create the life you love

MVP

So proud of Griff .. he recieved the LHP JV Boy's Lacrosse Most Valuable Defence Player award!

 

With his coach ..

 

and his proud dad ..

 

 

This was a few weeks ago, but I am behind here on my blog.

Photos of CCal's graduation next!

More Lax

#10 The 'stickman' .. as he is called!

The boy can jump!

and fly ..

 

 

Lax Action

 

pre-game warm up

 

 

penelty box ;0 

fans :)

 

Team Captain

So proud of VGC .. choosen as a JV Lacrosse Captain.

The season is under way .. first 2 games this past weekend, both big wins!

#10 ..'stick man'

starting line up

 

LOTS more photos to come

Soccer!

Griff played on the JV team .. the season just ended, but I wanted to record a few pictures .. actually, the only TWO photos I took and bad ones at that!

#11

 

 

He has moved right on to his #1 sport, lacrosse, with training all this week and tryouts next .. although he has been playing club lax (weekend tournaments) year round.

And btw, my 'baby' boy is now 6'1"! 

All You Need To Know About OLE MISS!

This is precious!! 


'This is from one of our PDS Pre-K Bible classes...They started talking about Ole Miss and our Bible teacher had to record it :) Click the link below and enjoy!! 

This started today with me telling the boys we are praying for Morocco this
week. Will T. asked "when are we going to pray for Oxford? It is the home
of the Rebs." I replied, "I agree. They need LOTS of prayers!" Then Will
and Trey started telling me all about Ole Miss. I had to pick up my camera!
 Enjoy!!!'

 

Hotty Toddy!

Game day decorations for The Grove!

Ole Miss may have trouble winning this season .. but they never loss a party!

 

 

Catching Up

I bit behind here .. just not sure how I can be so busy with just one son at home these days, but busy I am!

Pumpkin Shootout Lacrosse Tournament a few weekends ago ..

 

 

 

 

One more fall, club lacrosse tournament and then HS soccer season - Griff is playing on the JV team!

UF/LSU Game

Ole Miss had a bye this past Saturday which worked out perfect for Connor. He traveled to New Orleans for the weekend .. meeting up with lots of friends. I begged (always have to text him asking pleeease!) to take and send me some pictures .. sweet boy delivered!

Connor and Ben

(not sure about those wacky glasses?)

Ben, Connor, Kurt .. and I'm not sure who the last boy is

Fall Lax

The first of 4 or 5 weekend club lacrosse tournaments. 

This was just a 1 day tournament played in Wellington, FL and Griff's team (Braveheart) won 3 out of 4 games.

 

It's time for a giveaway ... game day!

In honor of the football season, how about a giveaway??

 A set of football themed cupcake toppers ..

The following are samples I have done for clients (and my family .. Go Gators, Go 'Noles, Go Rebels!!), but I am happy to design toppers for other teams. These are great for game day parties/tailgating and are not limited to just cupcakes. You can place them in other dishes, flower arrangements, or even in a pocket for team wear!

Just comment here .. and visit my etsy shop please

 

ETA: I will draw the winner on Wed, September 28

 

 and just throwing in a picture of my sweet college boy ..

 

 
 

Game Day!

Game Day!

 

Team Flo

We traveled to Gettysburg, PA last weekend for a lacrosse tournament.

Griff's U15 team won the championship!

Such a beautiful campus ..

 

dorm room ..

The champs ...

 

 We did a car tour of the Gettysburg Battlefields ..

Griff fell asleep about half way through ;) ..

And .. it just so happened to be bikers weekend in Gettysburg!

Harleys galore!!!

 

More Lacrosse

Our summer is filed with lacrosse once again. Last weekend we were down south in Wellington for the first of 3 weekends in a row.

It was so hot and steamy, with and occasional, slight breeze that carried a whiff of horsey-ness (the games were played on the polo club fields).

 

Memorial Day Weekend

We traveled to Baltimore this past weekend for our annual trip to the Men's NCAA Lacrosse Championships. 

