Showing posts with label Golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golf. Show all posts

Monday, April 25, 2016

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Instagram Recap

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life with Like Mother, Like Daughter. ~

Between catching up from our road trip at home and at work (juggling working outside the home, even just part-time, and homeschooling is tough!), three birthday parties, the end of hockey season, high school and middle school golf for our three oldest, Catholic Digest deadlines for June/July/August and September, meeting with a new doctor to try and figure out some continuing health issues, dealing with Tax Fraud (whah!), and meeting with some other moms to discuss co-op options for our high schoolers next year, the last couple weeks flew by and I just haven't had the time or energy to post anything here on the blog... Even though I missed the deadline for last week's link-up, here is a {pretty, happy, funny, real} Instagram Recap of some of what we've been up to the past couple weeks.  I'll try my best to find some extra time soon to share pictures from Chiquita's 11th birthday!

{pretty}


April 10th: My brother's backyard is pretty incredible, especially this time of year! 


April 7th: It was such a beautiful day today... Instead of driving back home, after dropping off the boys for their high-school science lab, we drove out to visit my parents, enjoy the sunshine, and hit a few golf balls in their backyard! {Their yard has sure come a long way from the original 10-acres they purchased 25+ years ago covered with trees, poison oak, and buckbrush!}


April 22nd {posted by Captain}:  #NPLTD
We were able to get four hours of range practice at our grandparents house today!!!


{happy}


April 18th: They all finished their schoolwork early today so we could come watch the older boys' high school golf tournament this afternoon... I'm always up for a challenge, but we'll see if I can keep the little ones quiet for at least nine holes! {Can you tell that the six year old doesn't care much for golf? At least not yet... Maybe she will after her first golf camp this summer!}


After I snapped a picture of the kids, one of the other high school coaches told me to squeeze onto the bench too and he'd take one of all of us...





We bounced back and forth between holes so we could watch both of the boys compete! 

 

April 13th: This afternoon at practice the boys' golf coach handed me this week's and last week's newspapers, saying I'd probably want to check out the sports section. Indeed! In fact, I think it might be time to get a subscription! Last week there were two different articles, one featuring my youngest brother (who is a junior in college) and the other featuring our oldest son (high school freshman). This week our second son (who skipped 8th grade and is also a freshman this year - Coach said he let the paper know that they are not twins!) was featured as "Athlete of the Week" for our local public high school where they golf! The boys have been working so hard this year. In addition to playing on the varsity team for golf, last week they both received the Varsity Award at their end-of-season party for hockey, from a different high school, since our local high school doesn't have a team. They were also both awarded the Kiwanis "Student of the Month" (our oldest last month and our second this month) from the home-based public charter school where they are currently enrolled. I'm so proud of them and all their hard work! 

All the sports excitement (and newspaper articles) has continued this week as well!  My brother Kevin just finished second at the El Macero Classic and is heading to the Pac-12 Championships in Salt Lake City this weekend, and my youngest brother David's golf team just won the CCC title and are headed to the NAIA National Tournament next month! I'm hoping they will have a little extra time this summer to coach their nephews! ;)

Here are three more photos that my oldest daughter shared on her (very small/private) Instagram:



April 18th: "It was so much fun watching our uncle compete in the CCC Men's Golf Championship today! Go Owls! "


"Watching my older brothers play golf at their high school tournament earlier today!"


{funny}


April 20th: Yesterday one of my cakes was posted over at Cake Wrecks ... At least it wasn't one of the wrecks, but I might actually have one for them today! Hopefully it will come together after some time in the freezer and another coat of frosting. We have a birthday to celebrate! #notaprofessionalbaker #ihatefrostingcakes ;) 


{real}


"One, two, fwee, four, five... The mom rabbit and dad rabbit have FIVE baby bunnies!" 
{He loves to flip through his new book counting the five "rabbit children" on each page.}

Thursday, March 17, 2016

St. Patrick's Day-book


Outside my window... 
It's been gorgeous outside this week! After just two weeks of golf, the boys had their very first high school junior varsity golf tournament on Monday (they came in first and second place!) and their first high school varsity tournament on Wednesday (they didn't place last!).




