End of the school year 2017-2018

Garyn and Ansley had a great school year with lots of learning. Layne also started learning a lot this year in mother's day out.

Garyn had Mrs. Elrod for 4th grade. He liked his class and was with several kids he had been in class with before.

He ran cross country and track again this year.
He was able to decrease his running time to less than 8 mins.

 Garyn also had his first "job" this past year. He had to "interview" he said to be a tutor for the Kindergartners and First graders. He actually just raised his hand and volunteered. It was super cute though to hear him talk so big about his "job". At the end of the year, he also was given the job to help all the 5th grade girls down the steps at graduation. He did so well acting polite throughout the graduation. I teared up thinking what a good young man he is becoming!

For the first time, Garyn played football last fall. Tyler was an assistant coach for the team. It was a fun, learning season for him. The number 52 was Tyler's number in high school; it was neat to see him with "Rich" on the back as well. He says he wants to play again next year and eventually play college at UTK! Big dreams!

Ansley cheered for the Soddy Kids Club and was able to cheer at a couple of Garyn's games. She still loves gymnastics and cheering.

He also did Science Olympiad for the second time. While he didn't place in any event, he and TJ, his teammate, barely missed the mark.

Garyn played basketball for the 4th-5th grade Basketball school team. Tyler coached him and they had a good season. Garyn has gotten better at defense and offense being much more focused; in tune with the game and where he needed to be.

Garyn played 9/10 baseball this spring and while they didn't have a winning season, they played hard and came close several games. Garyn has gotten really good at being the catcher.

Ansley had Ms. Dent this year. Garyn had also had her in 1st grade.

Ansley did really well learning to read more fluently. She struggled some in math but will be doing some tutoring this summer to help her stay on track.


Ansley hopes to play basketball for the school next year. She played for Upward this winter to get herself prepared for next year.

Ansley also played soccer for the first time. She hadn't ever asked before but seems to be getting into sports more. She catches on quick; never complaining about practice or games.

Layne also had a great year in preschool. He continued at Rechoboth in the 3 year old room since he will be going to Kindergarten just after turning 6 years old. He loved having Brinkley in his class.

After Christmas time, he started asking if he could go to school on days he wasn't supposed to. So he started attending Stuart Heights preschool program 1 day a week; meaning he went a total of 3 days a week to "school".

Layne started learning to write his name well this past year. We also worked on counting to 30 and reading some sight words. Layne recognizes at least half of the alphabet letters now, as well.

Layne played baseball for his first time this spring. He absolutely loved it and did well.

Now we get to enjoy summer hoping it never ends!

Sporting it this fall

Fall is sports filled for us. I think it is only going to get busier as our children age. Garyn has begun his first season as a soccer player. He seems to really like it so I'm sure he will be playing again.

Of course he needs lots more practice! This was more of a team-player learning experience. I was totally worried in the beginning when he was crying because someone took the ball away at practice. He is super competitive and has to win or else! But during the games I think he was a little aloof. He seemed to be in his own little world running back and forth. When we yelled "Go get the ball Garyn," he seemed to be a little more focused. But didn't ever seem to really have the ball much.

(rehydrating after a rainy game)

So although there were no assists or goals made on his part, he understands more about the practicing, coaching and the feeling when you lose. The great part about YMCA soccer is that you don't really talk much about wins and losses. I know his team won some! Ansley didn't care either way, she supported her big bro and loved to sit in his lap while he was on the sidelines.

And we can't forget about Friday nights. Being a coach's wife can be hard! But when Friday nights come around, I love it! The kids really seem to enjoy it, too.

(McKenzie and Brayden with them watching the game.)

 

(Poppa is always our game buddy.)

 

 

 

Friday night also became my exercise! Ms. Ansley ran me ragged around the bleachers. She is a cutie though all dressed in blue and white:

 

My friend Arlene (also the head coach's wife) made matching outfits for our girls.

 

 

Here we are with the Lion and a friend's son. Guess I should add that we had our ten year reunion this fall...and today is my birthday so I am feeling a little old!

And to add to the sentimental-ness of this year, this was also the end of our years at Red Bank football. Tyler decided to step aside just recently. We are still in limbo a little about it all. I still think he may coach a smaller venue especially if he doesn't get an assistant principal job. We just feel God has something else in store for us. Its hard not knowing exactly what that is but we are trusting in His plan.

 

We are looking forward to what's ahead. We know one thing: this spring will include baseball for a little boy!

Football Season 2011

I have been wanting to post on the event that takes up most of our time during the late summer/ early fall......which you can guess from the title is highschool football!

