Soccer Girl

 Sydney played her second game of the season today.  I missed the first because I was out of town.  I love the color of her jersey.  Sydney loves it too, but she doesn't really love soccer.  It's just ok.  She says she doesn't get enough breaks.  She does play better this year than last though!

Giant Beetle

Lance found this bug tonight!  I haven't taken the time yet to look up what kind of bug it is, but the kids thought is pretty neat.  We don't usually get big bugs here.

Homemade Kites

 We do actually have a real kite, but the boys love to make their own and run around with them.  That's what we did today.

Kids Do The Grossest Things

Yesterday the kids started to play together, which was surprising, so I didn't stop them.  Even when they created a game called "snot balls" instead of "snow balls".  You can probably guess how the game works.  They blow their nose and then throw the snotty tissues  at each other.  They were having soooo much fun!  What could I do?

Tyson's First Day

Today was the first day of preschool for Tyson.  But it wasn't really his first day because this will be his second year in preschool.  The teacher said he was the example and the line leader today since he had done it all before.  The teacher gave him lots of praise today.  I think Tyson is the tallest, the oldest, and the smartest in his class!

Second Grade For Sydney

 Sydney had her first day of second grade.  She has lots of friends in her class which is a second-third grade split.  It's still too soon to decide about her teacher, but Sydney thinks she will like her.

After taking pictures of your child the school offer treats for the parents in the cafiteria.  Tyson and Carson took advantage of that, which I think is really an effort to get parents out of the classroom!

Labor Day at Silver Falls

 Here we are hiking the falls again.  There's not quite as much water in the late summer, but it's still a lovely place to be.  Carson was the best hiker out of all the kids.  He walked the entire way, even back up to the top and he never once complained!

 After the hike we played in the creek up above the falls.

 There is also a playground near the swimming area.  There was so much fun to be had, we stayed there until dark!

 We went with several other families, so the kids had lots of friends to play with.  Here is Sydney wading out in the water with the other girls.

 Carson likes to get is hair wet whenever he's around water.  He says he making it curly.  I guess he remember us doing that to him when we was younger.  Notice the chocolate cookie all over his face!

There was also great digging places.  We could have stayed there forever!

My First Triathalon

 Finishing my first ever Triathalon.  My dad was there to watch, along with Lance and the kids!
I know this next picture of me is terrible, but it show the awesome signs my kids made for me to cheer me on!  That kind of support wouldn't happen without a great dad behind them.  Thanks Lance!

Back Yard Fun

 It's been such a cold summer we've only gotten our little pool out once!  And this was only the second time we played in the sprinklers!  The boy were wild!  Trying to dance in the stream of water!

Carson Turns Three

 Carson was so excited for his birthday.  Every time I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, his reply was the same, "cake!".  I don't think he knew he was going to get presents.

 He really does have a sweet tooth, thanks to his Grandpa Smith I'm sure!  Carson is making his three with his fingers.  He likes to see how many different ways he can make a three.

Carson got some birthday money from his Aunt Sarah and Uncly Devin, and also from Lance's Aunt Karen....so we took him to Toy's-R-us to spend it.  He picked out a remote control monster truck, and gave Tyson the few dollars left over to buy a few hotwheels.  What a nice brother!  Thanks Aunt Sarah, Uncle Devin, and Aunt Karen!

Seaside Beach Trip

In July we took a trip to Seaside for a weekend.  Trisha was up visiting from Arizona, so there were lots of cousins to play with.  Seaside is farther away than several other beaches so we don't usually go there, but Erica had a access to a free beach house so we made the drive. 

 Eating lunch with the cousins just after arriving.

 Bumper cars with Uncle Brian.  All the kids got a chance to go on the bumper cars, and they all loved it.  I'm not sure why though, I remember hating them as a kid because it was so jarring, and when I rode them again on this trip I thought the same thing.  Not much fun, just discomfort.

 The Tilt-a-Whirl ws right next door.  Now that was FUN!  Probably the best fun I've had in the last 5 years or more.  (These rides are permanent indoor fixtures at the beach town.)

We spent the ENTIRE afternoon and early evening on the beach.  It was a beautiful day, warm, sunny and no wind!  Those conditions are hard to come by around these areas.