Happy Double Digits!!!!

I can't believe our precious Caleb is actually double digits!!!  Where oh where did the last seven years go?!

So, as I said in my last post, this precious boy of ours declared that he would like to play in a tennis tournament the weekend before his birthday, making it difficult to try to throw him a party back at home.  So we decided to let him play and that we would bring the party to the courts.  We left early in the morning, and boy was it cold! (40s is cold for us Floridians.)  We arrived about two hours before Caleb's first match so we could get the party bus/players' lounge set up.  One of his buddies had the lone early match.  So Caleb was eager to try to catch the end of it.

 Patrick and Bammy set up a couple tables in front of the RV for all the food.

 The cousins decided they would try to hit the ball around a bit. I'm just so glad that the kids playing matches right in front of us didn't lodge any complaints because we might have gotten a bit loud a time or two.

 Then all the boys headed out for their 11am matches.  A lot of them came back as winners, including the birthday boy. Then it was time to head to the party.

 There was a lot of laughter, eating, and good times.  There might have also been a game or two of tag thrown in there.

 I ended up baking several dozen chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, as well as chocolate chip cookies and rice krispy treats.  I also made my Aunt Alison's delicious Texas caviar.  Patrick did a great job grilling hot dogs and hamburgers.  He watched the first set of Caleb's first match and then headed back to heat up the charcoal.  It worked out very well.  

Then it was time to head out for the next round of matches.  Caleb had to play against his buddy Charlie (the other boy in the bright green shirt above), who is a tough player.  It was a really great match between them, but Caleb wasn't able to pull off a second win that day.  Still, it was such a fantastic day.  

 After his last match, we headed back to party central to clean up and prepare for departure.  We didn't want anyone to bring gifts, but he did manage a few from some friends and family.  He scored some extra wide sweat bands, which he loves.

 He also got a 2015 tennis calendar from Phil and Marsha, which he has already hung in his room.

 His buddy Walker, who trains with him back home, gave him some fun mustaches.

 And his buddy Charlie gave him a tennis shirt.

 A few party attendees decided to model the mustaches for us.

Since the sun was still up, and there was one more meal to be had that day, we decided to stick around a little bit longer and hit up our favorite little Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.  Phil and Marsha were able to join us again as well.  Dinner was delicious, as always.  I mean, how can you go wrong when everything is so fresh?  And in typical fashion, when we all went to sing Happy Birthday, that little stinker Havi blew out Caleb's birthday candle!!!  Madeline did it to him when he turned six, and now Havi has gone it done it when he turned ten!  Little sisters!!!!  Sheesh.

Anyway, what a way to spend his Birthday "Adam"!  Last month, I heard a fellow blogger refer to the day before Christmas Eve as Christmas Adam (because Adam came before Eve.) And well, I think birthdays can have "Eves" and "Adams" too. I'm so grateful that Caleb has the opportunity to play so many tennis tournaments at a great facility that's a stone's throw from my sister's place (and her in-laws too.) Our family may not be large, and we may not live in the same town, but we sure try to get together as often as we can (and tennis actually helps to that end!)  Speaking of my sister, we both ended up wearing very similar outfits- blue jeans, gray shirts and black jackets.  Craziness!!!  (And I'm kicking myself that I didn't get a photo.)  Needless to say, we confused a few players and parents. lol  Also, I have to give a big shout out to Patrick and Bammy for all they did to set up the party.  The day would not have been possible without them.

So, welcome to the double digit club precious Caleb.  

Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you this year!

Happy 10th Birthday, big guy!

(p.s.- And stop growing up so fast!!!  Please!!!)

Good Bye 2014

As I look back on all the photos I took during 2014, I can't help but be grateful.  Grateful for the amazing memories we made as a family.  It was a busy, fun-filled year, and it was so good to us.  I know most people highlight just a few things from their year, but I just can't do that.  This post is very photo heavy, as I chose to share photos that reflected some of the bigger celebrations each moth.

January

We took a trip to the other coast of Florida to camp and celebrate Caleb's 9th birthday.  It was great to camp on the water, explore the old fort, and relax.

February

Caleb and I attended the finals of the Delray Beach Open by The Venetian.  He got to meet a lot of the players, get autographs, and take photos.  On the drive home, he declared it the best day ever.

March

Michele and Lydia came down from Connecticut to help Madeline celebrate her 6th birthday at Splitsville in Downtown Disney.  We had a great time bowling and putt putt golfing.

Caleb played in tennis tournaments almost every weekend, but he sure enjoyed playing at the courts down the street from Deb and Andy.

We also went camping with several friends over "Spring Break".  We ALWAYS have a grand time with them, great fellowship and fun with dirt, too.

April

We managed to dye eggs before Easter and also have a little egg hunt at the house.

May

This was a very busy month for us.  Caleb had his first opportunity to be a ball kid at a local pro tennis tournament.  It won't be his last!

We took a boat out on the river to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day.

We also celebrated my birthday with my sister and had fun trying to reinact an old high school photo.

Bammy also came down from Connecticut to celebrate her birthday at the end of the month.

June

I had my first roll of 35mm film developed that I shot using my SLR.  Loved it!

Madeline had her Spring recital and did amazing.  This girl of ours loves the stage.

We also managed to go camping at a new campground, one with a rodeo.  It was such a great time.  We're actually planning on returning real soon.

I also shot my second roll of film.

July

Michele and Lydia came down from Connecticut for the 4th of July/early Madeline's Family Day celebration.  The kids had a blast in the water area of the hotel.

My sister threw a joint super hero birthday party for Leah and Josh.  I had so much fun shooting this one!

August

We still had more camping in us, back at our local spot on the beach and still with glorious sunsets.

September

Havi finally got her balance bike, and she couldn't have been happier.

Caleb played in the State Doubles Championships for 10s and had a great time.

October

We flew up to Connecticut to help Lydia celebrate her 8th birthday.  We love Connecticut in the fall!

We didn't wait until the last minute to get pumpkins. Yay!

We took another boat out on Patrick's birthday. He said I couldn't be the only one getting a ride on the river for their birthday. So he fixed that. lol

Halloween saw a new costume, a repeat costume, and no costume.

November

The little peanut turned 3 and celebrated by hanging out at the tennis courts.

I had to throw in this out take from our Christmas card photo session at the end of the month, as I really didn't photograph anything else.

December

I think December is busy for everyone, and we are no exception.  Madeline had her winter recital and made a beautiful snowflake.

 We managed to celebrate Christmas with Mickey and his friends, in addition to doing so at home.

 We also had the opportunity to visit family in South Florida, ride a few rides and get some faces painted.

As I looked back at the photos I chose to share and those I chose not to, I realized that the ones I'm leaving out are the ones that reflect our every day.  Before bringing Havi home from China and Caleb's tennis training taking off, I did a much better job of not only capturing our every day moments but also sharing them on the blog.  It's been hard for me to find the time to post as much as I used to. And so often, those ordinary, everyday moments get edged out when something big happens that I want to share.  So in 2015, I hope to do a better job of getting those simple, everyday moments back up here on the blog.  And you just might see me try to slip in a few shots from recent months because I just can't help myself. lol

Well, we have a very big weekend planned.  Bammy is arriving today, and on Saturday we will be heading to the tennis tournament in the party bus.  We're really looking forward to celebrating Caleb's birthday in a fun and unique way. Can't wait to share all about it!