BasketBall Season

This past weekend Casen had a baseball tournament in Waller, which brought his fall season to an end.

His games on Saturday were in the evening where they lost their first game then won their second game and then on Sunday, lost their first game. That pretty much summed up how the season went with his team ending their season with 6 wins and 11 losses.

A beautiful evening for baseball.

Casen found out late last week that he made the A team for basketball. We (including Casen) were all prepared for him to make the B team since he really did not have the opportunity to practice prior to tryouts, so we were pleasantly surprised to say the least. I have no doubt his coaches know that he is coachable and that he will always play with heart and grit.

Today was his teams first game of the season, and they came out on top. 

Coach Ferguson, his coach, is a basketball guy and loves to win, so I am looking forward to a competitive season of basketball.

Kemah Choir Trip

Casen's choir headed to Kemah today for Kemah Choir Days, which is an a cappella event for middle and high school choirs in the Houston area. His choir teacher was in need of chaperones and I happily signed up (after approval from Casen, of course). It was a beautiful day to be in Kemah. Upon our arrival to the boardwalk, his choir warmed up and then performed. They sang well which earned them high scores and a trophy. Afterwards, they had several hours to enjoy some lunch and ride all the rides. 

The Chamber Tenor Bass choir performing

Such a beautiful day.

Me and my boy

Halloween 2025

Casen's football season wrapped up on Monday and he had tryouts for basketball yesterday and today. He has had very little time to practice basketball due to football practice being after school, however he found out this afternoon that he did make the basketball team. Way to go Casen!

While Camden opted to stay home, Casen went trick or treating with his friends. He dressed up as '67 Mason', which if you are unfamiliar with what that is, it is a stereotype of a teenage boy typically depicted with "ice cream" (fluffy) hair and baseball attire. While I failed to take a picture, he did come home with a lot of candy.

Casen and his trick-or-treating crew.

Last Football game

At the end of last school year, with the help of a coach, Casen and another classmate designed the teams football shirt for this school year that they wear on game days. Casen was in charge of designing the back of the shirt and was proud of the finished product.

Another chapter closes as tonight marked the last football game of Casen's junior high career. His team's final game was held at Tomball ISD Stadium against the undefeated Grand Lakes team. While the scoreboard did not show it, his team played with more heart and grit than they had in any other game this season.

Casen had a good cheering squad.

The boys always enjoy the opportunity to play
in the 'big' stadium.

Casen made a fumble recovery

Both teams prayed at the end of the game

We were glad that Camden, Nana and Poppa were able to come to the last game. Shane was chatting with another dad, so missed his photo op with #34.

And I will end with the following professional pics of our #34 and the team.

While his team may not have had a winning season, Casen learned more about the game of football and is looking forward to also playing in high school. Now, onto basketball!

Two Week Recap

Since returning from the cruise, the boys have been busy with school and sports. That week of our return, Casen had a football game on Wednesday, where they lost. 

Casen going up for a catch.

Camden had soccer games both Saturday and Sunday where he played well in both games. His games are aggressive and fun to watch!

Then this past week, Casen had another football game vs Waller Junior High, where they actually won their game! (It has not been a winning season for his team.) Casen continues to play most of the game, playing on both offense and defense.

Shut them out!

Yesterday, Camden and I volunteered at Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries (TEAM), which is a thrift store that sells donated, gently-used goods to fund their food pantry and financial assistance programs for local families in need. We spent our time there organizing the merchandise on the floor, which may not have been up Camden's ally, however my OCD self rather enjoyed it! Unfortunately I failed to take a picture of us while we were there. 

Today, Melissa and I headed to Midlothian for a bridal shower for Grace. Everything was absolutely lovely!! It won't be long before she officially becomes part of the family!

Such a cute place for a shower!

A fun, personalized gift! :)

Aunt Melinda and Grace

A Nice Fall Getaway

Since we were unable to get away this past summer, I wanted to do something while the boys were out for their fall break. It just so happened that Royal Caribbean had a 4 night western Caribbean cruise going out of Galveston the exact days the boys were out for their break. And, an added bonus, the stars aligned so that neither of the boys had any sports activities during that time that they would miss.

Our trip was a five day cruise on the Mariner of the Seas, October 9 - 12, with one stop in Cozumel.

My coworker Paula was on the same cruise.

Once we got settled, Shane stayed in the room and took a nap while the boys and I went exploring.

Putt putt fun!

Camden had been looking forward to having escargot again. He was in luck, as they had it on the menu every night!

I always look forward to the desserts! We had an awesome waiter, who after the first night, realized our love of sweets and would bring extra desserts that we didn't even order.

Yummy!

Each night, the waiter always brought the boys
a scoop of chocolate ice cream along with
whatever other desserts they ordered.

Our first full day at sea, we laid out by the pool, the boys rode the water slides and Camden and I went to a napkin folding class. Of course, we did a lot of eating too!

After dinner we came back to our room to find fun towel animals.

On Saturday, we woke up in Cozumel. We went on an excursion that consisted of riding dune buggies around the island, with a stop to snorkel and lay out at the beach.

All the dune buggies in our group

The view of Cozumel from the ship.

Cornhole

Our last day at sea consisted of relaxing and eating. :)

Casen and I on the slides

Ping pong

My handsome boy!

Along with our waiter knowing all of our food likes and dislikes, every evening we received  an origami animal. He was so talented!

All the origami animals

A beautiful peacock

As we checked in for our final night, we found more towel animals.

We were able to get a few good family pics as well.

I am so very grateful we all had a break from school and sports to spend some time together making memories.