1st Soccer Game

Ethan had his first soccer game today... he was soooo excited! He got to dress just like his daddy - minus the yellow shirt.

This was him just after he scored his first goal. I missed his initial reaction. He put both arms in the air & started running & screaming "Mom, I scored a goal!"
He got to be the first one to kick it off, he didn't really know what to do, but he got the hang of it

He ran his hardest! They all just followed the ball... although there were a couple that just stood there & didn't know what to do, or just didn't want to. It was funny to see them all clump to the ball. Our team scored some goals for the other team & they scored some for us. They were a little confused which way to put the ball.

This is Ethan & his cousin Makailey just before the game. The ages for the teams are 3-5, kind of a big gap, but they sure had fun.

This was during practice, he's doing his best to use the techniques his daddy & uncle have showed him. All in all it was a pretty good game. Ethan scored 2 goals & each time it was the same reaction, both hands in the air & screaming "I scored a goal!" He's so excited to do it again next week.

HELP!

We've been having major issues with Lexi at bed time. We cannot get her to stay in her bed. Last night it took us about 2 1/2 hours to get her to sleep. We put her in her bed & 2 seconds later she was out again. Punishments did not work, a stuffed animal or baby didn't work, closing the door or blocking the door... We are out of ideas. As you can see from the picture she finally crashed... just not in her bed. I wish it was as easy as putting up a gate, but she just climbs over anything in her way. I'm up for any suggestions... we are going crazy!

Tag You're It...

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer.
2. Go to the 6th folder of photos.
3. Go to the sixth picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.
5. Invite six friends to join the challenge

Looks like Makelle's trying to suck her thumb-again... the little turd! But a cute one at that

I tag Rachel, Melissa, Linetta, Angie, Tiffanie & Stephanie

Cabin Fever

Me & the kids have had cabin fever for quite some time, we're ready for winter to be over! So with Spencer coming home a trip to the cabin was evident & we were so happy to take the weekend off.

Lexi had her first salt & vinegar chip up there, it's pretty evident she didn't care for it
Ethan loved watching movies & playing with his cousin Kayla & 2nd cousin Ben. They played so good together, we rarely saw them come downstairs.
A rare occasion when Lexi actually held still & posed for the camera. She had so much fun exploring, she found lots of bugs & didn't mind picking them up & observing them
Ethan went a little camera happy, and this one actually turned out ok, at least the picture is centered
This was Makelle's first trip to the cabin. She was so good, even though she cut her first tooth the day we got there
It was perfect sledding weather, Lexi had the most fun going down the hill a million times a day. Jeff was a good sport to take her.
Jeff & Spencer getting ready to go sledding, they found a pretty good hill to go down & just couldn't stay away from it.

I went cross country skiing for the first time while I was up there. Me & Melissa enjoyed a quiet time together. We had lots of fun, I fell a lot, but once I got the hang of it I actually did pretty good.
I went a little camera happy on Makelle today, I feel bad I don't get as many pictures of her as I do of the other kids. This one turned out to be my favorite

Ethan took this one, he's getting to be a pretty good camera man.

I'm an idiot!

Spencer came home yesterday, I remembered everything I needed except the camera. I was so mad! His plane arrived a bit early, my mom was extatic! She'd been up since 4:30, she was too excited to sleep. We were all excited, even Ethan, he was counting how many more sleeps til he came home, but my mom was definately the most excited. Ethan stared at the stairs, almost the entire time we were there waiting for him to come down. He held his signs that he made & waited patiently. When Spencer finally came down the stairs Ethan just stared. Spencer is just a picture, not a real person, right? For 2 years we've pointed to his picture & tried to help him remember, Lexi even knew his name from the picture, but they were both a little wary. Spencer bent down & Ethan gave him a hug, Lexi was too unsure she just stared at him. As I introduced him to my two girls I started bawling, he's missed so much of their lives & I was so excited to show him what they could do & how sweet they are.

Two years has done him good, he's changed so much & you can see it in his countenance. In all his letters he never seemed homesick. He's loved serving there & loved the people. He said his favorite part of his mission was the service. We were able to go see him get released & before the Stake Presidency would release him, Spencer had to tell us more about his mission. He talked about his testimony & how much it grew, how much he loved the people. The Spirit was so strong, it helped my testimony knowing how much the Lord cared about the people in Ventura & was aware of them. He saw many miracles & had a hard time leaving those people. I'm grateful for his sacrifice & am so grateful to have him back!

1st Haircut, soccer & teeth

Lexi got her first haircut yesterday. She did surprisingly well. I thought she would freak out when we put her in the chair. But she got in the chair & held still the entire time. She now says that she has pretty hair & likes to style it just like mommy; she calls it hot hair.

We put Ethan in indoor soccer, he starts on February 21st. He's sooo excited! He wears his new soccer clothes all day long - shin guards and all.

We believe Makelle is getting her two bottom teeth. Early? YES! Lexi got her first tooth at 4 months, I hope it doesn't keep getting earlier with each child. She is still our happy go lucky little girl, just a little more fussy, but I can't complain... she's the easy one.

WooHoo!

As many of you know my brother Spencer has been serving a mission in Ventura, California. He's finally coming home! He comes home on February 11th and will be giving his homecoming talk on February 15th @ 9:00 am. He has e-mailed us every week & has told us of miracles that he has seen, and prayers that have been answered. He actually got into a bike accident not too long after he arrived, and then later got his bike stolen. He has been in good spirits & we have enjoyed talking to him every Mother's Day & Christmas. I look forward to introducing him to my two little girls! All family & friends are welcome to come hear him speak & come over to my parents house afterwards for brunch.

In other random news, I walked in to the family room to see Lexi sitting in Makelle's carseat watching TV. She never watches TV, so it was doubly surprising and so cute!