Goodness, it’s MONDAY!
Whew!
I don’t know about you, but we spent the weekend recovering from our Thursday and Friday Night Lights!
Since I am a Texan who is currently in the throes of Texas High School Football, I thought it was only fitting to do a little {GAME DAYS} LATELY today.
Last year, I shared…
…a FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS post which is a little breakdown of all that this means here in the Lone Star State.
Last week, we had the Lovejoy Leopards on Thursday night and then the McKinney Boyd Broncos on Friday night. We are always so so happy when the kids’ high schools don’t play on the same night. I have some pics and deets about these last few days.
Alrighty, this was our last out of district game and the team was based in Fort Worth which is a hop, step and big jump from both McKinney (where we live) and Lucas (where Lovejoy is located)…but the coaching staff of the opposing team suggested we play at a larger stadium which meant we all made a little road trip to Godley, TX.
What? You’ve never heard of Godley, TX?
I am a born and raised Texan who has spent her entire life (including college) in the DFW area and I hadn’t either. Ha!
Here’s a map…
So, there’s the Oklahoma border at the top. The little blue dot is McKinney and then I marked both Lucas and Godley.
See? Just a little hop, skip and jump across a metropolitan area that has almost 8 million residents, ha!
Since this game was on a school night and we had to leave early because of the drive, we decided the three girls would stay at home. Kensington picked up Ashby and Mades from school so that Andrew and I could leave McKinney at 3:00. The plan was to meet the Slaughters for dinner about 15 minutes away from Godley at 4:30.
We met at this little Mexican restaurant and had an early but delicious dinner.
After that, we headed to the stadium, arrived about an hour early (our hubbies are on the “inflatable crew”, so they need to be there early) and settled in.
Spoiler alert: I took a lot of videos but kind of failed with the pics. They kicked off at 7:30, ran through the inflatable and down the field. I did catch this pic…
…of #40 as he was walking to the sideline as the game was about to be underway.
We were playing in Godley at Godley High School, but as I said before, we were playing another team (All Saints) and just using this stadium. Either way, it was a gorgeous spot for some high school football!
The captains for this particular game included our #40!
Out they went for the coin toss!
And here we go…it was time for two really good teams to play each other!
We went into halftime down 14-0, but when they came back out after…
…I remembered to take a pic of the inflatable and fun smoke 😉 . That inflatable crew works hard on this stuff. It must be documented!
If you saw my Instagram, we lost our minds at the end of the game because with no time left, our amazing quarterback, Mr. Nixon Slaughter, threw a Hail Mary and WE WON!
WE. WENT. INSANE. It was one of those “fan” moments when you’re hugging complete strangers (and very dear friends!). Bahahaha!
This certainly made that long drive home WAY MORE FUN!
Andrew and I rolled into McKinney around midnight and were back up and at ’em on Friday morning because…
…it was pep rally time at McKinney Boyd! This day was “Senior Day”, so the senior class was recognized across all disciplines.
Our nine senior cheerleaders all wore their white uniforms to stand out from the others.
Nothing says “good morning” quite like a high school pep rally!
It’s a tradition at Boyd that the senior cheerleaders do a dance with senior football players. Kensington and one of her longtime friends danced together. It was adorable!
On Friday night, we arrived at McKinney ISD’s football stadium early because seniors from the band, drill team, football players, and cheerleaders all…
…walk across the field and are announced with their parents. This is a tradition we have seen so many times in years past…it’s crazy that it was our turn! Ashby took pics while Smith and Mades held up Kensington’s “fat heads”. This is me clearly spotting them in the stands. Ha!
Ashby snapped this pic as we were crossing…
…I love that we’re all three laughing. Agh! My mama heart. Goodness, I love this girl. Being a mom is MY FAVORITE THING EVER.
And Ashby got us on the jumbotron too. Ashby is our resident photographer 🙂 .
After we walked, Erika and I did what every normal person would do…we went immediately to the concession stand. We needed water and…a Chick-fil-a sandwich. Stat.
I caught a pic of the opening video as we were making our way to the concession stand. 🙂
Alrighty, we were in our seats, we had food, and we were ready for the game!
Look at those lovely varsity cheerleaders down there…
We love watching our girl and her team!
Please note the fat heads in the senior’s megaphones. Hahahaha!
This cracks me up!
The nine seniors! These girls have all cheered together for years and years.
The game ended, and we headed home. Just another Texas high school football week for the Shull family.
And that’s a little life lately.
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
What a busy but fun few days! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Melissa Terry says
So, so fun!! As a mama who has gotten to do senior year twice already, I can say those memories are some of the all time sweetest! I know you are soaking it up.
Diane Moore says
That was a busy, exciting weekend!
It’s fun to see all the pictures!
Kelly Sites says
Hi,
What a BLAST and huge blessing to see your kids doing what they love. I just GET IT. Our son just did his first Iron Man yesterday. He has worked so so hard to train (and learn to swim) since December. My husband and I got up at 3:30 a.m. yesterday to drive the 3 hours to northern Michigan to meet his 7 month pregnant wife and be the cheering team. We worked HARD all day to chase him down at every stop along the course and cheer him on and motivate him. It was such a moment to thank God for this boy (and his twin sister) who God gave us after 5 years of infertility and 2 In vitros. This is what life is about; cheering for our people and running along the course with them as they push through struggle and suffering, and God cheers us on and is telling us YOU CAN DO IT. It was just a beautiful day, and I see your joy in seeing your kids do what they love, too.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! I am so so so impressed by Iron Man competitors! What a HUGE accomplishment! What a very special weekend for your sweet family, Kelly. xx
Bethany says
So busy, but so fun!!!
