September 2023

With the month of September comes Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear came to the hospital and the clinic I work in to see some patients and staff. He also signed a declaration to bring awareness to pediatric cancer. I went down to listen to his address to UK staff and patients.  

Grandma and Grandpa came up so visit and attend their last grandparents night at GME. Landon played BINGO with them and actually got to win a game. He was really excited because he says he never wins anything. 

Landon had a game on a Saturday morning. I was at the UK Football game so I wasn't there. Landon had an awesome interception, his first. After the fact I was so upset that I missed it. Thankfully Jennifer captured the video of it for me. 

With Landon's interception and great defense that he played he was named the player of the game. I was glad that he had some family there to watch him play. 

After the game they enjoyed some food before everyone had to head back home. 

It's football time in the bluegrass! It was the first home game of the season. I couldn't enjoy the game because I was sad about missing Landon's game. Kentucky handled their business and beat Ball State 44-14.

Jennifer had a family reunion that we headed back home to western Kentucky to attend. While we were nearby we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We even stopped by Jennifer's hometown to check out the old ball park that we spent a lot of time at. Jennifer and I spent a lot of time sitting on those bleachers talking, but even more time working in the concession stand. 

Labor Day weekend means that the pools in town are about to close for the year. We decided to get one more use before having to head back to the indoor pools. The kids enjoyed playing for a few hours and we even ran into some friends too. They really love the Beaumont YMCA because it is the only one with a diving board. 

With Landon playing football I thought he would like to see some more experienced guys play. I verified that he could come watch practice with my friends in recruiting and we came on down to watch them practice. We spent most of our time watching the wide receivers and defensive backs. One player really made an impression on Landon when he came over to meet him. Tayvion Robinson #9 came over and asked his name and talked with him for a few minutes. That quickly made him become one of my favorites on the team. It doesn't take long to make an impression on a young kid. 

One of my patients was asked to come throw out the first pitch at a Red's baseball game. It was a night to remember the all cancer patients. The patient that was throwing out the first pitch had invited me and had also gotten tickets for about 300 of our patients and their families. It was a great night at the ballpark. They even had all the families out to walk on the field during pregame. Landon had a lot of fun and we got to see Elly de la Cruz for the first time. The Red's were losing in the 7th inning so we decided to head on home. Landon wanted to hit on the whiffle ball field one last time. While he was there the Red's hit a homer to tie up the game. We found some random lower level seats and stayed to watch the finish. The Red's ended up winning in walk off fashion and it was awesome!

The next home game Landon and Jennifer came to watch the Cats play. We didn't start out very well and the game ended up a lot closer than I would have liked, but Kentucky won 28-17. It was a great weather day and Landon enjoyed all the food that I could find for him. We cheered for his new buddy #9 Tayvion Robinson who had two touchdowns on the day. 

Another week meant another football game. Landon was actually playing about two games a week. After that opening game loss they went on a little bit of a win streak. The entire squad was getting more comfortable with the plays and their individual jobs. 

This is the second time that I have done the 9/11 stair climb in remembrance of everyone that lost their lives during the attacks on September 11th. This event is sponsored by the Lexington Fire Department. There are lots of local firefighters, military and other service providers out there doing this climb to show support. It is a very moving experience. 

Landon had been busy with football, soccer and a few random baseball games that he hadn't been able to attend any cross county meets. I signed him up for his first race even though he hadn't been to any practices with the team. He showed up in Frankfort to run his race and that is when he found out that he would be running with 5th through 8th graders. I hadn't got out of work in time to come see his race, but I called him to tell him good luck and to just do his best. Well, his best was a sub 7 minute mile and fifteenth place overall! We met back up in Lexington with Aunt Taylor to get snow cones to celebrate her birthday. 

We had a hard fought game against a bunch of our old White Sox baseball friends. The silver team came out on top this time, but that doesn't mean we aren't all friends after the final whistle. 

Another Saturday meant another UK football game. The CATS beat up the Akron Zips 35-3.

Landon had been asking to start working out some because he is tired of getting pushed around at football. I took him to the YMCA with us so that he could get a little taste of it. I think it was a little eye opening for him to see some of the things. It also doesn't help that the bar alone is over two thirds of his weight.

