It's beginning to look a lot like Fall!

 We're all decorated for the fall!  Steve bought the boys new Halloween Legos- ghosts, spiders, and pumpkins.  They get to sit next to their pumpkins from 2007. 

 I try to keep the mantle more of a fall theme rather than Halloween.  That way I can switch right to Christmas!

 Here's our outdoor yard art.  Again, the pumpkins will carry through to Thanksgiving.

And, to help the empty planter (screaming for fall flowers) look less pitiful, I just stuck a pumpkin in it.  One day I'll get around to planting pansies or mums.  Not sure when that one day will ever be though. 

Bathing in the Sink

What could be more fun?

BU Homecoming Fun

On Friday night, we (Emily, Andy, Kayla, and I) went down to campus for Pigskin, bonfire, and pep rally.  We had to take a photo on one of the campus swings.  Anyone who went to Baylor knows that these big swings are spread throughout campus and have been around for generations to enjoy.

I wanted Kayla to see a marker left by the class of 1916 right in the middle of Burleson Quadrangle.  My great grandmother was part of that class... and her mother went to Baylor before her (in the late 1800s).  So, if Kayla went to Baylor, then she would be 6th generation FEMALE to attend Baylor University.  What a legacy!  That kinda helps explain my crazy obsession over all things green and gold.

Mary B. Seymour- 3rd from the bottom (my paternal grandmother's mom)

Granny told me that Grandma thought the concrete marker was ugly.  I gotta say, the gravel around it doesn't help it look very good.

We walked to Founder's Mall where the bonfire was being built.  The pep rally was later that night.  We went to Pigskin first and then went back out for the bonfire.  It was super crowded, so we just stayed for a bit.  I found it funny the university chaplain came on stage after the song leaders performed to lead us all on prayer.  Imagine getting a huge pep rally crowd quiet for prayer time.  Well, that's Baylor for you.  We stayed around listening to the band for a bit before heading back to Cloverland.

Mom stayed back with the 5 grand kids while the four of us went to the game.  Baylor played Kansas State for Homecoming.  We were 5-2 going into this game.  If we won then we would be bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 (my freshman year at Baylor).  So, it was probably the most important game Baylor has played in 16 years.    The game got started at 2:30 and then the referees called a lightning delay after 3 plays.  An announcement was made to take shelter immediately since the storm was rolling in.  Dad hung out at the stadium while Andy, Emily, and I went and sat in the car.  After almost 2 hours the game started up again.  I thought the stands would be empty after such a long delay, but most of the people came back.

You can see the storm clouds as the team is just warming up before restarting the game.

We won!  Baylor is Bowl Bound!  The students rushed the field- not because we beat KSU, but because we have 6 wins.  As Coach Briles said, "We killed the ghosts."  This has been a long drought of losing, so it's just so fun to be winning again.  Our final four games will be really tough, but the important thing is we got our 6 wins.  Yeah Bears!

Baylor Homecoming Parade

This past weekend the kids and I went to Waco for Baylor Homecoming.  Saturday morning was the parade.  We had five families and eleven children all together to watch the parade  Above are the cousins piled in Papa's truck.

Megan and Randy joined us along with their 2 year old, Connor. 

Caleb is waiting for the parade to start.  We choose to watch it from downtown Waco rather than fight the crowds on Baylor campus.  For my kids, it's really just all about the candy.

Here's our new Baylor president, Ken Starr (yep, the same guy that prosecuted Bill Clinton)

Brenner was really into it.  He hung out with Nanny.

Here comes the big bear!

Uncle Andy and Brenner

Brothers sporting Robert Griffin III jerseys

Kayla and Caleb (with Carter peaking)- these 2 always have fun together!

NoZe Brothers- a very longstanding tradition of Baylor.  This group is secretive and satirical.

Homecoming Court- including one of our favorites from the Lady Bears basketball team.

Here's one of the parade floats.

Auntie Em got some time with Brenner too!

Here's my lifelong girlfriends- Megan and Sunni.  My sisters and fellow Baylor grads.

