Tate's First Scout Campout

Tate on his first of what will be many many Boy Scout campouts with Dad! He was so excited he was bouncing when I put him to bed Thursday night - He called me back to give me 20 extra hugs and 20 extra kisses to tide me over this weekend.

 

Michael snapped a picture of Tate asleep in his tent Friday night. Saturday he did all the things!

 

 

Oh boy.

 

Michael faking sleep to get a sweet selfie with Tate.

 

 

Breaking down camp all by himself(ish). Happy first Scout Campout, Tate!

Winterfest & Choir

I drove Wesley & Anna Kate all the way to St. Pete Thursday night to put them on a plane to Nashville for Winterfest, but there was a weather advisory in Nashville, so per Allegiant's bizarre rules, anyone under 18 was not allowed to fly unaccompanied by an adult. The plane wasn't delayed or anything, it took off and all was fine - except Wes & AK weren't on it. Super frustrating. They could have taken a flight to Memphis, which was not under weather advisory, but we couldn't find anyone willing to go pick them up. The best we could do was book them on a flight to Knoxville Friday morning and ask Jonathan to drive them to Pigeon Forge for us and cross our fingers for no weather advisory. I'm happy to report they made it on the plane. I just love driving back and forth to Tampa/St. Pete during rush hour so much.

 

So glad they made it! Our Southside youth group used to pose by this exact same sign. 

 

Trying to get the kids to be cool enough to do the old time photos in Gatlinburg like we did, but alas, they are not as cool. Steven Sherrow, Carrie, Andrea VanDyke, Erin Howes, Megan Canfield, Heather Valenine, Danelle Davis, Danelle's then-boyfriend (back) Pam Walker, me Brian McIntyre, Bobby Harzog (whose family adopted our Baby Steven, now Aaron), Jeremy Stroop, Justin Davis & some visitor kid (front).

 

Wes & Bryant hit up the jerky store.

 

Eden & Gavin & a giant puppy. Wes, Ava, Macy & Ben at lunch:

 

Wes playing poker with Bryant, Gavin & Tim.

 

On the bus back to Nashville - Nick Owensby & Ben in purple, Anna Kate with Mason. Wes with Macy, Ava & Bryant. 

Anna Kate with Willow & Bentley, and with Gus.

 

Meanwhile I was at Disney Springs celebrating Jill's birthday with Jill, Rene, Amanda (Anna Kate's preschool teacher) at Hangar Bar. Jill's Tierny & Erin's Emma came to hang with the mamas.

This is the time of the year Tate always wants us to walk him to the park. Daddy/Daughter bonding:

 

LCS defeated the #4 ranked team in the nation yesterday (they already beat the #3 ranked team in the nation earlier this season), ending St. Johns' 59-game playoff winning streak. It’s our 3rd consecutive state championship, but this one defines the Lady Vikings as the undisputed best with the defeat of St Johns. This team is made up of girls who we go all the way back to preschool with... girls who have popped up at my kids’ birthday parties since the big 0-5 and been a part of their life events. Such a joy to watch them continue to do amazing things 13+ years later!

 

I got to chaperone a choir event this week at St. Paul's - Emma, Amala, Carlee & Anna Kate

 

Watching Carigan's performance, then Wesley and Anna Kate's (Andy photobomb):

 

Waiting for their scores to be posted. Straight superiors for both middle school & high school! 

 

 

Carigan with Selah & Alondra. I went through the drive thru at HTeaO afterwards, and the car in front of my paid for my order! It's the first time that's ever happened to me. It really does make your day when people are randomly kind!

Valentines and Gaffigan

Busy Saturday! Wesley and Carigan had Solo & Ensemble early in the morning, and then Grandma hosted a Girls+Tate Valentine Tea. Getting the girls to dress up was a fail.

 

Tate came home and had some Tortoise Time with Donatello. Then he got on the computer and worked on a Tortoise PowerPoint. My little professor.

 

Saturday night was Jim Gaffigan! He filmed his next Netflix special with us here in Tampa! Khaysy and I loaded up the whole crew - Malachi, Jonas, Wes, Sean, Matthew, Everett, Jadin, Hyatt & Jacob. 

Look for us on Netflix! I let Anna Kate crash the boys night so I'd have a buddy. Wes said it's the hardest he's laughed in his life.

 

Post-show dinner at Henderson's (4110 Henderson Blvd in Tampa). They had the best cauliflower crust pizza!

 

Second Sunday of the month is always the girls' favorite! Anna Kate got all the good Seth snuggles while Carigan played with the live wires.

 

Quinn, Sadie, Carver & Leyton

 

 

Wes watched the Super Bowl with his friends at Della Kate's house, but we texted. Boo for Jalen Hurts not getting the win. Meanwhile Tate was hard at work on his Donatello-themed valentines box. He spent hours on it!

 

Mom and I waited for Aunt Cynto to come home (she and Pete work in Ft. Myers as house parents so they are always back and forth) to celebrate my birthday. They took me to Cheesecake Factory on Monday!

 

I'll be honest, I don't remember why Tate needed a chocolate avalanche from Longhorn on a Monday night (I may or may not be perpetually a year+ behind on going back and captioning these posts), but I do remember that Mimi wrote him a check and he was feeling big Tuesday morning as we showed him how to endorse his first check. I think Mimi & Grandpa must have been heading to Tennessee for a few months and gave him his birthday money early.

 

Tate was so proud of his valentine box!

 

Carigan wore my sweater to school (my girls have never wanted to wear anything of mine), Wes made his own festive valentine shirt with medical tape, Anna Kate got flowers delivered to our door this afternoon from Gus (leaving Carigan very confused why a strange man brought her flowers), Michael and I walked the lake together when he got home and held hands like cute old people, and everyone gave me a homemade card, most of which echoed my thought, which was “Why do I have to make you a card for Valentine’s Day, that’s Dad’s job.” But Dad made his own card and it was a winner. Happy big phat exciting Valentine’s Day from The Rogers!

 

 

I've loved this man for more than half my life now! He's given me the world, in so many ways.