Bengals End of Season Party

Last night we had our End of Season Bengal Football Party for our Freshman!!

A peek at the trophy table...

Go Bengals!!!

Go Freshmen!!

We got there early to help decorate so of course the boys that had to be there early headed outside and started playing...of course, FOOTBALL!!!

Our huge and delicious Bengals cake!!

James brought 20 pizzas from work and they were all demolished except for about 1/2 a pizza!! All of the food was yummy...fruit, veggies, chips, salad, pizza, and desserts!!

After dinner, Coach Oscar gave the boys a really good talk and
then all 5 coaches presented the boys with their trophies and they each earned a special certificate that the coaches came up with.

Thomas waiting patiently for his...poor baby, he ended up being
2nd to last out of 23 boys.

One last huddle and break down with the coaches...until next year!!

After we got home, I took a couple of snaps. He was so tired and in PJ's but wanted me to take it anyway!! 

Another nice trophy for the collection!!

And look...they spelled our last name right!!!! =)

This was the certificate that Thomas earned from
the coaches.  We think it describes and fits him very well.

Here's a short clip of Thomas' Defensive coach, J.C., presenting him with his trophy and certificate. Hopefully, you can hear what he's saying. =)

We are so very proud of Thomas!!

We couldn't have asked for a better first season of tackle (well, except for maybe winning the Superbowl!!) Can't wait for next season!!

Christmas Yard Decorating!!

Yesterday, we spent most of the day outside.  The weather was gorgeous and it was a great day to just be outdoors and also put up our XMAS lights and decorations.   Here's some highlights from our day:

Thomas driving around his big remote control RC car...

My honey stringing lights up...look at that blue sky.

This is Thomas' brand new pair of Nike shoes, notice the Bengal colors!!!

Belle on the Green Machine!!

Thomas attempting to do a cartwheel...

Pretty cool shot with just one arm touching the ground.

Typical...

These are Shelby's new Nikes...very snazzy!! She also got a new pair of softball cleats.

Finally, house was finished right at sunset!!  Looks good!!

The kids love for Noel to be out in the yard!!
James did an awesome job!!
Up next, our end of season Bengals party!!

Christmas Tree Decorating 2010

Today, we had our Thanksgiving Dinner since we weren't able to yesterday.

Here's my turkey lurkey...Mmmmm Hmmmm, good!!

This was only my second turkey to make by myself and it was just as good, if not better, than the one last year.

Somebody was waiting for a turkey handout!!! HA!!

Turkey dinner, hot and ready to eat on the table.  Went a little bit on the light side this year since it was just the 4 of us.  We had the yard bird (under the foil), yummy turkey gravy, a few rolls, green bean casserole (one of James' favorites), mashed taters (one of the kids faves, I usually make sweet taters), and of course cranberry sauce (one of my faves)!!!

Pilgrim Thomas came to have dinner with us!!! =)

After our delicious meal and wonderful prayer time (we all prayed telling what we are most thankful for), we started putting up the Christmas tree.  Side note: Thomas' prayer included things like football and toys, while Belle's included the stars, world peace and hunger. =)

James and the kids working on the tree branches...

Pausing for a cute family photo!!

Belle was a great helper today, helping Daddy with the tree and all of the light strands (my least favorite part!).

Checking light strands...Thomas the Superviser was on hand!!

Finally getting all the lights hung...it definitely is the most time consuming part.

Belle lit up...

Belle goofing with Daddy!!

Time to put on the ornaments...

Belle is getting so tall now, she can almost reach the top!!

Our finished product!!

And now for a little Thomas humor...

Gotta love this kid!!!

We had a great day today - being thankful, eating a good meal, putting up the tree, playing games, listening to Christmas music and watching another Christmas movie!! We are definitely getting in the Christmas spirit around here. =)  Up next, decorating outside.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

From our home to yours...

Have a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!!

We have so much to be thankful for and we dearly miss those that we can't be with today.

Please know you are in our thoughts.

BEST WISHES!!!

From,

The Hathorn's

James, Karen, Shelby, Thomas and Trinity

One Month Ago...

Papa passed away 1 month ago today and these are just some of the things I've been thinking about...

