Bones Got Braces

Yep!  You read that right.  I have a child old enough to have braces.  HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?  Well, being the son of Heather and Chad, there was absolutely never a doubt in my mind that this kid would not have braces.  I mean I wore braces for what seemed like my entire childhood and then was blessed with them again in high school after the car wreck of 1995.  

Being blessed with a mouth eerily similar to mine, it was only a matter of time before young Christian would wear a set of braces of his own. Following our consultation with the orthodontist, he had been eagerly counting down the days.  Leap Day could not get here fast enough for Bones.  He was so excited to join the exclusive club of "cool" third graders with braces.    

That morning, Chad and I picked Christian up from school and took him to get his braces on.  As we walked into the building I had to take a few before pics...

After we sat down with the orthodontist again to go over the do not eat list, discussed the proper way to care for his teeth and got his swag bag full of dental stuff, it was not hard to notice that his excitement was quickly fading.  Chad and I got to go back while Christian started the process of getting them on.  It started with impressions.....by far and away the absolute worst part!  Watching him suffer through that brought back terrible memories, especially when they had to do the top set of impressions three times!  Leave it to dad to keep everyone laughing!  After Dr. Roberts suffered through the watermelon smell and we coached Christian to lean forward as to not gag...he finally got to lay back in the chair.  

Sorry son, this picture was a must!

Minutes later the braces were on and we were out the door.  Christian decided on green and yellow (BU) for his first set of bands and he could not wait to show everyone.  Here he is with braces...

A week and a half later we went back for him to get this appliance!  

It probably was not the best idea to go the day before we left for vacation, but they wanted it on sooner rather than later.  He has been very good about his dental routine thus far and is very serious about keeping his teeth clean.  Let's hope it continues.... 

Bas-ket-ball

Well our basketball season has come and gone and unfortunately this was a tough one.  Carson played his first year of basketball in an Upward league and was coached by two high school boys.  I'll never forget the look on Carson's face the day we went to our first practice when he asked Chad if he was going to be his coach.  Chad said no baby, not this season and then he looked up and asked, "are you at least going to be my back-up coach?"  It was so sad and so sweet all at the same time as Chad tried to gently explain to him that he he would not be coaching this year.  I can't think of a season or sport where one of us has not been the coach for both kids so this was definitely new territory.  Unfortunately, the teams were not formed as we had hoped and none of the boys he usually plays with were on his team either.

Sitting in the stands of Carson's very first basketball game was a big adjustment for Chad and I could tell instantly he was not liking it.  He is so used to being on the bench or on the sideline for everything, I know it was eating at him, not to mention we were playing IN a church in a non-competitive league.  Let's just say I don't think we will be doing that again even if it was a good way to learn the basics.

Here are pics from throughout the season.  He loved the fact that each player was introduced before the game and got to run out to the middle of the court one at a time!  Each player gets a different color wristband to teach them how to find and guard their player on the other team.  Here are a few pics from the first game.

Isn't he adorable

Good defense

Imagine him making a basket here because he did!  He was so thrilled and immediately raised both his arms up!!

Carson got the defensive star after the first game and would go on to earn other stars after each game.  He loved watching his sleeve fill up with different color stars and made sure that they were ironed on immediately.

I love this next pic that I took mid-game.  He turned and gave us a big cheese grin!!

Here he is with his best buddies after the game we played each other!

He learned a lot, had fun playing, and appreciated his cheering section each week which is really what matters.  Great job Sugarbear!  You did good!

As far as the third grade team goes, it got off to a bit of a controversial start and then Tyler broke his arm right before the season started. We were down from the beginning but the boys played their hearts out week in and week out.  We got to a couple games where we would not even have a sub when our opposing team would have 15 kids there to sub in and out.  It was a long season, but the boys stayed in it.  Christian as always was a defensive animal and a leader on the team.  It became a bit of a joke in the beginning when parents from opposing teams would shout out how tough our team was playing.  They definitely gave it their all every game.

 Chad got his first technical called on him this season and at the end of the game decided he was very proud of himself for going this long without one.  We also heard it through the grapevine that some of the boys that they have been keeping count of how many times Coach Cunningham throws his hat down.  Evidently this started in football season and has become a joke for the boys.  

Sounds like he is getting a reputation :) 

Our games were so close and so nail biting that I don't think I ever got any pics.  Here is a video of Christian shooting free throws during one of the games. 

Until next year...

Where Did January and February Go?

Well it is hard to believe today is March 2nd and I have not made one blog entry regarding our life in the year 2012.  So I guess this will be a recap.

We brought the New Year in at the U's house with the kids in tow and in the company of great friends.  The boys had a blast all night playing with the laser guns they each got for Christmas.  All in all it was a nice, relaxing evening spent telling stories and laughing around the outdoor fireplace.

I will leave off the part about someone coming home and passing out sleeping on garage floor where they stayed until 6 am, unless...yep, better just leave that off.

Somehow we have been lucky enough to go on several date nights just the two of us, and spend a few fun evenings out on the town with all of our besties including an overnight stay in Fort Worth at The Stockyards Hotel to celebrate birthdays with Josh and Chad K! 

 Here I am with my hubby at Billy Bob's listening to The Josh Abbott Band.  We had a table front and center and the band was great!!

Lisa and I in the hotel lobby

Unfortunately, I don't have any group pics :(

This was Joey's birthday dinner at Randy's Steakhouse

18 years later and still in love

Carson dressed as a 100 year old man on the 100th day of school!

Chad took the boys to watch Wade rope one evening and just like a natural Christian hopped on this horse and rode him around all night long.  He loved it and couldn't wait to tell me all about it when they got home!  It is in his blood and ever since he has been doing a lot of sweet talking for a horse of his own.  As much as I would love a horse, that boy has a hard sell.  We had horses growing up and you actually have to take care of them. In the meantime, the boys have been going up to the farm working the cows and the land!  It's been good for them.

  The year has started off right!  In November of last year Chad got on the health and fitness bandwagon and has been going strong.  Just this week, he stepped on the scale to see he has lost over 35 pounds!  He looks great and I am so proud of him!  He has even got me back on the program....unfortunately no news to report yet!  

I guess that about sums it up for this post. The rest will take blog entries of their own so please stay tuned...oh, and Happy 2012!