Kayda turns 13!

In the midst of getting ready to move, we celebrated Kayda's birthday.  Our first official teenager!  She has a few of her best buds and they went to an escape room.  It was a REALLY neat room.  It was decorated to a theme and they could call for clues if they got stuck.  I know I tend to take things over, but I didn't want them in the room alone.  So I sat on the floor and read my book while they explored.  They did pretty well!  They finished a couple of minutes late but they had a great time!  Then the girls came to spend the night. 

Ivy, Mackenzie, Kayda and Kaitlyn

Of course, on her actual birthday we did a small celebration.  

 

Dillon's soccer

This. Kid. Is.  Awesome.  He ended up being one of the captains this year (along with CJ).  He was a huge driver for the team.  He directed his teammates, kept the energy up and was everywhere you could possibly need him on the field.  He was a midfielder this year and rocked it.  After working so hard to be an offensive player he really is the best of both worlds.  He can do it all.  He is hesitant to take a shot on goal.  He'll be open but he has drilled passing into his head so much that sometimes he passes it when he shouldn't.  That is an area for him to work next year.  

CO CAPTAINS!

We had sweatshirts made this year.  This is the kid's third year playing together.  We handily named Carson's team the cheetahs too.

We started spending a LOT of time with this group!  We got together regularly and it often was talks of soccer.  

Me, Dad, Dan, Aaron, Austin, Beckett, Darcy and Trish

Our beautiful frosty day, needed the picture for both posts of course. 

Random post-game pizza

The coaches were "paid" this year by the club, which seemed weird, especially because they keep talking about budget issues.  Anyway.  We used the money to go to a trampoline park.  The boys had a blast together, the parents did too. 

Aiden, Tyson, Zach, Dillon, CJ, Landon, Aidan, Quincy and out front, Leelan.

We were able to arrange to be part of a after season jamboree for them this year.  We thought it was a tournament so we were kind of disappointed.  The boys went undefeated though!

Austin, Angel, Landon, Tyson, Zach, Logan, Zac, Tucker, Aiden, Isaac, Dillon, CJ, Aidan and Quincy out front.  Then coaches Austin, Daddy and Aaron of course.

Here's the crew that were "helping" this year.  They ended up having to run Scott off a little, he wasn't jiving well with the kids.  Jeremiah is kind of a helper.  Five was too many.

Carson's soccer

I love being a soccer mom, minus the minivan.  It is such a fun sport for me to watch, kind of elegant in a way.  I've learned most every rule which is good and bad.  Anyway, the point is, I love to watch this game.  Fortunately for me, neither of the boys seem like they have any intention of stopping anytime soon.  

Carson has settled into the wing position.  Coach Austin originally was playing him only in a defensive position.  It took some work to convince him to put him in a position that covers the whole field.  Coach kept putting him defensive, and then switching him to the offensive positions.  That wasn't a transition Carson did well.  If he didn't start on offense he would get stuck in a defensive mindset and he wouldn't be as aggressive when put on offense.  

We were the very first people out on the field one frosty morning.  It was so cool to go out on the untouched frost.  I couldn't pass up the picture. 

Since I'm writing this more than a year later, we really can't remember kids names.  I'll fill in how I can.  Tucker, PJ, unkown, Carson W, Taylor, Maddox, unknown, Matthew, Ben, Stephen, unknown.... Man that's cracking me up!

Coach Austin keeps telling us that Carson is his FAVORITE person to coach.  That's always fun to hear.  I don't remember most of his "speech".  It's pretty safe to say that Coach said Carson is awesome.

Daddy's Goes to the Sounders Championship Game

Something that has not happened since the 90's, is that a major sport championship game would take place in Seattle (and never has happened outside).  Thanks to a friend, Austin (who Daddy coaches soccer with), he located a ticket for Daddy to be able to go.  He also tried to get the kids tickets without any luck.  

In the end, the Sounders came away with the championship, beating Montreal 3 to 1!  It was the Sounders second championship in 3 years.

Pumpkin Carving and Halloween

Since we're actively looking to move, this was probably the kids' last Halloween in this house.  That is really weird to think about.  This year the kids each only got to carve one pumpkin unfortunately.  We were also unable to make it to the fun pumpkin patch.  One not so awesome thing about me working.  The boys still aren't real fond of the gooey insides.  Though they're starting to have a little more fun with it.   They're all starting to make more intricate designs on their pumpkins too.  That's fun to watch.  We watched a show called "Halloween Wars" where they do elaborate carvings combined with cake sculptures and candy decorations.  It's really cool, and also inspires the kids to be more imaginative. 

This was the first year we split up for Halloween.  Dillon went up to CJ's to trick or treat.  That ended up being a mistake, CJ got tired (it's really hilly up there) and so they stopped way early.  Kayda walked around our neighborhood with Ivy.  We went around with Carson and snagged his best friend Kailey.  They ended up with matching costumes, coincidence or design?  I have no idea.  Unfortunately in the chaos of kids going to different places I didn't snag a picture of Kayda or Dillon in costume. 

Our lovely town's candy generosity never disappoints!

 

Heads up

 Anything posted after 9/3/2019 is written with a HUGE delay!  Playing catch up so some information may be missing.  

First Day of School

This year is unique.  I'm going back to work.  I'm working at the middle school teaching 8th grade math and the advanced class.  It took a while for me to decide to go for it, but after covering a maternity leave for 3 months I realized that I missed having my own classes.  Anyway, working meant that, for the first time ever, I was going to miss dropping a kiddo off at school on their first day.  Fortunately for me, Carson was willing to get up and ready early so I could take a picture with him and give him hugs and good vibes for the day.  

 Starting 3rd grade this year!

 Starting 7th grade!

 Starting 6th grade!

 My kids are so stinking cute!

Daddy did a good job documenting the drop off.  I'm still a little heartbroken that I had to miss it.