Rylan's 9th Birthday

Rylan turned nine back on June 28th. 

Rylan really loves Fortnite (and still does) and so his birthday banner theme this year was Fortnite.

Rylan was not a big fan of me writing on the back of the car (it was "embarrassing").

Rylan's birthday was on the first day of the Williamson County Swim League Championship Meet and Carter competed that day.  So after Carter was done, we got some dinner and went to SOAR to play mini golf.

I can't remember why the boys are all matching, but I think we had just bought these shirts the day before and they all wanted to wear them.

Then we went home and had brownies!

For Rylan's party, he invited a friend, Carter, and one of Carter's friends to a Nashville Sounds baseball game (on July 1st).  Rylan invited Bode and Carter invited Riggins (both baseball friends).  Brian took them all while I coached Gray's baseball game.

On the way to the game, Brian took the boys to Westshore for pizza.

This year instead of getting premium seats, we got cheap seats and told the boys they could play mini-golf at the stadium (there is a 9-hole course designed by local artists) and spend more time at the Band Box playing games (like table tennis), as well as get extra treats.  I think they thought it was perfect!

Rylan's main present this year was a new bike.  He loves it!

Gray's Christmas Program 2018

I just posted about Gray's Christmas program from this year and found this draft from his Christmas program last year.  He's wearing the same outfit but has a much shorter haircut.  Honestly, I don't think he looks any older this year!

Gray is in the second from top row, about six in from the left side.

I apparently took a video :)

Last year the kids had the normal Christmas party after their performance with a snack and craft.

Gray with Collins ...

Santa came around to each classroom last year.  Gray asked for the Nintendo Switch that the boys all got from Santa last year.

Vanderbilt Basketball

We've taken the boys to a couple of Vanderbilt basketball games recently.  Before the game against Liberty, there was a Christmas area for kids to make ornaments and decorate cookies.  It was really cute and the boys each make 2 ornaments that are different than anything else on their tree.  Our "ugly tree" is becoming our favorite tree for sure!

Our seats happened to be right next to the band!!!

Gray thought it was way too loud!

This was the first time we sat in the lower section on the sideline.  It's kind of nice going to non-conference games when the students are on break!

We got a visit from Mr. C ...

The guys behind us caught one of the Coca-Cola bears that parachuted from the rafters and gave it to Gray.  He was super excited!

Vandy ended up losing the game but it was fun to watch.  Scotty Pippen Jr is on the team and it's Jerry Stackhouse's first season coaching.

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt

Back on December 13th, I took the boys to the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt event held by the city of Franklin parks and rec department.  I've tried to register them for it the last few years but it's always filled up before I remembered.

It was held out at Eastern Flank Battlefield Park at the event facility.  The boys got to decorate collection bags, make an ornament, eat and drink lots of yummy treats, and watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Then it was time for the hunt in the field behind the facility.  There were candy canes all over the ground and hidden in bushes and on the stone walls.  There were regular candy canes and lots of fun flavors too.  We still have several dozen on our kitchen counter.

Carter found one of the six giant candy cane sticks and got a prize (I candy cane filled with Reece's cups).

The evening was super fun and I hope to do it again next year!

WCSA Indoor Soccer

Rylan played on a late fall indoor soccer team with a bunch of his buddies from school (Luc, Ethan, Camden, and Davis).  Brian and I don't like how the league is run and prefer not to coach in it because it just stresses us out, but we were happy to let Rylan play with his friends.

Rylan played with most of this group last year as well.  Coach Derek coaches most of the kids in outdoor soccer with this same league but had room for Rylan to join the indoor team.  Unfortunately, Derek tends to play Rylan less and at defense (we aren't sure why because Rylan is obviously better at offense and scores as soon as he's moved up but maybe Derek feels loyalty to his regular team).  But Rylan was still having fun and that's all that really matters.

The season consisted of 6 games and a tournament.  The team ended up 4-1-1 and ranked 2nd (out of 5 teams) for the tournament. 

Rylan's team played the 3rd place team in their first tournament game.  The game was tied at 0-0 until Rylan pushed up with 13 seconds left and put a perfect shot over the keeper's head.  It was quite exciting!!! :)

The 4th place team beat the 5th place team in the first game.  Then 4th beat 1st in the next game.  So Rylan's team got to play the 4th place team in the championship.  They won that game 5-1 (with Rylan scoring 2 of the goals including a bomb from midfield).

The boys got t-shirts!

The indoor season at Crockett Arena starts next week and Brian is coaching both boys' teams.  We are excited to start that season!

Gray's Christmas Program 2019

On the last day of school before winter break, Gray had a Christmas program and small party.  The kids sang eight songs on the stage.  Gray is on the top way, second from the end on the left.

After the performance, the kiddos returned to the classrooms for cookies and milk.  Ms. Jennifer (the director) decided to keep it simple this year and not do big parties.

Gray with his teacher, Ms. Melissa.

Rylan had Ms. Melissa his one year at Otter Creek when he did the kindergarten program there.

Gray with one of his "girlfriends", Chaney.

Before leaving for winter break, the kids also got to meet Santa!  The real one!!!

NSC - Season Ticket Holders Event

We have had season tickets for Nashville Soccer Club for 3 years and have also bought them for this coming season.  In 2019, the team had an awesome event for season ticket holders where we got to hang out with all the players for a couple of hours at the Sounds stadium where NSC plays.  The event was back in early October and it was a perfect evening.  Free food, free drinks (including beer), autographs, and playing games with the players was pretty awesome.

Carter playing table tennis again Alan Winn.

Rylan was very excited to meet his favorite player (Daniel Rios) and have him sign his hat.

The boys with Bradley Bourgeois & Bolu Akinyode.

The boys with Ken Tribbett & Jimmy Ockford.

The boys then proceeded to play 9 holes of mini golf with these guys.  How cool?!?!?  Gray always cheered for "Jimmy" at all the soccer games after this :)

Next the big boys played basketball with some other players.

And more table tennis.  Carter with Forrest Lasso and Rylan with Danny Vitello.

Meanwhile, Gray got to meet has favorite player, Ropapa Mensah!

The players also took turns sitting down to sign autographs.  The boys all brought mini NSC soccer balls and we also had a poster with all the players pictures on it signed.

The players weren't supposed to take pictures during the signing but Alan Winn asked the boys to step out to take a picture with him :)

The boys with Michael Reed (who sadly missed the second half of the season when his ankle was broken during an ugly tackle in a game).

The boys with Carter's favorite player, goalie Matt Pickens (who is pretty awesome!).

And a group picture with Daniel Rios.

NSC is becoming a MLS team this coming season and only a couple of players from this team will be on the roster.  We are sad that we won't be seeing these guys play regularly anymore, but we are excited to see the next caliber of soccer!