Friday Night Lights

Owen and I bundled up on Friday evening for a little bit of local Americana - high school football.



A little hot chocolate pregame tailgate was followed by watching the drummers parade the football players from the school to the field. Owen was mesmerized by the drums, fascinated by the "big players in helmets" and elated by the stamp that the lady at the ticket counter put onto his hand to let him into the game.












Once we made it into the stands, there were a lot of things (other than the game) to keep Owen entertained, including the band, the cheerleaders, the dancing mascot, the pom pom team, and some goofiness that we created ourselves with the camera.

We made it through the first half and the halftime show before calling it an evening. It was a long first half, as the home team was ahead 47-0 when we left.
Altogether, a fun first game for Owen on a seasonally cool but really nice Friday night under the lights.

Back to Campus - Miami Style

When the fall rolls around, there is something that makes you feel like going back to school, and there is something special about retracing your steps on campus at your alma mater. With picture perfect weather, Brecken walked us all down memory lane in the streets of Oxford, OH this weekend.

After 5+ hrs in the car on Friday afternoon, the kids were anything but ready for sleep that evening. Following sandwiches from an old favorite location, we took an evening stroll around campus. The kids were confused by the fact that "mommy's school" was not a single building with classrooms, but they loved the chance to run down sidewalks, climb steps, and stop for funny moments. Human statues?

On Saturday morning, we met up with friends and Dr. Nault for a tour of campus. For the three graduates in the group, touring campus is a much bigger production now than it was back in the day. There were strollers and wagons and kids and spouses along for the stroll.Brecken has been promoting the idea of a wagon, and I'm guessing that our kids approach to commandeering the wheels from the other children only solidified that argument.Owen and Paxton learned a few of the campus traditions while walking with Jack and Alannah. The kids were not necessarily big on the superstitions, as one by one they all walked across the Miami emblem in the middle of the path.Young Luke (projected class of '32) tried to sleep and eat his way across campus. He always had a lot of attention.

Overall, we had a great morning walking around, exploring, posing for pictures, and climbing trees around campus.

Before lunch, we ventured away from campus for a quick visit to a local market and pumpkin patch. The kids went in looking for the perfect pumpkin, and we loaded up on the gourds, including this little one that Paxton picked out.The farm offered hayrides that weren't supposed to start until later in the afternoon, but when our army of youngsters showed up, they started up the John Deere and gave us a fun little tour.The highlight of the tour was the stop along the fence to see and to feed the cows. With a couple bushel baskets of corn, the cows were eager to meet and greet our little animals.Paxton was popular with this eager crowd.Here is a quick video to bring it all to life for the little 2.5 yr old as she meets the cattle that quite likely could be of the same age.

After a collection of naps, Dr Nault was a gracious host for dinner at his house. The kids loved playing on the porch, behind the furniture, on the "adventure path" in the backyard, and in the woods down the street. What a great time for one and all, and what a special relationship and connection to still have back around campus in Oxford.

On Sunday morning, before heading home, we took one last chance to explore campus. Owen and Paxton were enamored with the leaves on the ground.

Altogether a great trip for Brecken and for the entire family. We really enjoyed the time on campus and the opportunity to catch-up. Owen said he would miss home if he had to stay there, but he still didn't want to leave. That's the true sign of a good time.

Hay Ride & Barn Time

This past weekend, Owen and Paxton got together with their old friends Joey and Tim. While the dads enjoyed 18 holes of golf (on a chilly fall afternoon), the moms took the kids for a hay ride at a local farm. Before they even knew what they were getting into, Owen and Paxton were excited for a new adventure.

Unlike many places that rely on trucks or tractors to guide the hayride, this location employed a team of work horses ready to lead the tour. Owen took a moment to introduce himself before the ride got underway.Both kids wanted to pose for a picture with their new friend.Paxton and Tim were both bundled up for the chilly ride around the grounds. Everyone managed to pose for a few moments, but otherwise they managed to throw and dive around in the hay.

When the ride was done, the kids got a chance to have some fun in the barn. They started by saddling up and pretending to be in the "wild west."Owen thought it would be funny to leave Paxton in one of the stalls, and while Paxton enjoyed playing the role, she didn't end up staying there for very long.
She was, however, willing to pose for a picture with a bridle for one of the horses. Little Miss Paxton June found a bridle for one of the horses: Little June. In a pretty humorous conclusion to a wonderful outing, the four kids decided to pose for a picture in front of one of the horses in a stall. They all looked so proud to be in front of a horse...

...and so entertained when their new friend decided to give Owen a little smooch on the head. I'm so impressed that they all stood there, although Brecken admitted that there was no way they would willingly continue taking pictures without being able to have at least one eye on the horse. Fun fall entertainment!

Little Miss Gymnast

While Owen dabbles in Tae Kwon Do, Miss P has been participating in gymnastics for the past several months.

Her favorite activity is the balance beam, but getting the chance to do any of the fancy moves is fun and entertaining for this little lady.

Good times for Paxton every week and every little demonstration moment in between.

Dancing with the Stars

Owen & Paxton's interest in dancing has been well documented over the years, and many friends and family members have been witness to live shows. Combine an unwillingness to go to bed with Brecken's interest in watching "Dancing with the Stars," and you get an impromptu live show. In a case like this, I'll let the pictures do the dancin'.

It really is a thing of beauty, and it's all unscripted. Seriously...concentration, goofy faces, dips, hips, and sheer humor. The kids love to laugh, and they love to have fun. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, may thay never lose the spirit, the creativity, and willingness to let loose.

Good Neighbors, Good Friends

As the summer came to a close, Owen and Paxton found an opportunity to get a little creative in the backyard before we took down the "monkey bars." They took an old sheet, a painting tarp, and an empty box, and they built a "fort." After a few tweaks from Stephen, our neighbor and resident engineer, the fort was suitable for enjoying cookies and juice boxes. Caroline joined in on the fun as well.
We're blessed to have great neighbors, and the kids are thankful to have such fun loving pals to look up to and admire.