Pizza Party

"The family - that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to." Dodie Smith

On Monday before the game, we had a pizza party. Troy was scouting for Messiah, so Bethany and Camryn came along. The 3 little girls were quite enamored with eachother.

Soccer Game

Moments

Cali

Gracie

Samuel

Camryn

"We do not remember days; we remember moments." Cesare Pavese

My Cinderella

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays without a care in the world

And I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day

And there's still work to do

She's pulling at me saying, "Dad I need you

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited

And I need to practice my dancing

Oh please, Daddy please."

So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't want to miss even one song

"Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone . . .

These are pictures of Chloe at Mandi's wedding. She loved dancing with her Daddy.

Sunday Soccer

"Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild." Welsh Proverb

Cole, AKA Mam's Angel, had a great game today. He played in the goal the first half and made some terrific saves. The opposing coach was even giving him compliments. He really kept his team in the game. The second half he was on the field scoring on a PK. His team won 1-0 over a team that had previously beaten them in the spring 3-0. I think Uncle Troy needs to start scouting this keeper for Messiah!

Ty

"Perserverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did." Newt Gingrich

My nephew, Ty, is such a loving and compassionate young man. I kept him when he was a baby and we would dance around the kitchen floor. He has always been such a lovebug.

His junior year of high school, he had a serious injury in soccer season (lacerated liver and bruised kidney) It kept him out for the rest of the soccer season and part of the wrestling season. He worked so hard to get back, and did, placing 4th in the PIAA State Wrestling Championships.

His senior year, he was a tremendous leader and captain on the soccer team, making Team MVP, League MVP and All State. We were all hoping for the State Title in wrestling. He was so focused, captain of the team and just a joy to watch. Making it to States again, was a dream of his and he did. Unfortunately, the trip seemed like a nightmare. He was injured his first match and could not continue. He was taken by ambulance to the Trauma Center at Hershey Medical Center. The serious injury to his neck had him wearing a neck and chin brace for several weeks. He should have gone home to rest, but he went back to the tournament the next day to be there for his teammate.

Reality hit when a wrestler he had formerly beaten several times, placed second. The wrestler that he had tied in Regionals was the State Champ. Ty should have been the one of the podium, and we all knew it. He has overcome it all and is now a freshmen at Division 1 George Mason University in Virginia. He is a member of the wrestling team, starting at 6AM every morning in the weight room. We are so proud of him and hoping and praying for good things to come for Ty.

Bella

"Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people."

On Thursday morning, my great nice, Bella came to play with the girls. Cali is 4 months older, so they got along just fine. Chloe is the big sister, so she likes to be in charge. She was so good at getting toys for Bella to play with. We hope that Bella soon comes to play again!

Cookies

"Savor the moments that are warm and special and giggly." Sammy David Jr.

Chloe loves taking care of her PopPop. Everyday she needs to check on him and see if he needs anything. She loves making him cookies, which she has been doing alot of lately. We bought the kind that are already made and the only thing you need to do is put them in the oven. These had pumpkin faces on. The next time she wants the ones with the ghosts on. In the afternoon, she decided that she wanted to take her nap with PopPop, to keep him warm. She slept so close to him, that he could hardly move! I think it was the best nap he had in a long time!!

Grandparents Day

"A boy is a magical creature - you can lock him out of your workshop, but you can't lock him out of your heart. " Allen Beck

On Friday, Carter's class honored all of the grandparents. We went to their room, met their teacher and saw all of the things they were working on. Carter read to us, Frog and Toad, and did a great job. They had a chart of their favorite things. Some of them I knew, food-pizza, sport-soccer, but I didn't know that he wants to be a cop when he grows up! Let's hope he changes his mind on that one.

We went to the auditorium for some entertainment and refreshments. All the grandparents were presented with mums. It was an entertaining morning and we thank Carter, his class and teacher for taking the time to honor us.

I didn't think we could take pictures, so I didn't take my camera. There were other grandparents there taking picutres, so I guess it was ok. I wish I would have a pictures to post of Carter on stage. He is a HAM!

Wrestling Camp

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." Anthony Brandt

This summer 3 of my great nephews from Long Island came to the Wrestling Camp in Middleburg. Every day they went along with Cole and Carter. This isn't an easy sport for kids, especially in the heat of the summer. They all stuck with it and hopefully learned alot of new moves.

Cooling Off

"It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one." unknown

Gracie and Samuel also love the pool. The cool water didn't seem to phase them one bit. PopPop has the best time in the pool with the kids. Next year, Camryn will be in with him.

Pink

"Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude."

Sugar & Spice?

"Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice. Bethany Hamilton

Chloe seems to have talents in many things. Having 2 big brothers and a soccer coach for a dad, means she has to be tough. She can be a princess off the field, but on the field, that's a different story.