Friday Night Lights

It was the first football game of the Nederland Bulldogs for this season.  It wasn't only a big night for the football players, but it was a big night for Ava.  Since Ava had gone to the Cheer Clinic, she got to perform on the field during the football game.  She was ready to show her Bulldog spirit.

Ava and Kenzie Aycock were so excited to see each other.

Camryn was ready to get out on the field and shake it.

Ava walked out on the field and cheered with all her might!  I could hear her from the stands.  She did her cheer and dance perfect.  I think she looked like a real cheerleader.  I hope she will be able to cheer for me when I play for the Bulldogs!

I met up with my friends to watch the game.  We love supporting our home team.

Ava and Bailey also cheered from the stands.

It was a great first night of Bulldog football.  It's going to be a great season this year.

School Days, School Days, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic's!

Today was the first day of school for Evan and Ava.  Evan wasn't quite sure that he was ready for summer to end.   It was a sad day for me.  I can't believe that it was going to be Evan's last first day at Helena Park.

Ava was starting second grade and looked so beautiful!  Ava, on the other hand, couldn't wait for school to start. She was so excited to have Mrs. Spivey.

They both have grown so much over the summer.

Corbin and Bailey came to my room before school to wish Evan and Ava good luck on their first day.

We had a such a great summer.  We made so many memories and will always remember them.  We are looking forward to another great year at Helena Park.  Hopefully, this year won't fly by too fast.  We are going to treasure every moment.

By:  Mom

Kick Off Classic

Evan played in the Kick Off Classic tournament in Beaumont.  He did a great job.  His team was undefeated for the entire weekend.  They won first place and received a trophy.  He hustled and worked hard every game.  We are proud of him.

By:  Ava

Oma's Birthday

We celebrated Oma's birthday a few days early this year.  Her birthday was going to be our first day of school, so we decided to celebrate it on the weekend before.  Oma wanted to have a dinner at Brandy's house for her special day.  She requested brisket, potato salad, baked beans, and bread.  Mom suggested adding cheese grits to the menu because it was one of her favorite things her Mee Mee use to cook.  Oma had to make her own potato salad because no one makes it as good as she does!  After a day of cheering and soccer games, we all headed over to Brandy's.  We all swam, ate, and had fun!  Oma was nice enough to share her birthday with Rider's first birthday.  We all enjoyed watching him dive into his first cake.

I decided that it looked fun, and I gave it a try!

Evan was laughing at me!  I guess he was too cool to try it!

The party favor's were a hit!

I hope Evan's eyebrows don't turn out like this when he is old!

All in all, we had a great family night.  We love our Oma so much.  I am so glad we got to share this special day with her and all of our family.  We couldn't ask for a more kind, loving, giving grandmother.  She is an awesome role model and a wonderful person inside and out.

By:  Ava

Future Bulldog Cheerleader

Ava couldn't wait to go to the 2012 Bulldog Cheerleader Camp.  She practiced her cheers, jumps, and tumbling.  The Bulldog Cheerleaders also taught her a new dance.  She loved every minute of it.  Mom and I got to watch her during the "Show-Off" part of camp.  She did such a great job.  She told me that she had a blast and can't wait until next year!

Dad's Another Year Older!

Today was Dad's birthday.  Unfortunately, he had to work all day.  When he got home, it was time for soccer practice.  Poor dad didn't get to take a break even on his birthday!  Finally, after soccer we went to eat at Saki to celebrate Dad's big day.  Ava and I really didn't want to go there, but we didn't complain since it was his choice.  We love our dad so much!  He works so hard to make sure we have everything we need.  We appreciate all he does for us.  We couldn't ask for a better dad!!!

By:  Evan

My Sweet Baby Is 8 Years Old!!!

When we arrived home from Florida, Oma had surprised Ava and decorated the house for her.  The first sign was a welcome home sign on the driveway fence. The next sign was a "Happy" sign on our backdoor.

As we walked in the back door, Ava immediately spotted a "Birthday" sign.  She couldn't wait to see what else was to come.

She quickly ran around the corner and found that there were streamers blocking the living room entrance.  She ran through them as fast as she could.

She smiled from ear to ear when she saw one of her presents waiting for her on the fireplace.

She quickly spotted the next sign that said "Ava".

At that point Ava thought that was all of the decorations.  To her surprise, there was one last sign hanging from her bedroom door.  It said "Mary".  Oma had even covered the doorway with paper and streamers.

Ava ran with all her might and busted through her door.

Ava was so excited about all the decorations for her birthday.  I usually decorate the house for her birthday every year, but since we were on our way home from Florida, Oma did it for me.  Evan couldn't believe the decorations.  He told me that he hopes I do as good of job for his birthday as Oma did for Ava's!

We all quickly got ready to celebrate Ava's birthday with dinner with our family.  Ava had to get one picture with Alley before dinner.

Every year, Paul measures the kids and marks their height on the molding of the door.

Here are a few pictures of my sweet baby girl.

I am so amazed at what a sweet beautiful girl she has become.  My eyes light up every time she smiles at me.

Paul and Ava are always having fun together.  They both love being silly!

Evan and Ava love each so much, even though they fight often!  She is the first one to take up for her brother if someone is being mean to him.  She always protects her family!

After pictures, we were off to dinner with the family.  Ava chose her favorite place...Case Ole'.  They sang Happy Birthday to her, and she had to stand on a chair and do the chicken dance.  Her face was all red, but she did it anyway.

After dinner, we all headed back to our house to open gifts.  Opa and Oma couldn't wrap her present because it was too big.  Ava loves her new spinning chair!

Ava chose to unwrap her big present next.  She said she knew what this present was.

It was her long awaited for gymnastics mat.

Mo Mo and Pop Pop gave Ava a bunch of clothes.  It was just in time for school.

She also got her own soccer backpack.  She wanted one like Evan.

Oma saved a special gift for last.  It was an Enchanted Bottle.  It has symbols on it to remind Ava of certain things.  The cross shows Ava's belief in God.  The mirror was to reflect not only Ava's outside beauty, but her inside beauty.  The sphere was to show her innocence.  The butterfly shows Ava growing from a child to an adult.  The key is the key to Ava's heart.  Oma made this special bottle just for Ava.  It is something she will cherish forever.

We ended Ava's party with singing "Happy Birthday" and enjoying her cake.

I surprised Ava with trick candles.  You can tell by the look on her face how shocked she was.  She loved them!

I look back on the last eight years and thank God for blessing me with Ava.  I see so much love in her heart and eyes.  She is a strong headed girl that knows what she wants.  She believes in doing what is right, and she believes everyone should follow the rules.  She is a caregiver when someone is sick or in need.  I call her a triple threat.....Smart, Nice, and Beautiful.  I tell her every night that she is the best girl in the world, and I am so lucky to have her as my daughter.