Bald Head!

AH!
  We had such a great long Memorial Day weekend down there - can't wait to go back next week for the real thing! And this time Paul is coming! For some reason blogger isn't letting me upload photos so I'll attach our mobile me gallery at the end of the post for all the pics but it was just such a nice few days down at the beach with my fam. Graham, my dad, and my mom were all down there and we just enjoyed time together. Doing nothing :)
  Their house is right on the beach so it makes life easy - you wake up, eat breakfast, and walk 100 yards to the beach. That about 4 other people are on. I'm telling you, you want to relax and really really really get away, Bald Head is the place to be.
  After Declan's "nap" (he didn't sleep well the first few days................I tried very hard not to freak out), my dad and I took him down to the one of the pools and he loved that too. The kid is a definite water baby. Otherwise, Declan and Graham (Uncle Boo Boo) are total besties - it truly truly warms my heart. Graham had just graduated HS on that Friday and it had been a pretty busy/stressful Spring for him so I know he was wanting to relax but not with this kid around!!!! If there was ever a second that Graham was sitting or laying down (including at night when he was sleeping), Declan was all up in his business, either poking at his eyes to wake up, or pulling his hand to take him somewhere he wanted to go. It was really cute and I love how much Declan loves my brothers - he loves all of them but he sees Graham the most! (Another reason we have to get out to CU asap :) )
  So all in all, it was a great long weekend, awesome time at the beach and pool, good food, good family time and can't wait to get back! Thanks, mom and dad, for dealing with my crazy demands of "please be quiet Declan is sleeping" and moving things around to accomodate us! We will see you soon :)


Pics!
http://gallery.me.com/hoganpaul1#100554

This kid:

is not Declan :) Although it very much so looks like him......It's my little baby brother Graham............and he is now a high school graduate and heading to CU!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I could not be more proud of Graham. He put himself in a really great position - he got into every school he applied to, got tons of scholarships for being smart (something I know nothing about :) ), all of which had huge ups and a few downs. Colorado included. Ultimately, CU fits his lifestyle the best and provides so many opportunities - school included (dad) - for him to push himself and get outside his comfort zone while being the super outdoorsy, health conscious young man that he is. My heart seriously drops every time I think about the fact that we just moved from there, BUT, it is what it is and I'm beyond excited because it gives Paul, Declan and I the best reason ever to go back and visit - multiple times a year. Make room in your dorm room, Boo - your favorite sister is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Truly though - Graham has always been, and remains, a super laid back, go with the flow kind of person (again, something I know nothing about) so I was certain he would stay close to home and go to Wake or Carolina.....even though I knew how much he loved Colorado. It just seemed like a little big of a jump, too much of a chance etc etc etc but he took it like a MAN and he's going for it. So proud. Beyond proud. My baby brother is so grown up.....................I really cannot believe it.

 Declan please slow down because I can't handle another of my "babies" growing up as quickly as Graham has.

Love you, Boo! I can't wait to watch you on this next journey............you are going to be absolutely amazing, I know it!

And you always have this kid to come back to........... :) Best buddies. 

Someone needs to teach this kid how to eat!

What was once a yummy bowl of stir-fry.....

He is foul - truly. I had some cleaning to do but he was gonna lose his mind he was so hungry so I sat him down with some carrots and hummus and THIS happens. Thank God we are renting right now.........this kid makes such a mess on an hourly basis.

Ga-Ross. But it is our life. Thank heavens Paul has loosened up on how clean he thinks our house should be at all times cause that ain't never gonna happen with this kid!!

- Posted on the run using BlogPress from my iPhone - because chasing a toddler all day does not leave time to sit on a computer and blog!

Beach baby

Wish anklet..........decky wouldn't tell me what he wished for but I might have an idea....




........................A BANANA ;)


Holy tan line!



- Posted on the run using BlogPress from my iPhone - because chasing a toddler all day does not leave time to sit on a computer and blog!

DBH's first recruiting video feedback:

---I sent the video of Decky with his soccer ball and this is what Paul did with it :) I almost peed myself laughing! Kyle is hilarious and a good friend of Paul's - he's the asst coach for the men's team so clearly this is all in good fun in case you were wondering. We aren't THOSE PARENTS............................




yet.


-----Original Message-----
From: Kyle Russell
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 12:21 PM
To: Paul Hogan
Cc: Shaun Docking
Subject: RE: Future little messi

Mr. Hogan,

Thank you for the video on your son and your interest in Coastal Carolina University.  We have a very good program here.  Unfortunately, it is vital for us to see potential recruits to your son play in person before we can make any decisions on roster spots and or scholarships.  We would love to extend the opportunity for your son to train and be exposed to the D1 level at our up-coming Summer Academy Camp.  Please visit our website www.ccusoccer.com
From the video alone, I can tell your son may have a bright future here at Coastal Carolina University!  Thanks


Kyle Russell
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach
Coastal Carolina University
2010 Big South Conference Champs
Cell # 843-333-1235
Office # 843-349-2910
Fax # 843-349-2240
http://www.goccusports.com/sports/m-soccer/coas-m-soccer-body.html
________________________________________
From: Paul Hogan
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 12:12 PM
To: Kyle Russell
Subject: FW: Future little messi

Declan has been practicing. On what you see on this video is he worthy of a scholarship?



Go Chants!

Paul Hogan
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Coastal Carolina University
843-796-0028 (C)
843-349-2859 (O)
843-349-2240 (F)
www.GoCCUSports.com

Declan "Messi" Hogan

My favorite player in the world is Lionel Messi - argentinian little buddy who plays for Barcelona. He is nasty...........like insane, if you love soccer as much as Paul and I do, watching him just makes you happy.

In any case, he is tiny - prob 5'5 or so but will trick your socks off and seeing as decky is currently in the 10th percentile for his height - we might have a little Messi on our hands :) go on with your bad self, Declan!

- Posted on the run using BlogPress from my iPhone - because chasing a toddler all day does not leave time to sit on a computer and blog!

Pauls mini me continued....

The man loves corn. Aside from ravioli and bread it might be his favorite food. If I try to cook any other vegetable for dinner he asks me without fail why I can't just get him corn.....like a three year old.

Declan has finally joined the corn lover ranks! He went to town on it the other night for dinner! And guess what mommy found the next day in his diaper????

tmi??????? ;)

- Posted on the run using BlogPress from my iPhone - because chasing a toddler all day does not leave time to sit on a computer and blog!