Tyner's Visit

A few posts ago, I mentioned that Mitch's friend Tyner was moving to Mississippi. Well, Mitch has missed him terribly...especially once school started! Tyner's dad comes to Nashville for work occassionally, so in September, he brought Tyner with him one day. We picked Tyner up from his dad, and he got to spend the day with us! We planned to go to Mt.Juliet and go to the apple orchard with my mom. Unfortunately, when we got there...they were closed! So...we went to park instead...I mean, it's not like the kids really cared where they went...and we had a great time!

What?!? A "natural" pose? No way!

Tyner and Mitch climbing Jake playing on the "Pirate Ship"

Tyner and Mitch being silly...of course!

Mitch and Tyner IN the Pirate Ship

Is there anything cuter than boys running?

I LOVE this picture! I love the colors of the old train and I love that Jake is trying to figure out the bolts....he's always trying to figure out a way to tear things up!

And...of course...being silly again! Do you know that I could not get them to be still and smile for a single picture!?!

Whoooo Hoooooo! I did it! It's 6:15 Sunday night, and I am officially done with September!!!!!! Yay me!

Tailgating for Titans

If you know Gary, you know he doesn't do anything half-way. And if you know Gary and Jeff together, you know how much they "feed" off of each other. So...when we got parking passes in the same lot for the Titans games, and decided to tailgate together, I knew it was going to be one heck of a production...and they didn't disappoint! They have the full spread going...Two tents, two grills, a TV with satellite (contributed by "The Staceys"...Jeff and Erin's neighbors), Titans flag on massive flagpole, propane heater for when it's cold and fan for when it's hot....need I say more? Well...let's leave it to the pictures...

Me and Erin enjoying the tailgate...while the guys did all the work!

Papa Jack (he came up and went with us)

Something to look forward to....since I am behind in my updates, the tailgate spread has grown! Keep checking!

4-Year Old Soccer

Mitch had his first soccer game of the season in September. He did a great job! He was very aggressive, but not too much so...He "ran with the pack"...as that is apparently how 4 year olds play soccer, and, of course, he looked adorable! He kicked the ball every chance he got, and then some...but he didn't score. He was pretty bummed out about it, too! It appears that Mitch may be a little more competitive than I thought he was!

Gary is the official family sports photographer, and he got some great shots! Here are just a few of them!

First Days of School

At the beginning of September, Mitch started his last year of Preschool! I finally managed to get in a little "first day of school" photo shoot this year. (I have forgotten to do this every other year, but I figured this was as good of a time as any start!) Photo shoots with Mitch are a little easier said than done these days. You never really know what you are going to get...pouts, fake smiles, silly faces, or a little bit of each.

This time...I got a little bit of each!

Two days later, Jake had his first day of "school"/Mother's Day Out, too. (Mitch is two days a week, and Jake is only in one.) Although Gary begs me not to, sometimes I just can't resist dress them to match. I mean, really, how much longer am I going to be able to do that? I thought the first day of school for them both was a good time for it!

And...I even managed another little photo shoot. One thing you can count on in any photo op with Mitch and Jake together is this one...Mitch trying to "love" on Jake, and Jake pushing him away!

But...I did manage a couple of sweet shots, too...and a good one of Jake and one of them together!

Another busy month!

Okay...I just got my first September post up (the Titans tickets/Mitch's first game). I'm hoping to be able finish all of my September posts this week, but it may be an ambitious goal, as September was another busy month! We had Mitch's and Jake's first days of school (complete with before school photo shoots), Mitch's first soccer game of the season, Mitch's friend Tyner came to spend the day with us, plus a few random funny pictures of the family clown (a.k.a. Jake)! Keep checking!

I finally caved!

