OH-IO!!

The "best damn band in the land" hosting the pre-game "Skulls Session" in St. John's Arena!
Another Father/Son moment...OSU's season opener in "The Shoe".
It's Brutus Buckeye!!
The "best damn band in the land" pre-game in "The Shoe".
GO BUCKS!!

Ohio State football begins TODAY! After trying for many years, Trey finally received two alumni OSU tickets. For those of you who are unaware, OSU tickets are like "gold" in Columbus! After much thought, Trey decided to invite Alexander to join him at the game. According to Trey and Alexander, the seats were amazing! They sat in the end zone, 6 rows back! I know that today will always be a special memory for Trey and Alexander--I'm glad they were able to spend the day together and witness Ohio State's shutout over Youngstown State (43-0). It's hard to believe that a few years ago, Coach Tressel was the head coach at Youngstown State--Buckeyes fans are proud to have him as "our" coach now!

O-H-I-O!!!!!

THEY WON!!

On the first day of school, the 7th grade football team held their first home game! The boys started their season with a 30-6 WIN over their rivals!!

FIRST DAY OF 7TH GRADE

Noah rose early this morning to wish Alexander well on his first day of school. I was so excited to be able to snap this photo--it's now one of my favorites!Yesterday was Noah's first day of school; today is Alexander's first day of school! Isn't it crazy that the boys don't start on the same day?! Our district allows the 6th and 9th graders a day at their "new" schools without upper classmen present. Alexander loved his first day of 6th grade last year, but I know he enjoyed a bonus day even more this year!

He asked me not to call today his "first day of school", but instead "12 hour game day". After school, Alexander and the 7th grade football team host their first home game! The team is required to wear shirt and tie to school on game days. I LOVE this tradition and think our son looks incredibly handsome on his first day of 7th grade! Don't you?

FATHER/SON MOMENT

Alexander is required to wear a shirt and tie on football game days. I remember the football team wearing "dress clothes" when we were in school--way back when. I secretly LOVE this tradition and am pleased that it still continues.

3RD GRADE BEGINS TODAY!

Trey was unable to stay home to wish Noah off to school. So, he tucked a note inside Noah's backpack. Meanwhile, I had tucked a note inside Noah's lunch. Noah loved receiving his "mail" today.

Alexander woke early to wish Noah well on his first day of school; hence the picture of Noah and Mom compliments of Alexander. Noah and Miss Sophie
Noah's teacher requires a 3" three ring binder--it's almost the same size of Noah!! I wasn't sure he'd be able to carry the backpack, but he proved me wrong--smile and all!
Today was Noah's first day of school! As many of you know, Noah was new to the school district last year. Due to a 3rd grade overflow issue affecting the 2008-2009 school year, over the summer several students were notified that they would attend another elementary school. The decision to move the children was based on their enrollment date into the district. Unfortunately Noah is one of those students and today he started school at a new elementary school, once again. The morning began with a realm of emotions--sad, angry, happy, sad and thankfully concluded with happy. His tummy was full of nerves, but as we know, change is hard. I drove him to school and walked him to class per his request. As I left him to begin his day, I said a quick prayer that his butterflies would settle and that he would feel confident and secure in his new classroom; that he would meet a friend and enjoy his first day of school. I picked him up after school and while he wasn't beaming from ear to ear, he wasn't frowning either. I think the first day of school is always challenging. He did make a new friend and managed to find a couple of friends from his "old" school at recess. It's going to be another adjustment for us, but I know Noah is going to have a successful and fun filled 3rd grade year!!

DO YOU ZORB?

Do you ZORB? WE DO!!

While staying in the cabin over 4th of July weekend in Gatlinburg, TN, I remember Trey's cousin asking me if I was going to ZORB? Excuse me??

The ZORB is a huge inflatable sphere that rolls down the hillside--quickly I might add. Before ZORBing, decisions have to be made--should you "ZORB" in water, or not? If you decide to ZORB in water it's similar to riding a water slide; without water the "rider" is strapped inside the ball and rolls down the hill head over feet, head over feet... Our adventurous family members decided to ride in water. After a lengthy wait for a van to transport the gang to the hilltop, we finally witnessed their "roll" downhill. Trey and his aunt rode solo while Alexander and his cousin rode together. They sloshed all around and the family members watching were quite entertained. I think the most amazing part of their journey was watching them "fall" out of the ZORB...more laughter!! After the "rider" exits at the bottom of the hill, the ZORB is placed on a conveyor belt and transported to the hilltop.

