Cool Bikes and More Football

BL found a couple of cool new bikes for both Mari Cagle and Nate. Both have outgrown their current bikes and have been getting by all summer, so we were excited to find these two bikes. Given Brandon's new love (some may call it obsession) with biking, he has been looking for some time for just the right bike, and these bikes are pretty nice bikes. The kiddos were very excited and surprised to get them today when they got home from school. MC loves biking with her Dad on the great trails around town and was ready to head out immediately. Nate was excited, but his excitement was slightly tempered as he's still a little timid on the bike. But we're hoping he'll come to love it more and more now that he has a bike that fits better and has gears to help him out on those hills. Check out these cool wheels...





Nate had his second football game versus the Bengals. This week he played center on offense. In homage to the two great centers we know and love, Pa and Uncle Britton, Nate performed beautifully. Not a single snap was mishandled. We're thinking of sending footage from the game along with Nate's sage advice to the Gators. :)

What a stud!

Fall in the Lockhart Household

The biggest news for us this fall will, of course, be the arrival of Caz, but in the meantime we're managing to keep busy. Check out the action...

It begins with SOCCER. Mari Cagle is playing again this year and Nate is playing on the bigger field this year just like his big sister. They both like it a lot, and their teams are doing great so far. We keep trying to get MC to show a little more aggressiveness on the field, but it seems to be lost on her. So as long as she's enjoying herself, we're trying to lay off a little. A challenge for Brandon and I both, but we'll keep working on it. :) Below are some shots from MC's game this past weekend when she played forward for the game. Usually she's goalie or defender at least part of the game, which seems to better suit her laid back style, but she had to go-go this past weekend.




Of course, fall is synonymous with college football, and Brandon was able to get faculty tickets to the Husker games this season. MC and Nate have an alternating schedule deciding who gets to go with Dad each week. I remind them often not to get too used to it, that Caz and I will be getting in on the rotation in upcoming seasons! Below are shots from each of their first games. They both had a great time!



Now I have been a little skeptical of this next activity given that it leads to helmets and pads and a lot of beating up on my baby, but Nate has begun his first flag football season. I'm completely down with flag football. Watching him play his first game was awesome. But I sure hope he likes soccer better when it comes time to add the helmets and pads! His aunts and grandmothers will have to help me with this crusade, as I'm sure his uncles and grandfathers won't be much help. But here are the shots of the opening game for the Patriots...




In addition to these fun activities, MC is participating in this awesome running program for girls a couple days a week after school. It's called 'Girls on the Run' and they train with a coach (MC's coach is actually her teacher whom she already loves) for about 8 weeks. At the end of the training, they all run a special 5K for Girls on the Run runners which will be on Halloween. She really seems to like it. I'm itching to get out there with her after Caz is born. I hope it will be something we can enjoy doing together! So you have pictures from the big race to look forward to come October.

More pictures soon. In the meantime, hugs and kisses to all we miss very much!

Brandon's Job in Mari Cagle's Eyes

A quick, cute story that I will probably forget if I don't get it written down...

Mari Cagle was at a sleepover with a friend and the friend's dad asked, "Mari Cagle, what does your Dad do?"

Mari Cagle responded, "He teaches at the university."

The friend's dad followed up, "Oh, what does he teach?"

"Finance," Mari Cagle answered quite knowledgeably.

As Mari Cagle and her friend walked away, the dad couldn't help but overhear their continued conversation.

"What is finance?" asked Mari Cagle's friend.

"I don't know. A second grade spelling word?" Mari Cagle responded.

From the mouths of babes! Brandon, the teacher that he is, tried to explain what finance was to her in the most simple of terms. But in the end, we decided that she knew just enough and one day we'd explain it further. :)

Happy Birthday Mari Cagle!

8 Years Old!! Can you believe it?!?!

MC began her weekend of celebration with a sleep over. The girls seemed to have a great time with a scavenger hunt, decorating pillowcases, makeovers, fortune telling games, pizza, sundaes, Camp Rock 2 and even a dance routine to Cyndi Lauper's classic, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Below are pictures of a few of the highlights...

The M&M scavenger hunt

Pizza and Ice Cream Sundaes

Posing after her makeover

After a nap on Saturday afternoon, MC was treated to a date with her Dad to the opening Husker football game. She had a favorite play, when the defense chased down the Western Carolina player to stop them just short of the end zone. "They had to do an instant replay mama!"

And on Sunday, MC and I took a somewhat long trip to the grand opening of the American Girl store in Kansas City where Ruthie was treated to her own makeover getting her ears pierced and her hair done. It was a great weekend! Hopefully one MC will remember!