I had signed up Landon for soccer before finding out about the LCA football program. We chose to attend football over all other sports because it was a new sport and he didn't understand the rules of it and exactly what he was supposed to be doing. So soccer was our second most important sport. This was Landon's first time back on the pitch since playing with the Scorpions two years ago. This was a video of Landon trying to score off a miss from a team mate. He is the closest player in maroon. He came up and did a side kick on the ball. Unfortunately, the ball went high and hit the top crossbar. 

The Rampage squad was back at it again. They moved up to 12U softball and signed up to play a couple of fall tournaments. They actually added two new girls to the squad. They are now going to be the younger team in the tournaments, but they are going to gain a lot of experience over the next couple of months. 

Even with abnormally hot temperatures it was almost the beginning of fall. One of our patient's mothers made us these cookies. 

I talked Brinley into trying out for her school volleyball team. We went and picked out a volleyball and started practicing out in the driveway. She was so excited about trying out for the team. I might have sweetened the pot just a little by telling her that I would get her a squishmellow for trying out and for every game that she played in. This girl is absolutely mesmerized by squishmellows. 

After Landon's first cross country race the coach sent me a message asking if Landon could come to some other races. We signed up for another one at The Lexington School. Landon had done this one before and enjoyed it. They have to cross a creek and jump over a hay bale throughout the course. Landon ran one of his best races ever. This was a 3K race for 4th-5th grade boys. Landon finished 4th overall! We didn't get much time to enjoy the finish because we hopped into the car and headed over to a football game. 

Uncle McKinley and Landon went to a UK football game together this season too. The month of September seemed like it was filled with football games. Four of the five Saturday's in the month were home football games. This game went totally different for Landon because he was extremely hot. He kept asking Uncle McKinley if they could leave. They finally left a little after halftime because the Cats had already gotten out to a huge lead. Kentucky ended up winning 35-3 against Akron. 

Besides the snacks I think Landon really just enjoys riding on my golf cart. I picked them up at Uncle McKinley's house and was going to take them back, but I got called to take a recruit back to their car. 

Brinley's team had a tournament just down the street from our house. A couple of the girls came over in between games to play for a while. They ended up heading down to the playground at Jacobson to play for a while. 

Landon's team was very competitive and they had a lot of boys who proved to be really good football players. They ended up the number one seed in the tournament. Then they proceeded to win both tournament games to take the championship. They faced the white team in the championship and it was a defensive battle. Blue team scored late to win the game 8-0. White team was looking to score late in the game and Landon actually had the final pass break up to seal the game. 

Brinley and her softball team had a team outing to see the movie I Can, which was about a softball player. Of course these girls always have a good time when they get together. 

It was time again for me to donate blood. I try to be consistent and donate every time I am eligible which is every 56 days. 

Landon and the only other 5th grader on the Wolfpack team getting ready for a race. This was Brayden's first year running cross country and Landon enjoyed having another runner in meets with him. 

We are so proud of this guy. He tried out a new sport and with a lot of practice and talking through things he became a much more confident player. He started at safety and played back up at running back and tight end. He was close so many times to scoring his first touchdown, but that will have to wait for another time. That is something that evaded me in all my years of playing too. I hope he decides to play football again someday. It was a lot of fun watching him play. 

The Blue Team went out to celebrate after the big win. It was a good group of boys that we were lucky to play with. 

Brinley made the 6th grade Panther Volleyball team! I am so proud of her trying out something new. Prior to this she had only had minimal experience at a YMCA program. I have no idea how she did compared to all of her new teammates because the tryouts were closed to the public. I can't wait to see her play volleyball!

The month of September was filled with sports of all kinds. I believe Jennifer was tired of taking the kids to all of their sports after school. It made for some long nights, but I believe that it is so important for you kids to be involved in team sports. You learn so many valuable lessons by being a part of a team. Excited to see how many more teams the kids will be a part of over the coming years!

August 2023

Landon missed out on a full day at Holiday World when his sister's team went last month. We had some passes that I got out of a silent auction basket so we decided to have a boys day and head to Santa Claus Land. We had a good time. We rode some of the roller coasters and enjoyed the water park. Landon decided that he didn't really enjoy wooden roller coasters as much. I made him take a ride on the kiddie canoes because I had remembered riding them when I was little.