 


I am thankful... 
that I was able to spend some time with my mom and youngest brother while watching the boys golf on Wednesday! My two youngest brothers actually competed against some of the current high school seniors just a few years ago, back when they were seniors and the current seniors were all freshman, including one of the boys on my boys' team! (My brothers both play college golf now.) It was kind of funny overhearing all the parents, coaches, and golfers coming up to my mom, saying hello, and finding out that she was there to watch her grandsons who are now in high school!  :)

My Beautiful Mom ♥
She will be having another MRI in May - Thank you all for the continued prayers! 
Uncle David's college team is currently number 14 on the national 2015-16 NAIA Men’s Golf Coaches’ Top 25 Poll!

I am thinking... 
about ways to balance school and sports. It's been challenging for the boys to keep up with their full schedule, but they are sure loving the opportunity to participate in high school sports this year!

Learning all the time... 
our Spring Break is next week. We'll be taking a break from our usual studies and spending lots of time in the car! I'm trying to come up with some fun plans, maybe visit a Catholic college and at least a couple missions. I also need to make sure to fill a media card with some new audio books.... Adding that to my to-do list now.

Celebrating the liturgical year... 
I actually thought we'd be celebrating this feast on the road this year, so I picked up St. Patrick's Day Potatoes from See's Candies to pack along for all the kids. I loved these back when I could eat them. They were a hit! Now to come up with some ideas for celebrating St. Joseph's Day in the car...





From the kitchen... 
Shamrock Cinnamon Rolls! They turn out a little differently from year to year, but always delicious!

Patrick: Saint of Ireland

I am creating... 
Blessed Trinity Shamrock "Glory Be" Prayer Posters! I actually created these for the children earlier this school year, while studying St. Patrick in history, but we pulled them out again today!


S is for shamrock, a three-leaf plant from Ireland. A legend says Patrick used this plant to explain the Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ~ St. Patrick's Day Alphabet


I am going... 
to visit Sean's parents! Apparently it's been "5 years and 4 months" since we have all been there for a visit. (Sean took the five youngest a couple years ago.) It's going to be a challenging drive to say the least, but we are all so excited to see them again! We were suppose to leave on Wednesday but the boys' golf tournament schedule changed and we won't be able to leave until this weekend.

I am hoping... 
that all the time in the car doesn't set me back too badly... My tailbone is taking forever to heal! Such a pain... Lots to offer up for Holy Week!

I am reading... 
The Wolf and the Shield. Actually, I am just listening to Snuggles read it aloud!



I am praying... 
for a safe trip. Will you please keep us in your prayers?

Our once-every-other-month Latin Mass last Sunday - Deo Gratias!
Originally posted on Instagram

Pondering these words...
from the confession of St. Patrick:

"According, therefore, to the measure of one’s faith in the Trinity, one should proceed without holding back from danger to make known the gift of God and everlasting consolation, to spread God’s name everywhere with confidence and without fear."

I am listening...  
an audio drama about St. Patrick: Torch of Fire.

Around the house... 
Lots of half packed suitcases. I have so much to do and not nearly enough time... Pretty much the theme of my life lately! :)

One of my favorite things...  
saint dolls! The newest addition to our collection of St. Patrick toys (including St. Patricks from Catholic Folk Toys, Shining Light Dolls, Tiny Saints, and Almond Rod Toys) is this beautiful St. Patrick from Naturally Catholic!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
One more golf tournament for the boys Friday while the girls and I catch up the laundry and pack!

A little peek at my day...


Saint Patrick of Ireland, Ora Pro Nobis!


