Soccer... again!

Maggie wouldn't let us sneak through Fall without playing soccer.  Which is fine by me because now we are an experienced soccer family.  We knew better when the coach asked which parent would step up to  be the ref for our team this year.  We kept our mouths shut... and so did everyone else.  Our team was so close to being disbanned because NOBODY would step up to play the ref.  I even took on the challenge of seeing if I could talk Uncle Ricky into doing it, which I eventually did.  But then our team came up with what they thought was a brilliant idea... paying a high school soccer player to be our ref.  What can I say!?

 We were sure to volunteer right away for banner duty.  I thought Cory designed a nice banner this year, everyone loves it!

 Maggie has an intense female coach this year.  She's awesome but she's real serious about the game.  Maggie is not only having fun this year, she's also learning some sweet soccer moves. 

 Maggie's coach is yelling from the sidelines, "Girls!  If you are close enough to have a conversation on the field, then you are too close to each other!"  See, I wasn't kidding... real serious coach!

 In action... 

 I just like this picture!

 Grandpa Dave still tries to come out to Maggie's games.  For every goal she makes, he gives her a dollar.  She even gets a dollar for every ball she keeps from scoring a goal for the opposing team when she plays goalie.  Hey... a little incentive never hurt anyone. 

Yes, I believe she earned a dollar here, too!

St George, Utah

I've learned many important things about kids since becoming a mother.  First, when it comes to family trips... it doesn't matter where we are going, just as long as we are staying in a hotel.  Next, that hotel better have a swimming pool because that is the single most important thing about the family trip.  I'm right, aren't I moms?  You know I'm right.  I was trying to explain this to my sister who has a one year old.  She replied, "Well yeah but won't your kids be excited about seeing The Little Mermaid play?" (Practically the whole reason for our trip to St George, Utah.)  I explained, "Well yes, but not as much as swimming in the hotel swimming pool... sorry, that's just the way it is."  Fast forward several weeks when I finally break the news to the kids that we are going on a trip with my family: 

Maggie: "Are we staying in a hotel?"

Me: "Yes."

Maggie, Grant and Zoey: "YAAAAAAAAHHH!"

Maggie: "Do they have a swimming pool?"

Me: "Yes."

Grant: "This is the best day of my life!!"

See?

 First order of business: swimming in the pool with cousins. 

 So, St George has a great outdoor theatre called the Tuacahn, nestled into the beautiful red rock mountainside.  I've seen several plays there and they always do an amazing job.  My parents treated our whole family to The Little Mermaid.  It was amazing and we all enjoyed it very much.  Zoey asked questions throughout the whole play, which consequently really annoyed the people in front of us.  But I guess you gotta expect that there will be children at a play geared for children.  Sorry.  (Good thing I'll never see them again!)

 Before the play, we partook of "Sebastian's Supper".  It was yummy... much like these adorable girls... just yummy!

 As always, it was nice to spend time with my family.  I always consider it a treat to spend time with my parents and siblings.  

 The next day, we headed into Zion National Park.  It was the only way I could convince Maggie and Grant's teachers to let them miss school.  Just kidding.  I do consider visiting a national park just as important as going to school though, in case you were wondering. 

 We were amazed at these rock climbers.  I should have zoomed out to show the scale of these climbers to the size of this flat rock.  It was intense.  And we thought about giving it a try too, but we ran out of time... next time!

 The Virgin River before the entrance to the Narrows. 

 The hike into the Narrows... which we never made it to, bummer.  I did it once when I was a teenager.  It's an amazing place, but for another day when we are more prepared. 

You know... there's nothing like an autumn vacation... in a beautiful national park... with your family!

The day Grant turned 5

Let me just ask this... am I supposed to be thrilled about my kids' birthdays?  Cause I feel quite annoyed by their turning another year.  I don't want them to grow up.  I'm sort of being serious here.  I mean, of course I want them to grow up.  I just know myself and know that someday and on several more occasions... I am going to miss when Grant was 4.  I guess my challenge is to enjoy every minute of their lives cause it really does go by too fast.  A wise friend once said, "The days are long but the years are short!"  So true...

 Grant requested a ninja birthday this year.  I asked him to help me take pictures of his birthday... 

 Ninja cupcakes... that was a challenge this year!

 Can you see the resemblance?  Ninjas... yes?  No?  It was the best I could do!

 Here's the sad thing about Grant's actual birth day... our camera broke.  We got no good pictures of little newborn Grant and I'm sad about that.  I know there are few good newborn pictures out there, but I thought my newborn baby boy was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on!

 Grant's favorite ninja colors: black, white and blue.  OK! 

 This is Grant trying to play it cool.  Really, he was bursting at the seams inside.  All he wanted for  his birthday was Star Wars Legos.  That is all. 

 We sneaked a few ninja lego's in there too.  He's showing them to big cuz Seth. 

 Spoiled rotten with new Star Wars Lego's!

 And the coveted light saber.  

It's as if he's proud to be 5!?  Fine... be 5!

Meet Milo Enzo...

Casey and Maryanne had their baby early this morning at 2:15am.  He was 3 weeks early.  Maryanne went in for her scheduled non-stress test only to discover that she was already in labor!  Funny thing is though, when the pediatrician examined him, he said little Milo was a week overdue.  Hmmm... looks like someone got their dates mixed up!  

 Anyway... he's here safe and sound at a healthy size of 7lbs 12 oz and 18 in long.  He's so little!

 Casey and Maryanne are such good sports... we already had a babysitter for the evening so they let us come at 1030pm to meet Milo.  When we arrived, they already had a room full of visitors!

 I'm first up to babysit!  

 He thought uncle Ricky was going to feed him... :(

 He cried and showed us his palate... okay, Milo!  You don't have to rub it in!
Cory showed C&M how to swaddle a baby... nice and tight!

He's adorable!  Welcome to the world, little Milo!