Sunday Afternoon Soccer

This fall we have begun a new adventure for Griffin....  "organized" sports.  Cedar Valley Youth Soccer has a program for under 6 year old kids called Dyno-mites.  This program is designed to introduce kids to soccer.  There are lots of coaches, and the kids are split into groups of 6-8.  They "practice" on Sunday afternoons, and that includes the game, too.  Basically, the kids are learning to dribble and pass, shoot and score.  All the kids wear blue shirts with their names on them.  They are to bring a ball and a water bottle, and wear shin guards.  It's quite cute to see all those kids out there.  Griffin has done a great job....  even though the timing isn't the best for my almost 4 1/2 year old who still naps every day.  We're half way through the "season," which means we have three more sessions this fall.  It will be fun to see what skills he remembers when we begin the spring session after the snow melts!!!

Picture Day...  order form in hand

I don't know what he's doing here..... but isn't he cute?

"Get the Coach" with your ball

Break Time

For some reason they were to throw the ball in the air..... then Griffin covered his head

Dribbling the ball

Not sure what's going on here either....  but interesting action shot

"touch touch"

Looking like a real soccer player... way to use the outside of your foot, Griff!

Go, Griffin, Go!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Miss Ainsley is 2!!!  She is such a joy, and brings wonderful laughter to our home....  she is so SILLY!  She is talking a lot, and wants to do whatever her brother is doing.  Aaron Brummer took some great photos of our little girl...... enjoy!

Henry Doorly Zoo

We took a weekend trip to Omaha, NE to check out the Henry Doorly Zoo.  It's a great zoo, and we had perfect weather.... sunny and upper 50-60s.  The animals were active, and the kids did great even without a nap.  They did crash hard when we got back to the hotel.

Everyone piled into the motorhome and we headed to the zoo!!

 Our two kiddos did pretty well in the stroller together.  It was really nice to have this available, yet they could get out easily to check things out up close as well.

 Talk about up close and personal....  this pic was not taken with a zoom lens, and that is only a wire fence between us....

 Watching the Lions.... who were pacing as it must have been close to feeding time...

 Baby girl eventually wanted to walk, and Daddy was glad to oblige!!

 Addie checking out this guy....  I thought it was cool how you could see her reflection in the glass.....

 Griffin played musical strollers.....

 How many fingers, Ainsley?

 The polar bear was pretty lazy today.... Still pretty cool to see...

 We rode on the carousel twice....  The first time Ainsley rode on an animal that didn't go up and down...  The second time we rode she insisted the animal go "up and down, up and down."  Despite the picture, she really did enjoy it!

 Mom, take the picture quickly so I don't have to touch this thing any longer!!  The petting zoo was not the biggest hit with our kiddos!

I realized I need to be more intentional with making sure we get a family shot when we do these kinds of excursions....  Someday I'll need photographic proof that I was really in attendance!  :)

Because of this fun trip, we spent Ainsley's birthday in the car and taking Griffin to soccer....  She did get an "iceam" cone, but we will be making the cake she asked for as I was putting her to bed tomorrow afternoon!  More pics to come of our newly 2 year old soon!

To the Zoo

Seven Wonderful Years

Family Photo Shoot....

We had a family photo shoot in August.  We got some great pics thanks to Ashley Schrage (photographer).  Griffin did pretty well, but Ainsley struggled a bit.  Despite that we were able to get a few fun family shots, a cute shot of the kids together, Griffin's 4 year picture and a bonus shot of Griffin and his daddy!!  Enjoy!

Fun at the Park

We took advantage of cool temps and a free evening.  The kiddos just get more and more brave each time we come.  

Cat out of the Bag

Okay.....  I'm going to let the cat out of the bag....  I have created a blog for each of the kiddos seperately for the sole purpose of uploading a picture each day of what they were up to at a moment in time.  I've been pretty good so far this week.... My goal was to start in September and make it 30 days....  Well, I got a jump start on it...  we'll see how good I do.  The links are below:

Griffin

Ainsley

Enjoy.... 

A Hot Day in September

The days for sprinkler usage in 2011 are quickly coming to an end.  Knowing this we got out the sprinkler Griffin has been asking to use all summer.  Both kiddos enjoyed it more then I expected.  And as a bonus, the grass got a good drink.....the neighbors will be so proud!