Tyler became the defensive coordinator for this year and was therefore busier than he normally is already with football. He loves it, though, even as time consuming as it can be for him. Garyn and I love going to the games on Fridays, but wish we could see him more during the week. But its just part of our life! Ansley seemed to enjoy it, too!

loved this outfit K.mac made!

she made the cute bow too

We didn't miss a game! The one cold rainy night of the season, I was planning to skip, but then Garyn insisted we go! So we went but didn't stay that whole game.

Garyn's favorite part is still getting to play on the field afterwards, here he is dancing

Don't remember what he was doing but he is wearing his RB jacket monogrammed by K.mac

The team finished 7-4 going into the first round of playoffs. Tyler survived his first year as a coordinator. I was stressed much more than he every thought about being most of the time! However, I was also proud and thought he handled it all well.

another outfit by K.mac

Daddy and his baby girl

I have always loved going to the games. However, I don't see as much now that I have Garyn to keep up with. Next year, I imagine I'll be chasing down Ansley, too. I actually had to this year really. She was passed around a lot between player's moms and teachers. Since Tyler and I went to Red Bank, we see a lot of people we know.

Speaking of Red Bank being our Alma mater, Tyler was crowned the Homecoming Queen from the male teacher homecoming court. Yes, that is him there in a lovely pink dress and red wig.....

It was truly hilarious, the whole gym was laughing except for Garyn who was terrified of his daddy and the others dressed up. We made the mistake of walking into the room they were waiting in before it started and he was not prepared to see all of them dressed in drag behind the door. So he stood in a corner crying and shaking. Poor thing! Any who...I couldn't stop laughing and frequently left his side to see and take pics. (There was a football parent with him) The pic below was a "cat fight" with another candidate.

I wish I had gotten a photo of the back...the dress wouldn't zip all the way but did clasp at the top so it looked like an oval shaped view of his beautiful and hairy back!

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Good times, I tell ya! The season always keeps us busy but doing fun things. After a short break, work outs have already begun for next year! It will be here before we know it.

Birthdays and dreams come true!

Tyler and I have birthday's one month apart, 10-12 and 11-12, born in the same year. I always thought that was neat. We celebrated both with dinner out on our own and then dinner with his family. These are pics of Tyler's birthday dinner...

I didn't get any pics at my birthday dinner, but it would have looked much the same! We both enjoyed our days and still can't believe we are 26.

So I made a little dream of mine come true today. I made some extra dinners to freeze and hope to do a couple more tomorrow while getting things ready for Thanksgiving.

Here are pics from today, I made my favorite casserole, Mexican Chicken. I love that it is: good, has veggies, and everyone likes it in the family!! I often give it as a new-mommy dinner for friends that don't have time to cook while caring for their new baby.


Here are all the cans of veggies and beans that I strain.....

Then I add cheese, sour cream, rice and salsa to the mix. After cooking chicken breasts (from my cheap chicken sale!), I shred/cut it and add it in. Then put it in a casserole dish, cook it and serve with chips, salsa, and/or sour cream. Occasionally, Tyler will roll it up in a tortilla.

Also, if you know Tyler, you know he is a picky eater. Well, he is making huge strides! Tonight, at the dinner table, he said "Honey, I need to apologize to you." I thought "ok wonder what this is about" but knowing Tyler wasn't alarmed since he typically begins a conversation this way.

He then said, "You're right, you can't taste the tomatoes." I looked at his plate and there was not a little pile of tomatoes like there normally is!

I made ours for tonight and these two extra. Felt pretty good about my start to freezing meals!

Sadly, we lost the game Friday. It was a good game, 13-14, our extra point got blocked in the last 40 secs of the game. It was a good season, though. Here is Garyn ringing some bells, it was pretty cute!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Full Recipe for Chicken Mexican Casserole...

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can rotel

1 can black beans

optional can of corn

1 cup minute rice

3 cooked/shredded chicken breasts (sometime I boil, sometimes I microwave)

2 cups cheese (can add more if like it cheesy)

8-12 oz of sour cream

8-12 oz salsa (can spice it up more if desired)

wash and drain all the canned items

mix everything else in with veggies

cook in a dish for 30-45 minutes on 375 covered with aluminum foil

then take off foil and cook another 10-15

serve with tortilla chips, salsa, and/or sour cream

(note: variation in time depends on how much you strain everything, you don't want it soupy, so may need to cook longer. Also, we can not ever eat a whole one, so I typically divide it into two smaller dishes and freeze or give-away one)