Well, he finally won! Gary has been fighting me for years about getting Titans PSLs (meaning we bought the right to buy season tickets)....and this year....he won! So...we are now proud owners of PSLs and season tickets to the Titans games! We bought 4 and Mom bought 2. They aren't right together, but they are in the same section. Couldn't have picked a better year, huh? I mean...we only started the season 0-6! But...hey...it's getting better! And we LOVE our seats! We sit in an upper section of the club level where there are only 8 seats on a row, and we have half of them, so no one is EVER crossing in front of us, and we aren't having to cross in front of anyone else. Also, we are in the front row of the section so there is a rail in front of us...not people, so it feels like we have more room.

There were two preseason games, and we let Jack and Alex each pick a friend to take to one of the games. Jack got to take a friend to the Packers/Titans game, and since Jack likes the Packers that worked out great! We also decided it was a great time to take Mitch to his first NFL game. Mom let us use one of her tickets so I got to go too! Mitch had a great time, but I'm not sure how much of the game he actually watched. (I didn't go to the one with Alex, so there aren't any good pictures. Gary took a couple with his phone but they are so blurry they make my eyes cross looking at them!)

Gary and Mitch enjoying the game

Me, Mitch, and Mom/Mimi...what do you think? Do we look alike?
Me and Mom...very rare photo op!

Jack and Zach

Jack watching the game with Mitch...he's such a good big brother...and Mitch loves him to pieces!

Mitch

Jack, Gary, Mitch and Me before the game

Well...since I am two months behind on my blog...I have lots more pictures from other games, but they'll have to wait...you know...since I can't seem to bring myself to update out of order! Just a little teaser....we have even taken Jake! Keep checking back...and maybe I'll get to those updates before 2010!

Roberts' Family Day on the Lake

At the end of August, Gary's whole family into town and spent the weekend with us. It was the first time we have ever all been able to get together just for fun! We usually just manage to get together when we are celebrating something (holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) and we are always rushed with our time. Not this time...they all came up simply to visit and spend the day on the lake! The kids had a blast, and so did the adults!

I would give anything to have a picture of all of 14 of us on the pontoon boat! At one point in the day, most everyone was at the back of the boat for some reason, and we realized the back of the boat was actually under water! We quicly realized that we would need to keep the weight fairly evenly distributed, and even then, the pontoons were almost completely under water. It was very comical! We spent the day grilling on the boat, Jet Skiing, skiing, tubing, and most of all... laughing!

I'm not sure if you would call these three the Three Muskateers or the the Three Stooges... but they sure are cute! (Molly, Mitch, Wyatt)

Gran'ma Judy and Papa Jack
Matt in his strategically placed seat (helping balance out the front end of the boat)
Wyatt, Gary, and Alex on the Jet Ski

Me, Lauri, and Tara - I am sooooo lucky to have two sisters-in-law that I love just like sisters!

Jack hanging out on the tube with Mitch and Jake. I'm sure he thought he would relax...but Jake and Mitch had another idea!

Molly "fishing" with the noodle

Jake in his cool shades!

Mitch and Wyatt in the tube

Jake, Wyatt, and Gary on the Jet Ski. Do you see the resemblance between Jake and Wyatt? I don't know if you can tell, but I think they have the same nose and the same face shape!

On Sunday, Gran'ma Judy, Papa Jack, Bill, Tara, and Molly all had to head back to Georgia. Lauri and Wyatt stayed for a while and spent another day on the lake. My favorite sunglasses didn't make it back from that trip. Gary was pulling me and Lauri on the tube, and he flipped up good! I was just glad I still had all my bathing suit! I really miss those glasses!

Mitch, Wyatt, and Jake eating. That's pretty much how Jake spent most of the day!

Gary and Matt hanging out on the boat

It's Soccer Time Again!

Mitch started his 3rd season of soccer in August. Gary has been so excited to be able to make it to most of his practices this season...almost as excited as Mitch! Oh...and me...since when Gary is around, Jake "ditches" me...which means I get to watch in peace! :) Mitch's friend, Jack Jones, is on his team this year, so that has been a lot of fun! Here are some pictures from the first practice!

He had soooo much fun! By the way, that's him in the blue shirt...

I love these pictures of Jake...they just speak volumes about him!