Fall Soccer

A couple of Saturday days ago marked the end of another fall soccer season. This year Abigail's team, The Killer Bumblebees (the "killer" part is definitely up for debate, but only Alec referred to them that way), were quite the squad. They actually caught on a lot more to the whole concept of soccer than they had previously, so that was fun to watch. But as a mother, I most loved seeing Abigail cheer on her team. I don't know why I thought it was so cute. Maybe because I always felt too shy to yell for my team at a sporting event, or maybe because I was glad that she is beginning to learn the lesson of supporting the people you're on a team with.

Please enjoy her unsolicited power kick action shot, as well as some cute pics of the boys bundled up for the game.

Leaf collecting

About a month ago, we went up into the canyon for a Sunday afternoon leaf collecting expedition. The kids always think this is so fun. Maybe it's because we don't really have any big trees in our neighborhood yet. So it's a novelty. Here are some photos of the event.

Owen really had his heart set on touching a pine tree, so Alec had to hike him a ways off the road to fulfill his wish.

Carving Pumpkins

Alec was able to come home early this afternoon so that we could carve pumpkins. We told the kids that if they wouldn't help us clean the guts out that we wouldn't carve any faces for them. Here are the two reactions...



The finished products.

Happy Halloween

I'm sitting at home passing out candy while Alec is out with the kids. It's nearly 7:30, and I've only had 3 knocks so far. Sad. I swear we had way more than this last year! I guess I'll have to be pigging out on more Halloween candy than I thought.

This year we have a teddy bear, a frog, and a spider at our house. Nate is crying because he is addicted to candy and couldn't stand not to have a piece of it on his way out the door. Of the less than 10 words he says, candy or "cai" is one of them. And as of late, he says it more than all the other 9 words combined.
Oh, there's my 4th knock at the door! Gotta go.

Saturday is a special day...

....it's the day Alec doesn't have to go to work! (well, he doesn't work on Sunday either, but ya know). So we have filled our Saturdays with little family adventures like,

the park...

Antelope Island, to show Flavio (Alec's co-worker from Brazil), the Great Salt Lake...

action shot of Nate's determined fast-walk--always the arms up for balance (much more funny live)

we also went to the zoo...

trying to escape his stroller at every chance

giant thumb

the children's museum...

Owen's favorite--the helicopter

Nathan's favorite--the magnetic PVC ball track

Abigail's favorite--the construction site

We also did Dinosaur Park one day and Lagoon on another, sans camera. (Just wanted to make sure, that as long as I have a blog, I get credit for all the fun things I've done lately. he he)

First Day of Preschool

Owen had his first day of preschool last week, and he absolutely LOVES it! In order to get a reduced tuition, I volunteer in the classroom once a month. I chose the very first day of school to volunteer, imagining that that might be a good adjustment time for Owen. But, he really couldn't have cared less whether I was there or not, he was totally into checking out the toys and playing with his new "friends." He goes on Monday and Wednesday mornings for 2 1/2 hours. When we sent Abigail out the door for school on Thursday, he whined, "How come my school has to be a patterin {pattern}? Because I want to go everyday like Abby!" I have to admit, that sounded pretty good to me, too. When I went to the grocery store with just the baby the other day (who remains strapped into his seat, and doesn't beg to buy anything), there was one way to describe my feelings....pure bliss. But the little preschool break that we do get, will be nice for both of us I'm sure.

Owen's teacher had me fill out a little questionnaire about Owen's favorite things, and I thought I might share his answers....

What is your favorite food? spaghetti and broccoli
What is your favorite color? black, grey and green
What is your favorite animal? dog, wolf, tiger and dinosaurs
What is your favorite indoor activity? puzzles, blocks and trains
What is your favorite outdoor activity? slides, climbing and sand
What is your favorite book? Go Away, Big Green Monster
What is your favorite nursery rhyme? Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
What is your favorite song? Old MacDonald