Random Fall Photos and Updates

Time for another post with a random collection of photos from late summer and early fall in the Courtright household. 

First up, we continued to enjoy Kaitlynn's 7th grade cheer experience when her squad would support the girls' volleyball games and cheer them on to victory. I was in attendance for one of the games to watch Kaitlynn cheer when I ran into two of our awesome neighbors and their girls supporting Allison's team crush their opponent on C team volleyball. So fun running into them unexpectedly!

Probably the best part about Kaitlynn's 7th grade cheer experience so far was the fun she was having with her new friends on the squad. One of Kaitlynn's new besties, Olivia, has become such a great friend and we enjoyed having her over to hang out from time to time. They have such a sweet and funny rapport together.

On another fall occasion, we were hanging out at home when I realized that I was having to bend my neck back even further to talk to my son. Connor just seemed a bit taller to me, almost overnight! So we made him stand back to back with Jeff for another height test, and what do you know? This kid can't stop growing - and he's still only 15?!

When my parents visited in the fall for Jeff and I to have our week away, my mom brought along a very special purse that she had newly designed and received after the 50th anniversary photoshoot with our family earlier in the year. What a beautiful (and practical!) way to enjoy and cherish our family photos!

One random morning, Kaitlynn woke up after sleeping with her hair in braids overnight. She unraveled the braids and had such beautiful waves that we couldn't resist snapping some pics. She, too, seems to be growing up so fast right in front of our eyes. Sniff sniff!

Maybe I never gave Kaitlynn enough credit in her younger years, but she never struck me as such an overachieving, super competitive type of student. I couldn't have been more wrong! In her junior high years, she has become so conscientious and hyper-focused on her grades. She and several of her friends at school have an ongoing friendly competition with their grades, and the positive peer pressure definitely shows up in her study habits and on her report cards. We are so proud of this girl and her ongoing achievements! 

Her competitive streak definitely comes out from time to time, often when her big brother is around. She loves to compare grades with him and even try to show him up in other ways, like when they're outside shooting hoops. She also has aspirations to grow as tall as he is, but we're trying to convince her to be happy with being the tallest Courtright gal in the house (not quite yet, but VERY soon)!

And while the kids continue to keep us on our toes with all their activities and hectic schedules, Jeff tries to soak in the peaceful moments at home by enjoying time outside in our yard and fishing in the lake behind our house. Nice catch!