Pump It Up

This afternoon we held Carson and Holt's 5th Birthday Party with their friends at Pump It Up in Frisco.  Shockingly enough that was the first time we have ever been there.  I can't believe it either because it was clean, the kids had a blast and all I had to do was take pictures!!  Since Carson does not officially turn 5 until next week, I am not going to talk about his birthday until then.  I am going to need the time to mentally prepare myself for the fact that my youngest son, my baby is turning 5!  How are they growing up so fast?

Anyway...today the boys had an Iron Man themed party and Carson told us when we got home that his Iron Man party was definitely something to remember!  I did not take the time to shrink these pics so I think they are going to be fuzzy....ugh.

 Waiting for everyone to arrive

 Let the fun begin

 Tyler making the climb

 B-rock

 Oh yeah, I think we are having fun

 Christian rolling down the slide

 Carson and Holt - Superman and Iron Man

 Rock star

 Caught on film

 Cade having fun

 The dads enjoying a friendly game of b-ball

 Birthday Boys

 Chad put $2 in this massage chair. I think at one point his eyes rolled back in his head.

Tyler and Holt

 Henry - I wish I could have gotten a picture of his face as he was sliding down. Too cute

Ben-tenator

 Carsaroni

 Case-O

Ben and Carson taking a breather

 Not wanting the party to end

Friends

 Happy Birthday to you!

 Make a wish

Carson immediately came home, got his pj's on and starting playing with all of his new Iron Man toys!  He keeps saying that was the best party ever!  

Time to put the boys in bed.  Looks like the tooth fairy is coming tonight.  Christian lost a bottom tooth at the party.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is Thursday morning, Thanksgiving morning and I am about to get back in the kitchen with mom to prepare our Thanksgiving dinner.  We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year and are expecting between 20-25 people.  In the last year or so our house has become the "go to" house for holidays and while we are not going home for Thanksgiving, we are having Thanksgiving at home...our home and it will be reminiscent of Thanksgiving pasts.

I have truly fond memories of Thanksgiving growing up as a child.  Mom would spend many hours in the kitchen preparing a wonderful meal; my favorite dishes being creamed corn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream.  YUM!  The door was always open and a standing invitation was extended to anyone that wanted to come over and share in the holiday with us.  Ross, Chelsea and I would wake up and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade as kids or as we got older I can remember having LONG guitar hero sessions that Ross most often won.  At some point in the day I was going to be sat on, tackled to the floor and tickled until I could no longer breathe by my brother.....something I would give anything for today! My grandparents would come over and we would all play canasta together.  Chad, Ross and Jason would sit in Ross' room for hours and play Madden.  We would all gather around and watch the Cowboys game....this was most enjoyed for me when the Triplets were still on the field.  Chad and I would have Thanksgiving lunch most often at Queenies house and then we could get to mom's for the afternoon and evening.  These are some of my fondest memories of Thanksgiving.

Yesterday my mom and I were in the kitchen cooking together and will be doing the same today.  Our house will be filled with the same warm aroma that I can remember as a child.  We are making or have already made all of my favorite dishes plus Buttermilk pie that Chad and his family love so much as well as my sweet potato souffle recipe and much more.  Our door is open and we will have several family friends sharing in the holiday with us.  The kids are ready for the parade, Christian is ready for Patrick to come play football, and we will all gather around the t.v at three to cheer on the Cowboys to their 3rd straight win with Jason Garrett as head coach.

I have so much to be thankful for.  My incredible husband that I have been with for half of my life.  You are my rock and my best friend.  I am so thankful for the laughter and love we share.  You truly complete me.  I love you so much!  My precious boys, Christian and Carson!!  Being your mom is my greatest reward and every day spent with them is the biggest blessing and reward of my life.  All I have ever wanted to be is a wife and a mom and I am so thankful to have that opportunity.  My incredible family that I love and cherish.  You formed me into the woman I am today and your constant love and support means so much.

I am thankful for this beautiful home and roof over our head, for the protection it brings and the memories we are making in it.  I am so blessed to call Celina home and live in this incredible community with such small town pride, that openly prays and that rallies around the kids and each other.  I love this town and I am so thankful for the friendships we have made here.  We truly have an amazing group of friends and Chad and I are constantly saying how blessed we are to have them in our life!  You truly have become our family and your constant love, support and laughter means the world to us!

