MC on the Violin

It's been a while since I've posted video of MC on her violin. She has continued her lessons through the summer and continues to get better and better. Recently, she has shown interest in playing some fiddle music which is a little different than the classical she has been working on. The studio where she takes lessons has a fiddle band that students of all ages can join. They play fiddle music and learn the songs by ear. We have been very impressed with MC's ability to pick up these pieces by ear; we're biased, but nonetheless amazed. These are the two songs she's been working on this week (apparently, I shouldn't record them vertically - sorry)...

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!

Summer 2010

Today is the first day of school, so I'd better post all the great pictures from our big trip back home this summer. We had lots of fun, lots of activities, but most importantly saw lots of family and friends. Thanks everyone for putting us up and we'll look forward to another visit at the end of the year, plus one! :)

Given Nate's love for baseball which has grown from the baseball cards he got for his birthday to a full blown obsession through the summer, the Braves game was definitely one of the highlights of our trip in his eyes. And we got to go to the Braves game in style, thanks to Uncle Ryan and Aunt Terri's getting us awesome tickets!! You guys rock!

The Braves beat the Padres! It was a great afternoon complete with lots of tomahawk chop action and ice cream in the little baseball hats!!

Now MariCagle's highlight however would probably be seeing all her cousins. She is going to be a great help to me when Caz arrives. She loved feeding, holding and playing with Winslette at Nana and Pa's. Aunt Jodie was super at showing her the ropes with dressing Winslette, changing diapers, feeding her and holding her. Thanks for the hands on lessons Jodie and Winslette!

Now I failed to take the camera along on our boat outing with Pa, but I have to share one of MC's firsts. In an effort to just shake things up a bit while MC was tubing, Brandon thought he'd jiggle the rope a little. But apparently it doesn't take much of a jiggle, because MC flipped over backwards for her first fall! I was a little worried at first because I didn't know how she'd react, but she handled it with style. Especially once she realized she didn't have to swim to catch up to us, that Pa would come around and get her. So it was pretty hilarious, a good first. If only she knew how Pa used to flip us relentlessly back in the day!!

Now this handsome group is growing fast...Nana and Pa's grand babies will have doubled this year. Just wait until the holidays! It was awesome to meet Winslette for the first time, she is an angel, a very good baby. And spending a couple of days with James was awesome. He's a very impressive little boy! And I was so thankful that he had time to warm up to me and play with me some. His hugs and kisses are precious!

Aunt Kim and Aunt Terri (DeFoor) were gracious enough to host a wonderful shower for Caz and Evangeline. We had lots of fun. MariCagle loved opening the presents and keeping the gift list for me. Again she's a great help! And so are the fabulous gifts that everyone gave us for Caz. We are finally getting things all settled for his arrival. Thanks everyone for all your help!!

Nate and Hudson were best buds at Grammy and PopPop's house. They had lots of fun playing for a few days. Aren't they cute in their bowling shoes!?! Uncle Rob beat everyone, but he'll have to wait to be crowned champion until Kristen and I can demonstrate our bowling skills post-pregnancies. :)

Check out these swimming cuties!
We spent lots of afternoons in DJay & Terri and Tim & Sharon's pools. Thank you so much for the open invitations! Much like Hudson and Nate were best buds, MC and Q were inseparable as well. They had lots of fun playing together, locking themselves in the bedrooms to take care of their babies and other secret girl stuff. Nate and P are our future piano players; they spent a lot of time warming Grammy's piano bench together. :) We were so thankful that the girls and Kim and Britton made special arrangements to spend time with us after getting over strep throat. Our trip would have been incomplete, thanks guys!!

Our trip included a special visit to meet the newest addition to our growing family, Jack. MariCagle demonstrated her prowess at holding and caring for the babies! And as far as highlights go, meeting Jack and Winslette, and seeing James, Hudson, Quinn and Payton were definitely mine. I miss the little munchkins so much and they grow and change so fast between visits!! I love you little guys!!

Jack was a great sport, as he let MC and Nate take over his room! MC loved playing with her dolls and all of Jack's real nursery gadgets. Cindy and Jack were kind enough to share his bathtub, crib, changing table, and toys for a life-like experience. MC especially ate it up.

Though our visit was ill-timed in that Grammy still had to work much of while we were there, we were able to be there for her retirement luncheon. Though we've always known how special Grammy is to us, it was nice to hear that those at work appreciated her too. Happy Retirement Grammy!!

And thanks to her retirement, we were honored with a visit from Grammy and PopPop once we got back home. Caz and Mom are especially appreciative as they brought all the baby stuff so now we can get good and ready for the little guy's arrival.

Grammy helped MC replenish our pots as most of the flowers didn't make it while we were gone.

Now Nate has loved playing t-ball this summer, but he has shifted his focus slightly now that t-ball season has come to a close. He's gearing up for flag football this fall so stay tuned for that action. He's got a pretty good spiral going! Maybe you can tell in this shot as he has thrown the ball to PopPop.

All in all, we had a great summer, and the highlight was by far our trip back home. We miss everyone so much!! Hugs and kisses to all!

Happy Fourth of July!

MC and Nate decorated their bikes and joined the neighborhood in a small parade this morning...




And what 4th celebration would be complete without hot dogs and treats?!?!


We wish everyone a very happy, safe 4th of July, especially Uncle Newman, our favorite marine! And Happy Birthday Aunt Cindy!! Hugs to everyone!