Jake's first soccer season

Well we started out rocky with soccer this year. Jake didn't seem to understand the concept and spent his first practice crying that no one passed him the ball. Tell you what, it was a major feat for me, miss competition, to be nice about that one. My instinct is to say, "get the heck on that field, wipe off those tears and do you dang job!!" I resisted. Instead what came out was something more like "I understand that you're upset but your team is counting on you to be out there trying to help. Here's a hug, wipe off your tears and get out there until practice is over."

I felt that was major improvement.

When we got home Tyler took him out in the back and taught him different ways to steal the ball. As the first game approached I was more nervous than him! Turns out practice with Ty paid off...

We didn't have a single tear at the game and he left saying that was the funnest thing he'd ever done in his life! Victory!!

Curiosity could kill the cat....

I decorated for Halloween. Actually I did it three weeks ago. The light changed coming thru my windows one morning and I knew it was time. I tried putting up those fake spider webs with some spiders in them. They haven't worked out so well for one member of our family.....I heard a meowing and went to see what she'd done now. Honestly it looked like a scene from Lord of the Rings with Frodo and the big spider. I think she was trying to get one of the fake spiders out.
That stuff was pretty sticky and the more she struggled, the worse it got. I couldn't resist a picture or two!

Where's the beat?

Uh, is it just my computer, or are none of our playlists working?! Are they working for any of you? I miss the music! Blogs aren't as much fun without a soundtrack!

Peaches, tomatoes and jars oh my!

I have checked a few things off my life to-do list this year! I have always wanted to can peaches and to make home made salsa. I did both this summer with help of my fabulous Kecia!

While wandering the farmers market a month ago, at the end of an amazing girls day out, we met a peach farmer who put our names on a pre-order list for amazing peaches for canning. I went a few weeks later and picked up our 3 boxes of peaches and she drove up from Provo to spend the day canning while Jake and Tyler "watched" her daughter Emma. We had a blast and it went so quick with two of us.

I was thrilled with how easy the skins came off these peaches and they looked so pretty when they were canned I decided to use them as decoration!

Salsa was a different matter. I've never made it before, so it was kind of an adventure. I bought the basic ingrediants at the farmers market, to get the "really fresh" taste. (My tomatoes went in late, so they are not ready yet)

I don't have a food processor, so I hand chopped everything. I made 4 jars. We really are not big salsa people, I figured that would be plenty. Brian and the kids thought it was so good that we are down to 2 jars! I guess I'll get to use my tomatoes after all!

First day of freedom.... I mean school....

It's a little late in coming, but I've finally gotten around to posting my life again!! After all, who can resist the first day of school pictures?

Jake started Kindergarden this year, he was so excited!! Although a little bummed when he found out he won't eat lunch at school until next year.

There he was, off on his own. He didn't have any seperation problems. I think he learned that from brother, who didn't even want me to walk him to his door. (I snuck behind him, just to make sure he made it). I did really well right about to halfway thru the parking lot, then the gates opened and I couldn't make it to my car fast enough. Although I know every other mom is doing the same thing, I'm not a crier, so this was tres embarrasing!

The next day, just so you all know, I woke up, sent the kids to school and smiled my whole way to Eggs in the City with my darling husband for our first "kids at school date".

Did I really just do that?

This week has been one of milestones. Brian called from the highway the other night and asked if I was busy. Uh, am I ever at 9:30pm? He then asked me to come outside for a moment. In true Hallmark style, as I'm freezing my tush off in the midst of an early cold front on my porch, my hub pulls around the corner in a car. Not just any car, my car. Well, hopefully soon to be my car...A 2000 white Ford Mustang GT. In amazing condition, just humming along.

Now for those of you who have been blessed to never be present when I get going on Mustangs, let me explain to you why this was one of those moments. The 2000 is one of two Mustangs ever built to posses the "tail end" body style that seriously makes my heart stop. I am in no position to purchase a 2008 in cash, so that leaves option number two, the 2000.

Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot, but I'm ok with it, and I assume you all are too, or we wouldn't still be friends right? :)

Well, upon driving this baby around for a couple hours, I started getting this little wild hair. Thoughts started running thru my head. Things like; "maybe it's time to REALLY clean the garage" "Maybe we should finally let go of all that baby stuff" Next thing you know, I've listed my crib, changing table, jogging stroller, toddler bed and baby clothes on KSL. Not that I've written off additional rug rats...only that just maybe, this could be a fun, care free new time for our little family. We have no immediate plans to enlarge our family, so why not? Why not have room to actually park a CAR in our garage?! (I know, what a thought right?) Why not drive a car that would be absolutly impossible with kids younger than mine. Why not wear my nice shirts around the house, no ones spitting up on them anymore... So I think I'm selling the Explorer too. Saying goodbye for a bit to the era I love, of babies and toddlers and bottles and blankies. And welcoming with open arms, and a few tissues an era I'm learning to love more, with soccer games, rock climbing, mustangs, Harry Potter, and kids who make their own chocolate milk.

3 handsome boys, 1 grey hair, and a crab

Gas to Seattle: $212
4 greasy Dicks Cheeseburgers, 3 Fries, 4 Shakes: $22.64
2.5 pounds of Coconut Taffy you can only buy in Seattle: $12.57
Waterfront parking: $2.95
Spending my birthday in my favorite place in the world with my favorite people: Priceless!

We drove to Seattle Wednesday morning on the way home, even though technically it wasn't anywhere near the way home. (Although after checking map quest it is only the longer way by 45 minutes, so I think it's justified!) All I wanted for my birthday this year was to be in Seattle, eating either fish and chips from Steamers or cheeseburgers from Dicks. Well Brian and I had amazing fish and chips the night before so we went for Dicks. It was everything I'd longed for! the kids loved it, we have always loved it, so it really was the perfect way to start the drive home. We spent some time on the waterfront, just hanging out.

And yes, you read that right. Fate had the gall to bestow me with a grey hair on my birthday, MY 29th BIRTHDAY no less! Not cool. And no, I don't want to talk about it.

There was a crabber on the wharf who had a good catch he let us inspect. Notice Jake's hands behind his back? He was the first to reach out for a crab and he tried to grab the wrong side. Let's just say we're all really glad he has Brian's reflexes! After that he was less than enthusiastic about trying again, photo opp or not. Tyler Braved up and so did Brian. I personally don't believe in playing with my food :) so I refrained from holding the crab. All in all, it was the best birthday I've had in years!