Soccer 2011

Well, I am so far behind; so I am just wiping the slat clean and starting fresh today. I have been trying to upload pictures for awhile now.  I finally figured out that blogger has updated it's site and I was still behind.  So, I think that I am up and running now.  Maddie and Nathan played soccer this fall and both improved in their game since last spring.  I enjoy watching them play and I am very proud of them. Really makes me wish that I had played some kind of sport as a kid. At least, I have them to cheer on and they love the competition!

Love this action shot.......

......and this one too!

Trophy Day

 A few of Maddie's fellow soccer players

We're already looking forward to spring soccer!

Someday.............

Well, summer has come and gone! Maddie is back in school, Nathan is going to preschool 4 days a week and I'm working 32 hours a week instead of 24! It's been BUSY, BUSY. We all fall into bed at night. I hope to get a post up REAL soon and hit the high points of the summer. We had a great one, went by way to quickly. Until someday.....

Easter 2011

Of course, I am playing catch up again. We had our annual Easter Egg Hunt the weekend before Easter. We had a great turn out and the kids had a lot of fun.

Nathan and Ruby digging into their loot!

Easter Sunday

The Hobbs Family x 2

My Little Miss Hickman County

Before you think I have flipped my lid, yes we entered Maddie in the Little Miss Hickman County Pageant last night. The only reason we did.....the DRESS! Maddie was in a wedding last October and we had this $120 dress that she wore once. So, it was her daddy's idea to put her in this pageant. She agreed to do it, so off we went. After $13 to dry-clean the dress and $30 for the nice hair-do......she was ready. There were 40 girls in the pageant, ages 6-9. It was long night, it lasted over 2 hours. There had to be a quicker way to get through this evening. Maddie with her friends Abbie and Kaitlyn Maddie being escorted on stage I love this picture of her, she looks so grown up and beautiful!

Looks a little terrified here!

Maddie made it in the top 30 and then the top 20, then her night as a beauty queen was over!

She had a great time and enjoyed herself. She did let me know that she didn't like all of the waiting and sitting back stage. However, she told me: "Momma, I want to do this again.....I'm gonna do this until I win." The winner gets a large trophy, flowers, and a crown of course. I think she just wants the trophy....if that's the case, I'll go get her one. I hope this is not the beginning of something...thanks Tucker!

Maddie's AR Parade

Maddie participated in her 2nd AR Parade this year! She has now reach Independent Reader and earned this T-shirt. She was so excited about getting the shirt and couldn't wait to get to school this morning. Side note: sorry for the poor quality of these pictures. I had my camera on the wrong setting, but I couldn't resist posting on my little reader. I am soooo proud of her! Maddie and her friend Abby (from basketball)

Narrows of the Harpeth River and the Park

Sunday was such a beautiful day. We decided to go to the Narrows of the Harpeth River and hike around. The park suffered some major damage from the May flood and many parts of it were still closed. We hiked down to look at the tunnel and let the kids play around in the water. The log is some residue left from the flood. I wish someone would move it, kinda takes away from it's natural beauty. The Narrows of the Harpeth, where the Harpeth River comes within 100 feet of where the river returns, seven miles downstream. In 1818, Montgomery Bell bought the land and with the help of slaves dug this tunnel. He created enough moving water to power a forge. It was used to turn larger pieces of pig iron into smaller pieces. These were sold to small manufacturers (many were blacksmiths).

Tucker teaching the kids how to skip rocks Then, we went to a local park and let the kids burn some more energy. They had such a good time! My little spider monkeys!

Prince Nathan and Princess Maddie

Back on the Soccer field

Well, we are back on the soccer field this spring! The time has come that Maddie and Nathan have been separated. It was bitter sweet, but definitely time. Maddie is now playing on the U8 team (6, 7, and 8 year olds). It is a huge challenge for her: bigger field and learning positions. She is doing very well and seems to be enjoying herself, which is the most important part. I, on the other hand, need to learn to control myself. Even though, I have never played competitive or organized sports in my life, I really get into the game. I need to remind myself that the kids are just out there to have fun and learn a sport. Now, I am not by any means obnoxious, but it could easily lead into that direction......................just kidding (I hope)! Maddie and some of her teammates listening to the pre-game pep talk from the coach First time as playing goalie............

.........................and she caught the ball and stopped the other team from scoring!