While my older boys do not attend anymore, Griff brought 2 friends .. some things never change .. me and 3 boys!

A great time. 3 days of lacrosse games and a quick trip to Annapolis. SO hot in Baltimore - hotter temps than here in Florida, but were fortunate to have a suite at the stadium.

As usual with boys as unwilling subjects, not the best photos.

Griff, Kyle, Reid ..

Crazy Griff passed out .. or actually not wanting his picture taken ...

 

 

And yet again another day ..

 

Working on his whistle ..

And, here is a great picture of my unwilling son ...

A 

 

 

A trip to the Naval Academy ..

A 

 

 

Look what I found ..

L 

 

 

Elite!

 
So proud of Griff ... he was chosen for the Team Florida Elite Lacrosse Team!

Team Flo

We traveled down south to Jupiter this past weekend for the Team Florida lacrosse tryouts. This trip was with two of my girl friends and their sons .. so a real mother/son weekend. Of course, that's my life, where as the other two have daughters also ;). Fun time!

 

wild boys

Love these boys

No photos of them actually playing. These were tryouts and I stayed back and out of the way .. like a good momma.

 

State CHAMPS!!

 
The LHPS boys varsity lacrosse team won the state championships this past Saturday night .. 11-10 over St. Andrews.

The scoring goal was made with just 7 seconds remaining in the game .. and unbelievably exciting game.

Orlando Sentinel Article

 

 
Griff and jv team mates celebrating the big win

 

 

On a side note, my two older boy's lacrosse high school lacrosse team lost to this same school (St. Andrews) in the state championships every year that they both played varsity lacrosse .. 6 years! SO very happy that LHP has taken over the title!

 

End of the Season

 

 

Griff's lacrosse season has come to an end (high school JV team). He will go on to play club lacrosse starting the first of May.

LHP had a great season, winning all but one game. The varsity team is still playing (district playoffs start this week)

Last Saturday the team travel down to Ft. Lauderdale with a big win for their last game.

This one's for you .. REID!

It seems that Griff's friends have found my blog - much to Griff's dismay (he would rather not be the main 'star' of the blog) ..

But .. his good friend, Reid asked me to 'feature' him - so here your are, REID!!

 

Reid is a super star lacrosse player (#6 middie), a sweet and handsome young man!

 { at Griff's birthday dinner }

 

 
  I also had the honor of taking prom pictures of Reid's gorgeous sister Katie (here with their beautiful mom) ..

 

{ Griff and Katie ;) }

Boys

Griff's JV lacrosse team continues to be undefeated.

Won against Olympia 11-0

and The First Academy 19-1

***

Connor made it back to Oxford and classes at Ole Miss after his week long spring break at Destin beach. Always a huge sigh of relief when spring break is over for the college boys and they are back to school safely.

***

Barret started is new job today ... an incredible job opportunity for him and so very proud of all the work and effort he put into landing this job after many months of interviews. Another big sigh of relief, my boy has grown up and is now in the real world!!

 

***

With 2 of my favorite guys ..

 

 

Pants on the Ground!

Another lax game and win/shutout

LHP vs Dr. Phillips (14-0)

 

Griff had a little mishap ... was tripped or pushed and went flying on the field.

..and he lost his pants!

At least he was wearing his preppy, Vineyard Vines boxers.

Not sure why he didn't have on the black sliders I pack for him.

Lots of laughs in the stands, especially from my sweet friend, Casey ..

A First!

 

Another win from the LHP JV  lacrosse team.

6-7 against St. Andrews

And, I have to add .. Griff has something BIG over his two older brothers. 

St. Andrews has been the #1 Florida high school lacrosse team for many years (17+)?

Both Bear & Connor's high school team lost against them every single game and were 2nd in the state championships (with St. Andrews 1st) for 5 of the 6 years of both of their high school lacrosse years. I may add that Connor tore his ACL during his senior year playing against this team .. so sad memories of this game especially, and the real end to his lacrosse 'career'.

