tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34727236138295423272024-03-14T00:06:40.466-04:00Our crazy little MEN!Declan Brady Hogan (2/11/10) - our first love and first born. His brother, Carrig James Hogan (2/28/12) just joined the team and we couldn't feel more blessed.Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comBlogger896125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-29450453451380775292014-06-17T09:59:00.002-04:002014-06-17T09:59:54.741-04:00I believe that we will win!!!This is the first World Cup that I am able to share with both of my boys and Alli. We have been pretty excited to see the USA team play. As a coach and fan there is not much better than the World Cup. As an American I love to see the patriotism by all Americans for this team. I can still remember the 1990 World Cup with a bunch of college players and no one really knew about it in this country! It is so great to see how times have changed!<br />
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This video is a Team Hogan tribute to Team USA.:<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2_nR4To2Lw&list=HL1403013538&index=2<br />
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ENJOY and GO USA!!!!Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-51873882553961720792014-05-19T08:33:00.002-04:002014-05-19T08:33:54.322-04:00Disorganized SportsThis spring we decided to sign up Declan for T-Ball. Declan is very obsessive when he gets into something and recently it was baseball. We would play catch every night so we thought T-Ball might be fun for him. <br />
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Alli and I have coached youth soccer for years so we have had plenty of experience with youth sports but this was our first encounter with youth sports as Parents!!! I did volunteer to be a coach because they were asking for volunteers but we received an email from our coach. She was a competitive softball player her whole life and is an elementary school teacher which made both Alli and I very happy because we knew it would be organized...or so we thought.<br />
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Let me first say that I LOVE BASEBALL. I grew up watching the NY Yankees and it was passed down from my mother's side of the family. I have very vivid memories of playing wiffle ball in the backyard with my Pop & of reading the newspaper every morning and going over the Yankee box score. I can still recall going to my grandparents house and there always being a game on TV.<br />
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Fast forward to Declan's first T-Ball practice. 10 kids of varying abilities throwing baseballs everywhere, half the kids playing in the dirt, with no real structure. As I am watching this I realize that baseball is the most boring game for kids to play! One person at bat and every other player in the field waiting for the ball. Our coach had no plan we just played with no direction. After a few minutes of witnessing this disaster I just grabbed a few baseballs and walked onto the field. I started throwing balls to all the kids while we waited for the hitter to change his helmet to give to the next kid. I just wanted to keep them engaged and give them a few reps. I thought she might get mad but she was actually thankful. By no means am I Joe Torre but I just wanted the kids to have fun and actually practice.<br />
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My first thoughts on Youth baseball:<br />
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1. I have spent a lot of time with Declan playing catch but never thought to teach him about where to run to after you hit the ball off the tee. It was pretty clear that no other parent had either because every time a kid hit the ball off the tee the batter would run straight to the ball... PARENT FAIL!<br />
Lesson: Don't assume kids know anything.<br />
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2. There has to be structure at practices/games. If you leave little boys bored they will find something to keep busy. In baseball that involves dirt!<br />
Lesson: Prepare to have dirty kids with red clay all over them if practices/games are boring.<br />
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3. We have played three games so far and the best coaches were two women. They drew circles in the dirt at the positions they wanted their kids to play and then assigned the kids to these circles. They switched the kids after the first inning. (BRILLIANT IDEA)<br />
Lesson: Steal good ideas when you see them (We had circles next game)<br />
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4. Women coaches should never wear Spaghetti strapped loose fitting tank tops when coaching youth baseball.<br />
Lesson: Sports bras were made for a reason.<br />
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Some pictures of Decky's baseball adventure:<br />
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1. Practicing in backyard<br />
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2. First Glove<br />
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3. Heading to 1st practice<br />
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4. New baseball pants & cleats<br />
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Little game at the Chastain's house!</div>
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GAMEDAY!!!<br />
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<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-14211504724080112452014-05-04T08:20:00.001-04:002014-05-04T14:05:04.661-04:00Cousins trip to the Columbia Zoo!The beautiful thing about technology is that we can FaceTime with my sisters boys almost every day. Decky and Carrig love to see Matthew & TJ and they will FaceTime to show them a new toy, to sing Happy Birthday, to show them a cut, pretty much anything.<br />
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Needless to say that when the Cousins all get together it is on! All four boys running around causing all sorts of trouble. They get early onset selective hearing. To get them to listen around each is like pulling teeth.<br />
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A few weeks back all the boys came to my game at Univ. of South Carolina. We planned on going to the Columbia, SC Zoo the next day. Here are a few pictures:<br />
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When they checked into the Hotel</div>
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At the game. (think TJ took Coach Ghehm's Chapstick)</div>
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All four boys on one turtle!</div>
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Aunt Nancy with TJ & Decky!</div>
