Greg Earns Dad of the Year Award, and Gavin the Soccer Stud

Gavin played his first soccer games on Saturday! We were all very excited, yet disappointed because Greg was in California for some training, and was going to miss it. He was due to get back Saturday afternoon, after Gavin's games. Minutes before we were getting ready to head to the field, I glance out the window and saw Greg's car pulling in the driveway! He went straight to the airport after training ended Friday afternoon and pulled an all-nighter at the airport trying to get on a flight that would get him home in time for Gavin's games. Definitely Dad of the Year in our book!

Gavin LOVES soccer, and I have to admit, I have never been more proud of the kid. He was the most focused, well-behaved kid at his first ever soccer practice on Friday night. When all of the other children where goofing off, Gavin had no part of it. I have never seen him listen so well in his life! He had so much fun at practice, I didn't think he would even sleep that night because of his excitement for his games the next day. And what a day for soccer...74 degrees and sunny!!

Ready to play!

Practicing!

Game time!

Enjoying some fruit between games with his new friend John Dean.

Shaking hands with the other team...a new concept for these boys!



So, I thought I was a competitive person, but we actually saw parents bribing their children to score goals by paying them dollar bills (on the field!) and using candy. These boys are 4! I'm sure it will only get worse as he gets older....

Gavin did a great job (no bribes needed)! He scored the very first goal for his team, and ended up scoring a total of 3 goals, and one own goal :-) Here are some highlights from the games. I would have loved to put the whole video on here...the kids trying to take the game 20 yards off the field, tripping over each other, etc...they are just so cute! You will have to excuse my videographer skills...it turns out it's quite hard to video and watch the game at the same time! Which is why I was filming the grass when Gavin scored his second goal... Also note Grady's mom encouraging Grady to "get the ball" when Gavin had it...Grady and Gavin are teammates! Grady's parents happen to be the ones bribing with candy.

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After Gavin played his two games, his coach asked if he would stay and play another with a team that only had two players show up.  Two girls. Gavin was more than happy to play another game. WOW is there a difference between boys and girls! The first play of the game one of the girls started crying because the other team scored a goal. After that she didn't want anything to do with the game. The other girl didn't even start with an interest...she was at the sideline talking to her mom the whole time. So, it was Gavin against the other team. The poor kid didn't stand a chance, but he played his little heart out none the less. After the game he told me he was sad because the other team kept beating him. My sweet, sweet boy! Greg and I are so incredibly proud of him, and we are all excited to see what the rest of the season brings!

Christmas with the Schnacks

I can't believe Christmas is over! The kids were so fun this year. Especially Gavin. The magic of Christmas is so awesome through a 4-year-old's eyes. He was so concerned that Santa was not going to be able to come to our house because we didn't have any snow for his sleigh to land in. Greg convinced him, however, that the elves put tires on the sleigh to land in places that don't have snow. Once that was straight, I've never seen a child want to go to bed so fast in my life! We were out looking at Christmas lights after Christmas Eve mass, and he kept saying he wanted to go home and get "all nestled in my bed so Santa can come." (We've read The Night Before Christmas several times this season)! We got home, and he didn't even want a bed time story. No time for that. Must go to bed. So cute!

Greg took a couple of days off before Christmas, so we were able to enjoy some fun family time. We went to Natchez, MS to look at some of the old Antebellum homes, do some shopping, and look at lights. We also took the kids to Canton, MS where they have a Victorian Christmas celebration every year. Lots of lights and fun activities for the kids. We had a great time. I am so blessed to have such a great family!

Some of the beautiful homes in Natchez:

I didn't get a very good picture of this one. Too bad, because it was beautiful! And it cost $5 just to drive by and see it!

Being silly at dinner in Natchez! We ate at a place called Biscuits and Blues. Best. Biscuits. Ever.

Christmas in Canton:

Our attempt at a self-portrait after Christmas Eve mass!

Take, I don't know...12? Thanks for ruining this one Greg!

Santa came!!

Our traditional Christmas morning monkey bread!



Look what Santa brought!!!



Lots of Mickey and Minnie for Miss Lexi!

Santa brought Lexi some My Little Pony. Mommy had these when she was little!

Taking pictures with his new camera!

What a mess!!!

Putting together his Lego semi-truck with Daddy.

Our Christmas reindeer!

Our matching Santa PJ's!

 

Our friends the Crain's came over Christmas afternoon. Presley and Gavin enjoyed playing the Mario Kart Wii game that Santa brought!



Merry Christmas!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post! We have been crazy busy around here. We are sad that we won't be able to make it home for Christmas this year, but I have to admit it's kind of nice too. We have been enjoying decorating the house and establishing some of our very own traditions.  One of them being The Elf on the Shelf. For those of you that don't know about the Elf, he is sent from Santa to watch the kids, then he flies back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa if the kids have been naughty or nice that day. He is found in a new spot each morning when he returns.  The kids get to name their Elf, and they can talk to him, but Santa instructed the Elf that he can only listen, not talk back. Also, we cannot touch the Elf, because his magic powers might go away. Our Elf made his first appearance right after Thanksgiving, and Gavin was completely enchanted by the idea right from the start. He named our Elf "Package." (We're still not over the whole UPS man thing). Gavin wakes up each morning searching for Package, and tells him "Good morning" when he finds him. If he starts to act up, all I have to do is mention that Package is watching and he straightens right up. I love Package! Lexi is too young to get the concept, of course, but don't worry; Gavin is quick to tell Package when she is being naughty!

We had our holiday pictures taken at Portrait Innovations again this year. I think they turned out pretty well considering everybody was sick! I almost canceled our appointment due to snot, but thought we'd see how it went. Here are the results!

Here are some I doctored to Photoshop:

And here are some everyday poses we also had done:

A Very Merry Christmas and Love to all!!