Fightin' Texas Aggie Game Day

I know my husband would say that any big event in our lives must be documented on the blog. Considering he wore a different "game day" (the term for shirt in our household during college Aggie football season) each day and insisted that his son follow suit, I would say Cody would consider the first Fightin' Texas Aggie football game more than important enough to make the blog. I must admit, this mama was super excited to finally have the dream of watching an Aggie football game with all three of my boys come true. There's just something about a daddy and his son bonding over college football that can't be replaced... aka melt my heart!! One thing I'll always want to remember about the first Aggie football game Hayes watched was the fact that he napped for most of the first half (half of the 1st quarter and all of the 2nd). Perhaps the most amusing part of this is that my normally intense, football loving husband wanted so badly to yell at the top of his lungs at the TV in both victory and frustration (more the former than the latter in this game, thankfully), but he refrained in order to allow Hayes to sleep. My, how the tides have turned (no SEC football pun intended...ha!). Needless to say, there was some major celebrating in our house after the Aggies pulled out a big win against South Carolina, and we can't wait to watch all of the excitement that is ahead for the rest of the season! Before we know it, Hayes will be holding up his gig 'em and playing his own game of football with Rio in the backyard... eeek!!

 

 The first Aggie football game just happened to fall on Hayes' school picture day. How cute is that? School pictures at 6 months old!

 

Proud daddy and his boy ready to cheer on their Aggie team

A Little August Action

Well, I'm going to totally take the easy way out with this post. Don't judge, peeps. The month of August was a bit of a blur due to my hectic work schedule, but we still managed to work in a few adventures. Between our ever faithful beach visits and getting together with family, we all managed to keep our sanity despite the whirlwind that the last few weeks have been. We started with a visit from Mom and Dad and capped the month off with a great Labor Day weekend visit from Katie and the girls, where we had the pleasure of meeting our sweet niece, Lila, for the first time. I know I didn't take nearly enough pictures during these experiences, but I want to remember them nonetheless, and am thankful to have a few snapshots to commemorate the grand finale of Hayes Man's first summer!

MiMi and Pappaw bought Hayes Man his very own swing to kick off the month of August. He loves the great outdoors and swinging has definitely become a nightly activity for us!

Sitting up on his own for the first time!

Sitting so big in the high chair while out to dinner at Port Mansfield

MiMi and Hayes on the dock at Port Mansfield

I have to say, one of my favorite experiences of the summer (and quite possibly ever) was our visit to Port Mansfield. We ate dinner at a fantastic restaurant with a few members of the Johnson clan, and wrapped up the evening becoming one with nature while feeding wild deer. I must admit that any desire I had to shoot a deer has diminished with my becoming a mother (much to my husband's dismay), and after being so close to these beautiful creatures-- I mean we even touched their antlers, people-- I really could not even fathom wanting to hurt one! OK, emotional moment is over.  I will, however, show great support when my son decides to shoot his first deer a few years down the road, as I know this experience will be a HUGE milestone for him and his daddy and I choose not to fight, but rather embrace, the inevitable. :)

Oh you know, just Dad, me and the deer

Feeding the monster

The couple that feeds deer together, stays together

We were so excited to see a few of our closest friends from college at the Island that same weekend. Hayes definitely enjoyed all the attention from the pretty ladies... what can I say? The kid's got game.

This monkey LOVES the beach!

Playing catch with Pops before bed

Just a swingin' with GG & Pops

Hayes also experienced his first round of golf this month. He was an absolute champ! We knew he would be with his great affinity for the outdoors, but he truly behaved better on the golf course than I could have ever imagined. He rode in mama's lap so well and even took a little nap around hole #4 or 5. This boy is a man's man!

And now for some of my favorite August moments...

Riding in the big boy stroller... slow down time!!


Hayes and Cody joined Katie and the girls for a quick trip to the zoo. Hayes loves his cousins!

Katie and the girls came down for Labor Day weekend, and though I really slacked in the picture taking department, I couldn't resist this precious photo op of our sweet little princess Lila. Nothing like a sleepy baby's snuggles!

Addie came with the girls to get a pedicure. She was too cute and loved her "sparkly toes"!

Sunday pool parties are the best!