 

This is one lacrosse mom who is very use to losing to this team!

Although this was a JV win .. still huge and so exciting.

 

 

Win!

LHP vs Freedom

 

Another Win

LH Prep vs Windermere Prep

14-0

And, I have to include my girl friends!. Sweet Casey brings different dolls to the games for me to play with!

LOVE!!

How precious is she?!!

And the Season Begins ...

The first game of high school lacrosse this past Tuesday evening.

Since Griff is playing on the JV team and is an 8th grader, that means 5 years of high lacrosse in my future!

LHPS vs Oviedo .. Big win 14-2

Did not do well with photos this game!

 

***

Also .. many, many thanks for the kind words and prayers for my dear friend.

May God's comfort and peace be with her ..

JV Lax!

A bit of bragging on my boy ..

Griff made the LHP JV Lacrosse team!

 

He is an 8th grader, so we are especially proud of him.

Here's to 5 more years of high school lacrosse!

 

 

Cast Free ..

Soccer

Long time, no post. 

Busy, busy here with my little business ..'tis the season!

{ getting the last cast off }

• Griff finally got his cast off this past Wednesday. 3 casts and 8 weeks later. 
• He also tried out for his school soccer team a few weeks ago (the doctor approved this) and made the team
• He hasn't played soccer since 2nd grade!
• He was playing goalie (the doctor did not approve this) during try outs and broke his cast
• Got a new cast (the 3rd) and no more goalie position for him this year
• He played his first 'cast-less' game on Wednesday night ... wore a brace though and I am praying for no more injuries (most of you all know we've had lots over the years with my boys)

 

 

 

Ole Miss Weekend - HOTTY TODDY!

What a fun, fun weekend we had in Oxford at Ole Miss and The Grove.

Griff and I flew up on Thursday morning (Dan went a day early to get in a round of golf with Connor). My friend Debbie was also with us and her son is a student at Ole Miss too. Another friend, Michelle flew in Friday night with her daughter and son and joined us. Katie is considering attending Ole Miss next year and we are hoping she will become a Rebel!

 

Our welcoming sign at the house we rented for the weekend.

And yes, we had to rent a house! The very few hotels in Oxford are sold out a year ahead of game days and it took me all summer to find this place. Very nice though and great location.

My sweet friend Debbie and I ..

Dinner at City Grocery on The Square 

Brothers ...

 

Another Connor, Griff, my Connor and Cameron ..

 

This sign was in the window at a bar. The new Rebel Bear mascot is not being well received! ..

 

 

 Debbie at our favorite store ;) .. I think were were in there for over 2 hours buying all the food for the tailgating party

We ordered some of the food, but Connor requested a few of his favorites (pigs in a blanket and the cheesy dip!), so we also did a lot of cooking the day before.

 

 

On to game day

Our table decorations ..

 

For those that are not familiar with Ole Miss .. they are famous for their tailgating parties in The Grove which is a beautiful area filled with trees in the center of campus.

Rebel fans go ALL out!

 

My sweet Connor, Brad and James (Auburn students). Connor and James were in school together K-12

Connor had 10-15 Auburn friends come for the weekend and they all 'crashed' at his apartment

 

 

The hostesses with our set up!

We actually (Dan was in charge of this) hired a company to set up the tent, chairs, tv, etc. Being that we traveled by plane (actually 2 flights plus and hour+ drive), we could not bring much with us

Michelle, Reid and Katie

The all-important TV.

The Gators were playing that afternoon!

 

Cute boys .. Reid & Griff

 

The southern dolls ;)

Connor and his War Eagle friends ...

 
 

 

My sweet Rebel ...

Monogram cups for the girls, um I mean 'southern dolls' ..

The Lyceum ..

 

 

 

The Grove

'holy grail' of tailgating

Lots of The Colonel still around

But, I did see a few bears. This huge one on the back of a pickup truck ..

