Our instructors could not have been nicer and everyone got as many turns as they wanted to shoot on the course!

Target practice…

Now on to the clays!

The whole course was great with plenty for these boys – and girl! – to shoot at!

Shoot out!

We then headed back to the farm to enjoy the pretty scenery…

That night we had an epic 5 course dinner at The Barn…fully enjoyed while the boys watched the Bama game on their phones in their lap. ha!

A pretty perfect day! More tomorrow!

Maxwell had to stay in Birmingham for the football game Friday night and Robert agreed to stay with him after a tropical storm warning was issued thanks to Hurricane Isaias. GJ, Spencer, Samantha, and I drove up Friday afternoon. Our drive was uneventful until about 30 minutes out from Blackberry when we got Tboned by a bear! We were driving down highway 321 and an enormous black bear comes running across the median and runs directly into the driver’s side of our car. Thankfully GJ kept her cool and kept driving and we didn’t run off the road. We didn’t realize the full extent of the damage until we got to Blackberry and took a look.

Her car was damaged from front wheel base to back! We have no idea how the bear banged up the entire side of the car and still ran off. We were just thankful to be uninjured! We got check into our beautiful rooms and had an amazing dinner at the Dogwood that night!

The next morning the girls got up and took full advantage of the spa! Perfect for a rainy morning…

Then we checked out the car damage in the daylight…oof.

On our walk back to our cottage we meet Mr. Tom and friends! Let’s just say Samantha was NOT a fan!

While we were checking it all out Spencer was thoroughly enjoying his lazy morning too!

Robert and Maxwell made it up in time for lunch and lots more adventures! See you tomorrow!

Make it a great weekend!

It was a perfect fall night for some “senior” fun!

We then went back to the hotel and got IVs because…why not?!

Then it was time for a late lunch and a little tailgating…

and then the game!

I was planning to go to the party Saturday night and head back early Sunday morning…but after the first quarter of the game I decided to hop in my car and drive back to Birmingham. I got home about 10:15 just in time to say goodnight to Spencer on his last night as a 13 year old…and was able to be there to have a donut with him on his first morning as a 14 year old. Definitely the right decision!

It was the best Vandy weekend – full of fun memories new and old!

I loved seeing so many old friends and catching up by yelling over the music…ha!

Late night dinner for some much needed food…

before more fun on Saturday! Love all these impressive ladies!

Then lunch and presents…

Then friends and football and wings!

I sure do love our birthday boy!

Newborn…

One year old…

Two years old…

Three years old…

Four years old…

Five years old…

Six years old…

Seven…

Eight…

Nine years old…

Ten…

Eleven…

Twelve…and the same shirt!

Thirteen…

and now FOURTEEN!

Oh how I love this kid. As always, he’s a happy kid who plays hard, tries hard, and loves hard. Spencer is disciplined. I never have to ask him to do his homework or check if he’s studied for a test. He knows what he needs to do and does it (generally) without complaint so he can move on to do something else that’s more fun – like the Xbox! ha! This discipline carries over into sports as well. He never complains about having to go to practice and isn’t afraid to put in the work to get better.

He remains my easy going man in the middle. We need his laid back nature and ability to keep the peace. That said, he’s not a pushover and he definitely knows what he wants – and what he doesn’t want. He’s opinionated but agreeable. Strong and lovable. Determined and doesn’t care too much what other people think. Really good qualities that balance us all out.

Spencer is a great teammate and the kind of kid coaches love to have on their team. He works hard, does what he’s supposed to do, encourages his teammates, and plays to win. He also keeps a great perspective on the losses and never lets his emotions get out of check. He was a clutch player on the baseball team last spring and summer and stepped up to play catcher when no one else would play. This fall he has had a FANTASTIC football season! He earned the starting cornerback position and has played it so well all season long. I am so proud of how he handles himself on and off the field. He has great sportsmanship.

Spencer and Maxwell and Samantha can fight like cats and dogs but every day I am so thankful they have each other. He and Maxwell know how to push each other’s buttons like no other – but I know their lives are so much better with each other in them. They talk football all day long, wrestle and beat each other up, and rage bait each other until they’re blue in the face. One provokes and one fights – who does what depends on the day! Spencer and Samantha can be the same way – but mainly Spencer provoking Samantha who is decidedly not chill about it! ha! But at the end of the day they all love each other and our house feels full and fun with all three of them in it. I am so thankful we have our Spencey – the calm in the storm!

Spencer is having a great year in 8th grade and ended the first 9 weeks with all As! I’m so proud of his hard work. He balances it with football and scouts and is doing so well. He has really solidified a good friend group this year and I couldn’t have picked better friends for him myself. Spencer does a good job staying out of the drama and making good decisions, even when it’s hard. He’s a loyal and likable guy!

A little interview with Spencer:

Favorite book? Hunger Games
Favorite TV show? Garfield
Favorite movie? Creed
Favorite color? green
Favorite song? New Year’s Day by Charlie Robison
Favorite number? 7
Favorite restaurant? Tecate
Favorite thing to eat? cheese dip
Favorite friend? Henry
Favorite toy? Xbox
Favorite dessert? Brownies
Favorite sport? Football
What do you want to be when you grow up? Sports analyst

I’m so proud of Spencer. He’s a good, good kid with the biggest heart and I’m so thankful he’s mine.

Happy 14th birthday, Spencer!! We love you!!

All got great reports…and one needs his wisdom teeth out! Fun ahead!

They even made it on the jumbotron!

On the way home they made a late night TCBY stop with plenty of giggles. Best way to end it!

Love these sporty girls!