Our last day with Angela

Today we went to church, came home, played outside again, had lunch.  The kids napped and so did Angela and I.  There was a church meeting that evening but I stayed back with Angela so that we could have more time together.  We took the kids to the park and spent awhile there.  Afterwards we came back and had dinner with Daddy.

This is Angela's last night with the kids.  I will be taking her to the airport early in the morning before they wake up.  They each had so much fun with her.

Thank you Angela for coming and visiting just us.  For being willing to just roll with the punches with all of our pre-planned activities.  We love you and had an amazing time.

"I'm Crabby"

Today after Adeline's game we came home and played in the backyard, had lunch outdoors, went to James' work picnic, and then spent the evening talking.

Angela brought the kids each a t-shirt from Maryland.  It was so thoughtful.  The shirts said "i'm crabby, leave me alone".  The kids loved the crabs :)  Thank you Angela!

Pictures after the game

I want to make sure that I get many pictures during this visit.

Adeline and Angela

Addy, Angela and I 

And of course we can't leave out Andrew.  I think this one is my favorite.

Adeline's Soccer Game 9/29/12

Adeline always enjoys having an audience.  With Angela here she played extra hard.  I had to apologize to Angela beforehand for my "loudness".  It was a beautiful day for a game.  There are many video's to follow, some are long, but each show how Adeline has really progressed through the year.

Angela Comes to Visit

I was so excited when my childhood girlfriend Angela called and said that she wanted to come and visit us for a weekend.  I picked her up late Thursday night and she stayed until Monday morning.  Friday she went to the gym with me and had lunch with Cindy and I.  We relaxed in the afternoon while she had to do some work, picked up Addy from school and went to see James at work.  Friday night James went down to Olivet so Angela and I were home with the kids.  We decided to have a movie night and rented The Lorax.  It was a super fun night with the kids and then once they were in bed Angela and I watched our own big screen movie.

I love friendships where you can just pick up where you left off.  Angela and I have known each other for over twenty years.  What!?!  Are we really that old?  I am so blessed to have her in my life and so thankful to have this weekend with her.

I love watching others love on my kids.

Andrew's Memory Verse

Very proud of this little guy.  He is so excited to be earning patches like everyone else. (like Sissy)  Good Job Buddy....We love you!

Adeline Soccer Game 9/22/12

Today Adeline played really hard.  She came out aggressive and was ready to play.  Unfortunately not too long into the game we saw lightning in the distance.  The game was then canceled.  I guess the rule is that after lightning you have to wait 30 minutes without seeing any more.  The game is rescheduled for Wednesday but we will miss it because of Awana.  God Job Addy!  Way to come out and play hard.

Time to decorate for Halloween

Tonight I had my two very helpful, excited little helpers, help me decorate the house.  Daddy turned the music up and we all had a really good time.

Now to start planning our costumes.....

Spirit Week 2012 Sailor Pride Day

Sporting her Lincoln Park Crew t-shirt she won last year.

Spirit Week 2012 Team Day

Go Blue!!!!

Spirit Week 2012 Hat Day

The perfect hat, for the perfect princess.

I have to keep taking as many pictures of the long hair because I know that some day she will want to cut it.

Bob from Monsters vs. Aliens

This is Andrew's new favorite movie character Bob.  We built him out of play-doh for fun today.  This made Andrew very happy.

Spirit Week 2012 Mismatch Day

I think this might be Adeline's most favorite of all the days.  She loves to dress up for this.

 We also did a pony tail/braid for the hair.

Spirit Week 2012 Crazy Sock Day

Another week to show our school spirit!  Today is crazy sock day.  Adeline wore her fun leggings she just got from Grandma Kay.

Adeline is wearing her new shoes from Nana.  But with all of the little rocks on the playground Addy always comes home covered in dust.

Andrew wanted to be a part of the picture.  He doesn't have crazy socks on but he requested his own picture.

Supporting our North Muskegon Soccer Friends

After watching Will and Isaac's game they (Daniel, Will, Isaac, Katie, Willow and Ginger) came over and watched Adeline play.  Then we all went up to North Muskegon to watch Maya, Sophie and Noah play.  This was a last minute decision for us but proved to be a wonderful afternoon with friends.

Adeline and Maya...if they continue to play in U10 their teams will compete against each other.  But for now they are cheering friends.

Watching Sophie was fun as she skipped around the field.

Kind of a fun thing....I noticed that Addy and Will both have the number 3 and Maya and Isaac both have the number 6.

Sweet Sophie exhausted from her game.

It just kept getting hotter and hotter (especially if you were in the sun).  Andrew decided to take off his shirt and show us his muscles.

We ended the afternoon watching Maya play.  She played so well.  And Noah did a great job as goalie. 

Adeline's Second Fall Soccer Game 2012

James and I had a big discussion with Adeline encouraging her to get in there, play hard, and be aggressive.  I believe a term was to "use your elbows"...that would have been from James.  Well....Adeline listened and was really aggressive.  I saw the look on her face I only see when she is angry with Andrew as she chased down the opposing team.

Thankfully she didn't get yellow carded (they don't do that yet).  We pulled her aside and discouraged the elbow but still encouraged the aggressiveness.  I was very proud of Adeline and how well she played.  She continues to get better and better.

Isaac and Will playing soccer

Before Adeline's game started I looked over and saw two very familiar boys playing on the other field.  How fun was this.  We got to watch both boys dominate the U8 boys soccer game.

Car Wash

The boys made targets for their nerf guns.  This was a pretty fun craft.

Then later on the boys decided they wanted to have a "car wash".   So they lined up all the toys and started washing them.

Awana Kick Off!

Tonight was our Awana kick off.  This year is my first year co-directing the Sparks program with Angela McPherson.  Tonight we had 43 little sparkies sign up.  We're going to be busy :)

This is Andrew's first year in Cubbies.  He was so excited to get his very own vest.  He will be learning verses weekly and earning patches just like Sissy.

Andrew with his two cubbie friends, Sophie and Nick.

Adeline and Maya very excited about Sparks this year.

Lauren is also in Sparks this year.  All three are in the same group.  That may have something to do a certain director having influence.

For the kick off we had some tough men come in and do a demonstration of their strength.  It reminded me of my Mom's karate demonstration days.  Not only did they display their physical strength but also their spiritual strength.  It was a fun show.

Fun at the Park

Today with Nick we went to the park to play.  Both boys had with them a paper bag that they looked for special items to put in it.  (leaves, sticks, rocks, grass, acorns, ect.)  We spent most of the morning there, the boys had so much fun.  On our way back we had to cross over some construction being done on Sherman Road so we stopped and watched the big "digger" trucks.  Like I said very different with boys and no girls.

Picture Day!

Practicing her smile! 

 Let me tell you....her picture turned out so cute!!!  I seem to cry all the time (for good things).  And this was one that made me cry.