Soccer!

 Today was the first day of soccer games for Marcus and Tyson.  They were both SO exited to start.

 Brian is in Chicago for work and was sad that he had to miss their first game but I got this gang all ready to cheer their brothers on.  Tanner was cheering so loud at one point he even got some laughs.  :)

I probably looked a little nuts, because not only did I have a lot of little kiddos with me but I was also sporting a rather large belly.  Who knows maybe people thought it was a soccer ball :)

 Before the games, Tyson had practice so the rest of us went to the park.  I really love going to parks.  It tends to put big smilies on these little peoples faces.

 The world looks so adventurous to them too and they get to try out new things.  I like it as long as it doesn't get them into

JAIL!!  :) -jk-

Tyson was the first to play.  His team is the Sharks.  He has some pretty fun teammates.  He played really well.  

 While Tyson was playing Marcus did a little photography, I didn't want miss watching Tyson and Landon wanted me to hold him so I set him in charge of the camera.  He got this great one of Carter, I love it because it shows Carter's "sprinkles."

He didn't only get Carter photographed, here is one of Tyson scoring his second goal!  Yes, second.  They ended their game 5-3. 

The Sharks WON!  He was a very happy boy!

 Marcus was up next, he was excited that Tyson played so well and was ready to showoff his skills.  His team name is the Water Dragons.  They also played really well.

He got right to work and ran all over that field.  Their team wasn't as lucky though, they lost by one.   He wasn't bothered by it, he really played a great game and is still proudly wearing his jersey...I hope I can get it off him.  Anyway it is  sure fun to be a "soccer mom."  

Halloween 2012

 This Halloween was pretty fun, and the fun all started on Monday night carving these beauties.  Brian was a good sport and carved these boys some awesome pumpkins.  (Halloween is NOT his favorite)

Marcus wanted a football - no surprise there.  That kid lives for football. 

 (If you look closely, you can see the end of the word touchdown that he poked with a pencil.  The back also included a football going through a post...more football, go figure.  :)

Tyson wanted a Thor hammer and Brian probably spent the most time on his.  I think it's my favorite.  He was thrilled with it, and it even makes me smile now at how excited he was that his Dad was carving it for him.

Carter LOVES Captain America and so with a little coaxing Brian managed to make the perfect pumpkin just for him.  Can you tell he was a little excited?

Tanner and Landon were both just excited to be included in on all the fun.

The excitement definitely didn't end there.  With these kiddos it's hard not to have fun on holidays.

On Halloween day Carter was the only one who was allowed to dress up for school and he was super excited about it.  They had a great party and after it was over Black Widow (my sister Jill), Captain America 2 (her son Cruz) and Thor (Tyson) joined us for some Avenger playing.

You see, this year we had a theme, The Avengers.  If you haven't yet seen it, you will be a little disappointed in what the real characters look like because our boys showed them up! :)  

Marcus was Hawkeye.

Tyson- none other than Thor.

Carter the brave and courageous Captain America

 Tanner sported Iron Man and got the sound effects down perfect.

And last but not least was The Hulk.  

We hit up our ward Trunk or Treat that even provided dinner for us, hot dogs and hot chocolate.  (This is Jill, my twin - her family also went with The Avengers theme and put my "Black Widow" look to shame.)

  We came back home and then went around our neighborhood.  We sure had a great Halloween and hope you did too.  Happy (late) Halloween!

School Has Started

Fall is officially here and school has been filling our days.  

These two were so excited to start first grade and kindergarten.  They were equally excited to wear their new clothes, shoes, and backpacks.  Who doesn't love wearing new things?

They get to go together which makes it so much more fun.  It's crazy that they are both old enough.

I walk them to school and I love that I get a little morning, afternoon, and mid-afternoon walk every day.

Marcus is now in first grade and "gets" to be at school all day!  (I can't believe how long he has to be away from me!)  

 Tyson is in Kindergarten and has the same teacher that Marcus had last year.  We LOVE her.  Tyson is soaking up everything and loves going each day.

Carter started preschool weeks after Marcus and Tyson and was so excited.  He likes that he has his own class to talk about and loves to bring home things that he can show-off and put on the fridge.  These boys are really loving school which I am grateful for but we have also found time to squeeze in some fun.

Dave and Becca came to visit us. It was a fun quick visit but we LOVED having them!

My brother Adam got married to this beautiful gal, Melanie.  We even got to miss a little school to go to his wedding.  

Weddings are pretty fun - you get to dress up and have a bunch of pictures taken.  Maybe even make some crazy faces. 

 We also went for one last summer Saturday to Cascade Lake.    

We even kidnapped Cruz for the fun.

 Landon was their too and he LOVED playing in the sand.  

We spend some time watching this little football player.  He can not get enough football.  He really has so much passion for the sport and is teaching me far more then I really ever cared to know, but I care now because he loves it so much.

We have had a couple birthdays.  Tanner is now 2.  Some people to call it "The Terrible Two's."

 I don't know why people call it that,

 maybe they left out frosting and their 2 year old decided to use it as lotion.

Carter had his 4th birthday and loved his Captain America cake.

Cruz also turned 4 and invited all his Avengers cousins - I always feel very safe and protected.

It seems like everything is growing around here.  Our garden even grew!

We planted our first garden this year.  We were so excited to be growing our own food.  Our watermelons didn't turn out quite as big as we would have liked but sometimes little is even better.

 Growing up is pretty fun.  We like it here.

We Are Young

My Class of 2002 just had their 10 year reunion and I couldn't help but think that although 10 years have flown by I'm still young...right? I didn't make it to that reunion because

this awesome girl completed a triathlon.  It's kind of fun that I had that excuse but I probably wouldn't have made it anyway.  We have been traveling to Utah this past month a lot because of these three.

They are leaving to Omaha, Nebraska tomorrow and I am not sure that I would have made the special trip down for the reunion because

traveling with these kiddos isn't always easy.  I do however love watching these said "kiddos" because they really are still young.  

A lot has happened since I last posted and although it isn't quite 10 years...more like 6 months, they have accomplished so much, and been reminding me of the things that I learned when I was still young.

Such as believing.

You can be wise men and shepherds.

you can be the coolest pirates,

the world's best climber,

or a model,

and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

You should always believe that you can fly,

but you have to work hard.

and have fun doing it.

Learn from the right people...

you know the wise ones.

And you may lose things along the way,

and need a little push.

Or even need to get carried!

But we should remember to always stay strong,

and keep smiling

 because with family we can do anything.

That's what my parents taught me anyway.  But they are leaving me tomorrow for three years ...does that mean I have to grow up?  I really like being young and I think my parents are still young, so I have come to conclude that I will always be young.  I sure love you Mom and Dad.  You will be great Missionaries and 

Jackson you will be the best little brother to all those missionaries!

Well I'm off to another 10 years!