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Alli with Matt</div>
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Uncle Scott, the boys, and myself!</div>
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After a long, hot day of playing with their Cousins this is what the car ride home looked like!</div>
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<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-64058999565062158052014-04-21T08:40:00.000-04:002014-04-21T08:40:02.606-04:00THE HAIRCUT..Carrig James Hogan was born with some beautiful locks of hair. He has this style and personality that just embodied the long hair...but two years without a real haircut was driving me crazy.<br />
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Like his brother before him Carrig's eyes started to cross around two years of age. Alli actually believed that maybe the long hair that was in his eyes all the time was the cause. I started to sense Alli letting her guard down about his hair and I jumped at my chance. Our conversation:<br />
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Paul - "Yeah Alli I think the hair maybe causing his eyes to cross. How about a haircut?"<br />
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Alli - "You think so? I love his hair and don't want to cut it"<br />
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Paul - "I love his hair too but what if his hair is the root of the eye problem? (holding in a laugh)"<br />
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Alli - "Ok,well then I will take him to get a cut boy's haircut"<br />
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Paul - "Good idea, you are a great Mom".<br />
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So, Carrig went for his first real cut and came back with an awful little girls haircut. I saw my chance and got my hair clippers all warmed up!!! After a few hours she relented and I was able to give him a BUZZ.<br />
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This is Carrig before and after his first real haircut:<br />
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This is the barber fixing this cut:<br />
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Declan & Carrig Age 2 with same haircuts</div>
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The Hogan Men!</div>
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<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-37025283682147194712014-04-21T08:15:00.001-04:002014-04-21T08:15:27.434-04:00The Hogan Men are taking over this blog!It seems that caring for two wild and crazy boys & one rather large immature husband has taken a toll on my wife. I have waited patiently for a new blog post but NADA. <div>
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SO....the boys and I have hijacked this blog and you will now hear about life at Casa de Hogan from a guy's perspective.</div>
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ENJOY.</div>
Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-54772260555999749952014-01-01T22:43:00.000-05:002014-01-01T22:43:11.912-05:00Dear boys...As 2013 comes to a close and 2014 begins, I have a few things I want to pass on to you........As a stay at home mom, for better or worse, all of my focus is on you :) Sometimes I think about cleaning toilets and showers, cooking meals and taking care of your daddy, but mainly I think about y'all ;) Annndddddd I think a lot so here a few of the lessons I have been rolling around in my brain the past year and I want to pass on to you.......<br />
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1) Your attitude and perspective is EVERYTHING.<br />
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This has been something that has taken me awhile to really grasp in my heart so I'm hoping I can share the love and y'all will pick it up quicker than I have....<br />
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It all came to me one day as I was running very very early in the morning this fall and I saw ^^^. I hate mornings, and I really don't particularly enjoy running, but I did love seeing an absolutely gorgeous sunrise that I never would have taken in if I hadn't been up that early, and running. There is always always ALWAYS good. If you want to see it. You can choose to focus on the bad parts of your life, the parts that are hard, the parts that make you sad etc etc etc OR you can spend your time thinking about all of the good, and actually seeing it. Trust me when I tell you that it will make all of the difference in the world if you do the latter. Thinking negatively will do nothing for you. Absolutely nothing. It won't change a circumstance, it'll just make ya pissy. So look for the good, grasp onto it as tightly as you can and think only of that. No matter what you are going thru, where you are, who you are with, there is ALWAYS beauty, if you want to see it. So look my dear boys....look for it.<br />
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2) Salt water heals everything.<br />
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Ain't that the truth! Hopefully I will have adequately shown you the healing powers that the ocean has by the time you read this (we do in fact live 10 miles from the beach ;) ), but sweating it out and crying it out are just as effective. One way or another, GET IT OUT.<br />
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One Sunday, Decky, you weren't feeling very well but the weather was awesome, so I made the executive decision to skip church and hit the beach! This is one example of about 100 where I swear, salt water has healed you. A few good hours playing in the water, breathing in the awesome fresh salty air, connecting with nature..........it always helps. <br />
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There's just something about the smell once you start getting close, that salt water smell, that brings peace to (my) your heart and no matter what you have going on, you take a deep breath, relax and everything doesn't seem as overwhelming as maybe it was before you came. Its SIMPLE. And simple can be good.<br />
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So whenever you find yourself in a tough spot and you don't know what to do........its ok to have a good cry. Get it out. If you need to go for a run, get on it boys. Sweat it out. If you live near the water, take a ride and spend some good quality time breathing in the salty air, enjoying the magnificence that is the ocean and thinking about all the good in your life. When you leave, I PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE, you will feel better.<br />
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Both of you are at home when we go to the water......I hope you never ever ever lose that and if you do, that's what this message is for. Go back. It'll make your heart go.<br />
