My Soccer Stud

I can't say how happy I am that Tyler loves soccer. Going to his games is one of my favorite things about the fall. This year he has a great team and coach. Some of his best buddies are on the team and that makes it so much better. Today he scored two goals and had two assists. They won the game 6-2. More than the goals, I am just proud that he is so aggressive and level headed on the field.
In action...

Tyler after the game ready to cheer with the team.


Tyler enjoying the park after the game.

The girls all love to play at the park during his games. They don't watch the game, they bring snacks and play. Here is Sara on the monkey bars.

Summer's gone, fall's here.

I haven't been the last two years to our local apple orchard with my girls, so this was the year. I took Samantha along to Emily's field trip. Last week was an "off" week for me and once I tripped with Sam in my arms I should have just gone home then. Unfortunately I stayed and it was not fun. I chased Sam around and tried to keep her from fighting with the other kids. They all wanted to push the same stroller. It wasn't horrible, but I now have massive bruises on my knees from the fall. I was holding Samantha so I couldn't use my arms to catch myself, it was all knees. What a klutz. The next day my tooth broke and I had to go in for a crown. Having five children didn't prepare me for the pain that came from the prep for this crown. The dentist was not as great with the numbing as I would have liked. She got into one of my jaw muscles and a week later I still can't open my mouth very well. Why would anyone want to be a dentist???? I have to go in next week for the crown and I am already having nightmares. Pray for me.
We did get some cute pictures of the orchard. The pumpkin patch field trip is right around the corner. That is my favorite.

The tour guide, Nolly, the apple lady.

Happy Birthday Sister!

Heather has truley sacrified so much for this beautiful country that we live in. I thought it appropriate that I share this great picture with my reading audience.

Heather has been with me through the fun times (filling our pockets with brown sugar and hiding in the woods to stuff our faces), and the bad times (getting caught burning the sap on the trees in the backyard. That was not a fun punishment was it!? Stephen promised not to tell. We'll get him back good someday. ;) Actually I think we tortured him enough. I can think of a million good and bad things that we have shared and I love thinking back on them.

I am thankful that we are still able to help each other grow up and become better people. I hope you enjoy your birthday even if your husband is out protecting the candidates instead of cooking and cleaning for you. Have fun with your second workout of the day tonight!

Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor is one of my favorite places. It is my #2 place to live in WA right behind University Place. I love the views of the water and the country feel. A couple of weeks ago we went to a bbq at Marshall's co-workers house and it was fabulous. They live on a farm/ranch. They have sheep, dogs, cats, and a big garden that I am so jealous of.

We came straight from church, so we were starving and dressed up a bit too much. When we got there they had baskets all ready for the girls to go and pick veggies out of the garden. I ate several of the yummy tomatoes right off the vine. So good! She also had a tea set for the girls to play in the playhouse. It was a dream for my kids.
Tyler not afraid to get dirty. Poor guy had to be out in nature in a tie!

Samantha climbing the ladder to the loft.

Tyler, Emily and Hannah on the loft. There was a bucket set up on a pully so they can water the flowers that are out the window up there. Tyler stood and played with that for over 30 minutes! He loved it.

Walking toward the garden.

Samantha with her delicious tomatoes.

Trying to get in the fence and play with the sheep. Not a good idea.

This is the garden house that they just built. The loft is inside. There is a little sitting/sun room too. Perfect place to read or hide for some peace.

As we sat and ate dinner out on the lawn we saw deer come by and eat the apples on the ground that had fallen off the tree. To be one with nature, you know I love it. My poor daughter, Sara, had an allergy attack though. Apparently the playhouse is also the cat house. Sara's eyes were all puffed up by the end of the 2nd hour so we had to hurry her home to a good washing and then to sleep it off. We can't wait to go back.

We did the Puyallup.

Arriving at the fair with our crew. All ready for some fun, food and more food.

One of the lame rides they thought they needed to go on. I would have saved my tickets for some more thrilling rides, but it was up to them.

Samantha upset because she wanted to be on that lame ride that cost too much.

The juggling/comedy husband and wife team. We see them every year and the kids find it entertaining. The clown did repremand Alexis and I for talking during his show. He said that it was driving him crazy and he didn't need any help in that dept. Nice.

Nice foot massagers for a quarter. The kids had just arrived at the fair. It gave them an extra hot to their step, I guess.

These monkeys and baboons were amazing. I wish I could train kids the way he can train this baboon.

Very cute.

Emily and her friend Sydney. My friend, Christie, met us with her 5 kids. It was so good to see her and her sweet family!

Nothing is better than these two girls in the heat eating snow cones. Banana and rootbeer were their choices. They switched flavors halfway through. That is what sisters are for.

You can't go to the fair without making a massive button with your picture on it. Here is a picture of the kids while sitting on a monster lazy chair ready for their close-up.

As we were leaving the fair to go home Tyler found several more tickets in his pockets. We decided to leave the rest of our group and ride one last ride. We jogged through the park to find the "kamakazie" ride, rode that until I was ill, then jogged back to the car. I had a side ache since I had just finished the strawberry shortcake that was so delicious. I went to the fair, just for that shortcake made with their famous scones. Okay, and to carry on the tradition. Until next year...

One more

Here is my third daughter, fourth child, heading off to pre-school today. She was just tortured this last week seeing her three older siblings head off to school without her. Emily wanted to be with them on the bus or bike so badly. Today was the day and you can see by her huge smile how she is feeling about it. I will be picking her up, and the other kids, in a couple hours to go to the Puyallup Fair. That is my favorite thing to do with the kids in September. More pics to come of the fun rides and yummy treats. I will eat a scone for ya!

End of Summer

We enjoyed the summer, but all good things must come to an end. The girls woke up bright and early this morning. No need for the alarm I had set! Hannah and Sara were so excited to get to school and see their friends and new teachers. Emily did not want to feel left out in the excitement so last night she made her lunch along side her siblings and a few weeks ago got her back pack all filled with school supplies. She starts preschool next week.

Check out Hannah's shirt and pants, she could hardly wait to wear this new outfit. Sara was just as excited to wear and outfit that Hannah had in kindergarten. I saved a box of clothes that fit Sara great now. She loves to have anything of Hannah's. She reminds me of myself with my sister's clothes.



Enjoy your first day! Emily, Samantha and I are ready to have some fun of our own!