So, give the opportunity, will you ZORB?

Summer Reflection: June 2008

Summer is one my favorite seasons...OK, I like all of the seasons except WINTER! I have had so much fun spending time with my kiddo's this summer. After reviewing our summer pictures I decided to share some of our summer highlights; these pix are from the month of June. Enjoy!!

Aunt Lucille will celebrate her 100th birthday in March 2009. She was my G'ma Walker's best friend and the two spent much time together. She's an amazing woman--sharp as a tack, as my Dad would say. Dad was happy he was able to visit her on our return trip to Logan, Ohio
My parents arrived the day after school dismissed for summer break. Dad was born and raised in Logan, Ohio, and I knew that he would enjoy visiting his hometown. When my sister and I were younger, G'ma Walker would take us to Old Man's Cave and other surrounding parks. It's exciting to be able to share some of my childhood memories with my boys. They enjoy God's beauty as much as my sister and I did way back when...
I LOVE this picture of my sweet Noah!
My boys and I taking a break while hiking in Old Man's Cave.
My parents and I--it was wonderful to have them visit! I miss them so much and our extended weekend together brought many smiles, laughter and memories!

Trey and I visited the original Bob "H'Evans" (Alexander's term when he was much younger) Farm years ago and I knew it was something that Alexander and Noah would enjoy. On our way home from the reunion, we stopped for breakfast with Trey's parents, Chris and Haiden. After breakfast, we took some time to tour the homestead.

The month concluded with the boy's annual week with Papa and Grammy. Trey and I met Trey's parents at Indian Lake camp ground. The boys couldn't wait to camp! Trey's parents have a travel trailer--so they're camping in style!
Alexander and Papa busy "cooking" dinner.
Noah's convinced that Alexander makes the BEST s'mores!
Grammy, Papa,Noah, Alexander and Trey--enjoying a summer evening by the campfire.

HIS FIRST SCRIMMAGE

Helping Alexander get ready for his first football scrimmage yesterday afternoon, I was reminded of how quickly our son is growing up. When the boys were little, I secretly wondered if one day one of our boys would play football. It's a sport I have always enjoyed, thanks to my parents. When my sister and I were younger, I can remember rushing home from church on Sunday afternoon to watch the Cleveland Browns. Now, we're watching our son play football. I have a new respect for the amount of gear the guys wear--who knew? Alexander and I were laughing yesterday as we struggled to place one of his knee pads properly. The first time he put his gear on a couple weeks ago, he could barely bend to put his cleats on his feet. Thankfully he has mastered the gear and it doesn't seem to phase him. I could tell he was nervous before the scrimmage, but he handled eveything in stride. The team rode the bus to the scrimmage and I remember feeling a little "lost" on the way over to the field. The boys have always ridden with us to their matches and games and this is the first time that Alexander wasn't with us. The game started and Trey and I were so excited when we saw coach place Alexander on one of the first plays. However, his field time quickly ended when two of the refs walked him over to the coach. We later learned that Alexander's chin straps were too long and the refs were concerned that one of the boys might grab the chin strap in an attempt to tackle him. While we were disappointed that his initial time on the field was short, we were relieved and grateful for the ref's concern. Once the chin strap was fixed, Alexander spent a lot of time on the field. Trey and I noticed a couple of times, that he was surprised that he wasn't called off the field and remained playing for several plays. The coach placed him on defense and offense and he did a great job on both sides! His height is a definite advantage to him right now!! The boys' won their scrimmage 18-0. The rules are a little different for middle school ball: 1) the ball starts on the 20 yard line 2) there are no conversion points following a TD 3) there are no field goals. I'm sure there are other subtle differences, but those are the three that stand out. We look forward to an exciting football season! Number 47, we're VERY proud of you!!

LOOK WHO'S BLOGGING NOW!

Our friends, the O'Steens, are visiting from Maryland. The boys knew there was a creek behind the house, but after 14 months of living here they finally decided to explore and discovered their own "Bridge to Tarabithia". Several dirty outfits later, the kids are still enjoying their "creek" time. Hannah even caught a catfish the SAME size as her bucket! The Dads had a Tarzan moment when they discovered they could swing across the creek on a vine. The Moms were not quite as adventurous and chose to pose for pretty pictures instead (thank you Kirsten). Who knew that both families could have SO much fun in a creek?! This concludes my first blog--thank you so much Ms. Heather!!!