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Love you two so much......you are both turning into the coolest little boys and daddy and I are so proud of you. Stay cool, stay positive and know that mommy will never stop being all up in your business like this ;) <3 br=""><!--3--></3>Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-86064850797360609432013-12-21T20:49:00.001-05:002013-12-21T20:49:06.993-05:00SomeoneStop time. I need to bottle up my little boys' laughter when they run and chase each other like crazed animals after dinner and then jump on each other and wrestle. I need these moments forever captured for me because I can already feel myself missing these days..........<br /><br />These days and these moments and that laughter.....it's just absolutely too precious (as in extremely important and close to my heart) to forget. I want this to last forever......<br /><br />Someone. Help :)<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-57493979322962945142013-11-13T15:19:00.001-05:002013-11-13T15:19:10.967-05:00ShiShi and PopPopCarrig has given GiGi a new name and it's pretty darn cute:<br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Xi3qYHuIgI" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Xi3qYHuIgI" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xi3qYHuIgI"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/2Xi3qYHuIgI/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>Love it. Consider her name changed officially :) mom, you're cool with it right??<br /><br />They came down back at the beginning of October for the Conway fall festival and we had another wonderful weekend. The boys just die for their grandparents .......and their puppies ;) <br /><br />The coolest part ab this particular weekend was that my dad taught Declan how to hit a baseball. I loved watching them play outside together and I love that forever we will be able to say "Pop Pop taught you how to do that!" <br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/piyYaHoUWEw" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/piyYaHoUWEw" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piyYaHoUWEw"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/piyYaHoUWEw/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>They used a tennis racket and rugby ball but he finally got the timing down :) and we play almost daily now and he's getting pretty good. Again....dec, Pop Pop taught you how to do that:<br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/qr9EEqltKwE" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qr9EEqltKwE" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr9EEqltKwE"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/qr9EEqltKwE/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br />The rest of the weekend we just hung out and enjoyed time together. Love love love that my boys love love love their ShiShi and PopPop... And Maddie and Chopper. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/13/743.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/13/s_743.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/13/744.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/13/s_744.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/13/745.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/13/s_745.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/13/746.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/13/s_746.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a 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href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/13/763.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/13/s_763.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-90930070336527555692013-11-12T23:33:00.001-05:002013-11-12T23:33:20.055-05:00Halloweeny!"Best!!! Halloween!!! Ever!!!" Says Declan as he fist pumped (no lie) walking back to our car from our Halloween adventure. <br /><br />We started the night before (better late than never ok?!?!) by carving our big pumpkin. The boys had painted the little ones awhile ago....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1705.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1705.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1706.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1706.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1707.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1707.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Declan thought the jack o lantern was so cool. Side note: constantly reminded how cool life is when u watch it thru your kids eyes....<br /><br /><br />The morning of Halloween Declan had his fall festival at school which is AWESOME. They just do such a good job, face painting, musical chairs, tattoo parlor, jumpy house, animals to feed, horses to ride, carnival games etc etc etc. its just awesome. Both boys had a blast<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1708.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1708.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1709.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1709.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1710.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1710.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1711.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1711.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1712.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1712.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1713.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1713.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1714.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1714.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1715.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1715.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1716.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1716.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1717.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1717.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />I made the boys a smoothie filled with lots of kale before we left<br />To go trick or treating bc I was not feeling good ab the amount of candy that was ab to be consumed ;)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1718.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1718.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Love themselves a smoothie. #mommytrick <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1719.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1719.