ALLISON says
Love this post, so fun!!!!
Sarah says
This was so fun to read! I am not in Texas football culture so I was like “what? What? WHAT?” throughout! lol. Yall really do things big in Texas!! But how fun!!!
Sheaffer Sims says
What a weekend for y’all!!!!! Great pics!
Lori Bittenbender says
Will you please share a link to your blue dress?
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! It’s here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-83295178
Camp K says
Curious Question: What is the appeal for the coach to pick a stadium that is so far away making it more challenging to get fans there to support the team? I’m sure there is a reason, but a non-TX resident would love to know!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m sure it was based on availability that night and size. They needed a certain size and a for the stadium not to be in use that evening (and the staff to run it).
Kate says
I can’t get over y’all’s high school stadiums!! Also, I saw that video and had no idea that Nixon is who made that throw! That was crazy good!!
Mix and Match Mama says
So so fun, right?!
Sarah DeWald says
As a non-Texan, I still cannot get over the stadiums! I grew up outside of Buffalo and football was nothing like this! Congrats to your senior! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
The McKinney stadium is certainly the exception and not the rule, but yeah, some of them are HUGE!
SS says
Shay, I NEVER realized the “Biggness” of Texas football until I was in college and visited our Sports Trainer at our little school. She calmed from Texas and I went to visit her about year after she left! It was crazy! The size of the “trainers” room, having weight lifting for a class for the football players, the student trainers to help with all those players. It was truly something to be seen! Thanks for for sharing these pix and Ashby for her skills!!! And you have a Bronco 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a “thing” for sure! We love our football down here 😉 .
Erika Slaughter says
WHAT A WEEK we’ve HAD!! I seriously could have stayed in bed for another four hours just letting my body recoup! A game we’ll never forget, FOR SURE! AND SENIORS!?! How are we here?! But the pep rally was AMAZING! The girls looked SO good on Friday night!
Laura Holmes says
How fun to see the football experience from both the player and the cheerleader side as a parent. Aww to senior night! Such a big step for these kiddos and us! Soak it all in!
Paula Hobbs says
So much football / cheering fun!! The pics of you, Andrew and K were so cute!! Next up….cap & gown. Time is such a thief!!
Grace says
Wow! As a single person with no children, just seeing how supportive your family is amazing! I help take care of my older parents, but this is on a whole other level.
Sonya Derczo says
Congrats on the win! We had our school’s Senior night on Sept 4th & it was hot as blue blazes! I love all the big heads & baby pics for the Seniors. It’ll be my turn next year with my twins & I have a football player & drill team dancer. It goes by so fast!
Maci Galla says
So fun! I love these posts! I am a 4th generation high school football coach’s wife. My husband currently coaches in a small west Texas town. We have a 3 month old who has already been to three football games! He is such a champ!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my goodness, being a coach’s wife is a full time job! I hope you’re having the BEST season!
Cindy Davis says
Love your family ! All your kids are awesome. Wonderful how they support each other.
How can they not be, they do have awesome parents. Great job !
Ellen says
This is all so fun! And Kensington looks so happy!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
Wow!! What an awesome recap of a football weekend for your family!! 👏👏👏 to Nixon and team!!
Nikki says
I can’t believe how big the stadium is! I live in MA and your high school football stadiums are bigger than our college stadiums!
http://www.lifeunreconstructed.com
Robyn Beers says
I hope Kensington is having the best year. Senior year seems to fly by with all the things. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Brooke says
If you ever find yourself in Godley again, check out Del Norte Tacos!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love a taco!!
Karen in VA says
We don’t have kids so all the Texas football celebrations and traditions are new to me. I don’t remember any of this in high school here in northern VA. It really is so nice to see from the outside! Thanks for sharing. One of your BEST posts!!!
Angela says
I love everything about this football post! What a game for Smith and Nixon!! I watched the Instagram videos Friday and it. was. AWESOME!!!! And senior year for Kensington… I’m right there too, with our youngest son who plays football. Soaking up every single moment!!!! A blog post idea… what to wear to football games!! I know you’re probably still in shorts, but would love to see some outfits w shoes! We mamas need to look fashionably sporty for our big game days!! Happy Football Season to you all!
Christina G. says
Shay- I love hearing about Smith and Kensington’s games and football season in your family! All I can think about is the show Friday night live, and how you guys are living out the iconic Texan life! 😂 it all looks so fun, and I will be sad for you when it’s over but happy that you are savoring the moments! Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth Thorson says
Shay, I loved this post! I’ve followed your dear family since Sean was The Bachelor! I love that your family is so into sports and supporting your kids! We have 2 grown sons who played multiple sports from elementary school through high school and college (one of our sons). I would relive that time again in a heartbeat! The practices, training, games, tournaments, play-offs were all such fun to follow and support! Here’s to an exciting season for both Smith and Kensington! I can’t wait to learn where she wants to go to college!