Driving? Hunt is 1-5

 So, I am now old enough to have a driver as a child.  

Gosh, how did this happen?!?!

Hunter spent his 15th birthday in quarantine due to sitting behind someone on the Career Center bus who tested positive for Covid.  Though it wasnt the way we planned his b-day, I did leave work to run him through the Chick Fil A drive-thru for a birthday lunch.  Since he is a loner, I think he kind of enjoyed the quiet, at-home birthday.

All he wanted was brownies.  Cute kid:)

Sums it up (Ashton had practice).  He got a kicking tee, pull up bar, steering wheel cover, and clothes- so, grown up gifts.

Birthday celebration at Mantis and Queenie's

He took his learner's permit yesterday and his now officially a driver.  He drove Ashton to practice last night and did a really good job.  It is just weird to look over in the driver's seat and see your baby.  All I really want to do is put a bubble around him but that is not what Christ called us parents to do.  We are tasked with preparing them to go into the world.  The driving part just reminded me of that. It was just another thread to cut to prepare him. 

Woo-hoo and Yikes!

Hunter, you have been so easy to raise.  You are funny with a bit of quirky.  You get all mine (and my parents) inside jokes.  Though you vowed in 6th grade to never play football game; you gave it another attempt this year and really enjoyed it.  Though JV only got in 3 games... COVID.... you found you loved kicking and playing on the defensive side of the ball.   You also still love soccer and are looking forward to conditioning that starts in January- hopefully, COVID chills so you will get a season.

Last JV game as a freshmen.

Academically, you are so smart but more importantly, you love to learn.  It also helps that you remember weird little facts about most things.

Before a varsity game in "Reserved" spot.

You are longing for the movies to start back up.  With WonderWoman opening on Christmas Day, I think we are planning a trip to one of the few theatres that have opened back up.

Yep, that's my boy

You are an amazing son and brother.  I luuuvv you (said in our weird voices.)  May the Lord keep his guardian angels all around you (especially in the car!) Remember, whose you are.

Love ya,

~Mom

The Doodle is 11

 Shepherd, I will continue to say it, you are my happy spot.  You and your brothers all have different traits that I love.  Without a doubt, I love how you can always make me smile and laugh.  Your sense of humor is right up my alley.  

The awkward Shep smile.  He loved his poop moji pillow :)

Super excited (and surprised) with his main gift- a stand mixer.  Shep has become my little baker (and eater).

This year has looked different for you as you are being homeschooled by my parents.... and you are thriving.  I think homeschooling has given you the opportunity to really learn.  School has not only been easy for you but boring.  This year, you are not bored.  You are early and retaining so much information about the early church.  I know you try to trick Mantis into thinking you are not remembering, but at night, you will tell random facts about the material you are learning about. :) 

Fun project from O and C- NinjaBread

You are still laid back with all but 2 people- Ashton and Bennett.  Your birth order along with being sandwiched between those 2 big personalities must be hard but you handle it well... most of the time.  

You are an animal lover.  All dogs love you!  

Shep, you are kind to the core.  I pray that you find your voice to speak up and speak out.  Use your mind to change the world.  I know, without a doubt, that God has worked up an amazing plan for your life.  Follow the road less traveled.

Happy Birthday!

Growing up way too fast

All the boys!

Front yard football.

Pizza and brownies/ ice cream

For Shep's bday, we had our (might as well be family) friend Connor over to spend the night.  Owen and Caelum were also able to come and hang out.  (Ashton left for a bit to hang out with some friends but made it back in time for some of the fun.   Mantis, Queenie, and Uncle Nolan also came over for his actual birthday.  

The Mantis and Quennie "bag" was a box this year.  (really cool box)

Shep's first creation with his stand mixer- he wanted to make his own cake this year.  And, it was so good.

Digging in!

Shep, stay the same! I love you so much!

~Mom

Coastin'

 During these weird times, we must find silver linings.  A major silver lining for me is that mom retired from her very stressful and time-consuming job.  With her retirement, she and dad decided they were LONG overdue for a vacation/ get away.  Over the summer, they booked two weeks at a big ol' ocean front beach house at the wonderfully laid back Edisto.  The house had 7 bedrooms, was dog-friendly, and was literally 30 steps from the deck steps to the water at high tide. (I will try to remember to get the group shot- it was on T's phone)

My beach boys.

This big guys about "uprooted" our plans of getting to the beach.  Fell and blocked us and neighbors for about 1/2 a day

Veiw from the deck.

It worked out where I had accumulated many hours of comp time from over the summer and one of the weeks they booked was a virtual week so S, B and I took off for a wonderful week of perfect, fall beach weather.  Both my brothers and their crew were able to come as well.  I hated having to leave half of my family but their football schedules would allow them to come.

The kids had more water time than I had expected.  It was cold but I even managed to swim for 2 days. We had ocean swimming, boogie boarding, ocean kayaking, karaoke night, bike rides, scooter rides, board games, farmer's market shopping, and so much good food.  

The Outside Activities

Our little house

Group bike/ scooter ride

Pretty clouds

Owen was so sweet helping Bennett get out with the kayak

Just Shep and Caelum kayaking in the ocean

Poor boy is freezing

Siblings

Oakley would play ball all day long

All the kids made this impressive sand maze

The babies of the family #4

Mom and I biked 8 miles around Edisto

Members of Stillwater Christian Academy

Isla giving Shep a good cleaning

Love it.Shep and Oak

Missing the oldest two cousins but these 6 got along so well this week.

The Inside Activities

Dancing

Queenie and kid dance party

Karaoke Night

Tarra and Eva dueting 

Uncle Nolan nailed it

A little sass from Anna singing "Zombie"

Nap Time with Oak

Beach Food... Sushi Night

Shep and Eva making some brownies

Zach picked the the Switch and it was like a moth to a flame

Thank you Queenie and Mantis for the best fall getaway.  

M&Q with I&O