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We went out to barefoot landing again with kaylie, jax, Blake and Lilly and had "the best Halloween everrrrrrr". They trick or treated to all the store/restaurant owners then we had a big feast at the pizza place. It was a total sh*t show I'm not even gonna lie and all the parents......we just had a beer and laughed bc the kids were insane and loud but oh they had fun. Another awesome, successful Halloween in the books:<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1720.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1720.jpg' border='0' width='640' height='640' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1721.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1721.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1722.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1722.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1723.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1723.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1724.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1724.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1725.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1725.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1726.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1726.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1727.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1727.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1728.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1728.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Cinderella, pumpkin, dinosaur, duck, dragon, zebra. Best crew ever.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1729.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1729.jpg' border='0' width='640' height='640' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1730.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1730.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/1731.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_1731.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-2469186516743753402013-11-12T15:07:00.001-05:002013-11-12T15:07:44.596-05:00America <br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/7n29RxT2pPQ" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7n29RxT2pPQ" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n29RxT2pPQ"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/7n29RxT2pPQ/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>So Declan just popped out with this the other day. I couldn't believe it! His school is so awesome and seriously every day he learns something new and important (I guess that's what happens at school huh) but I was so proud that's a lot to remember for a little buddy and he recites it like a champ! <br /><br />Paul and I both want very much to raise strong boys who are proud to be American and I'm so glad his school has started this early and engraining it into his head.<br /><br />Yesterday was Veteran's Day and we had a neighbor that came back from overseas over the weekend so Paul had the really good idea of having the boys make cookies for him and bringing them over. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/12/800.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/12/s_800.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Deckys a big helper when it comes to cooking so he and I had a fun afternoon making and decorating these and when carrig woke up we took them over. And it was really a cool moment ( i teared up of course) but I tried hard to explain what we were doing and why it's so impt to thank and respect members of our military so decky went over and said "thank you for fighting our country".....SO close :) but Michael (our marine neighbor) was so unbelievably nice and gracious and actually asked if he could shake Declan's hand. That's when I teared up. Here was this awesome kid (he was so young I couldn't believe he is in the marines) who had been away for 8 months in combat and he was just incredibly nice and wonderful to my little boy, thanking us when all we wanted to do was thank him.<br /><br />It was a cool moment and I'm thankful to Paul for being such an awesome dad and putting together ideas that drive home the values etc we are trying to teach the boys.<br /><br />Go America.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-7098878739701667292013-10-25T22:28:00.001-04:002013-10-25T22:28:09.771-04:00Random...........go!It used to be that every night I would sit on the couch, look thru pics and blog ab something cute from the day. These days.....different story.<br />The boys are so busy (and so fun) and are into everything so it's a little overwhelming to blog! They are just doing so much and mommy is so tired - not a good combo but gonna try and catch up a little in a very very extraordinarily random blog post - now!<br /><br />We had a cookout one night with a group of friends and Paul rocked this beauty to sleep. Anytime we are around Lilly Paul somehow finds a way to hold her.......clearly he needs a little girl of his own!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1480.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1480.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And the boys found their way into the pool. It was a late, wet, cold ride home....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1481.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1481.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1482.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1482.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We are in prime time soccer season so if we aren't watching Paul's girls, we are watching the boys play, and decky is hanging with his (Paul's) girls :)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1483.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1483.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Carrig and I have been going to library time and "mornings with mommy" every week. He is absolutely disastrous there but it's good for him. Luckily we are friends with the lady who runs "mornings with mommy" or else we prob would have been kicked out by now.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1484.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1484.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />He will always, however, sit still for snack and juice ;)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1485.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1485.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The Moby is back! And carrig looooooves it! Every day we go for a good bike ride while deckys at school. My quads aren't happy ab it.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1486.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1486.