nerves

Nervous was the feeling in our house most of the evening Friday night.  And when Tyson woke up at 5:45 Saturday morning it was not any better.  He had his first big swim meet in less than 3 hours and we was scared.  Sure he had swam in meets over the summer but they were in neighborhood pools and there were maybe 60 kids at most there.  This was at Oklahoma City Community College, also known as O triple "C" and there was going to be over 700 kids competing.  I apologize in advance for my photography.  He was around 150 feet away from me most of the day so I had to use my mega zoom lens and I could not use any flash in the pool area.

 Here is Buddy lined up for his first swim, the 25 meter backstroke

 About to swim the 50 bs

 walking out for the freestyle

We were sitting above him and as he was walking out to lane 8, which happened to be where we were sitting we all screamed "go Tyson!"  He looked mortified.  I have no idea where he gets this serious focused mindset.

Well it was a success!  After he completed his first swim he relaxed quite a bit and actually seemed to have fun.  He came up to the bleachers to see us and I immediately felt better once I saw his smile.  There was at least 15 heats of each event he did.  He finished around 5th on most of his heats although I haven't seen the actual times yet.  I couldn't be more proud!  He swam the way he was taught and he followed through even though he was scared.  He faced his fear and when it was all said and done he got in the truck and told Paul, "Daddy I loved it!  When is my next meet?"

"Family" Boy Scout Campout

When Tyson signed up for Boy Scouts back in September he could hardly wait for the family campout.  And by "family" I mean me too.  Truth be told I'm not really much of an outdoor kinda mom.  I like the park and hanging out outside but sleeping outside AND eating all of your meals outside..........not so much.   Tyson really wanted us all there so "we" decided to all go.  This would be Emmy's first time to camp and she actually did great!

 I love this man!  He can set up a tent like no one else can.

 

Our pretty view during dinner

 Pack Dinner

 My Emmy!  She can make friends anywhere she goes......even a Boy Scout campout!

 Some of the boys from Den 5

Possibly my most favorite picture of them!

 Em and her new 5th grade fun friend skipping stones in the lake.

 Time to make our bottle rockets

Ta Da!  Ready to hang up to dry until launch time tomorrow  after breakfast.

 Songs and skits around the  Pack campfire

 Tyson was so proud of his "solo" tent...........this would prove to not a be the best decision later into the night, say around 1:30 am.

 Tyson and Jack reading about Bigfoot before they go on the hunt with their flashlights.

 The next morning it was time to launch the bottle rockets.

It was a pretty fun weekend and the weather was beautiful!  The Lucas family had fun and I think I see more family campouts in our future.

Orr Family Farm

The Lucas family "master calender" was quickly filling up so we knew we needed to plan our annual pumpkin patch trip pretty soon.  It worked out that the weather was fall fantastic over the kid's fall break.  Paul took a couple days to be with the family too. 

It seemed like a perfect day to check out Orr Family Farm...........after we took some pics in front of my fall porch decor.

 

They had a petting zoo that was so stinkin cute complete with a pretend cow for milking.

 

The kids did inform us that they would like to live on a farm.  Perfect.

This place was so much fun.  They had giant jumping pillows, pedal cars, mazes, HUGE slides, a carousel and of course a hay ride.  Our friends the Robin, Avery and Gavin met us out there.

 jumping pillows

 pedal cars of all sizes

 Tyson and his pal Avery

 We took a hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick our little pumpkins.

 These were the tallest slides.......even I got in on these!

 They had a whole  section of pink pumpkins in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Em and I liked these!

Orr Family was pretty special........maybe even neater than Hill Country Pumpkin Patch in Medina, Texas.