My brother Ross, for the short twenty years I got to spend with him, but for the lifetime of MANY wonderful memories and the incredible bond we shared!   I will never forget all of the Prosper football and basketball games I went to with 5 year old Ross always just a few steps behind me.  Once I got my car, anytime I got in it, Ross did too.  He truly was my running buddy although at the time I may not have always like it.  As we grew older Ross was the most loving, caring, thoughtful brother a girl could ask for.  I will always cherish the memories of him arranging mom to watch the boys so we could go to the movies, go shopping or go eat sushi and the countless long heart to heart talks, that Ross, Chad and I would have until the wee hours in the morning.

In doing some reading after Ross passed away, I came across this quote somewhere that stuck with me.  It basically said when one loses a parent they have lost their past..and when one loses a spouse they have lost their present and when a parent loses a child they have lost their future...but when someone loses a sibling they have lost their past, present and future.  


One of his friends just recently posted this on Ross' Facebook Wall and it truly embodies the love and emotion that has repeatedly been expressed and just exactly how we all feel.

You truly are an AMAZING being! look at all the energy you spread through love & happiness in your short life span. Your not even around to keep giving out that energy, yet it flows constantly stronger in the dreams, thoughts, and hearts of everybody lucky enough to be embraced by that famous hug & smile. I am asked how it feels to loose someone magical like you. Truth is i dont feel like i lost you. How can i when i close my eyes i see your smile, when i fall asleep your in my dreams, and when i am alone your right behind me chirpin away in my ear. Your energy flows through me stronger now then ever before, so i havent lost you. Just by listening to the quiet room i can hear your laughter, sometimes i find myself turning around fully expecting to see you. I celebrate your life everyday, no time for mourning here, i am just happy to have been lucky enough to meet one of the most amazing & magical beings i know.

I am eternally grateful for the life of my brother Ross and the incredible impact he made on anyone and everyone he came in contact with.  For the new friendships we have made through and because of him and for our new roofing business and partnership with Josh and Lexie.  While I know that the Lord is the one that truly provides for us I can not help but feel that my brother is responsible too.  That in his passing he wanted to take care of Chad and I for a change and gave way for this opportunity to truly turn our life around and build something that will last forever.  Your hand print will always be on Greystone Roofing.

Ross, I know that you are truly smiling down on us. We love and miss you with every ounce of our being!  You will be with us today just like you are everyday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Carson's Thanksgiving Feast

Thursday was Carson's Thanksgiving Feast at school.  He had been telling me about it for days, letting me know the kids were going to help, practicing his songs, telling me the story of the Mayflower, etc.    When Chad and I got to school all the boys and girls came out of their classrooms in their pilgrim hats and bonnets.  Chad and I were over on the side watching and I could see him scoping the room trying to find his mom and dad.  I called his name to put him at ease and he gave us a big smile.  He was very excited to have Mommy and Daddy come have a special lunch with him at school.

The kids sang a few songs including Carson's favorite one, Super Turkey!  Here he is practicing in the car waiting for Christian a few days before the feast.

Carson and Daddy....so happy

We were seated across from Carson's friend Gabriel.  Those two were BIG eaters today!!

Well Done

We have been celebrating a job well done!  Christian's first report card was excellent but his second report card he got last week was even better than the first!  I did not think it was possible for his grades to go up but somehow they all did! Of course he was immediately negotiating a trip to Game Stop for his good work!!

Last Friday Christian got to take his first limo ride in a Hummer Limousine for being a top seller in his school's fundraiser!  Unfortunately right before he and his friends got to pile in, the skies opened up and it poured!  However, that did not stop the fun.  Instead of a pizza party in the park the limo took the long way around to the gym at the Admin building.  I got to ride in the limo too and snap a few shots.

 The kids were so excited to see the limo finally pull up out front to pick them up.

 Checking it all out

 He can not contain his excitement.  Pre-Sugar

 Christian, Justin and Hunter

The Girls!

Next came Christian's Football party at Bill Bates Cowboy Ranch.  There were 36 players, 36 cheerleaders and their families that all came together Monday night for pizza, trophies, awards and to watch the much anticipated slide shows.  It was chaos but it was very cute to see the cheerleaders cheer on the boys when they were getting their awards and then watch the football players and cheerleaders pair up to exchange gifts.

