Sam's first game day

We had some extra tickets to the Georgia vs. Vandy game and asked the boys if they'd like to join us, along with Josh's family at the game. Jack opted to play with his cousin Ian. Sam decided to root for the Dawgs.

The guys on gameday.

Ready for the fourth quarter.

His favorite part was probably playing with Sean's glasses. I think he liked the popcorn too!

Maybe Dad's tricking us...

I'm sure you can't make it out, but #66's jersey says "GARRETT."

As Josh headed into the ER for a night shift, I took the boys to the local high school football game. I noticed a Raider with our last name. I pointed it out to the boys & asked Jack if he could make out the name. He read it & thought it was pretty cool. 

Sam had a different take: "Hey, maybe dad's tricking us! Maybe he's not at work. Maybe he's really playing for the Raiders!" 

Yes, Sam, probably so....

Watch Mor Futbal

We had the opportunity to attend the Chick fil A Kickoff game this week. We had never taken both boys to a college football game before, but were thinking a game between two teams we don't really care a whole lot about would be a good chance to test the waters.

Sam tried his skill at the Fan Zone.

Jack did his best QB impression.

The free iced coffee samples weren't bad, in Jack's opinion. Sam, however, disagreed!

Doing our best impression of Rebel fans...Ole Miss is an SEC team, afterall!

The boys really enjoyed the tour of the Georgia Dome. Here are they are taking questions from the press in the media room.

Here they are showing a little excitement in the Press Box.

Finally, getting silly on the field!

Silly, but sweet boys!

My three favorite guys!

Josh with his name in lights. It went straight to his head!

The Real Reason Birds Fly South

Maybe you thought it was just for the warm climate, but I have it on good authority that birds enjoy the entertaining bowl games that take place each January. Josh and I had the opportunity to fly down to Tampa for some rest and relaxation and take in the Bulldogs' last game of the season at the Outback Bowl. We had a lot of fun exploring Tampa, shopping, eating really great food and watching a really exciting football game.

The dawgs were on the losing end of a game that went into 3 overtimes, but we still really enjoyed our getaway. Huge thanks to our parents who helped make the trip so much easier. We didn't have to worry about the boys, they were well taken care of by the best tag team of grandparents around.

When I grow up...

A friend and I who both have boys about the same age were laughing the other day about how amazed we were that our preschoolers were talking about their future occupations, spouses, etc. This was serious thinking ahead. Jack's typical ideas about the future don't begin with "when I grow up," but instead, "when I get big like a daddy..."

A couple months ago, he was upset after we had tucked him in. Josh went in to talk to him and the conversation led to the idea that when Jack was a daddy he would have a job too. He said, "but I can't have a job. I haven't learned how to fix sick people yet!"

In the last few weeks, he has told me on a number of occasions that he wants to be a football player when he gets to be a bigger boy. "And I'll go to the big school (a.k.a. Habersham Central)." Tonight in the car, out of nowhere, he said, "Mommy, when I get big like a daddy, I don't want to be a football player that is in the game." I'm thinking is he about to tell me his future goal is to be a benchwarmer?? Then, he adds, "I want to be the coach. Like Hudson's daddy. And I'm going to wear those big headphones!"

A Perfect Break

While there was a true "fall break" from school a couple of weeks ago around here, our family of four had a break planned that coincided with the annual Georgia vs. Florida football game. Josh and I have been going to the game since college, and even though these days we have little ones in tow, we still enjoy making the trip. We've always joked that since the Dawgs haven't had the best luck with winning in Jacksonville in the last couple of decades, that we had to make a mini-vacation out of the trip to make the 6-7 hour drive worth it.

So, dashing out of Athens after Friday classes has turned into Wednesday morning departures from our home in Habersham. Reservations at the Omni hotel adjacent to the Jacksonville Landing (a.k.a. party central) have given way to condo rentals on the Plantation resort at Amelia Island. To visit Fernandina Beach, is to love Fernandina Beach.

With beautiful skies and warm breezes, this year's trip was a perfect break for our family of four...not to mention Saturday brought a Bulldog victory. Another great treat is that we get the opportunity to reconnect with old friends that we rarely get to see. Now that we all have children, it's always interesting when the crew gets together. (More photos of our trip here.)

