Style

I love how Xander continues to show his own sense of style these days. Lately, it's wearing lots of bracelets and different colored socks, ones that often don't match anything else he's wearing. Never lose that sense of being yourself, baby boy. Love it!

Spindletop Fall Fest

Every year, Grammy's club hosts a fall festival for kids. The boys have enjoyed it several years, though I think this is the first year it has been warm enough to swim and go to the fall festival at the same time!

We came early to swim, then took a break to enjoy the fall festival, then had a little lunch, then went back to swimming (though Connor had to leave early for his flag football game).

Aunt Kelly helping Sawyer with a craft activity ...



Xander enjoying the pumpkin painting ...



Sawyer laughing hard at Scratch the Wildcat ...



Xander the pirate with Grammy and Pappy (the face painting and the hot day were going to be a problem yet again) ...



Connor and cousin Brianna painting their pumpkins ...



Xander the pirate going down the slide ...



Sawyer going down the slide ...



Connor saying good-bye after lunch ...



The hot day and a busy boy are not a good combination for face painting. The pirate melted and faded (all over his shirt, even). Tears and tantrums, followed by another visit to have a smaller painting done on his cheek ... and once again all is well with the world!

Soccer Tournament

Our annual trip to Mason, Ohio, for Xander's TOPSoccer tournament. It's the only time each year where the team gets to play against other TOPSoccer teams from around the region. We don't love the early wake up time and drive, but Xander really enjoys playing against other teams (instead of our usual inter-team scrimmage) and the carnival games for in between game times.

Breakaway during his first game ...



Trying out the goalie position for a while (and looking over at me to see if I've witnessed his first stop) ...



Another fast breakaway (yes, the referees loved him and cheered for him as he went down to score again) ...



Goal!



And after a slight mishap during game two (the goalie gloves coach attempted to put on his hands ruined his painted hands, which cause a slight meltdown), we found a volunteer willing to repaint his hands with a bowling ball and pin and a soccer ball! All was right with the world again ...

Wildflowers

Sawyer (with a lot of help from Aunt Kelly) picked some wildflowers for me on their walk by the Elkhorn today.

Game Day

Josh and I took Connor and his friend H to the college football game today. They asked how soon before we could leave pretty much as soon as the first quarter stared and the pretzels were gone. Next football game, we're leaving the kids at home!

"More"

Aunt Kelly took Sawyer to the Arboretum today. He loves to just walk and people watch and traffic watch along the two-mile path. Today, he enjoyed something else even more. There was a cross country / track team there practicing. And every so often, this big group of guys would go running past them. Sawyer LOVED it. He clapped and jumped and was full of happy energy. And as soon as they went by, he signed "more" to Aunt Kelly. Apparently she was supposed to get them to do it again, because he liked it that much!

Too Cool for School

Sawyer borrowed his teacher's glasses and decided to wear them (upside down, no less) while he waited for me in car line today ...

Around the House

Finally getting some art up on the walls ... canvas prints made from some of our trips to go around our bourbon barrel American flag. From top left, my favorite shot of the lake, through the trees in the Smoky Mountains, sunset over the horse farm next door to Grammy and Pappy's house, sea arch in Hawaii, early morning beach shot in South Carolina, and Waimea Canyon in Hawaii.



Bruno is the token pitiful puppy on the ottoman. He'd really like you to play tug with that very small toy. He promises not to bite your fingers while you try to pull it out of his mouth. Any takers?

Skater Boy

Watching him fly around the rink is so impressive!

Soccer Sundays

Say, "cheese"!

Hoops!

Swish. The only thing Xander will accept!

Cliff Jumping

As you do ... Xander already up and jumping while the others make their way over ...



Another Xander jump ...



Connor cannonball ...



Cousin Austin giving Xander bad ideas by doing a backflip ...



Xander spinning ...



Connor again ...

Boys & Grandpa's Toys

Labor Day weekend at the lake. Early mornings and late evenings, before and after we've been out on the water, the boys find ways to entertain themselves at the lakes without screens. Connor's preference is to go ride the three-wheeler in the field next to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin. Sawyer and Xander watch from the wrap around covered porch above.



And then we move closer. Sawyer's excitement is such a joy to see ...



Xander getting a ride with Grandpa (he wanted the controls all on his own, but we thought that wasn't a great idea given his daredevil tendencies) ...



Sawyer riding with Grandpa (he LOVED it) ...



Connor has graduated and is allowed to ride solo with a few provisions (stay below third gear, don't go over the hillside) ...



Xander wanted no part of having anyone ride him again ... he just kept taking his turn while sitting on it by himself (and asking us to start it and let him go on his own) ...



Sawyer's excitement, once again, so clear in the photo ...






































And Sawyer also enjoyed a little ride on Grandpa's other toy ... his Ranger!