More Soccer

We have been enjoying beautiful weather this week.  Watching soccer games in the sun is the way it should be.  

As usual, Ava didn't see much of either game.  She just looks for places to explore and play.

Tyler's team struggled a bit today, but they played hard and had a good time.  Here you can see Tyler right after he headed the ball.

I think something clicked for Lauren during this game.  She was on fire.  She was aggressive and hussled all over the field.  She was so tired after the game.  The pictures below give you a little idea of how she played.

Soccer - Game 3

This weekend we had warnings about the amount of rain we would receive.  We can handle rain, but this weekend we were to receive up to 4 inches of rain.  That usually means we are going to get wet watching soccer games.

In Oregon, as long as there isn't lightning, they will not cancel soccer games.  Tyler had the first game in Beaverton and the weather was less than inviting.  Sideways rain is always fun!  I wish the pictures would show the rain better, but it was sideways due to high winds.

Tyler's team lost today.  Tough game.  They started to play better in the second half, but couldn't make the complete comeback.

Lauren's game was next and we had a nice break in the weather.  It basically stopped raining during the entire game.  The field was really wet and muddy.  That didn't stop these girls.  They played right on through the mud.  You can see from their white socks.  They aren't so white anymore.

Daddy Daughter Campout

This year our Ward decided to have a Daddy Daughter Campout.  We haven't done that in a very long time.  I been a scout leader for years now and my girls always see me go camping with the scouts.  So, they were excited to have a chance to go camping with me.

This was not your typical scout campout.  Here Ava is getting ready for the movie.  They brought a large movie screen and projected it for all to see.

Lauren was in heaven because all of her good friends were there.  So glad she has good friends.

As soon as the test was setup, Ava wanted to go to bed.  What she really meant is that she wanted to play in the test.

I had a great time spending time with my girls.  I truly am blessed!

Soccer - Game 1

Today was Lauren and Tyler's first official games of the new season.  Lauren played locally in Sherwood while Tyler played at PCC.  Both of them played very well and had great games.

Lauren is a natural defender and is really learning how to be more aggressive.  After the game someone mentioned to her that it was a nice win.  She then asked, "We won?"  Officially they don't keep score, but they won today.

Tyler played on a nice turf field at PCC.  I like the faster pace of the game when played on the turf. Some of the other games have been played on taller grass fields and that really slows things down. Tyler had a great game and scored two goals.  Picture below is of him scoring his first goal.

Back to School 2013

It's that time of the year again.  School is back in session.  Our family tradition (thanks to Stephanie) is to take some photos of the kids before they start the new school year.

Tyler, 13 years old, starting the 8th grade

Lauren, age 8, starting the 3rd grade

Ava, age 3, starting preschool

This year I purchased a DSLR camera and I am determined to learn about photography.  So, when we went to take pictures of the kids, I was anxious to learn from Stephanie on how to best capture good portraits.  Let's just say that I need to learn a lot more, but I enjoy photography.  In fact, if you are into photography, let's chat.  I have lots of questions and am anxious to learn.

Soccer Season 2013 Begins

Another soccer season is upon us.  It seems to always start with beautiful weather.  The first game or two are in hot sunshine leaving us all looking for shade if possible.  Just give it a month and the sideways cold rain will be here.

Tyler and Lauren are both playing again this year.  Tyler again chose some flashy shoes.  I told him the other team can spot him easier with those shoes, but he likes them.

Lauren's team chose to buy matching socks.  She voted for neon green, but the team settled for ones that match the Sherwood colors.  Lauren is very social and that even shows when she plays soccer.  Her friend was on the other team and they were out there socializing while battling for posession.  She is fun to watch.

Ava gets to hang out with us and watch the games.  As long as I bring water and a few snacks, she is pretty good.  Right before this picture she was off jumping in a mud puddle.  She was barefoot for the rest of that game.

Laser Tag

One of our family traditions is to head to Utah in August.  Meredith and her family attend BYU Education Week and I go and play with the kids while Meredith is in class.