 

Some tents even had Halloween trick or treating tables set up.

A very friendly Rebel witch!

 

A real goat we saw in one tent. He even had his own bed ...

Rebel cheerleader ...

 A couple of nice men we meet. They tried to convince us that they made their table clothes. The smiley guy said he did the 'embroidery'. Ha .. at least he had the lingo down.

 

Various table decor ...

Debbie and Cameron ...
 

The Rebel band marching through The Grove. We completely missed the football team walking through the 'Walk of Champion' arch in the Grove. Too busy Hotty Toddy-ing!

War Eagle friends ...

James and I .. 

 

No pictures of the actual game. Us girls did not go!

We just stayed in The Grove, as did many others.

 

"What happens in the GROVE, stays in the GROVE"

 

Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty

Who the hell are we, Hey!

Flim Flam, Bim Bam

OLE MISS BY DAMN!

 

Sider Liner

{ photo: Bob Miles }

 

My Saturday was a bit 'off' with Griff out of sports for the time being. He still went to his game, but I passed since he wasn't playing and it was an early away game!

Game Day

We didn't want to leave any of our teams out, so all the flags are out!

 

I also added an Ole Miss plate to my collection

Ugh ..

 I had a post all ready to go on my trip and lost it!

Will try again tomorrow, but will post these iphone pictures of Griff getting his second cast today. It is actually red (school /team color) but looks orange in the picture. So big and heavy on his long, skinny arms. He has to wear this for 2 weeks then hopefully move into a much smaller wrist cast.

Game Day

 

~ We are a 3-team family now ~ 

Got to love the SEC and the south!

 

 

A piece that I love about good old southern football ...

 

Northern vs. Southern Football

 

Women's Accessories
NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.

SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, water proof mascara,and
a fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's why we have boyfriends.

 

Stadium Size:
NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

 

Fathers:
NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.
SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

 

Mothers:

NORTH: Don't care if their daughters know what a football is.

SOUTH: Expect their daughters to buy a new outfit for Homecoming each year and marry a football player.

 

Campus Decor:
NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.
SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

 

Homecoming Queen:
NORTH: Also a physics major.
SOUTH: Also Miss America.

 

Heroes:
NORTH: Rudy Guliani
SOUTH: Paul "Bear" Bryant

 

Getting Tickets:
NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus
and purchase tickets.
SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on
campus, put name on waiting list for tickets, then still have to camp out.

 

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game:
NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because
they have classes on Friday.
SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the
few hungover students that might actually make it to class.

Parking:
NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for
game parking.
SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for
the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

 

Week of Big Game:

NORTH: Don't even know who they are playing on Saturday.

SOUTH: Make sure clothes are color coordinated, make signs to support the home team, get shakers ready, pray for a victory, and bow down to football players when students see them.

 

Game Day:
NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV. Wonder why Game Day Live is never broadcast from their campus.
SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over
to where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera, cheer tirelessly, and wave banners.

 

Tailgating:
NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to
local radio station with truck tailgate down.
SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking
accompanied by live performance by "Hootie and the Blowfish," who come
over during breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon. Televisions set up with satellite dishes so that we don’t miss any football games shown before and after ours.

 

Getting to the Stadium:
NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right
in.
SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it becomes the
state's third largest city.

 

Concessions:
NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup filled to the top with soda.
SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on
it, filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for
bourbon.

 

When National Anthem is Played:
NORTH: Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them
stand up.
SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part
harmony.

 

The Smell in the Air After the First Score:
NORTH: Nothing changes.
SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

 

Commentary {Male Fan}:
NORTH: "Nice play."
SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch -tackle him and break his legs."

 

Commentary {Female Fan}:
NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport."
SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

 

Announcers:
NORTH: Neutral and paid.
SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

 

After the Game:
NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.
SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker. While somebody goes to
the nearest package store for more bourbon, planning begins for next
week's game.

