29 and Holding!

30 is banging on Stacy's door! I used to think I would have a hard time with 30, but now that it's closer than ever, it doesn't seem so bad after all. I never thought Richie would be able to pull off a surprise, but oh, did he ever. This past weekend, the weekend before my birthday, Richie concoted a surprise cook-out with family and some close friends. Nolan and Brayden both had football games that day. Tracy had asked me if I wanted to go and get a pedicure because she didn't really want to go by herself and Brittany had already made plans with a friend. We didn't really have anything planned so I went along with her, not knowing it was only a ploy to get me away from the house. We had even discussed picking up some Chinese food on the way home but Tracy, being the quick-witted person that she is, always had an answer to cover up everything. She dropped me off at my house and was going to "go get some money from Ken for our Chinese food". When I came in the house, Richie and the boys were not there. This was no surprise. If I'm not home, they will go to Nanny's and Paw-Paw's house. I called over and told him about our "Chinese" plans and he said Tracy was over there getting the money for Ken and I needed to just walk over there. I grabbed my purse and headed next door, smelling hamburgers the whole way and still not having a clue. As I went through the gate, I could see a gift sitting on the edge of the bar and I then knew what was going on. It was a nice surprise. My closest friends were there as well as my family. We enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and dip, and ice cream cake. We played some outdoor games and listened to music. At the end of the night the Cawthon's, Richie, and I went inside to bowl a few games on the Wii. I beat them, and of course they said it was only because I was the birthday girl. I beg to differ, I think it was pure skill (or luck, if you wish!). Thanks so much to April and Britt and LaTrelle and Lance for helping Richie pull of a special occasion. Thanks for all you contributed. You guys are the best. Thanks Tracy for being so quick-witted and picking such a great ploy! The massage and pedi were the best! Thanks Nanny for watching the kids. Thanks momma, Brad, Daniel and Andrea and everyone else who was able to make it. I love you guys! Richie, thank you so much! I loved the surprise. You are such a thoughtful husband. I love you! Check out the pics below.

Down, Set, Hike!

Nolan just began his 4th year playing football. We began playing in a different county this year and the program and atmosphere is a lot better than what we had been used to. Nolan plays Center for the Titans. He does very well at this position. He has always done a good job when it comes to a specific job or task, so being the center is a good position for him to play. He has become more aggressive this year, which is a good thing for him. I took a few pictures from his first game as well as his second game. Check them out below. He is #55. You can't miss him. He's the hoss on the team. He's almost as tall as me now and weighs about 120lbs. at 10 years old. I still can't believe how much he has grown over the years. Boy, how time flies!

School's In Session

I can't believe the summer is already gone! As a teacher, I love the frequent breaks our school system has in place but I sure do miss those long summers. We officially have two Cleary children in school. Nolan began 5th grade this year and my little Tucker started Pre-K this year. He was such a big boy on his first day of school. I was so proud of him! Since I have to be at work on the first day of school at the same time the boys leave for school, I was not able to walk him in and down to his classroom. I tried to convince his daddy to do it and to take a couple of pictures for me, but you know how men are. Nolan and Brayden took care of him and got him to the room. When he got home that afternoon we asked him what all he did. He said, "I played, I ate, and I took a nap." I guess that's pretty much the extent of Pre-K. He really seems to enjoy his teachers. On Monday of the 2nd or 3rd week of school, Richie received a phone call from the school nurse stating that Tucker had gotten sick and threw up. Most of us who know Tucker very well have discovered over the past year that he has an extremely weak stomach when it comes to looking at certain things. He gags at the oddest things sometimes. Well, Richie went to check on him at the school where he found Tucker walking around the office. He asked him what made him so sick, in which Tucker replied, "That brown girl had a big, huge, booger hanging out of her nose." All Richie could do was turn his head away. The secretary was laughing so hard she couldn't control herself. A couple of plumbers walked by and overheard and laughed histerically as well. He is so animated and you never know what will come out of his mouth. So far, we are all off to a good start. Very busy, but doing well. Check out the pics below of the boys on their first day of school (at the house before they left for school, of course. Thanks, Richie!).