Brinley's team had a final summer tournament up in Sandusky, Ohio before school was set to start. One of our friends recommended this breakfast spot, Wake up and Waffle, so we had to try it out. We also took a walk down by Lake Erie to enjoy the views. 

In between games this bunch of girls and their families had a blast spending the weekend together. We hit up the beaches of Lake Erie and even went to Cedar Point to enjoy some coasters together. 

Oh yeah and of course they played some softball too. They really had a great last tournament of the season. One of their tournament games was the most exciting youth sporting event that I had ever been too. It ended with a over the fence home run to end the game in extra innings. 

This is one tired little ball player. 

Fun at Cedar Point with all of our Rampage girls. Landon wasn't tall enough again to ride a few roller coasters, so I stuffed my socks into his shoes to give him the extra height in order to ride everything. Jennifer decided to not go to Cedar Point because she doesn't like roller coasters. Instead she was going to stay in the hotel and work. Only problem was that when we went to leave for the park the car wouldn't start. So, she spent about two hours at a car dealership trying to get the car fixed. Thankfully it only needed a new battery. 

Someone took this picture of a group of us riding. We are taking up the back three rows. Look how little Landon looks in the seat. He is right next to the goofball with his arms way up in the 3rd to last row. 

Landon enjoyed hanging out with his buddy Brantley. They have had a lot of fun together at their sister's softball games over the past year. 

About an hour from Sandusky is where my Aunt Angelina and her family lives. So, before heading home we needed to get over and visit with them. We got to spend a couple hours visiting and catching up. Cassie Jo loved playing with the kids. I wish that we could live closer to all of them, or at least see them more often. 

Landon on the way to football practice. They are slowly starting to learn the game and adding more equipment everyday at practice. Landon is having a lot of trouble getting the helmet off.

We decided to take the kids out to hike in the Red River Gorge. We went to one of our favorite spots, Indian Staircase. Landon really enjoys scrambling up the staircase. I enjoy the view from the top.

View of the kids from the top. So beautiful and green.

Landon being silly and not opening up his eyes. One last picture before starting our way back to the car. 

Well, I took a wrong turn somewhere and we ended up on the wrong path back to the car. It isn't the correct way back to the parking lot, but we were all excited to make it back out. Even after climbing down an area with tree roots. This was the second time that we have ended this hike climbing down the tree roots to the parking lot. The kids and Jennifer said that they never want to hike Indian Staircase again. 

The kids were really happy to see the car. After getting lost for about 45 minutes on the way back.

No one was as excited as Jennifer was. She said that she didn't know if she was ever hiking with me again. Afterwards I took the family to Miguel's Pizza for lunch. Jennifer and I split my favorite, BBQ sauce pizza with bacon, chorizo, and sweet potato for toppings. It is delicious!

Landon's first day in full pads. It was really fun to watch the team run around and "hit" for the first time. 

Landon and his Slam teammates had an end of summer party at the pool. All the boys got some gear and a championship ring for one of the tournaments that they had won. The boys were super excited about spending one last night together. We had a lot of fun with these boys. I know that they learned a lot about baseball, but even more about friendship. 

To end the summer we headed up to King's Island for even more roller coaster fun. They had a special going on so we went ahead and bought season passes for next year. It included the ability to go for the rest of this season so we decided to take full advantage of it. We all went up to spend the last day of the kid's summer break riding roller coasters together. 

Brinley begged to try and win a squishmellow at the carnival games. I hardly ever want to play these games because they are typically games of luck and are usually not worth the money. I agreed to let her do it. It was a mini basketball game and you got six shots to try and win. The prize depended on how many you hit in the basket. I asked if she wanted to do it or if she wanted me to try. She asked me to try and I was very successful for her and and I hit 4 of the 5 that I shot. You only needed four in to win the largest prize. She was so excited about this axolotl!