Thursday, March 3, 2016

{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Leap Day

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life with Like Mother, Like Daughter. ~

{pretty}

The Seasonal Planner {Spring Edition}
The Month of St. Joseph: Exercises for Each Day of the Month of March
from the New Additions to Our March Book Basket

Holy St. Joseph! behold at your feet humble clients, ardently desiring to profit by the graces attached to your example and intercession. We pray that during this month our souls may be prepared for the worthy reception of our divine Saviour. Guardian of Jesus! be our protector and our guide. Pray for us, and present our prayers, purified by thine, to the heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary. Amen.



{happy}



The kids were all so happy to discover their Leap Day Time Capsules on the dining table. They loved looking through them to see what they recorded back in 2012...



... and to see how much they have grown in the last four years. They are all at least a head and shoulders taller than last Leap Day!


In 2012 Captain and Ranger we nearly identical in height. This year Captain is taller, but they weigh exactly the same! 


I created a new updated Leap Day Time Capsule for them to complete this year! 




It's amazing how much can change in just four years... Four years ago we had a newborn and our oldest wasn't even in middle school yet. Now we have two teens in high school and by the time the next leap day rolls around they will have graduated. Crazy! 

Anyway, I still need to print out a some pictures for the kids to add, but other than that they are all finished and ready to save for February 29, 2020! 


{funny}


After seeing the pictures from 2012, Bud kept asking all morning, "Mommy! Will you pleeeaassseeee make me an apple frooooggggg!"  



They turned out pretty funny looking, but he loved it! 



{real}



Yikes! This past Monday we had to load up the back of the Suburban with the hockey gear and golf clubs... Even though hockey season hasn't ended yet, Leap Day was the first day of High School Golf for our older boys. They had golf practice from 3-6, then hockey practice from 6:45-7:45 (junior league, we had to take two cars so Sean could get our 8 year old to the rink for his 5:30 practice) and 9:15-10:15 (final high school practice). They have their last high school hockey game on Saturday night, high school hockey playoffs Mon-Thurday of next week, this Saturday morning they have their Junior League games (next weekend it will be the annual parents vs players game, and they will have to miss the final game the weekend after that), and they will also be practicing at the golf course each afternoon after school (before hockey) in preparation for their first high school golf tournaments on the 14th and 16th! Between studying and sports they have very little time for anything else at the moment. I'm really looking forward to "just" golf season following our spring break over Holy Week, with no late night or weekend practices or tournaments!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Par-Tee Time! {A Golf Birthday at the 7th Hole}


Looking at the pictures in this post you would never guess that I was not very prepared for Snuggles' birthday this past week. All I had done to prepare was order a few things from Amazon (Golf Cart, Golf Ball Candy Mold, a book, and a couple Golf Games - which arrived quickly thanks to Amazon Prime) and created some food labels on Wednesday, then grocery shop Friday evening following the final day of the children's Golf Camp & Tournament.
Note: This post contains affiliate links.  


Saturday morning the birthday boy didn't want to come out into the kitchen until his cake was ready so he could be "surprised!" (I really need to get back into the habit of making them the night before) so his Daddy came to my rescue and took him to town for a Birthday Smoothie and to run a couple errands. Thankfully everything came together quickly and beautifully despite my near panic attack halfway through decorating the cake!  ;)


It was just our immediate family, but we had a splendid day celebrating this little character of ours.  I also, especially after spending very little time in the kitchen following my miscarriage the week before, really enjoyed (and went overboard) creating fun "golf" inspired foods for his special day… It was a nice distraction from the difficult week that had just passed. I hope you don't mind, I have quite a few pictures to share with you all! 


.: Decorations :. 


One of the kind helpers at golf camp sent home the balloons from the tournament when she heard that we had a birthday the next day!  Held down with some new golf balls and tees placed in a jar (which I won at this year's Hadley Hope fundraiser) the balloons made a fun and colorful centerpiece. 


When I noticed that Sleeping Bear Press had A Golf Alphabet book I had to order it for our collection...