 Table of football boys chanting

 Waiting on the pizza

Wyatt exchanging gifts

 Jake

 Brock

 Christian and Bella (wish I would have gotten a better pic)

Listen to what Coach Mark had to say about our #40

Look at that face

Last but not least we had Carson's Soccer Party last night.  He is so excited to now have a collection of trophies - 2!!  We braved the cold and went to the park for a quick celebration!  Here Carson and his buddies are after they got their trophies.  They were all very excited to get them but not so excited to take a few pictures.  After this was all done the boys all went back to play for a few more minutes while the grown-ups had our usual gab sessions.  

Celina Storm - minus Ben

Next thing I know one of the boys ran up to us and says "Mr. Cunningham, Christian just got in a fight on the playground".  Are you kidding me?  As I am walking over I find a dad bent down between Christian and the other boy giving the boys what appeared to be a stern talking to.  However as I got closer I don't think that was the case at all.  After assessing the situation to see that everything appeared to be o.k., I stepped out of the way and let Chad take over from here.  Clearly this was out of mommy territory. After talking to the dad, the other boys and Christian it appears that my young son had had enough and after several kicks to the shin and receiving a slap on the face he took matters in his own hands and threw the boy down flat on his back and proceeded to punch him...more than once.  When Chad got Christian over to the bench to have a talk, Christian immediately started crying.  Chad told him to relax and listen to what he had to say and they proceeded to have a daddy/son heart to heart.  Evidently Christian made quite an impression because Mason kept saying how proud of Christian he was.  Lesson Learned: Defending yourself is o.k and will not get you in trouble but picking on someone and starting the fight will get you in a world of hurt.  Needless to say Chad was secretly a proud pop.

Special Morning Time

The Cunningham Fam has a new morning routine! Chad now drops Christian off at school on his way to work!  STOP THE PRESS!  Yes, most days Chad and Christian are out the door together to start their day.  Christian loves having Chad take him to school and I do too as it is now much more relaxed in the morning not having to get Christian up, bathed, fed, lunches packed and at school by 8, return home to then rush to get Carson and I ready and him to school by 9.

This morning after Chad and Christian left for school, Carson and I were left to get ready for the day.  As I was getting him dressed I asked him what he was thankful for and this was his response.  "I am thankful for God, (pause) my brother's hermit crab, (pause) my family, and Uncle Ross in Heaven".  

SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS

What a proud day!! After an undefeated season the 2nd Grade Bobcats won the Superbowl against Bonham 26-0!

Christian was so nervous this morning on the way to the game.  We kept telling him that this was just like any other game and there was no reason to be nervous, he should be excited because we had been looking forward to this day for a long time! He sat in the back seat staring out the window the entire way as we listened to our theme song of the year, Boys of Fall.  We listened to it over and over  and over again.   Christian would sing a few lines here and there until we got on the other side of McKinney and it was then time for "bone crushing" music!

As we made our way to the seats we noticed that the entire middle section of the stands (the seats with the sun shining on them) was roped off.  We finally settled in our seats for the game to begin!  It was 6-0 Bobcats in the first quarter and the Bonham fans were letting us know it.  In the second quarter it quickly became evident that the stands were roped off with good reason! If the two sides could have sat any closer together...we may have had a rumble and this momma would have been right in the middle of it!  The Bonham fans were stomping their feet and shaking their rock filled milk jugs like you would not believe.  It was maddening, seriously, these are 7-8 year old boys and grown adults are doing everything in their power so that our team can not hear the play calls.  After a few times outs to regroup and some serious noise from our fans we ended the half with another touchdown and never to hear from the Bonham fans again!

During the second half the boys continued to play some incredible Bobcat Football.  Christian made some awesome tackles back to back and one for a twelve yard loss!  The boys ended up winning the game 26-0!  I am so proud of all the boys!  Their hard work, sweat and occasional tears truly paid off.   It was a wonderful feeling to see the boys huddled up jumping up and down after their big win!  

 Shot of the Final Score!  

 Receiving their Super Bowl Trophy!

 #1

 Super Bowl Champs (I have a feeling we will see a lot more of these!)

 Chad with a few of the other coaches!  A very proud moment!

 We bleed orange and white!