 

Nothing else in the universe comes even halfway close to the
glories of Southern Football.

 

 

Our newest team to root for ..

~ HOTTY TODDY ~

Can not wait until we go to a game and THE GROVE!

 

GO GATORS ~ GO NOLES ~ GO REBELS

Thursday Night Football

Since Griff is in 8th grade, his middle school games are most often on Thursday nights - or late afternoon. Yesterday was the first game of the season and at 4pm it was a scorcher.

His team, LHP ... lost to the same team (and only team) that beat them last year.

 { love this one of Griff's friend/teammate giving him a 'pat' }

 

And, in honor of Friday Night Football ... in which I had 6 great years with my two older boys playing during high school. Love this song.

It does make me cry, every single time I listen to it.

Those high school years go by so very fast and although they may not be the 'easiest' years .. dealing with teenagers (boys!) and all that goes with it (STRESS!) .. I miss those years so much. With only one more boy to go, I am going to embrace and treasure every moment (including the stress!), just as I did with my older boys .. even if I've been going to football and lacrosse games, as well as all the other sports when they were younger for 20 years now!

More Travels

What a summer this has been. So much traveling .. mainly (well, actually all I believe) centered around the boys. I have spent only 3 weekends at home since Memorial Day!

This past Saturday, Griff and I flew up to Richmond, VA. He was attending the UVA lacrosse camp. The camp was not held at the campus, but at the Graves Mountain Lodge, which was 2 hours away in the Blue Ridge mountains.

We spent the first night together in Richmond, then I drove him (in a little rental car in which his long poles barely fit!) to the camp. A beautiful drive through the mountains. It was SO hot that day .. 105 degrees! Although I was told by the sweet lady who worked in the dining hall that there was room at the lodge for me to stay, I had other plans, and quite honestly, glad I did! The 'lodge' was just not quite my style ;). Even the mention of nightly hay rack rides, camp fires and marshmallow roasting could not persuade me to stay ;) Oh .. and I can't forget the 'home cooking' (y'all know just how much I love fried food!) in the communal dining hall .. which by the way had no air conditioning!

So ... I left Griff, who was just fine with the accommodations, and drove an hour to Charlottesville, home of UVA. My fellow FB bloggers and friends made suggestions as to wear to stay/where to shop, and their recommendations were perfect! Thank you Margaret & Maggie!

I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights at The Boars Head Inn and it was just delightful! Lots of reading and relaxing. Working out, a visit to the spa, and of course, a little shopping.  

Blue Ridge Mountains

 

My view at the Boars Head Inn

 

My room

 

The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville.

I loved the Caspari store!

  

 
 

  

Picking up Griff at camp. This was the lax players dorm .. slightly on the rough side!

 

Griff and friends

 

Can You Stand It ... Yet More Lacrosse!

Wounded Warrior lacrosse Tournament - Jacksonville, FL

        

More Lax

This pretty much sums up the month of June for us. Lacrosse tournaments three weekends in a row .... and it has been HOT. Record high temps. This past weekend we were in Gainesville, so we were able to visit with Connor and my SIL and niece also joined us for dinner :)

 

 

   

  
 

 

 
  

   

Lacrosse Tournaments

This weekend was the first of 3 lacrosse tournaments in a row for Griff and his team, The Bravehearts. We traveled south to Boca Raton and it was hotter than hades! 

  

        

Baltimore!

This past weekend we traveled to Baltimore for the Men's NCAA Lacrosse Championships. This has become an annual Memorial Day weekend trip - I believe this is our 7th year attending the championships (the venue has alternated between Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore). We started back when my older boys were in high school and have continued on. Just about the same every year - 3 days of lacrosse games - but fun none the less!

I took very few photos due to a very unwilling son! ;) Griff''s friend Reid traveled with us and he was much more cooperative with picture taking. Thank you, Reid!!

We had a very early fight Saturday morning, so we spent Friday night at the airport Hyatt. Watching the Magic/Celtic game.

