Thanksgiving at Hood River

We had a fun Thanksgiving with Alan's family. Here are just a couple shots that we took along our travels. I will post more soon! You can also click on each picture to view the larger image.

Halloween Night

Playoff Game

Last Saturday, October 25th, marked Jordan's playoff game. It was a beautiful day for football. Even better, an awesome day for a playoff game to see who would go the Kennewick Grid Kids Superbowl. Last year, our team didn’t make it to the playoff game, this year was a different story all together. Jordan was excited and ready to play his biggest game yet. He had family and friends in attendance and was pumped to show off his skills. The first half was awesome. The Panthers prevented the Colts from getting on the board, up 7-0 at halftime. Previously, in the regular season the Colts beat the Panthers (5-2) 33-0. The Panthers came out playing well the second half with some hard hits. Jordan leveled the quarterback and caused the him to make a huge fumble. Even playing tough, the Panther's were unable to hold back the Colts and lost their playoff game 7-13.

The team was sad but are looking forward to next year to redeem themselves. Great season Panthers! You looked great this year and should hold your heads high. Jordan, you are one heck of a football machine. Next year will come soon; I’m sure you are already thinking about it.

--Dad

"The Machine"

Pumpkin Patch!

The family went to the Pumpkin Patch today (some of us twice)! It was a beautiful day! Nanny (Alan's mom) even got to join us! Making memories!

Playoff Bound

The Panthers did it! Despite a loss to the #1 team, the Panther's are playoff bound with only 2 season losses! Jordan and his team will be heading to the playoffs next Saturday in a game that will determine the two Superbowl destined teams.

Jordan had a great game on Saturday. Executing in tackles, loss of yardage take downs, and a sack! We give God the glory that his team did so well and protected him from injury.

Jordan's team will play this coming Saturday at 9:00 am on Field 2 against the Colts. It'll be a tough match up. The boys were shutout at the beginning of the season against this team. Should the boys make it to the Superbowl, it will be played Wednesday October 29th at the big stadium at 3:30 pm.

Sisters

Jordan's Invention

My little inventor never stops thinking. :) Jordan has created another invention. This time out of a box we brought home from Costco. This is Jordan's car buggy He's still trying to figure out what he can use from our house that will 1) support the baby and 2) mom approved to use.

Also, a cute shot of Katie and Colin. As you may have read in my earlier post, a couple of weeks ago Katie wanted to know what she does since Jordan does football, Colin does soccer, and Jocie does gymnastics. Well Katie decided to "Be Like Colin" and put on his soccer shin guards. So cute!

Jordan's Car Buggy Invention
Katie wants to "Be Like Colin"

Game Day!

Jordan and Colin both had games bright and early this morning and unfortunately at the same time. Since this was the first game of the season for Jordan, I decided to attend his game. So other than knowing that Colin's team didn't fair well against their opponents, I don't have a lot to post on his game. He said he had fun though! :)

Jordan surprised me with his game! What a completely different player from last year! Probably the biggest change I noticed was in his leadership on the field. He showed so much focus, always listening to the coaches, always being one of the first guys on the line and in position, and giving every play his all. He's a team captain - leads the calisthenics at the beginning of practice, plays first team offense, and first team defense. In today's game, Jordan had two fumble recoveries, caused a third, sacked the QB, made some huge holes on offense so their team could gain some major yardage. WHAT A STUD! They won their game, 21-13. Check out the pictures from today's game...he's #28 (new jerseys this year, it was the closet we could get to #23)!

On a side note, the Cougars got whooped today, 66-3, sorry Al.

Splitting apart the line!
Looking mean!
Fumble Recovery!
Taking on the defense!

Ice Cream Social

Thursday night our kids' school had their annual Ice Cream Social and Open House. I started the evening by working at the welcome table while the rest of the family enjoyed ice cream. Drat! :) We then had the opportunity to visit each child's classroom and see what they've been working on. They've all been so busy doing some really fun projects.

Last night Colin lost his tooth! He was super happy! The first person he wanted to call? His teacher! :) Needless to say, we didn't want to bother her, but he could hardly wait to tell her this morning!

Kids are doing great, adjusting well, but very tired by the end of the day. :)

Jordan's Motorcyle

Colin's lost tooth pic

Jocie showing off her classroom

Katie sitting down with a book

Which way is up?

It was another good day for the preschool drop off. Katie walked right in and started playing. Keeping in mind she's pretty young for her class, she's doing fairly well, but DEFINITELY tired by the end of the preschool day. She's been sleeping in her own bed at night, stayed dry at preschool today, even pooped in the potty at preschool when I picked her up, but then pooped in her pull up while shopping - errrr! Some days just feel a little upside down.

