Nola turns 12!

What a week we had - several funerals, various school activities, football team meal, family moments - and of course Nola's birthday. All of this makes me very appreciative of my husband and kids - even when the grind feels like it is winning. Give hugs, tell people you love them (even if they are being hard to love), make the call to that person that pops into your mind, be present....all because time goes quickly. 

School pictures turned out great this year! 

Early morning football practice.....I missed Matt being at training this morning as he usually does this drive for Brenner!

Nola was over the moon to meet baby Bo this week! His big sister is besties with Nola. 

Me after a stressful morning to get the kids on the bus! 

I took Friday off to make Nola's cake. It was nice and relaxing - Hallmark movies in the background. I really like the way the watercolor cake turned out and Nola loved it. Note she wanted the numbers offset :)

My favorite girl and me! 

Friday night lights at Blair Oaks - it was a chilly one. This team wins state like every year so our hopes were really high. 

It was a bit of slaughter but Brenner's kicks did just what the coaches wanted. 

Saturday was party day. Lots of girl fun! 

The Vogans and the Greskos!

Grandma Val

Aunt Lynnie and Uncle Chris

Matt and Brenner got in some backyard football

Gannon getting Brenner. Go Gannon!

Present time - so many shoes and cash - just up her alley lol!

An awesome riding helmet from Erica! 

Neon ninjas stormed our house after dark :) 

Homemade waffle buffet for breakfast. The girls stayed up giggling until 1 am - lots of fun!

Not sure why they always have to hold someone in their group pics!

Totally not in favor of cheerleading stances lol! They asked me to spot and I gave a hard pass. 

Brenner at this first trap shoot practice on Sunday.

He was frustrated with his performance but this was only his second time ever.  Matt said the course was very difficult and it was windy. So we shall see how B does moving forward.  

 

Best laid plans.....

The week definitely didn't go as planned! Sickness went through the house - covid tests were negative - but only Brenner seemed to be spared. For me, it was rough as I had to cancel a much anticipated work trip to Flagstaff. Luckily, I bounced back pretty quick but it was rougher for Matt!

Nola spent Sunday at the Steam Engine show with friends. 

Brenner and Colten at the NASCAR race in Kansas City (2021 Christmas gift to them from Grandma Val). They had a good time - boy was Brenner tired once he got home!

Monday JV game at home against Hallsville. It was much less dramatic than Friday's varsity game! Brenner's game kickoff....same short kicks they tell him to do every time - sigh. I do love the pose that seems to say "what's up?!". 

Similar kickoff from another angle. He admitted on the car ride in he was getting bored with their kicking calls. 

He decided to mix it up (a bit) - with trying to land his own onside kick (only has to go 10 yards)...he almost made it! Brenner also played offense and defense a lot in the the second half - had some nice carries. He got up gimpy a time or two. Late in the game, one of the coaches asked them if anyone needed to come out? Is anyone hurt that they won't show up to practice the next day? Parker? Brenner said naw he was good. The coach then told him that not may players impress him but Brenner does. Keep up the good work buddy! They won handedly and played well overall. 

My co-presenter Carletta giving our talk at the conference I missed. I was humbled by so many texts and notes about being missed at the conference. It was really heartwarming. Carletta did an awesome job and a friend sent this image of a key slide that I created. He said it was the talk of the presentation. 

School drop off on Friday.

Brenner earned the scout sticker (black skull) on the football team. First one of the season for the entire team. Proud of how hard he works. 

Rainbow before the game on Friday.

The line up for Southern Boone. 

We had the kickoff. Brenner doesn't seem himself. 

The ref talked with him for a long time. 

Coaches called same onside kick to start the game. Brenner again did what they called but is frustrated.

Brenner leaving the field. They called that same play on kickoff all night long. Brenner wasn't pleased with his delivery and thinks the crowd doesn't know he can really kick the distance. We assured the crowd knows - because we hear others saying "let the kid kick the ball". The team won - they didn't perform all that well as a team - you could tell they didn't have good energy on the field.

Our crowd! Matt was still not feeling well so he brought his lounge chair lol!

Nola playing dress up - using my skirt as shirt lol!

We love you #16 - yard sign is up!

Steam Engine Show and Concordia Fall Festival

Don't let the title fool you - there was plenty of Pirate football this week! Plus lots of discussion with Nola's ELA teacher who is piloting a new program called iXL. I believe I mentioned last week that we as parents questioned Nola having a C-. Props to the teacher that she talked with us and took what we said to heart to make some changes to the grading approach. Still work to be done but it is heading the right direction. Thanks to Matt who could talk "teacher" to her :) It was a also a tough we learning of the passing of several neighbors/friends. Tell your loved ones that you love them, folks. Time passes too quickly. 

Tuesday night JV game against Eldon. Brenner talking with one of the coaches.

Brenner did what they asked him - just wish they would let him go the distance AND kick PATs. B notes that the JV OL can hold the DL so they don't try. I say - you all were up by 30 and it was worth the practice. But I am just the mom :)

Brenner's cheering section (plus me!). 

Post-game smiles with Grandma. 

The team got new stickers (3) for winning two games in a row. Brenner also go an additional one for the touchback against Marshall. He was pretty excited telling me that he was the only freshman to get more than three. Now if they would just let him kick more touchbacks!

Labor Day target practice.

The weather has cooled down only a little bit but I pondered how my big plant will get inside once again. This one is from my Grandpa Hilbrenner's funeral - 15 years ago! 

Nola had soccer practice Friday night so she got some Grandma time before we headed to the football game. Mom and I had a nice day together - lunch and some shopping. A much needed break. 

The Friday night game was against Hallsville - one of the Pirate's biggest rivals. It was back and forth all night. Brenner's onside kicks were perfection but our guys didn't capitalize (at least that is what I heard the coach screaming at them during halftime). Brenner did what was asked but the crowds around us were echoing our thoughts - let the kid kick - he has a leg! 

Overtime win was very dramatic. This is from the local paper - the boys were so excited. 

Me waiting for the bus to get back to the school at midnight. I did get to watch another player pee on the side of the building. Ugh. We remind the kids all of the time - someone is always watching - make wise choices. 

Steam Engine show time on Saturday. It was hot, dry, and dusty. 

He has really grown up! And wanted to spend the whole day at the show with his friends. 

The late night football and little sleep looks to have caught up with him. Brenner went through the parade but was a little rusty with his driving!

Nola brought friends Morgan and Blair to street fair. Pretty girls!

So many rides - I only hung out with them until Matt and Brenner made it to the fair. Brenner then rode with the girls. I think their favorite was zero gravity. 

Laughs while watching the parade. 

Flexing, always flexing. For who? We don't know!

While the kids played, the adults gobbled up some German food from the beer garden! We need the practice for our Hawaii trip lol. And notice the jackets - a front blew in and it got downright chilly!

The rain came during the parade so we headed inside to where my mom's church was hosting a baby changing station. Brenner entertained us with a fly swatter dance....oh I wish I had a gotten that on video! He cracked the girls UP!