… and also couldn't resist the little pull back Golf Cart

(My parents have had golf carts - or "Putt-Putt" as my youngest brothers called them - since I was a teen, for riding around their property. They are always one of the highlight's when we visit!)



.: Par-Tee Games :. 


Sean and I recently splurged at Costco when we saw the Disc Golf they had for sale.  We saved it as a birthday surprise and as soon as Sean arrived back from town, he and the boys set up the three-hole course around our property!  It has been so much fun! 





I had also planned to create a "Pin-the-Ball in the Hole" game. and had picked up a poster board when I was at the store, but my older boys (aka resident helpers and artists) were working at the neighbors all morning digging holes (their first "real" job!) and I decided it wasn't that necessary after all… We had plenty to keep us busy for the day! 


.: Birthday Gifts :. 


In addition to the decorations and games that doubled as birthday gifts, we had a few more gifts for the birthday boy including a #7 Beaver's Jersey! (Sean and I happened to run across some clearance Beaver's clothing back in January and saved it for his birthday, along with some Beavers Pajamas that I wrapped.) 


Rose, who I had taken shopping with me the night before, had picked out a box of animal crackers for her brother. . . 


. . . the older boys gave him a Nerf Super Soaker, Twinkle Toes gave him a sweet card along with $1 (which she had recently discovered under her pillow after losing a tooth), and Chiquita gave him all the Not-So-Hot Cocoa gift certificates she had won during golf camp! 


A card arrived in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma G. and he also received a Lego Family House from Sean and I, which he started building immediately! 



.: Playing Disc Golf :. 



.: Golf Inspired Buffet :. 


As I mentioned above, I went totally overboard creating golf themed food for the party! 


The birthday boy loved it all! 


- On The Menu - 

BOGEY Hoagies
CLUB Sandwiches
WATER HAZARD Jello
WOODS & IRONS Pretzel Rods
Pickle WEDGES
Rice Krispie BUNKERS
Watermelon SLICE
Sweet TEE
WATER HOLE
FLAG STICKS
Bar-B-Que BIRDIE
CHIP SHOTS
WORM BURNER Pudding

HOLE IN ONE
Fruit PARfait
BUCKET OF BALLS Donuts

...and a few more ideas that I ended up skipping since we had more than enough...

SLICEd Veggies
Potato WEDGES
Edible EAGLES





In my search for party food ideas I had run across the suggestion for Berry Blue Jello Water Hazards.  I adapted the idea, adding some Green Gummi Frogs to the top and, once the jello started to set, pushed down a few white Candy Pearls into the jello to look like Golf Balls falling into the water! 


Rice Krispie Treats cut into a kidney shape, with one end dipped into frosting or white candy melts and then covered with green spinkles, for Bunkers/Sand Traps. 


S is for a sand trap, an easy place to reach. 
But getting out is difficult. You're swinging from the beach. 



Chocolate Pudding topped with Gummi Worms and crushed Oreos for "Worm Burner!" 

Worm Burner: When a golf ball is hit hard and is intended to go airborne but instead rolls or skips along the ground at high speed.  





B is for Birdie, a very good golf score.
It's finishing a long par 5 with a score of four. 


Our "Sweet Tea Tee" was actually lemonade... 


… and water bottles wrapped with some Argyle Duck Tape I ordered back in 2011 and never used. 
It worked perfectly for this party! 





.: Golf Birthday Cake :. 





N is for Number written down on a scorecard.
Add the holes up and you will find… golf is pretty hard. 


.: Breakfast FORE! Dinner :. 

"Fore!" shouts the golfer to make sure folks are clear.
And F is for flagsticks, which should say, "Hey! Aim here!"


We ended the birthday with Breakfast FORE! Dinner: 
a Bucket of Balls (aka donuts), Hole-in-One Eggs, and Fruit PARfait!


Read the green. Judge the speed. Aim it and… Guess what?
P is for a score of par. You've made a perfect putt.