Returning from a trip is always exhausting. The boys did pretty well both days we spent in the car. Unpacking and laundry filled our morning. So, although today was a sort of back to reality, that reality included escorting Superman and an adorable Giraffe to the post office, pharmacy, grocery and up and down our street. In other words..not entirely boring.

Game Day

On Saturdays in the fall we make the trek down to Athens to watch the Bulldogs play. Cheering for our alma mater is something Josh & I have always enjoyed doing together. Thankfully, my mom usually watches the boys for us. Last Saturday we had a couple of extra tickets and both the weather forecast and opponent looked favorable for an easy viewing...so, I talked Josh into taking Jack with us to the game. I think he had fun, but I also think he was pretty bored about 65 percent of the time. All in all, I'm glad we took him. It will probably be a while before he goes back, and I'm not sure he'll really be asking to go back anytime soon. He asked if we could go home after the first quarter. The sun was pretty bright, and he was a little farther from the action than at the Raider games on Friday nights.

First things first, we had to get rid of Pop's extra tickets. Here Uncle John is teaching Jack the fine art of scalping tickets.

All ready for kickoff!

I guess when the dawgs score 59 points in the first 3 quarters, you shouldn't expect too much more action in the 4th quarter. But that doesn't stop a true fan from claiming the 4th for his team!

I only wear orange on Fridays

Friday night kicked off another season of high school football in the 'Sham, and we were thrilled to begin our evening tailgating with friends before the game. As usual, the boys enjoyed running wild on the practice field and dreaming of their future glory days, I'm sure.

Put me in, Coach!

Best news is the Raiders hung on to win. What a great way to start the year. My sweet friend and fellow blogger is a bit superstitious and insists that we'll have to tailgate before every home game now. April, I think you forgot about one of the most important ingredients to that Raider victory...

The ceremonial "soaking of the tree!"

Go Team

Saturday was a long, but fun-filled day. I had been watching the weather for a couple of days and it looked like storms might dampen our plans. Thankfully, the clouds cleared and the day was a beauty. We got the crew up and ready, then hit the road to Athens for the spring football game. We took Jack to his first spring game last year (I guess Sam, too), and he was looking forward to the Bulldog football game again. What he didn't know is that we were hoping to squeeze in some additional fun before the game.

We stopped at a Railroad Days event my dad had told us about at the Council on Aging. Thomas was there, model trains, a ride-on train, inflatables and more. Jack had a blast bouncing from activity to activity. We were thrilled some friends could meet us there too, as well as my mom & dad. Before long it was time to grab a bite downtown and then head toward the stadium.

Jack did so well, walking the whole way to the stadium. He had to get a lift part of the way back (uphill), but did a pretty good job doing most of his own walking. It was pretty windy, and kind of cool in the shade, but a ring pop and cotton candy from the train station were enough to keep Jack interested in sitting. Sam, on the otherhand, was a little more active than a year ago when he just hung out in the baby Bjorn. He wanted to walk, climb and go everywhere. My mom got him to sleep for about 10 minutes, but then the Redcoats woke him up. He eventually fell asleep as I carried him on our way back to the car an hour or so later.

We made sure to stop and ring the victory bell on our way back through campus, and even squeezed in a stop for ice cream. We also stopped by my grandparents' house for a quick visit before returning back to the Sham for a Sunday School gathering with friends. The low country boil hit the spot after a long day, but we eventually retreated a little early because of our exhaustion.

October

October has arrived, and it brought some cooler temperatures with it. They were short lived, but they will be back again soon. Although we've still had some days hovering in the 80s, most days have been pretty perfect weather wise. They are the perfect kind of days.

Perfect for tailgating with fellow Raiders



Perfect for spending time with cousins!

Perfect for celebrating milestone birthdays! Dad, I'm guessing you weren't specific enough when you wished for a Bulldog victory that night.



Perfect for pumpkins!

Perfect for afternoon outings at the park...with bubbles, of course!







Perfect for train rides with fellow choo-choo enthusiasts



Perfect for a hayride with my boys!



Perfect for basking in the glory of God's beautiful canvas. A canvas on the verge of changing all around us!



Perfect for photo posing with friends.