The kids had a lot of fun. Landon really wanted to try the blue ice cream. He said it was pretty good. He was also just a shade too short for the biggest rides. He needed a little boost again from my socks. Jennifer didn't even ride the roller coasters and she still looked like the picture in the bottom right. She had a headache and was exhausted. This was a picture of her napping while we were off riding a roller coaster. 

First day of school for Landon's last year of elementary school. We applied for and were granted permission for him to continue at the same school even though we are now out of district. He was excited about going to school and seeing all of his friends. 

Brinley's first day of middle school. She was terrified of middle school and all the things that come with it. We really hope that she does well and meets new friends along the way too. She is mostly excited about getting to sleep in because her school starts an hour later than her brother's. 

Landon's first tackle football game. They played a very good white team. Landon started at cornerback on defense and was backup tailback on offense. For his first game I was really proud of him. He was scared to get in and try and tackle people, but that should get better. He isn't confident in what he should be doing which causes him to look lost on the field. 

He had a pretty good crew to come watch his first game. He even went up during halftime into the stands to say hello. I was actually working as a member of the chain gang for the first game. So I was able to see things up close to the action.

Our friend Brantley's team decided to play one last tournament and they needed an extra player. Landon said he would be happy to play with them. It was a lot of fun and Landon had a good time with some old and new friends. He was only able to play on the Saturday pool play games because we had something to do on Sunday. 

It was time for the survivor picnic! The kids are always excited to come out and play and meet some of my patients and families. They both come early with me and help set up the different stations before everyone gets to the event. Brinley this year offered her services at the slime making station. This girl loves her some slime!

I made a mistake and accidently signed up Landon up for a basketball camp at the exact same time as the picnic. Jennifer came and took him to his camp that was hosted by the entire UK basketball team and Oscar Tshiebwe, who happens to be his favorite player of all time. He was really mad at me and said he didn't want to go. I insisted that he had to since we had paid for it. He had a good time, but was mad about missing the survivor picnic. 

He even got to sit by the big guy Oscar for the picture with the team. He didn't really know many of the players on the team because most of them are new this year. 

His second game was much better. They moved him to safety and I believe that was a very good position change. He is able to see the field and then react accordingly. He also got some touches at running back this game. He was about four yards shy of scoring his first touchdown. 

Aunt Taylor and Uncle McKinley were out to see Landon for his team's first win! 

Only two of these boys had ever played football before this year. So, it was a lot of learning for these boys, but this picture was after their first win! 

McKinley, Taylor and I were supposed to fly out to California and hike Half Dome at Yosemite National Park. We had been training for the very difficult hike for a while. We were all ready to go when mother nature decided differently. A rare west coast hurricane was hitting the area about the time when we were going to be there. Instead of getting all the way out there to be disappointed that we were not allowed to hike due to bad weather we decided to cancel all of our plans. We got credit for our flights and everything else was reimbursed. On the weekend we were supposed to be gone we instead headed up to Northern Kentucky to see Taylor's childhood home and see where she lived. Her dad got her brother's dirt bike working and the kids thought it was awesome!

The kids had the day off from school one day, but I forgot to ask off work for the scheduled day off. So, Jennifer took the kids to Champs to let them do some roller skating. I guess Brinley didn't want her picture made this day.

Brinley's teammate made the basketball team for Beaumont Middle School. So, her coach and some of the teammates showed up to see her play in a game. These Rampage girls really enjoy one another. 

We had some visitors from Ohio. Olivia and Landon went to pick Brinley up from school.

Everyone was in town to see Landon and his team play football on Saturday, so we decided to enjoy some dinner at Chuy's. The shadows were not agreeing with our decision to take a picture on this night. 

Brinley had been excited about trying out some new things in middle school. (With a little encouragement from her dad) She decided she wanted to try out golf. I met her at the course after I got off work to see her in action. They were playing in a group of five girls and were playing scramble rules. She was having a lot of fun. Unfortunately we found out that they practice at the same time as her softball team so we decided that this would be the only time we could do it at this time. Maybe we can try again next year. 

August proved to be a lot of fun as we were wrapping up the summer and getting ready for school to start. I am happy to be getting school back because it will give the kids a little more structure to their days. They really do enjoy lounging around the house all summer. We are excited to see how they learn and grow this school year.