Fall Baseball/Soccer 2025

Brock opted in for one more fall season of baseball - last year of the 11-12 league put him back on the Aqua Doc's team with Brent assistant coaching. 

 

We all realized Brock is not a starting pitcher, but when he comes in second, he does wonders! He was called in with no outs and bases loaded and only gave up one run before the inning ended! Brock's pitching was on target! 

Kade also rejoined last year's team in his final year of 9-10 "Mite" Boys' soccer, playing all games at Pleasant Park for the Bandits. 

He even had some time as goalie - letting in 0 goals all season! 

The coach can always count on him for some big kicks! He uses his entire body to kick that ball! 

After a pretty wet week, we were sure Saturday's game was to be canceled - alas the only field not impacted was Carpenter Fire Station Park where Brock had an amazingly good day! A great hit! 

Back at our home field, Ritter Park, Brock tried his best for another great hit! He really wanted to smack one out of the park! 

Last game of the season, Tuesday, October 14th, Brock finally did just that and had another great hit - and this time Papa was here to see the action! 

Even though they lost that last game (they played the best team in the league!), they had a great season overall 3-4-1. Yes, they tied one of their baseball games! 

Kade's team finished 6th out of 16 teams through the regular season and they were looking good for the tournament! 

They won the first game, but unfortunately lost the second tournament matchup to the 5th seeded team. It was a really good year with a 5-3 record!

Halloween 2025

 

We went all SPIDER themed this year! Spooky enough, but not completely Fear Factor! I added a black light too for the evening decor. 

While Brock was finishing up a swim practice, we took Moose to Lowe's to check out the scary animatronics - funny though he was more interested in the Christmas decorations! 

A video of Brent guiding Moose through the displays! 

How about this 9.75 ft Abominable Snowmonster for $498!?! 

The week before Halloween was all rain - so we were thrilled to see the sun again on Halloween day! Just in time for Brent and I to move the spiders outside for the trick-or-treaters!

Neither of my boys were interested in any new/special costumes - Brock was happy with just wearing black on black with the mask from last year and Kade opted for his taekwondo uniform. 

Brock and Kade waited until 6:20pm - the official sunset according to Brock's phone - before heading out. Just the two of them!

I was trying to get a video of them leaving, but they were not as cooperative with my videoing. Boo! 

Our home all dressed up for Halloween with the orange uplighting!

Kade was specifically on the hunt for his favorite - KitKats! He managed to bring home 60 KitKats (of various sizes)! He is storing them separately in his Dad's office fridge to keep them safe - and cold. 

Happy Halloween!

North Carolina State Fair 2025

 

Wake County Schools scheduled Monday as a teacher workday and I thought we deserved a trip back to the North Carolina State Fair!

A cool morning turned into a beautiful fall day - a high of 70! We arrived early enough, parked at Carter-Finley Stadium, and was walking through the entry gates at 9:30am. 

We stopped in the Expo Center to check out the prized pumpkins!

This also housed a few animals and the NC State's "Milk-a-cow" for $5 - sadly they were not quite ready for business just yet, but Kade said he was game to do it! 

We stood in quite a long line just to redeem our ride voucher for the ride card. Pre-sale opportunity $12 for 18 rides tickets - basically 3-4 rides for each kiddo. 

Unfortunately, we just could not decide on a ride that both Brock and Kade wanted to do. Kade and I ended up doing one ride together before Brock agreed on the Sizzler!

Stopped for a little snack - and for our almost-teenager to get his phone time in. He's very cautious with his phone and wanted me to hold it in my purse the whole time! 

Brock asked to play a carnival game and he really thought carefully about which he could have the highest probability winning. He settled on this throwing game where the ball had to stay in a tilted bucket - pretty hard as you had to have two balls in a row to win! He still liked his chances and gave it a go. 

Spoiler - he didn't win. Five balls for $10 - and then Kade thought it looked easy, so he asked to play - another 2 balls for $5. Nope, no one won. 

Water shooter game - and this one had really great odds! They were the only two playing - 100% a prize was going to be won! 

Brock ended up winning - and between a duck and a dog, chose the dog! He was very sweet and told Kade they could share it. (ahh... there are moments)

Right after taking the above picture, one of the teachers from Kade's school spotted us and offered to take a family photo!

We walked around a bit more looking at good ride candidates and settled back on the Sizzler for Round Two! 

After a quick stop for some ICEES for both (Cotton Candy for Brock and Cherry for Kade), we started our journey back to Gate 8 to exit. Lots more people in the walkways now! 

I convinced the very reluctant boys to walk through the Flower & Garden Exhibit on our way out. 

Kade and I did stop to get a free hushpuppy on our way out as well, but Brock was done. Too many people. 

We were back at our vehicle by 1pm and I think it was the perfect amount of time - the boys still had a good amount of day to relax! I totally get how the boys were feeling though - it is a bit of an overload to go to the Fair! 

And I would like to do a sweet shoutout to our youngest family member! Last week Moose celebrated his 8th Birthday! 

Brent went all out and cooked up a feast! Two Porterhouses and one Delmonico Ribeye from the Butcher's Market! No number 8 candle though- so we stuck a glowlight in his mountain of steak! 

Happy Birthday big puppy!!