Coug Game

For Labor Day weekend, we made a trip to Seattle. We decided to venture out with all the kids for the family's first Cougar football game. Dad took the boys last year, but this was the first we all went together. We went with our friends who both graduated from OSU, which made for a great rivalry throughout the game. Unfortunately, WSU handed OSU a nice little win 39-13; it was not a good day for the Cougs. On the upside, I did get to see Mark Rypien, which was really cool! I remember watching him play with the Redskins when I was little. Also went to visit some friends of ours who recently moved - ate at Rainforest Cafe and hung out at their house afterwards. Next day we went shopping and ate way too much food. It was a great trip!

Qwest Field - Seattle

Our Kiddos

Butch!

Mark Rypien!!

Let the games begin!

Fall always brings so many activities to our home and while we always try and limit what the kids do, it is always such a busy time.

This year we have made a rule in our house that the kids are only allowed to be in one activity at a time...partially due to last year's mistake with shuffling Jordan back and forth from soccer to football. This year, Jordan decided to continue with football. Coach Dad and Jordan go three nights a week for some pretty intense practices with games on Saturday. He has been experimenting with a couple of positions, mainly Left Tackle on Offense (can you believe he's a LT!!?) and a defensive linebacker. He's really been giving it his all lately!

Colin is playing soccer through our church league again this year. He's really enjoying it and doing well. He has a great way of maneuvering the ball! Colin practices on Tuesday with games on Saturdays. It's a long season, he's already been going for almost a month, but he enjoys it! The girls especially love the popcorn come game days.

Which leaves us with Jocie. Jocie was asked if she wanted to do soccer or gymnastics. Even after a bribe of popcorn every week by her potential coach, she opted for gymnastics, which was quite fine with us since last year she spent the majority of her time on the field in a headstand position or doing cartwheels. So Thursday nights are now gymnastic nights in our house.

Poor Katie. When one of the kid's school teachers came to our house for a home visit this summer, Katie said, "Jordan does football, Colin does soccer, Jocie does gymnastics..." PAUSE, "Hey mom, what do I do!?" She finally caught on. :) Well this week when we signed Jocie up, we tried to put her in the preschool gymnastics that was going on at the same time, but she would not participate. Maybe next time.

Add to all of that, Cub Scouts and piano and you can see why we're broke, I mean, busy. :) Enjoy the pics!

Back to School!

Wow, how time flies when you're having fun! Or vacationing that is! We have been soooo busy this summer with our trip to Iowa, camping, new job, new school, etc. that we haven't had time to update. So here we go...attempt #2 in keeping you all updated on the goings. I do think I mentioned in my first blog, that I would do one and only one attempt at this whole blogging thing...as you'll see I'm about as consistent with this as I am with parenting Katie. :)

The kids started back to school on Wednesday. It has truly been two great days days of school. Watching the kids adjust so easily to the new school and new friends has been awesome! Jordan was so excited that he got to pray 2 times in school on the first day. Colin was happy to be with some old friends from preschool. Jocie is still mesmerized by her kindergarten teacher. :) (So is mom by the way!)

Today, Katie started preschool ~ where does the time go!? Still not potty trained and going against what we've said all summer - "You can't go to preschool if you're not going potty in the toilet" is yet another example of our bad parenting where we say she can't and she does anyway. And we wonder why she is who she is. Hmmmm....

That all said, how could I not send her? Preschool is amazing, as always, and the teachers do such a fabulous job with these kids. She did amazingly well. Walked right in, hung up her jacket, took out the things from her backpack, hung that right up, and walked over to start playing with the kitchen. "No big deal mom, doing just fine, don't let the door hit you on your way out..." :) Pictures from the first couple days are attached! Enjoy!

The first day of school for the oldest three.

Big Sis and Lil' Sis getting out of school together! Have I said how nice it is to finally have them all at the same school!?

Mom hurry and take the picture, I can't wait to get inside!

First few moments in preschool on KK's first day. What's that in your hand KK? A baby bottle!?

Swimming in MAY!

It has been a beautiful weekend and even better Monday! Sunday, we had the chance to go swimming over at Nanny and Poppy's. The water was 84 degrees and it was fun! The boys still remembered how to swim from last season (phew...only 2 more left to teach). As much as Jocie wanted to swim without arm floats, she decided it was much easier to swim with. Little Katie was a little apprehensive at first, but by the end of the day, she was saying, "Mommy let go" and "1, 2, 3 jump". Mommy let go...wow - we're growing up!


Jordan, Colin, and Jocie - first swim of the season.


Look at Goggle Girl - sooo cute!


Today, was very warm with a nice breeze. I had to take a shot of my beautiful African Violets. They are blooming so beautifully!


After preschool today we enjoyed the weather at the neighborhood park. The girls loved the tire swing!

Hope you have a wonderful week!