Soccer Season 2012-Cobras

Jacob enjoyed another soccer season this spring.  He was on a team with a lot of friends from our ward in the 7-9 year old age division.  He was awesome and really had fun.  Coach Casey would take him out for a water break and let other players have a turn and the second Jake was done with his drink, he would run back over and say, "Coach!  I'm ready.  Put me back in."

The team struggled a little bit this year but when they worked together and played positions, they really held their own.  Not many goals were made but Jake did end up getting one and he was pretty pumped about it.  I loved watching him play with a big smile on his face.  He never complained that he was tired, thirsty, or too hot.  He got aggressive, ran after the ball, and was a star.  He has proclaimed that "soccer is his life" and wants to play on a more competitive league next year. 

     

Fire Station Field Trip

We went to the fire station again this year with Carlee's preschool.  It's always a fun field trip when the kids learn about the fire trucks, see the firefighters in full uniform, get stickers and coloring books, and take home their very own fire hat. 

Carlee and Jonathan on the back of the fire truck

Riding in the back of the fire truck

Ella, Ava, and Carlee--Besties and the only girls in their class

Carlee and the fire chief

Mother's Day

Saturday night, Joe and I had our date night and gave the kids instructions to keep the house clean and picked up for Mother's Day so that we could have a nice enjoyable day on Sunday.  When we arrived home at about 11:00 p.m. we walked into the family room and saw this . . .

We immediately started laughing because this was the complete opposite of what I had asked for and the kids always have the house clean when we come home from our dates.  I had to take pictures because it was so extreme--forts, pillows, blankets, popcorn, soda, snacks, etc.  At least they were all in their pajamas!

Sunday morning, the kids got up early and cleaned up their fort from the night before.  They made me a delicious breakfast of German pancakes, fresh fruit and a "Clark Classic" smoothie.  And they showered me with a bunch of homemade cards and gifts.  Joe bought me a really pretty watch.  Clark wrote me a sweet letter and made a card.  Katelyn made me some bath salts, a coupon book, homemade flowers, and made a few cards.  Jake gave me a handprinted tile and a sweet note.  Carlee gave me a handprinted apron, letter, and found some earrings in my own jewelry box to wrap up and give me ;)

While we were getting ready for church and afterwards, Carlee took some random pictures so I had to throw those in too.  We had a great relaxing Sunday playing together and Joe made a delicious dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and salad.  I love my family so much and am grateful to be a wife and mother.  It is something that I have always looked forward to and enjoy every day.  I am grateful for the opportunity to stay at home and watch my children grow and catch every moment of their lives.  I have been blessed with amazing women in my life--moms, sisters, and friends that are true examples of love, service, compassion, and experience.  They help me along my own way and show the world that motherhood is important and a blessing.  Happy Mother's Day!

 

This Little Turkey

Right now Carlee is obsessed with taking pictures and videos of herself with my phone.  Late at night, when I am in bed, I have to go through my phone and "clean it up" after her use.


There are several videos of her that I am going to use as blackmail when she is a teenager.  Joe and I have ended up crying with laughter at some of them.  She tends to be overly dramatic about loving me, missing me, and begging me to have another baby.  She also loves to make videos of herself painting fingernails, putting on makeup and doing different hairstyles.  They are her "tutorials".  And she loves to walk around the house recording "video diaries" of her daily tasks, including going to the bathroom.  They are quite funny and way too long to put on my blog, unfortunately.

Carlee is also a fashionista--posing and changing into different outfits with accessories. 

One day I was opening the door for Carlee after running some errands and noticed an inscription above the handle.  When I looked closer, I saw that it read C a r l e e.  I looked at her and asked in a firm voice, "Did you scratch your name into the car?"  She immediately looked worried and said slowly, "How did you know it was me?"  I told her that she had written her very own name and that I knew her handwriting.  She just stared at me.  I asked her what she scratched with and she replied that she had picked up a metal hook found in the parking lot and scratched her name.  I got a little angry and asked, "Why on earth would you scratch something into the car?  It doesn't come off!"  Her eyes filled with tears and her lips drew down as she shrilly explained, "I wrote my name there so that I knew which side the door to open is to get into my carseat!"

Nevada State Museum

Katelyn's class visited the Nevada State Museum for a field trip and I was able to chaperone.  It was a great museum that I have never been to and the kids had to participate in activities and answer questions in a "homework" packet.  We had a really fun time and I would love to take the rest of my family there.

Here we are, riding on the bus!

 The kids decorated Nevada bookmarks with the state birds, plants, animals, etc.

   

 They learned about dinosaurs and fossils that had been discovered in Nevada and also learned a song about all of the counties so that they could put together a big floor puzzle.

Katelyn and Alyssa got them all right!

 They walked through different areas in the museum and had to answer questions just like a scavenger hunt.  It was really fun and they learned a lot of interesting facts about Nevada.

A bunch of happy Fourth-graders!