This year we bought some unlimited passes that allowed us to swim at a huge water park and participate in other fun activities whenever we wanted.  The highlight of the trip was our laser tag sessions.  I don't want to brag too much, but we pretty much dominated every team we played.  The only time we lost was when we played a team of college boys and were out numbered by 5 people.  We still almost beat them.  Our strategy included taking the high ground and defending it to the bitter end.  Tyler, Alice, Lauren and Spencer really got into laser tag and took it very serious.  I had so much fun playing with them.  On our last night there we played until 11 PM.  Our final team was all family, including Kristin, Karson, Brooklyn, Tyler, Tyler A., Alice Spencer, Greg, Kyra, Lauren, myself, and some of Brooklyn's friends.  Although I was a sweaty mess, I can't remember a time where I had as much fun with my kids as I did then.  Memories!

We were the red team almost every time and you can see from the picture below, we pretty much dominated!!

Happy Birthday Meredith!!

One year older and wiser too!

Ava being Ava

Here is a sneak peek into what really goes on when Nate is at work and the older kids are at school!

(If you use Google+, it has a feature called auto-awesome.  It will take photos that are similar like the ones here and mesh them together into an animated gif.  Kind of cool!)

Deacon Collar Be Gone

Each year our Ward has a film festival.  Many of the families and other groups will create a small commercial or movie and then we all get together and watch them at the Church.  This year Tyler's youth group created a commercial about Deacon's Collar.  Not sure what that is, well, you will have to watch:




One of our favorite movies was done by the Roberts family.  If you have a few minutes, you will have to watch it:

Ava's Favorite Tune!

Thought I should record my sweet Ava singing her favorite song.  After seeing a commercial that has this song in it months ago, she can't stop sing it!  It cracks me up :)

I think the time has come...

Yesterday my beautiful sister and beautiful sister-in-law were discussing their blogs.  I often think, I really should blog, but I talk my self out of it because I feel I am not the best writer.  After thinking about it more though I feel I need to write more about my kids and family.  I just need to look at it as a journal.  So, here I go....for me and my family!

After Tyler and Lauren are off to school it is just me and Ava.  She is so funny and naughty and I love her.  First thing she says every morning is "where is dad?" When I tell her he is at work she cries and says she wants him.  So, I start off my day feeling really loved!  Eventually she gets over it and comes and cuddles with me and asks for milk and Backyardigans.  Ava loves Backyardigans right now, especially the Samurai Pie episode.  We have already watched it twice this morning!  Then she gets hungry and goes to check out the fridge.  This morning she wanted cold pizza!  Had to settle for cheez-its and string cheese.  Right now she is wanting to make cupcakes and it is only 9:30 am.  Needless to say me writing this blog right now is not making her happy.  Already I am thinking this a bad idea.  I am going to stick with it though!

Growing up

Last Sunday Tyler and the other young men in the Deacons Quorum presidency were in charge of conducting and running a meeting for the 11 year-old boys that would turn 12 this year. Jackson, Nathan, Tyler and Tucker each did a great job with their assigned topic. It was fun to see them take on this responsibility and do so well.  Tyler's topic was the duties of a deacon.  He researched it and wrote it all on his own.  It's fun to watch them grow and mature.

Braces

It was time for Tyler to get braces. I had been thinking about getting them for a while.  Out of all my siblings, I somehow didn't get the opportunity to straighten my teeth out.  So, after much persuasion from Meredith and my cousin (who is a dentist), Tyler and I decided to get braces together at the same time.  

I was concerned about the hassle of getting braces as an adult.  I wondered how it would be with braces at work.  I speak in front of a lot of people and give presentations.  I didn't know how braces would affect my speech etc.  We are six weeks in to this project and so far so good.  They definatly take some getting used to and I feel Tyler has adapted better than I have.

In this picture we wanted to get all four of us pictured at the same time.  Cate is almost done with braces and Emma just started.