Halloween

For this Halloween, we had grand plans of the kids (well, the big kids at least) to dress up in theme with Michael & Morgan. We had a lot of funny conversations about who they could be, but reality set in and we ran out of time to do anything. So we literally were trying to figure out what to wear on Saturday afternoon.

I like what they did - Julianna was a ballerina (thanks to Aunt Cassie & the cousin's real ballet outfit), Christian was a Georgia Tech football player and Rebecca wore the Raggedy Anne costume that I wore when I was a kid. They all turned out very cute.

See? Not so bad for last minute, huh?

Christian

Julianna

This was the pose she kept doing but I at least made her do one pose that looked like a ballerine, not a jazz dancer

So pretty!

Rebecca looked darling in this outfit

I love this picture of her - I think she looks beautiful!

I posed the girls for this picture - below you will see a picture of me dressed up as Raggedy Anne and my little sister, Rachel in a ballet outfit many years ago. I thought it was neat!

Same Raggedy Anne outfit with a few upgrades over the years - don't know what year this is - probably 1982ish! (And that's Cassie as the Chinese girl - not to leave her out!)

We did our tradtion of going to a large neighborhood in Hendersonville with the Locke's and started by going to Brandi's sister's, Sheryl's. Had to get the group picture

Rebecca & Morgan

Christian & Michael

This was the 2nd year that Michael wore a mask so I made him take it off for at least one picture. Those are his glow in the dark eyes under the mask!

Brandi & Julianna

Brandi & Sheryl

My silly friend, Doreen

Julianna and Angela took a little longer to get started so we were behind the big kids all night. This is Doreen's Mom who was here from Florida. We had fun together and the girls did great!

Worn out at the end of a lot of walking but a great time!

Trying something new

Much to my (Katie's) surprise, Christian has been showing an interest in playing goalie a little at practice recently. Our awesome goalie, Logan was out during Fall Break so they decided to give some of these other guys a chance to play. Christian played an full half of the first game and did well. Then he got the chance to play more than a half in the second game and did real well. It's a bit nerve-wrecking for Mom but it's also very fun and exciting. He got a chance this past weekend again, so as he continues to get a chance to play, the more likely he may be the back up goalie. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!

The first minute of Christian's goalie career! :-)

These next three pictures are a sequence of a great stop he made. So proud!

Yeah!

Punting the ball

This is so funny - look at his hair!

Sadly, this one got by him but I Love this picture. Look at him fully laid out to get that ball. Way to go!

Another great shot of him jumping up and stretching to get to the ball

This is funny of Christian because it focused on the tree, but I love this picture because of the beautiful fall leaves

Christian's tennis

Okay, I know my family thinks we're crazy but oh well. Christian has shown a slight interest in tennis on and offer over the last few years. He even did a week long tennis camp in Chattanooga about 3 summers ago. Matthew has attempted to get out and play with him occassionally but that never seems to go well.

Lately, he's brought it up and we've encouraged him that it would be good for him to play an individal sport and encouraged him to give it a try. Well, he decides he wants to play, then spends a few hours hitting a bucket of balls with Matthew and decides it's not fun and doesn't want to do it.

So after that, Matthew and I decided that to get him to try something new, we'd have to MAKE him. For those of you who need the reminder, remember he was the soccer kid that cried and ran off the field when he first started???? And we made him complete that season and look where we are now!!! So we decided to MAKE him attend the local tennis clinic which is for 1 hour on Monday nights. He wasn't thrilled about it but we felt he wasn't truly giving tennis a fair shot. We are not pushing him to play, but this child would never try something new if we didn't make him so we did.

Of course, he did great at the first one, met a friend right away and had fun and wanted to return. He didn't have a choice so at least the next time he'd be going with a different attitude. By the 2nd clinic, he was asked to be on the Middle School Team Tennis program. We decided not but he was asked very specifically again to be on the Ridgetop team so we agreed.

He had 6 weeks of matches on Wednesdays and he played either singles and/or doubles. The season is over now and as of this past Wednesday, his team came in 3rd place in our division which qualifies them for the tournament in a couple of weeks. We're not 100% if we're going to let him go (another story) but either way, we are proud of him and how well he did and how he learned that he can do something and be successful but he just has to try! Here are some pictures of him....

Christian's first match - he didn't have his shirt that first week. Great form on our serve!

Christian waiting on his doubles partner to serve


Ben was his doubles partner - Ben is a great player

Love this picture!!!

Another great serve

Christian's last match was Wednesday and it started late so Matthew was not able to stay for it. They were both disappointed but I really like this picture of them before Matthew left.

He finally got comfortable using his backhand

Intense playing

Following through on his serve