 

Reid & Griff (the uncooperative boy!)

 

'Sour puss', 'poker face' Griff

 

 

The view from our hotel room

 

 

Dining ...

    

Griff's new yacht .. lol ;). He actually was not at all grumpy on the trip, only when I pulled out my camera. Same ole, same ole with all 3 of my boys come the teenage years.

 

 

As for the final Division III game, it was a great game with Duke winning in over time. I was pulling for Notre Dame though ;)

lax

Griff in action

 

And a beautiful horse that was behind the lacrosse field a few weeks ago ..

 
 

         

Lacrosse Tournament

This past weekend we travel to Palm Coast for the Veteran's Cup lacrosse tournament. Griff's U13 team placed 3rd, although I am not sure how this worked out when the team won all but 1 game (4 out of a total of 5 games). Fun weekend and beautiful weather - in the 70's. So nice!

 
{ love the hair }

 

 

 Cute boys - Some of the team at the Ginn Hammond Beach Club pool after Saturday's games. That's Griff looking like he is asleep ... or dead.

{ muscle man! }

Fall Lax

Griff's fall season (7th & 8th grade youth league) has ended and his team had an undefeated season! He moves right on to more lacrosse, playing on a select travel team. Two tournaments coming up, next weekend and the following.

 

Playing against one of his coaches ...

 

  

  

 Love the hair sticking out (and he plays both #16 and #63, depending on the game and jersey color) ...
 
 
 
  

UF Homecoming

Another great weekend, back to orange & blue and The Gators. Beautiful weather, so nice and cool. And ... what a game!

 
 room mates

 
  
 
 

FSU Parent's Weekend

A fun weekend with our oldest at Florida State parent's weekend. It has been months since Barret has been home - busy with school and job - at least that's his story ;), so it was SO good spending the weekend together. Unfortunately, the Noles lost to Georgia Tech, but a great time non the less. We are a 'divided household', and being UF alum, we are season ticket holders, Bull Gators, and go to many more Gator games than Seminole games. I always feel bad about this, but it doesn't seem to bother Bear one bit. He loves his Noles!!

William, Barret and Sam

Barret & Davis

 

Me and the girls!

And I had to add this photo of Mike's Beer Barn, a very popular spot in Tally. Check out the 'parent's weekend' sign!

 

LHP Football

Another big win for Griff's team, I believe the score was 36-0.

Next week LHP team plays for the championship.

 

 

 
  

 

More Sports

It seems like most of my posts of late alternate between sports and pinkness ... with a bit more of sports! Ah, such is my life with boys.

Griff is a busy boy these days. Playing both football and lacrosse this fall. Football games on Thursday evenings and 2 lacrosse games on Saturday. Practices every day after school and lacrosse conditioning/training on Sundays. Then there are the 'viewing' of games; his school's high school home games on Friday nights and of course the Gators on Saturdays. And I have to mention FSU too, although Griff is NOT a fan, his big brother certainly is.

  

Skinny, skinny legs! He is trying so hard to get past 100lbs!

Highlander's Win

Another win for Griff's team. This Thursday evening they played an away game against his old 'alta mater', The Master's Academy (he started in kindergarten and attended for a few years). Great game for Griff - a few big tackles and an interception.

 

 

{cheerleader's backpacks - cute!}

 

 

{Griff and Mr. B, the director of LHP middle school - he is the greatest!}

After the game, these girls (former classmates) kept calling out Griff's name across the field. I finally went up to Griff and made him walk across to say hi. I think he was 'pretending' not to hear them. They certainly remembered him from back when he went to school at TMA, but Griff had no idea who they were! Typical teenage boy (at least with my 3).

 I had to 'sneak' this photo and do it quickly - luckily, I had my zoom lens on.

 

Big Win

Another win for the Highlanders Thursday evening against their big rivals, TPS. 28-8

I only took a few photos and bad ones at that.

Griff and one of his best buds, Reid. Numbers 16 & 17