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We don't have many trees in our yard that drop leaves so this is the lamest leaf pile ever........good thing they aren't picky!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1487.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1487.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1488.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1488.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1489.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1489.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1490.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1490.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Declan has taught C the art of drinking the juice from the fruit cup....milk from a cereal bowl isn't as neat.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1491.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1491.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />One night we went and visited daddy at practice!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1492.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1492.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1493.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1493.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The man does it all :)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1494.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1494.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Friday night lights. We are LOVING going to daddy's games. Fall is the best for so many reasons......GO CHANTS!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1495.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1495.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The neighborhood boys frequent the hogan household these days.<br />Can't tell if they like Declan, the toys, or Paul best.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1496.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1496.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1497.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1497.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1498.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1498.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1499.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1499.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I have to say this bc it was so funny. One night last week they were over on Monday, it was time to go and one of the boys came up to Paul and goes, "so ugh.....I'm gonna have a lot of homework on tues, weds and thurs but ugh....maybe I'll see you on Friday?!?!?!" Haaaa oh my gosh!!! Paul's ego just went thru the roof thanks to a sweet little 11yr old boy.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1500.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1500.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We tailgated with our besties one night before a football game. Times have a changed ;)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1501.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1501.jpg' border='0' width='746' height='746' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1502.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1502.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1503.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1503.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1504.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1504.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1505.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1505.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1506.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1506.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1507.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1507.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1508.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1508.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Everything......repeat, everything, was a touchdown to this kid.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1509.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1509.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1510.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1510.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1511.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1511.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Feeding the fish in our backyard. I just love his little face when he talks to me :)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1512.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1512.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />He pushed down the pirate in deckys room, straddled him and yelled "horsie!!!!!" He's special.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1513.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1513.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Halloween craft night with friends!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1514.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1514.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1515.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1515.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A walk one morning with my beautiful fella and his buffalo.<br />Hasn't forgotten our CO roots.......<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1516.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1516.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Homie loves himself a smoothie.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1517.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1517.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1518.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1518.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />How we roll when daddy's on the road.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1519.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1519.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We met kaylie and jax at the park one day after the older kids had school for lunch. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1520.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1520.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Trying to teach J had to go down the slide.....he is surprisingly so sweet with the babies....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1521.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1521.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Last week we went out to indigo farms after school with k&j again for some fall fun. They had a blast, as always.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1522.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1522.