 The next cover of Sports Illustrated

 Christian's Fan Club - The boys ask me before each and every game if they are going to have any family there to watch them play!  I think they do o.k!  Ettie had already made his exit but he was here to cheer on his grandson too!

Christian and Ta Ta

 Christian and Pa Pa

Happy Halloween

The kids had a spooktacular Halloween weekend.  Chad and Christian had come up with a wonderful costume idea for him.....Tom Landry.  Christian was very excited about being Tom Landry.  A trip to the store to pick out Carson's costume did not even change his mind.  Friday morning they were having a costume parade at school.  This was the only time he hesitated for a bit and said "I don't want to be Tom Landry because none of the kids will know who I am and everyone will laugh at me".  I quickly calmed his nerves and told him how cool Mr. Pasqua would think his costume was and that all the teachers would know immediately who he was and that was most important.  I think it worked.  Chad showed him how Tom Landry used to stand on the sidelines and here he is all decked out Friday morning....

Sure enough, when Mr. Pasqua put Christian in the car that afternoon he went on and on about how that was the most original costume of the day and he laughed knowing Chad had shown him the Landry pose of yester year.


We went to a Halloween/Birthday party Friday night complete with a pumpkin seed spitting contest, face painting, a ghost pinata, a haunted hay ride, a campfire to tell ghost stories around and more.  When it came time for the hay ride, Carson and his little buddies decided they were not going to sit out so I decided I had better grab my coat and go along for the ride.  The trailer full of boys, 5 moms and one dad were off on our adventure.  Jim, the lone dad on the trailer, entertained us all by narrating the ride and trying to prepare the boys for the spooky things we might come across on the way, while ducking from attacking bats, and trying to get the boys "quiet as a church mouse" so that we did not scare the leopard out of hiding.  It was really funny.  My camera was acting up all weekend and I was having trouble getting night shots, but here are some pics from the hay ride.

Here the boys are on the hay ride before we took off.  I had tried to take the pic several times but could not get my flash to act right.  Anyway, most of the pics I took showed all the boys giving me very evil glares.

 I think this was Chad coming out of the little cemetary back there.  The planning and staging that went into this hay ride was quite impressive.  Most of the boys were laughing along and commenting about the fake or plastic props but there were a couple that got really spooked.  Surprisingly enough it was not Carson or his little buds.  At one point Carson let out a belly laugh that got everyone to laughing.

 Attack of the silly string spraying ghouls.

The man behind this skeleton is Chad Kennemer.  He slid down the hay bales and right when he jumped off to head toward the boys, he had a small wardrobe malfunction and his ribs fell down which revealed the clothes he had already been spotted in earlier in the evening.  The boys new instantly who it was and started giving him a hard time.  Carson just came in here and said "Remember what Justin said at the end of the hay ride.  That was awesome but that was fake"!

I have a feeling this is what Halloween is going to consist of over the next few years.  

Saturday was game day.  Christian's team had a bye but Carson had a three o'clock soccer game in Frisco.  After the game we came home, Jenn, Misti and the kids came over and we all watched the Ranger WIN and the #25 at the time ranked Baylor Bears beat the Longhorns in Austin and move up to #21!  It was a fun night.  

Sunday evening was trick or treating time.  We went to another Halloween party at the Lacy's so all the kids could then trick-or-treat together.  Not sure what the neighbors thought but we all had a great time together. 

Carson has been in full on Iron Man mode lately so he knew well in advance exactly who he wanted to dress up as for Halloween this year.  He is obviously my child too, because he has already planned out his next two years worth of costumes, in order!  I think Carson was shooting a web in the picture above so I quickly reminded him that Iron Man used the force, so he quickly re-posed.

Iron Man and Tom Landry.  What a combination.  A few of the boys asked if Christian was a business manager or a mob guy.  

 Landry with an injured Tony Romo

 Justin was the scariest

 Cutie Pies!!

 Carson was so excited when the Thomas family jumped out of the car and joined us trick-or-treating.  He and Ben were so happy to see they both chose to be Iron Man.  One of them said "you are just like me".  

Christian and the older boys had quickly taken off so our group was broken in to the big kids and the younger kids.  Or maybe the boys and the girls + Carson.  It was late, the kids were tired and tripping but once these two got together, there was no stopping them.  They ran from house to house.

It was a great night and a late night.  Happy Halloween!