Itty Bitty Soccer

Jack started Itty Bitty soccer this week and boy was it a hit! He loved it! As you can see from the team picture - he is heads above everyone else. Yes, I know what you moms are thinking, "Can that boy possibly be four? Shouldn't they move him up an age level just for sheer size?"
Well never fear, he is pretty much just happy to run around after the ball...and not actually kick it.

Here he is at playing goalie - he lasted for about five minutes before telling the coach he was done and just wanted to run.

And to put the mom's fears at rest - here is is asking a little boy if he was ok after the boy fell down and started crying.

He is having tons of fun and is just happy to be with BOYS!!

My little guy got pretty good at being the goalie - even though it was a little boring for him. Overall, a very fun experience!

(I'm trying to stay positive and not tell you about his lazy coach that doesn't seem to have a clue and is more interested in socializing instead of keeping track of her team...yes, I proudly have an Eileen Gene and display it from time to time!)

Movie Night

So, when the cousins were over, we did a lot of playing, and one night the moms and dads just needed some quiet time...so we had movie night! My wonderful friend Sayda found a darling blog that had this fun idea on it. She did it, so I thought I would do it too. We had a movie night! My sister Jen had the kids do a variety of things to earn their money. They cleaned, brushed teeth, read a book, etc. John set up the projector so the movie played on a big wall downstairs. Once they earned their money, they could buy a movie ticket and some concessions. It was so fun! And the moms and dads got some much needed quiet time!

It was a lot of fun - and most of the kids fell asleep before the movie was over, so I guess they needed some quiet time too! It was a fun time and thanks for the cute idea Sayda!

WEPR

Maddie was fearless on the blow up toys. She wanted to follow Jackson everywhere!

Brian skating with Tayler and Ben.

Jack didn't like the slides as much as the stuff where you just bounced into stuff and it would fling you every where.

Maddie on her favorite slide. She would climb up, slide down, laugh, and say, "Again, again!"

The WyHonee Peterson's leaving for the first time. We sure had a great time with them.

Jacee didn't get into actual rollerskating - she just went around on her scooter. And as you can see - turned it into the scooter ballet.

Jen said her dr. didn't say anything about no rollerskating - so here they are - the mommies to be with braving the rink.

We have had such a good time at the Family Fun Center. We have gone three times in the past week.

The two blondies got along pretty well. It's so fun to get to know cousins and have such a good time. One of Jacee's favorite parts was wearing Tayler's clothes!

Two fish in the sea.

We had such a great time with the cousins at our annual WEPR reunion. It was especially fun because we had cousins there we don't get to see very often. Jacee has had cousins here for about two weeks and today she just didn't know how she was going to survive without anyone here to play with. John asked her if she was glad to have her house back - she just looked at him like he was crazy and said, "NO!" She'll take cousins anyday!

A Visit With Grama

My children and I went to visit my Grama A at her new place in Salt Lake. Jacee seems to have a special connection with her. She prays for her everynight and asks about her a lot. Maybe it is because she is a "Beth" named after her Grama A.

Maddie loved the little end table with the tiny chair. It was just her size. She spent most of her time sitting here and re-arranging the things on the desk.

Jacee and Jack discovered the magic chair. It works by remote control and it lies back, puts up a foot rest, and raises up really, really high. Grama got a kick out of watching them play on it.

We have had a good visit. She wasn't sure she wanted to leave her house in Gooding and come to the assisted living home, but I think she is use to it now, and kinda likes it - maybe? Seems to change a lot. We're glad to have her a little closer and can see her. Family is what it's all about.

What a Day!

We had such a wonderful Fourth of July this year - we are hoping most of the things we did become a tradition!! We started out with a breakfast at our house. Steve and Nicole made Kneaders french toast and secret syrup - so yummy! We ate until we couldn't move much. Luckily we didn't have to be anywhere until 2pm.

Nicole and Steve's neighborhood does a fun bike parade and then a mini-carnival - right in their back yard. The kids had a great time in the parade and then spent the day going down the banzai falls, bounce house, slip and slides, making their own snowcones, and cotton candy.
Steve made up his delicious ribs and we spent the evening overindulging and then getting ready for fire works.
Jackson was not into the sparklers at all. He just cuddled by grampa the entire time.

Maddie warmed up to the idea and finally held one or two by herself while sitting on the stairs.

Jacee loved it but was very cautious.

That night John put on a fireworks show while the kids watched from the tramp. Maddie did not like the "lightning" at all and wanted to go inside the entire time. We all agree that the Wyoming Fireworks were much better than the local ones - luckily we now have a connection in Wyoming to get the good stuff for next year.

Grama and Grampa Peterson came and we just had a ball. We're lucky to have a wonderful family and live in a wonderful country. Can't wait to see everyone at teh 50th Anniversary Party!

Cousins

We have loved being close to cousins this summer. I need to take more pictures when they are here so I have one of everyone. Jacee and Anna at the Triathlon. They sure are two peas in a pod.

Maddie loves all of her cousins. She is fascinated with baby Jada. She like to kiss her but baby Jada isn't too sure about that yet. We get to play with Trissy and Tayler every Wednesday, and all my kids look forward to it. And Trissy sure is a nice babysitter! (I got to go eat lunch with John today - with no kids. It sure was a leisurly relazing lunch!)