His first ever - from the running back position. The image is his attempted extra point that barely missed by going wide. Next time buddy, next time. We are proud of you!

Homecoming means dress up days which neither of our kids really get into. However, Nola was all into cowboy vs alien day! 

First day of band was Thursday. Nola was excited except for carrying the sax down to the bus stop!

Nola was selected as student of the month for Respect by her teacher. Awards ceremony was online. Easy peasy! 

Homecoming parade. The boys looked cute in their hats. Brenner even threw me candy! 

7th and 8th grade teams - Go Pirates! 

Of course we had to find Drystan and take this silly pick. Drystan likes to say he is city and Brenner is country! After picking up Brenner's tux for the wedding, Drystan and Brenner went to the homecoming game before heading back to Drystan's for a sleep over. Good times for all!

Saturday we headed to Sedalia for the wedding. The guys "get ready room" was way cooler than the ladies with pool table, darts, tvs....in the girls room you could watch each other get your hair and makeup done. Blah -I will take the guy side! 

Brenner and the groom! 

The ladies lounge - with Grandma Val and Aunt Lynnie!

Nola did her own hair and makeup and look fabulous! Love this picture of her with Eadlin and Gannon.

Brenner was so excited to get pictures taken! It was overcast which made his mullet a little unruly lol!

Gannon and Brenner all set to usher!

Guest gook attendants are ready! 

What a lovely group of ladies.....wish I would have posed them away from that window but the darn bride was taking up all the good wall real estate! 

Aunt Lynnie, Grandma Val, and Mackinzee!

Mother of the groom and Grandmother of the groom - both super excited for the day (after 3.5 year engagement!).

Putting the girls to work!

Let's just say Gannon was way more into ushering than Brenner. 

Family photo! We clean up real nice ;)

Dance, dance, dance....

 ..silliness in photo booth! We were having a great time except for Brenner. His ear started hurting, poor kid. We left early and ended up taking him to urgent care Sunday morning - possible ruptured ear drum and ear infection. Such pain - but doing much better now!