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />These two are so cute with the animals.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1523.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1523.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1524.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1524.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1525.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1525.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This one....not so much.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1526.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1526.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1527.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1527.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1528.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1528.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1529.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1529.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1530.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1530.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Just a big boy now. Feeding himself, no more sippy cups, no more bottles......lots of personality.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1531.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1531.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I had Declan's school fundraiser with a friend last Friday night so Paul and the little ones had boys night. They could not have been more pleased :)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1532.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1532.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Naked rain fun!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1533.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1533.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />That.....is a body.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1534.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1534.jpg' border='0' width='640' height='640' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />More soccer!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1535.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1535.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1536.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1536.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Oh yes. Standing up riding his bike now. Hot sh*t!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1537.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1537.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1538.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1538.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Sweet cleavage.....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1539.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1539.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And I'll leave you with this gem. Goodnight!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/1540.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_1540.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-59884893285103289142013-10-16T23:36:00.001-04:002013-10-16T23:38:56.341-04:00ExpectationsI think I've written about this somewhere on the blog but I don't have the patience to look thru 20 entries/page at a time (blog peeps you know what I mean)........so here goes.<br /><br />I deal with this quite often in my life because I have extraordinarily high expectations.......... for myself, first and foremost. I intellectually understand that I can not and never will be perfect, but it doesn't stop me from trying. And I get very upset when I'm not. I expect the same from my husband, close friends, family, and now my sons. It makes their life hard, I know, but more than that it makes my life sort of miserable when I get caught up in it.<br /><br />Enter last night. We were at our friends house having a fun Halloween get together with another family as well. The three older kids were all in school together last year (Declan, Blake and McKenzie) and my dear sweet Declan just played all by himself (and Blake's trains) for hours while Blake and Kenz had a make believe family they concocted and had a blast TOGETHER for hours. Ugh. Then when it was time to perhaps share the trains, Declan lost it.....and then again when it was time to leave.<br /><br />This was bad for me on multiple levels. A) I get worried about Declan because he isn't the social butterfly that (this is going to sound bad yikes but just trying to be honest) I would like for him to be. Or any parent probably wants their kid to be. Who doesn't love a kid who lights up the room with his smile and personality and funny conversation with everyone. We have that in Carrig. But Declan is quite the opposite. I worry for him, that he's going to be a lonely little guy at school, all by himself because he's so internal. I want other kids to want to be friends with him, want to play and hang out because he's a fun guy. And he IS a fun guy, but gets so overwhelemd so easily in groups that he just goes inward almost immediately. And misses so much of the fun. At least that's how I saw it last night........and then I got to thinking.<br /><br />Declan had fun. Aside from the two lovely little fits, he was happy playing by himself. Perfectly happy. He didn't care to have a pretend "baby" with Blake and Kenz. Not his thing. He just wanted to put a big train track together and get after it with the 489032 "new" trains that Blake has. He didn't feel left out in the slightest. I felt left out for him. And therein lies my issue. I want him to be something that he isn't and that's SO wrong. SO unfair to him. And to myself.<br /><br />Letting your child be who he is is turning out to be fairly difficult for mommy...........if I've said it once I've said it a million times, Declan is so so so awesome and he is going to be awesome. So many of his personality traits are going to take him very far in life - and so many times I'm able to see that and look past the crazy he drives me to but last night was not one of those times. He is a shy guy, he is very internal, he is very stubborn, he is not influenced by other kids (an AWESOME trait) but socially it can be a little tough for me to watch. But again, I'm reminded that its not about me. Declan is happy. I should be happy.<br /><br />Having high expectations isn't a bad thing. I'll never lower my expectations for myself or those close to me. Ain't happenin'. But I think I need to adjust them maybe??? And definitely adjust my reaction to when I or people that I love don't live up to said expectations. Otherwise..................mommy's gonna go crazy. Like I did last night and the large part of today worrying about him. I tell you, this parenting thing isn't getting any easier. Which leads me to my next thought........