Things Pop liked:
Red and Yellow Roses
He called Grandma his Yellow Rose!
He called me Bright Eyes! :)
He loved drinking coffee!!
He loved eating peanuts, always had jar of peanuts to snack on.
He loved peppermint sticks, the old fashioned kind. Every time I see them, I think of him.
He always loved black licorice or black jelly beans  - they were another favorite!
One of his favorite meals was fried catfish from David Beard's!!
He loved sports...especially LSU football, the Atlanta Braves or watching tennis or golf on TV with Grandma.
He loved to play golf for years, especially with his best friend, Erv, or my daddy. When I lived with them for a while, he loved trying to teach me golf lessons in the backyard.
He used to play church softball with us years ago, a great 1st baseman!!! He loved throwing ball with me in the yard to see how hard I could throw.  Great memories.
He loved mowing!!! His yard, my mom's yard, or the church yard...he just loved it!!
He also loved singing and listening to music, especially old folk or gospel music.
He loved playing the harmonica and played it well.  He gave me one of his harmonicas years ago. I still have it.
He loved this country and fought for it during WWII...we thank him for the sacrifices.
He loved his family...more than most people realize!!
He loves JESUS!!!

There wasn't much Pop didn't like.  He had a rough childhood, and life as a soldier in the most devastating war for the first 25 years of his life.  But he met my grandma, they married, and together they worked and raised a family and a had a happy, simple life.  After the war, he never desired to travel much or go on special trips or vacations.  He was just happy being at home, with Grandma, especially once they both were retired. Mowing and playing golf were definitely his top two retirement activities.  He also always enjoyed seeing his grandkids and great grandkids as often as possible.  He loved all his dogs too, he had several, the last being Gracie, who is still with Grandma.  He was a stubborn pessimist and had a short fuse but we loved him just the same.  He was a wonderful father, husband and grandfather.  He was sensitive and emotional.  He was a smoker for years and then quit cold turkey in his 40's.  He didn't care for chicken much at all.  And ironically, Pop never really cared much for the holidays.  He would always go to the dinners, family gatherings, etc...because Grandma wanted him too but I know he would have been just as happy sitting at home as if it were a normal day. He also didn't care for talking on the phone much at all...maybe that's where I get it from because now that I'm older, I am the same way!! Kind of humorous. =)  One thing is for sure, he was a special, Christian man. We miss him so very much, whether it's on special days, like holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, etc..., we also miss him on any given day of the year. 

Happy Thanksgiving Pop!!
We were so thankful and blessed to have had you.
We miss you and we love you!!
Keep heavens grounds mowed nicely...
Love,
Bright Eyes
  

Freshman Superbowl 2010!!

Well, now that we have had a couple of days to recover, I wanted to share some pictures from our Superbowl Sunday.
First, we all met at a big post office near the stadium where we were playing at so we could caravan there.  We had two constables and a fire truck escort.  It was really cool and the boys loved it!

Boys standing in front of the fire truck before we went to the stadium - Thomas is on far right end. It was very bright and they were all squinting. =)

Belle and PawPaw got us some good seats right on the 50 yard line.

This was the first time we had been in the new stadium, Klein Memorial.  It's a very nice stadium and field.

PawPaw and Belle...going for a walk to look at some trophies and get some drinks. So cute!!

#80 when he first stepped onto the field.

Coach Oscar talking to the boys...

Getting fired up!!!  Our friend Vince, who is also a cop borrowed this golf cart from the Sheriff's Dept. and used it as a Bengals wagon for the day.

This was right before the game started...Bengals won the coin toss!!

Thomas on kick-off return team on the far end...

Thomas on Offensive Line...he's the one standing with one orange lace and once black lace.

Thomas blocking, he's the 2nd from right end.

Thomas on the line, you can see his #80!  He played super as usual!!  It was a very close game to the end and we lost 21-20!! It was a heartbreaker but we had an awesome first season.  NFC Champs and Superbowl Runner-ups ain't too shabby!! =)  If we could do it over and correct a couple of major mistakes, I know we would have won without a doubt.

Our 2010 Freshman Klein Bengals with their coaches and trophies!!

It wasn't the real trophy they wanted but Thomas was okay with it.  It's actually the biggest trophy he's accomplished so far!! So, pretty cool.

We are so proud of him and the player he is becoming!!  next year, he'll be back stronger, bigger and faster!!!

Love this shot!!
My Bengal!!
We love you, Hitman!! =)