Maddie with her Powerade mustache, Nathan just being silly!

Nathan all about his Powerade prior to getting into the game

Just about to score (when he came into the game - he scored 5 goals and helped tie the game). However, they still lost....but they had fun!Another goal, go Nathan go!

Playing Catch-Up

I am playing major catch-up in this post! I decided to combine the last 3 months together of the highlights in the Hobbs family. I started with the most recent to the latest. I hope you enjoy catching up on our lives. I am really going to try to do better with updating!

March

Civil War Ball @ Spencer Mill

For the past few years, Tucker's parents have been taking Maddie and her two cousins to the Civil War Ball at Spencer Mill. The owners lend out these beautiful dresses for the girls to wear. They look so pretty and remind me of Little House on the Prairie. Here is Maddie and Hallie after they got all dressed up.

We told them not to smile, I think they did a pretty good job looking like the girls in the 1800's Nathan and Ruby are too young and wild to go this year. Nathan wanted a picture made with his sister, he's so sweet!

Maddie's Last Basketball Game and Awards

Maddie dribbling down the court Some dribbling that got out of control Maddie receiving her basketball award

GOOOOO BEES!

Maddie and one of her teammates, Abby. I hate to say it, but they were the "stars" of their team. These two could cause some major damage on the court in high school someday! It's going to be a blast!

Proud Momma and Daddy with their little basketball star

She's #1 in our eyes!

February

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Maddie and Tucker had a date to the Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance. They danced to many songs, including the Chicken Dance. They had a great time and Maddie was very excited about having a night out with her daddy. Nathan and I went to eat Mexican with Granny and Nana. We had some good quality time together as well.

"The couple" on their date

We met up with the Cox Family at their house and had some pictures taken of course! Ruby was able to go this year and I heard she had a great time.

Poppy went along to help dance with the Cox girls.

Basketball Time

Maddie decided to play Junior Pro Basketball this winter and she absolutely LOVES it! We were very impressed with her ability to play well and to see the concept of the game for her age. Tucker worked with her in the basement off and on and taught her quite a bit. Nathan really wanted to play as well, but he has to be 5. The coaches were nice enough to let him practice with her team. They were pleased with his efforts and even said he could substitute as a player in one of their games if they were short a person. Unfortunately for him, that never happened. But, he is looking forward to playing next year.

Here is Maddie in her first game waiting to tip off.

Some dribbling moves..............

Taking a break.......

The final score. Her team lost, but they did a great job. I believe Maddie scored 6 of those points!

JANUARY

Maddie's AR Parade

Maddie is doing so well with her reading. After Christmas break, the school had their AR Parade to make up for last semester due to the snow. The students walk the halls of the school and they play a marching song as they wave to the spectators. It is really cute and the kids are beaming with pride as well as the parents! Maddie is in the Ready Reader category right now and scores 100% on all of her testing. She is getting faster in reading and learning how to sound out big words that she is not familiar with. We are very proud of her! I went over and volunteered twice a week before Christmas break and was very impressed with many of her classmates. Mrs. Pettus is doing a fantastic job!

My little reader!

Snow Day

The kids and I had fun playing out in the snow that we had back in January. We walked around in the field in the back of our house looking for some hills to sled down. We found a few, but they didn't turn out to be all that fun! Nathan sledding down the hill and going over the "bumps" caused by sticks and brush. I think he had a good time! Maddie about to crash!They always have to play on the swing set, always! Frosty, their daddy helped them build. Pretty cute!

The "Twins" Turn the BIG 4

Nathan and Ruby turned 4 on Jan. 5th and Jan. 7th. We had their birthday party at our house this year. The theme: Spiderman and Princess. The kids were encouraged to dress up as their favorite super hero or princess. Jessica came and face painted the entire party. She did a fantastic job and the kids loved it!

The Birthday Duo Spiderman showing off some of his skills during the party! Three generations of Hobbs Men My friend, Carol, made Nathan's cake. She did such a great job, I didn't want to cut it! It was very delicious. By the way, it was very difficult for the dietitian side of me to purchase a large can of Crisco for her to make the icing with. But, I have to say......it was sooooo good! :) Maddie the kitty cat Nathan - spiderman of course Ruby as spiderwoman Group shot of all of the kids. Don't they look so cute? T-R-O-U-B-L-E