<br /><br />My parents are amazing. As are Paul's. But I can only speak to mine here as I grew with them :) I have three little brothers and I honest to goodness do not remember a time where I felt pressured to be something different from THEM. Pressure from myself, sure. Pressure from a coach or friend or whoever, absolutely. But my parents? No. My brothers and I are all extraordinarily (if you know us you know how true this is) different and they, from the jump, have encouraged us and continue to encourage us to be who we are. I can look back and see times where my parents literally and figuratively shut their mouths and let us do things they didn't agree with necessarily and even to this day I will notice my mom or dad fighting to keep their mouth shut becasue they don't agree with something I've said or done. But they shut their mouths. They don't try to stifle my passionate tirades, they let me go :) They know that's me and as a child, which I still am, there's nothing greater than to have a parent who loves you and supports you. For you.<br /><br />So that's my goal with Declan. Its gonna be a struggle I can tell. Not because something's wrong with him. Because I have visions and expectations in my head that aren't fair.......................so adjust, I must.<br /><br />My guy: hang with me buddy..............you are a beautiful beautiful little soul:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/16/1802.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/16/s_1802.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-72889585708145129342013-10-09T22:41:00.001-04:002013-10-09T22:41:17.878-04:00Shower time ritualEvery night. Every. Single. Night. Declan turns the water to 33 degrees and dumps it over and over on carrig. Who thinks it is hysterical. <br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/N_PjEWVbftM" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N_PjEWVbftM" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PjEWVbftM"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/N_PjEWVbftM/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>Sometimes they are really cute together....<br />Sometimes.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-32096955437899956942013-10-09T22:34:00.001-04:002013-10-09T22:34:58.281-04:00It's true...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/09/1892.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/09/s_1892.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Paul is, in fact, the father......<br /><br /><br /><br />Holy twins!!!!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-10293832764912500212013-10-05T22:49:00.001-04:002013-10-05T22:49:24.677-04:00What's that?Oh...you think mommy is number 1?<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/2151.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_2151.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Back at ya buddy! You're such a smart little guy. Sorry, Paul........<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-50477072611492852552013-10-05T22:46:00.001-04:002013-10-05T22:46:42.152-04:00Dentist!Declan's second go round:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/2075.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_2075.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Might need to work on putting on our cool dentist shades....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/2076.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_2076.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/2079.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_2079.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Like a pro. Good work, guy!!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-19235692238454718232013-10-05T22:43:00.001-04:002013-10-05T22:43:02.697-04:00DA BOYSSo we have recently come upon the neighborhood crew of boys. I love our neighborhood for so many reasons and feel like we totally lucked out in the good neighbor dept, and we have now realized there are a good 7 or 8 little boys who live on our street. Three who Declan really love playing with specifically.....they are older so clearly they are super<br />cool and whatever they do, Declan wants to do. Duh, mom.<br /><br />Here they are playing catch in the back of one of the kid's dad's pickup trucks. So many of Declan's favorite things in one place....<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/2043.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_2043.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/2044.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_2044.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />They are AWESOME, repeat AWESOME with Declan. Super cautious and thoughtful because he is so much smaller than them.<br />Really, what he needs is a good beat down from an older kid but<br />for now I'm thankful to have cool older kids who are sweet to my little boy.........plenty of time for beat downs in his future.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-13873740986945331082013-10-05T22:31:00.001-04:002013-10-05T22:31:56.302-04:00And my new favorite pic:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/05/1939.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/05/s_1939.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Love him so....<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-10465237926082929202013-10-05T22:30:00.001-04:002013-10-05T22:30:56.368-04:00My new favorite vid:<br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/qK6GACaW4dk" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qK6GACaW4dk" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK6GACaW4dk"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/qK6GACaW4dk/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>He's special.....<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-7551741065908348932013-10-02T21:58:00.003-04:002013-10-02T21:58:59.751-04:00Uncle KenanMy brother came into town in the middle of August which was so cool of him. I know he was looking for some good beach/pool/nephew time but instead he got some cold/rainy/nephew time. But he was a really good sport and even took Declan swimming in the 65 degree rainy weather. One windy stormy night we went out to a bar by the beach (with the children, mom and uncle of the year), ate, had a few drinks and then went to the water for a little. Got some really really realllllly good iPhone pics with the stormy clouds in the background...<br />
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Saturday night Paul was home so we took Kenan and the boys down to Murrells Inlet and had a really fun night eating along the marsh walk. Like I said, the weather was iffy, but that means it wasn't hot in the slightest so it was just so so nice hanging out and eating outside. Love that so much....<br />
