The Brown Brick Road

Capturing our adventures one photo at a time...

Scouts Honor!

Maxwell is officially a Boy Scout!

scouts

Well, he’s a Tiger Scout. But he’s earning badges and learning the ways of scouting. He’s had a few den meetings and it’s a good group of boys from his school.

scouts

I think he’s having fun…and really enjoying wearing the neckerchief. 😉 Their last meeting on Sunday was right after basketball so he had a little “business on top, party on bottom” situation going!

scouts

The most awesome part of scouts so far? The campout! Yep, Robert and Maxwell slept outside all night in a tent two weeks ago. Unfortunately, it happened to be a frigid night with temps in the 30s!!! But, these troopers stuck it out, warmed themselves by the fire, and made it all night.

scouts

scouts

scouts

scouts

They even got to shoot rockets in the morning!

scouts

scouts

My little scout looked like this as soon as they got back in the car…

scouts

I think my big scout was wishing he could do the same! I’m so proud of my campers!

scouts

Scout’s honor!

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Halloween 2017

Another Halloween done right! We had awesome costumes, a fun street party, face painting, and lots and LOTS of candy! We decided to skip the parade this year and, considering Samantha didn’t wake up from her nap until 4:00, it was the right decision. Ariel, Jalen Hurts, and Black Panther were ready for a fun night!

halloween

halloween

I convinced Samantha to wear the wig just for a few pictures but we switched to a more manageable purple bow before leaving! She sure looked cute with all that hair though!

mermaid

Maxwell looked pretty authentic in his jersey, pads, and helmet!

halloween

helmet

Spencer was the fiercest Black Panther I’ve ever seen!

black panther

We met up with our neighbors to walk to the street party which made it more fun for everyone…

halloween

The party was fun as always – there was a DJ, the train, popcorn, and a big bouncy slide (with too many big kids on it for the littles to be able to enjoy). But the kids saw plenty of friends and had a great time…

halloween

They did have a face painter this year which was new! Maxwell passed – he already had his cool eye black…

halloween

but Spencer and Samantha did it! Spence got a skull face…

face paint

I thought it looked super cool with his costume!

halloween

Samantha got a purple mermaid face! She was killing me squinting her little face while sitting so still in the chair! 🙂

face paint

She was also killing me when she kept rubbing her eyes and getting purple and black all over her hands! ha!

mermaid

mermaid

After plenty of fun and a little bit of pizza for two of the kids (Maxwell was too busy throwing the football!) we hit the roads to Trick or Treat! Maxwell was really wanting to run off and go with his buddies but we convinced him to stay with us this year. This might be the last year I can get all 3 to go to the houses together. They got way more candy than they needed and loved every bit of it!

On the way home, we stopped by the party one more time to grab another pizza to go and see it all lit up!

trick or treat

Once home, the candy investigation began! Nothing better for a kid! (also, Maxwell never did eat any pizza so you’re looking at his dinner there! oops!)

candy

It was a super fun Halloween!!!

halloween

Can’t wait for next year!

Halloween 2016

Halloween 2015 here and here

Halloween 2014

Halloween 2013 here and here

Halloween 2012 and a few more pics here.

Halloween 2011 and here too.

Halloween 2010 and here too.

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Roll Tide again!

The boys got to go to the game two weeks ago, and I got to go last weekend! Thanks to GJ and Daddo for keeping the kids so we could go cheer on the tide!

al game

We ended up buying the same seats the boys had so we had great seats! It is so fun to be in the stadium with the giant crowd. And to get to see the cheerleaders and the halftime show!

al game

al game

Meanwhile, the kids were having plenty of fun without us hanging at the apartment…

al game

Weekend fun! Roll Tide!

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RTR!!

The boys had a super fun Saturday – they went to the Alabama vs. Arkansas game! Roll Tide!!

rtr

rtr

rtr‘

It was Homecoming so a great day to be in Tuscaloosa!

t town

We ended up finding great seats and they were only 18 rows up right on the 50 yard line. These boys were living right!

al

Meanwhile, back at home, Samantha and I had a little date at Chic-Fil-A…

rtr

Everyone was happy that night! Hope you had a great weekend too!

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Birthday celebrations

We didn’t go big for birthdays this year but that doesn’t mean we didn’t celebrate! Robert was out of town on his actual birthday but we had a little home party when he got back with some Olexa’s cake!

bday

He, of course, had a little help blowing out his candles! 🙂

It was an iPhone year around here – I got Robert a new one for his birthday and my mom got me a new one for my birthday! 🙂  I got the 8Plus so I could get the portrait mode on the camera. I have to learn how to use it best but am excited about the shots it can take!

bday

On Friday night before my birthday on Saturday, GJ came into town and we loaded up the kids and drove to Atlanta for the night. We had an appointment with an Atlanta photographer to get pictures taken of the kids. It was kind of my birthday present to myself! Despite some rambunctiousness at the hotel, the kids did GREAT for the photog and I have to believe he got some really good shots.

photos

I was just happy to be inside a studio after our disastrously freezing photos last year! There was even plenty of things to entertain the kids there too!

studio

studio

studio

As a reward for good behavior we had lunch at – where else? – Moe’s!

moes

There was also some ice cream and a trip to Target for the new toys you saw on Monday’s post. Bribery works every time! 🙂 We were back in Birmingham by Saturday afternoon in plenty of time to watch some football that night. Roll Tide and cheers to another year!