2016 Sports Memories

Max, your birth year was one of the best years in sports history. You were probably too busy being born and learning how to be a human to remember any of it so here are some memorable moments :

-The Broncos won the Super Bowl, led by the greatest quarterback that has/will ever live, Peyton Manning. He hugged Papa John and then retired afterwards. 

-Villanova beat North Carolina on a last second shot in an amazing game to win the NCAA B-Ball Tournament. You're dad did not win any of the 12 brackets he filled out.

-A week after you were born, Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby. Back in the day, Derby Day was always a McCool family holiday. Your great-grandpa, Ranger Ralph McCool, ruled this day. He threw the biggest party in town and filled a bbq smoker with racks on racks of ribs.

-The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup which made your Uncle Ryan smile from ear to ear through his big bushy beard.

-Lebron and the Cavs won the NBA finals after being down 3-1 to the Warriors. The city of Cleveland hadn't won a championship in any major sport since 1964. The Cleveland Browns were still the worst team in football.

-The Chicago Cubs won the World Series. They hadn't won it in 108 years. They beat the Cleveland Indians after being down 3-1. It was one of the best World Series, capped off by one of the most exciting game sevens ever. 

-The 2016 Summer Olympics were a lot fun to watch. The US dominated and won the overall medal count by a lot. Michael Phelps, Katie Ladecky, the US woman's gymnastics team, and Usain Bolt all left Brazil as heroes in their sport. Ryan Lochte, not so much.

-In Golf, Danny Willett won the Masters, Dustin Johnson won the US Open, Henrik Stenson won the British, Jimmy Walker won the PGA, and the US won the Ryder Cup. Also, your dad was able to play a whole round of golf using only 15 separate balls. 

Max, one of my favorite things to do is watch and talk about sports with my dad. I think about all the moments growing up watching sports with him, and it makes me excited for all of the sports moments I will get to share with you. 

Happy New Year

This year our friends Julianne and Sam had us over on New Year's Eve for dinner and games. It's nice to move into the more low key celebrations as our group of friends are starting their families. Natalie and Jake welcomed their beautiful son, Samuel Jones Amundson, into the world on 12/21. They brought baby Sam over to the party so we got to meet him for the first time. He is adorable and we're so incredibly happy for them. Max got to meet his new buddy Sam. It was amazing the size difference between these boys who are only 8 months a part. It's so hard to believe/remember that Max was so tiny not so long ago.

That night Max stayed up and watched the ball drop. He just would not go down. He loves to take in everything and seems to have a fear of missing out.

With all that went on in the news this year, 2016 had it's share of crazy, sad, and difficult moments. Yet, in the midst of all of that, we were blessed with the gift of life, and the indescribable joy that goes along with it. Spending this holiday season with Max, surrounded by the love of friends and family was a reminder of how good and beautiful this world can be. We count our blessings, and wish everyone a Happy Hopeful New Year.

Max McCool meet Samuel Jones

Jess, Julianne, Kels, Max, Natalie, & Sam

Ol Baby Blue Eyes

8 Months!!!!!!!!

A lot has happened this past month. You are mobile!

Max you've begun to crawl. You can pull yourself up from a sitting position. You love to be standing. You grab at everything within in reaching distance. You keep Mommy and Daddy on their toes. You do not like to sit still. You crawl and roll around all over. You're a squirmy worm, rolly polly olly.

You are still such a good boy. You're so mild mannered and always smiling. You light up our life sweet child.

Max doing his best George Costanza impression. See Below