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Declan was so sad when Uncle Kenan and Uncle Addison (his dog) left on Sunday......he loved having an extra cool playmate here for a few days. I love that we live close enough to our families that we can have fun weekend visits and I love having an awesome brother who wants to come spend his weekends with a 3 and 1 yr old.....love you Nanner Nanner!<br />
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At one point I looked at my brother and said, "Is it weird to you that most of these people that see us definitely think I'm the mom and you are the dad to these two animals?" - Emphatic yes. ;)<br />
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Tank top besties:</div>
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<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-40953799058354131272013-09-27T23:48:00.001-04:002013-09-27T23:48:09.214-04:00Caught ya!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/27/2156.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/27/s_2156.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />He would drink ranch dressing and hummus (not together) straight if i would let him.......carrots are just his spoon. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-39760864423539997472013-09-27T23:43:00.001-04:002013-09-27T23:43:21.705-04:00I.Need.A.Girl.Period.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/27/2140.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/27/s_2140.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Carrigs hair is so long right now that we were playing outside, he was hot and sweaty and it was all over the place clearly annoying him, so when we went in he went straight to the bathroom, got my bag of hair ties and comes to me, "mommy!!!" and rubs his head. He wanted his hair in a pony. So I obliged. <br /><br />My baby Beckham.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-58027313972240132202013-09-27T23:40:00.001-04:002013-09-27T23:40:31.153-04:00Oh to have the problems of a 3.5yr old<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/27/2136.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/27/s_2136.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Because he wanted a sandwich for lunch instead of the quesadilla mommy fixed.<br /><br />Get a grip, kid.<br /><br />Ps - mommy won.<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-77182609108511091332013-09-25T23:38:00.001-04:002013-09-25T23:38:40.531-04:00My little little friend:Well he is just a mess. An 18-month old super mess, starting to get a real fiery attitude with mom and bro, loves to say "no no no no no" whilst wagging his finger at you....he is good times!<br /><br />And still wildly cute:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2094.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2094.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2095.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2095.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And really helpful:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2096.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2096.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I had to fix our vacuum cleaner a few days ago so he decided to get his own screwdriver and "help".<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2097.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2097.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2098.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2098.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2099.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2099.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And every single day tells me he wants to go "paaaaadddy" and this is what he does:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/2100.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_2100.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Fully clothes. Doesn't quite grasp the concept but hey ;)<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3472723613829542327.post-3272090440907281962013-09-25T22:41:00.001-04:002013-09-25T22:50:25.166-04:00My little friend:Is becoming such a big boy. Right in front of my eyes. And he is so fun to hang out with......I can't tell you how happy it makes me when he says, "mommy, you wanna kick the soccer ball with me????" <br />Uhhhh...........yea!!!!!<br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/5zxHjRF3tFo" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5zxHjRF3tFo" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zxHjRF3tFo"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/5zxHjRF3tFo/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>He wanted to play after dinner tonight and ended up just kicking against the wall by himself. He went for a solid 15 mins and would have done an hour I bet if I had let him....<br />Yesterday on a bike ride:<br /><div align="center"><br /><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZONt30-KgxQ" height="300" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZONt30-KgxQ" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZONt30-KgxQ"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ZONt30-KgxQ/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></div><br />Why is he 10?????<br />I distinctly remember when he was Carrigs age and it's just bananas to see him now - this big/little boy who cannot get enough of sports and just all things "boy".<br />We did some community service with Paul's team on Saturday and I was SO proud of Declan. There are times he drives me up the wall and I worry about him, but then there are times like Saturday when I see a glimpse of the man he could (hopefully WILL) be and my pride soars. He took it very seriously and really was a huge help cleaning up tons of trash at this park for an hour and a half. Way to go, Dec!<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/1864.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_1864.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/1865.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_1865.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then there's this:<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/25/1867.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/25/s_1867.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Something about seeing my husband's face in my sweet baby's....my little mini Paul Hogan.<br />Just stay here for a minute, Dec. love you so much....<br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alli and Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596910265731303269noreply@blogger.com