Snowy fun!!!

I came home from a weekend away to a whole bunch of snow. It was beautiful and the kids had so much fun playing in it. We stilll have snow and no school...so early Christmas Break here we come!!!
our backyard

Josie frolicking in the fresh powder

the beautiful barn

BEAUTIFUL

The orchard across the street

mmmm....snow. She avoids the yellow snow, though. Thank goodness

Just loving the snow falling

Snow Angel---wooo hooo!!!

Madelyn turns 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our precious little girl is growing up. I am so amazed at what a great young lady she is becoming. She makes us laugh and gives us so much joy. Our kids are the greatest things we have ever done.


My girl on her first birthday

Birthday number 2
And now she's three!!! OMG

One of the favorite presents of the night!!

Ooooo...present time

Great Grandpa

Great Aunt Deb and Grandma Kate

Beautiful Karter

Kids beading at the table

My Sweet Boy!!!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!

Big girl gets her hair did

The Scholls Country Festival

What an amazing event. We spent the day at the Scholls Country Festival. It is amazing to me that such a little school like Groner can accomplish such a huge and successful event. It goes to show what dedicated and wonderful parents and volunteers our community has. It was a fun day full of fun activites put on by each classroom (only one per grade) and face painting and food and balloons...fun, fun, fun


Dylan and his balloon hat

Jeremy was recruited to be the chaperone at the bounce house.

Madelyn's hat. What a goof ball

Dylan doing a little pumpkin bowling at the kindergarten booth

Madelyn takes a turn at soccer

We couldn't pass up the piggies!!!

The covered hay maze was so cool, but a back-breaker for the grown-ups.

Madelyn got a little lost

Fun

A few pictures of my baby girl

Madelyn is growing up before our very eyes. She is such an amazing little girl. I can't believe what an outstanding person she is becoming.

Here she is after she smelled a candle. She stuck her face a little too far in, wouldn't ya say?

My precious angel

Woo-hoo...her hair is growing. It's long enough to put in braids.

Soccer

What an awesome end to a great day!! Along with the first day of school, Carson had his first soccer game tonight. He was so excited, as was I, to go to his game and play a real game. He had only played in soccer camps and summer parks and rec activities for the last three years and he was amped to play an actual game. He kept saying all day "I can't believe I get to play a real game today". It was so much fun getting him into his uniform (he is number 5) and getting his cleats on and going to the soccer field.

When we got to the soccer fields at the fairgrounds, we met up with his coach, Coach Able, the team manager, Lori and the rest of his teammates--the "Green Pythons". After a little bit of chit chat and getting things going the game got on it's way. Jeremy, Grandma Kate, Madelyn and I were there to cheer on Carson and the team. I found myself on the sidelines cheering and chanting like crazy (soccer mom in training). The team consists of 6 players. Each team member gets an equal amount of play time by switching out players every quarter. There are no goalies. They have a hard enough time aiming the ball into the goal without them. I think Carson's team won by a couple goals, but who knows...no one was keeping score. Love That!!

We are so proud of him and I am so glad that he has found something that makes him so happy. I can see what a good thing this is going to be for him. His eyes sparkle when he is called onto the field to play. His whole attitude changes when he gets a soccer ball in his hands, or feet as the rules go, and I can watch his confidence build and build. He is so positive and easygoing when he's playing or even talking about soccer. It is just such an good thing for him.

I don't know what this new 'cool dude' smirk is lately, but I love it. Here he is ready and waiting to go to the game.

What a good pose--this was his idea.

Here we are at the soccer fields--let's go play!!

Nice steal!!
Go Green Pythons Go
run, run
Look at all those little legs
Way to keep on the ball
Just kicked it into the goal----SCORE!!!

First Day of School

What a big day!! Carson and Madelyn had their first days of school today. It was a busy morning with Carson having to catch the bus by 7:30am (oops, we missed it). and Madelyn starting at 9am across town. We drove Carson to school and got him settled into his classroom. He is lucky to already have a good friend and neighbor, Dylan, in his class to make the transition a bit easier. We watched him get started on his coloring project and and then it was a quick hug, kiss and goodbye. Then we were off to take Maddy to school at Valley Christian. She was excited to go until I told her that Mom wasn't staying. Broke my heart to see that smile turn to a frown so fast. She quickly got over it when she learned that she was going to paint....woo hoo painting!!! Bye-bye Mom!!! Then it was a quick trip to the gym for Mom and a race against the clock to get back home before the bus drops Carson off at 10:50. I made it. It was so cute to see his little head poking just above the window on the bus and smile as he saw me waiting for him in the driveway. He had a great day and said he made a lot of new friends. Recess was his favorite part-surprise, surprise. Then we had to rush back to Madelyn's school to pick her up by 11:45. She was busy playing with Flubber. For those of you who don't know what flubber is it is a weird wet, but not wet, plastic-y, Glue-y, substance that the kids just love. After coaxing her out of the classroom, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch and home for a nap before Carson's soccer game tonight. Whew....busy day. It has been a blast so far. What amazing little kids we have. I just can't believe I have two kids in school already.
She's all ready to go. She was ready before Carson even got out of bed!

Too cool for school, mom.
Our little students
Carson waiting in the gym to go to his classroom
"24 Crayons" He was excited to see a brand new box.
His buddy, Dylan is quick to get started.
Busy at his new seat Madelyn cutting the flubber

Here she is with her teacher, Miss Maggie, making her famous picture face. Love it!!