The nail biter games against Richardson

Ayla's volleyball games last night were so exciting.

They played pretty well first game keeping things even at 14 vs 14, then (Ann) Richardson (Middle School) pulled ahead to win it. The second game Richardson pulled way ahead early on, so it was looking like they would win the 2nd and be done with it (best 2 of 3 games). Well, O'Henry came came back from over 10 points down to win the second game with an ear-splitting serving streak by player CC. The crowd was on their feet and the entire gym was filled with cheers and excitement. The 3rd game started and it was neck and neck the whole way. All the way up to 24 vs 24, then 25 vs 25! O'Henry was up to serve and Sarah, who has never played volleyball just moved from Denver, pulled out to 2 perfect serves to win by 2! The girls went CRAZY! It was so great to see. Their last game is next week, 6:30 on 9th if anyone wants to catch the last of the action.

ooops.

This is what happens when you try and homemake tomato paste out of the juice leftover from the fresh tomatoes from the garden, on slow boil all morning ... while studying for 2 exams... while feeding the baby... then forgetting completely about it while you play downstairs with him in his room until your mom comes over and wonders why the entire upstairs is filled with smoke. ooops.

new skills

Henry has officially learned to navigate the stairs. A few weeks ago he managed to spring loose the gate and tumbled down. Scared the BAGEEZ out of me. I think it scared him too, so much that he started trying this backward thing that we kept telling him about.

(and straight to the dog food... as usual.)

Now he's up and down all day. We only use the gate to keep him contained upstairs while I try to get a few things done.

Speaking of skills... Ayla's been honing her volleyball skills.

They won their first game! A good start to a SUPER short season. The season's almost 1/2 over already... seriously! (Second game cancelled due to Hurricane Ike)

So if you are interested in cheering the Mustangs on. Come see a game before they're gone. Thursday evenings. You can find their game schedule at teamtracker.net. If that link doesn't take you directly to the schedule. Type in O_Henry (be sure there's a space between) in the search area; and she's on 7th grade volleyball - B team.

Little ghosty ghost

Henry was gearing up for Halloween as he wandered the house with a blanket over him complete with all kinds of spooky sounds. We were playing peek-a-boo under the blanket. Then, I went into the kitchen to get dinner done and he came wandering by walking full speed and howling. He must have walked into every wall or corner more than once. It was hil-ar-ious. I attempted to adjust things for better vision, but he wouldn't have it. He wanted the full cloak and was prepared for the consequences of head bumps and all. I so wish I had a video... soon I hope we can get a little kodak with videos to post. Our last one has been retired for sometime now.

School Days

Jim has this adorable tune that his dad used to sing at the beginning of the school year. He now sings a few bars of it every year for us too.

"School days, school days,
Dear old golden rule days.
'Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic,
Taught to the tune of a hick'ry stick."

First day for Ayla went great. She has really taken to the life of junior high. She's liking her teachers and only got turned around once to find herself in the "8th grade wing" bumping into "huge guys that just plow down the hallway".

Yesterday and today were volleyball tryouts. Ayla has never tried out for anything really. It's always been if she wanted to play, they let anyone play. Now, she has to demonstrate some skills to get by. So, big thanks to her WAYA coaches last year, Sports Country counselors, and everyone that helped her at UT volleyball "bootcamp" this summer. SHE MADE THE TEAM! They have an A/B team and a C team. Ayla made it to the A/B team. She's so excited! (except for the fact that one of her best friends made the C team ;(

Big shout out BIRTHDAY wishes to Uncle Hal! We love you big dog!

That's MR. Henry

Aunt Abbey and Uncle Edward gave Henry this handsome robe last Christmas (thank yall, he LOVES his robe). I kept meaning to snap photos of him looking all dapper and clean.


and yes... he likes getting his teeth EXTRA clean with double the toothbrush power.

New loves

Henry has fallen in love... with the little tomatoes from the garden. I've never seen him so excited about a food. Any time of day just popped straight in his mouth. He lights up when he sees the bowl full of them on the counter. If you give him one, he'll carry it around like a precious jewel before finally devouring every bit of it.


He's also quite fond of the garden grown watermelon we have been snacking on for a week. It's was terribly delicious.

His other new love (and trick) is to sneak into the bottom drawer of the frig, where all the fruit is kept, quicker than lightning before you can shut the door. He's usually sinking his teeth into a giant apple, peach or plum before you even notice he was there. He fondles the grapefruits, but I haven't witnessed him trying to bite one yet. I can't wait for the sour face. I know, evil mom.

Ayla has been consumed lately with "Oh my gosh,I'm going to middle school" thoughts for weeks now. Only 2 more weeks until all these thoughts will be reality. She's beside herself with excitement and apprehension. Her good friend Faith is coming for a visit today and will be staying until the weekend before school ... a good distraction indeed.

I'm so sorry for such a long drawn out pause here in blog-world. I keep thinking I can at LEAST sneak in a short post with a few pictures... but I realized I haven't been taking any pictures the last 5 weeks, so there was nothing to post. My class is over on Tuesday, so our family blog should resume a more regular posting once again. Thanks for your patience... check back in a week.

Yummy veggies!

Fresh from the garden...

I'm feeling we're all over the place during the summer. With me back on school schedule, Ayla is bopping between sleepovers and camps, Jim's working and playing hard and Henry is doing his fair share of visiting all kinds of friends and family as well.
I treasure this photo of seeing us all together in one place.

It's been just busy busy crazy around here. As many of you requested...here are some fun photos from our trip to Pennsylvania visiting our deBeaumont family. I baked a scrumptious homemade carrot cake from the same cookbook I made Ayla's first birthday cake from. Henry loved it!
Grandmom and Henry.
First jello.
the big guy.
Grampop and Jim.
One of Henry's birthday presents from Grandmom was this adorable froggie pool complete with sprinkler spray. Henry totally dug it!
Grampop and almost all 11 grandkids (missing Michelle, recent high school graduate, way to go Michelle! and Davey, recent hip injury from dirt bike accident survivor)