Perfect for watching football. Although I'm not used to having to go to this much trouble just to watch a game. I guess that's what happens when your team is struggling (to say the least).

Perfect for monkeying around with friends. Think Evelyn is having any fun?

Perfect for cutting loose and letting things slide.

So, we've been keeping very busy these days...but still been managing to get our fair share of fun too.







Raider Fun

Friday night we took in the first Habersham Central home football game. Jack was in absolute heaven all day on Friday as I kept telling him we were going to see football that night. In fact, he was a bit upset that we were tailgating before the game instead of heading right into the stadium! We had a lot of fun letting the kids run around and play ball before the big boys took the field.

Sam sure didn't seem to mind the noise and game going on...he fell asleep sometime during the first quarter. His nap was somewhat brief, but he was a trooper. We eventually headed out just before the fourth quarter before meltdowns had time to occur. Jack has been to the Raider games the last two years, but I think he's really starting to enjoy it this year.



Unfortunate side note: the Raiders lost. They fall to 0-2, but there's always next week!

This was his face/reaction when he saw the team running out. I like that his left hand is almost nudging Josh as if to say, "daddy, are you seeing this?"

F is for Football

So, football season is here. South Carolina kicked off tonight, which is a nice warm-up to get ready for Saturday's slate of games. We also get to enjoy a little hometown action tomorrow night under the lights at Raider Stadium. Looking forward to a little bit of tailgating before the game too. We drive by the stadium almost daily, and Jack is always asking about going to the football game. In fact, I'm a little worried he may not be as easy to leave behind at with my mom every week in Athens. I think he's going to be asking where we are going!? Anyway, even though it stills feels mostly like summer, football has begun so that means fall is on the way! What are you most looking forward to about fall??

Football!

Okay so it may feel like August, but it's only April so there are still a few more months until football season starts (and some of the best months of the year). Last Saturday was the UGA spring game, which is basically a scrimmage between first team offense and defense and second team offense and defense that is open to the public (a.k.a. thousands of fanatics who need a taste of their beloved sport to get them through the summer...oh, and lots of kids.)

We live right around the corner from the high school here and pass the football field just about every time we go anywhere. So, Jack talks about football all the time. Not to mention one of his favorite bedtime books is all about football. (It's a real must-read for any true dawg fan!) To satiate our son's fanaticism we elected to take him to the G-Day game. Josh swears Jack won't be going to a real UGA game until he can sit through watching one on tv (by that time he may have his own student ticket!)

It was pretty hot on Saturday, but we arrived in time to snag some of the coveted club level seats. So, Sam snoozed away in the shade courtesy of the arms of Mema and Aunt Emmy. Jack was completely mesmerized when we first arrived, but that quickly gave way to the need for popcorn and juice. After the game, we marched him up to North Campus to see the Arch and the chapel bell (which is rung after each victory)...both landmarks are in his story book. We finished our campus tour at the bookstore. Without a nap, Jack was exhausted by the time we loaded in the car around 5.

We've been up to a lot more, but I gotta get to some laundry...so, just check out the photos here.

Showing off the lungs

So, as I previously mentioned we spent the day in Athens on Saturday. After the game we had dinner at my parents' house and sat around and enjoyed some more football. Jack has finally gotten to the point where he can say "Go Dawgs" pretty clearly. So, Saturday night he had an audience and some of Pop's sweet tea and was feeling it. Here's the result...notice the passion in the last one (or at least the last one I recorded...I was giggling so hard at the fact that he had spit on himself!)

Nevermind, the dawgs weren't even playing in the game he was yelling at!

Family Times

What a beautiful weekend it was...in more ways than one. The weather was wonderful, and we had the opportunity to spend it with family. Josh's family journeyed over from Rome on Friday evening, and we all traveled to Athens for the game on Saturday. Jack enjoyed some time with Memaw and my sister joined us at the game.

Afterwards, we grilled out at my parent's house. It was a great chance for Jack to chase his cousin Sean around the yard. It was so nice to be able to relax and enjoy the company of those so close to us. Here are some snapshots from the weekend.

Enjoying a game of football with cousin Sean

Getting a photography lesson from Aunt Kristy

Peek a boo!

Here I am!