Baby Playgroup

Brenner and I joined a playgroup.  It's been a long time since I've done "playgroup things", but I think it will be fun for us to just enjoy mommy/baby time with others in the same boat.  These mommies are sweet friends I'd like to hang out with even if we didn't have babies.  Tate is in the white shirt- her mom is Randi.  Tate is #5 in the family and Randi says she's the last one.  But, I think she has said that before, so I guess only time will tell.  ;-)  Angela's little girl, Addison, is in the blue.  Angela and I walked the 3Day together and are in similar life stages.  You can see Brenner in the back of the photo.  He was a bit upset that I locked him in the pumpkins.  If I didn't then he would have escaped!  Next to him is the muscle man of the group- Jacob.  His mommy, Emily, and I have been friends since we were teenagers.  In front of Jacob is Brystol- wearing orange.  Brystol's mommy is Amanda- who I've known for many years as well.  Then there's the Jake.  He's the youngest in a big family.  His mom, Lisa, is a new friend.

I'm looking forward to more play dates in the future months.  I'm even more excited to see these little ones become friends!

Carter- Fall Ball

 Carter plays for the Yankees.  It's hard for him to understand right now why we are cheering against the Yankees.  We had to explain that we only cheer for the Yankees when he is on the team. 

 He's in coach-pitch baseball.  It's a step up from T-ball, but not at kid-pitch level.  You get 6 pitches.  If you swing and miss the first 3 then you're out.  So, you either strike out or hit.  There's no walks.

 Such a cute ball player.

 Playing 3rd and ready to make a play.

 In the dugout between innings.

 Carter up to bat.  STRIKE!

 Carter and his buddy, Jake.  They are also in the same kindergarten class.

 Good game, everyone.

Team huddle.

Caleb- Fall Ball

 Caleb is playing for the Diamond Backs this fall.  Steve is the assistant coach.  It was an easy thing for him to do since he was always at the practices with Caleb.

Father and Son

Caleb has gotten several hits this season.  He's been in private batting practice and team batting practice, both of which have really helped him improve his hitting.

Here's my cutie on 2nd base smiling for his Mom.  This year the boys steal lots of bases since there's so many wild pitches and horrible throws.

Caleb often plays LF, SS, or 2nd base.  The defensive part of the game is really lacking at this age, so it can be a real beating at times.  But, Caleb has had lots of fun and that's all that really matters.

The Guys

Here's the one photo I took at Granddaddy's funeral.  I wasn't quite sure whether it was appropriate to have the camera out.  On one hand there were lots of friends and family that came to pay their respect and love on the James family.  But, on the other hand, it's a visitation/funeral.  So, how do I say, "OK, let's get together for a group photo."  ???  If it were my family then I'd probably do something like that, but since this was my husband's family I opted to just settle for a quick photo of my guys dressed in their finest clothes.    Both Steve and Caleb read scripture at the service.  Caleb was initially terrified, but after promising him a large Lego he somehow found the courage to stand in front of 40 people and read his lines. 

We enjoyed our super quick trip to New Braunfels.  Granddaddy lived 95 years and was married for almost 65 years.  We had an overnight stay with the Shans and spent just a tiny amount of time with the rest of the family before heading back through Waco to grab Bren and get back home.  It was a whirlwind, but so wonderful to be with everyone to celebrate Granddaddy's life.

Napping

Carter will fall asleep almost anywhere.  I have found him in the closet, on the couch, under the baby crib, and most recently under his bed.  And do you see his green blanky next to his face.  Yep, he's had that since birth.  I'm thinking it may go with him to college.

Labor Day Pool Fun

Trying to get caught up on the blog.  Once school and sports started up I found myself drowning in life.  So, here's Labor Day weekend.  My family spent the weekend at our house and helped us break in the new pool.  Sunni, Brad, and Kayli also came over for some fun pool time.  I can't wait to spend all of next summer outside enjoying the water and creating lots of great memories.

First Baylor Game

Brenner went to his first Baylor football game with Nanny and Papa on Saturday.  I think he was Baylor's good luck charm.  The Bears crushed KU  55-7.  Sic'Em!!  Brenner got to make the TD signal many, many times.