HOT SOCCER

The RiverBelles played their first tournament of the fall season over in Brandon this weekend, and they sported their brand new uniforms! It was a tough few games, but our girls played really well and Jay was especially proud of this first picture, showing the girls working in the formation they've been taught to utilize:

James is a big fan of the girls, as long as he's allowed to play his Kindle during half of each game:

Maybe mama is the biggest fan, with this new car decal...

The girls were more than happy to pose for some photos in their new teal uniforms (the color unanimously chosen by all 10 of them):

They wanted a picture in numerical order (they all got to pick their own number):

After the last game, we went to a new-to-us restaurant in downtown Brandon that was really good (though a bit slow) and the kids were all about the hugs to stay warm (AC does a number on them in the summer time when they're far more acclimated to the heat and humidity than all the adults).

They may have been cold, but that didn't stop them from requesting ice cream on the way home:

(Bub Bubs gives the best hugs!)

EMILY'S 11TH

COTTONWOOD ROOFTOP OPENING

Free leis and Hawaiian-themed appetizers, fancy cocktails, and the best pizza in town made for a fun evening up on the new rooftop at Cottonwood!

(Their favorite spot, evening counting the new roof, is the low bar right in front of the pizza oven. It's warmer, and has great Wifi and accessible plugs to charge their Kindles)

BEACHES SOCCER THROWBACK

Jean sent us these snapshots of some of Jay's soccer teams over the years, so I thought they'd be fun to post for a "Throwback Thursday":

A SPIN ON FAMILY GAME NIGHT

We surprised the kids with an out-of-the-house Family Game Night tonight because we have a brand new bowling alley in town! They were both thrilled, until Cora realized she wasn't winning. Sometimes I don't know about that girl and her competitive nature... It will serve her well, but it sure can be frustrating for her family. The facility also had a short-order restaurant, bar, and arcade. Wednesday night bowling is a pretty good deal, but they seem overly expensive on regular nights...

MAD SCIENTIST 5K AND 1-MILE 2019

We got up, fueled up, and were ready to race!

It was my first race since the St. Jude Marathon and it was pretty fun to be out in a race environment again (especially since I was done in 30 minutes instead of 5.5 hours). My buddy met me at the finish line for high-fives and hugs.

This was Jay's first race in (forever?) and his first run (at all) in over 3 months. Needless to say, he felt that 30 minutes for the rest of the weekend.

We went to this race even to support ERDC and our Castle Club, but also for the kids' 1-mile race. Cora registered with the goal of finishing first, or at least first female. We had no doubt she'd do it either (there is no stopping that child once she sets her mind to something, and she'd been working hard at soccer practices without a break for the whole year, so she was in great shape).

Sure enough, she crested the final hill in first place, but was passed near the finish line by Luke (her running rival, but a very gracious rival who always shakes hands afterwards).

The kids both received finisher's medals and they were very pleased!

Cora then received her First Female award, presented by our new Colonel, Theresa Schlosser, and our Director, David Pittman:

The kids were (later) super excited to see themselves in the local paper:

PET ME

Minding her own business, reading a book (albeit strangely)...

...and one of her boys decides she needs to take a break and pet him

FALL PORTRAITS 2019

MILITARY PARK MORNING

Some mornings, the sunrise during my 5:00am runs is pretty enough to make me stop running and enjoy the moment

CATAN WIN

(If only the iPhone "bounce" function worked on the Blog... James has the best happy dances!)

SCENES FROM SCHOOL: STEM

AROUND THE YARD (POST TREE FALL)

 Now that the tree is gone and the stump is cut and burned, it was time to add some soil and move some rocks in prep for Jay's new "bulb bed" (to be planted much later).

(Side project - fixing the drainage area under the kitchen windows, and removing a very problematic and grumpy raccoon)

(More garden prep and heavy lifting...)