Monday, July 15, 2013

Brady's "Real" Birthday and Trip to Alabama

As I'm sure I've written earlier, Bill accepted the job as Head Football Coach in Montgomery, Alabama at Alabama Christian Academy.  We are so excited for this next chapter in our coaching lives.  We went for 10 days so he could do Spring Football, as well as find a house.
This first picture is of Bill being announced as the new head football coach during high school chapel.  You can see him  on the far right, about in the middle of the picture.
 The president of the school is Ronnie Sewell, and he is about as good a man as you will ever meet.  We stayed at his house for the time we were there, and he and his wife we overwhelmingly hospitable to us.  They even made Brady's birthday special by taking us out on the boat.  (This is something he had been begging to do.)  As usual, these pictures are out of order.  But there are several boat pictures within this post...
 Here are my 3 big boys enjoying an evening out at spring football practice.
 Mrs. Sewell took the boys fishing several days.  Brady took right to it and caught himself many fish.  This picture of him in the net is on his actual birthday, I told him I went fishing for a 5 year old, and I caught one!
 Papa and Nana got him what he asked for...a globe!
 So many presents!  The sunglasses were a gift, too!


 



 Brady and Eli out front of their new school!



 Also while we were at their house, Mrs. Sewell made Brady a "real" tie.  He was so proud to wear it with his suit!
 Eli, I'm afraid, was not too sure of this whole fishing thing...



 Major loved sitting on their riding lawnmower
 Major fishing with Mama. :-)
We did find a house while we were there.  It was built in 1954 and is almost double the size of our home in Texas!  The previous owners took really good care of it and made several updates (including the kitchen!)  Pictures of the new house to come in a later post...

Brady's Pre-k Graduation and a few randoms

May was such a busy month for us.  Our 10 day trip to Alabama would have us gone from Texas for Brady's birthday, Mother's Day, and Brady's Pre-K graduation.  So we did all of it the day before we left.
Brady's teacher was so kind to have Brady's school birthday celebration and a practice graduation just for me Friday, May 10th.  Here is Brady with his birthday crown.
 And that week was spirit week at school, here are the boys with their "crazy hair" for crazy hair day.
 Sorry, random photo of Eli and Major watching some TV.
 These next few are of Brady's graduation practice for me.  I got to see all of their songs and the slide show.  I'm so happy I got to see that since we missed it.



 My Mother's Day present from Brady is on the right.  Eli gave me the same thing when he was in Mrs. Drake's class (on the left) and I still have it.  Sadly, Major won't have Mrs. Drake, so I won't be getting a 3rd one of these.  I love it!
 The boys and I took an hour to go outdoors and explore before heading out on our long trip!  What a beautiful day!


Brady's 5th Birthday Party

We had to have Brady's birthday party pretty early this year (May 4th, to be exact) because we were going to leave to go to Alabama to look for a house for 10 days over his birthday, and after we got back school was out which was a really bad time for a party.  He didn't mind having it early. :-)
 
Here's my big 5 year old!
 At the party: Kate Gowens, Zach Pace, Lincoln Leeser, Max (and his sister Alex), Eli, Brady, and Jack Gowens.
 An excited Brady waiting to start the party!
 Theme: Brady Olympics.  First thing, making up a country and a country flag for the Parade of Nations
 Brady, Eli, and Jack with their flags
 Brady marching out with his country's flag
 Shelley Gowens helping Brady put his flag up on the board
 Game 1: Musical Chairs

 Potato Sack Races
 The Marshmallow Drop (you started off with 5 marshmallows and saw how many you could drop in your partner's mouth) Kate and Brady were partners
 Cheetah Tag (had to pull out cheetah tails)
 I introduced the kids to a "new game"...Red Rover! And they loved it!
 Big Daddy holding Major
 Red Light/Green Light
 Dance Freeze (when music stops, have to freeze, Brady's dance move, the "Shake-a Booty" was a hit
 Limbo
 Cupcakes

 Good friends, good food, good time!
 Brady and Kate