Spring Soccer-Camden

We finished up our first season of spring soccer. Camden played with the same team and coach he played with in the fall, and it was so fun to see how much they improved and actually played as a team...passing and spreading out on the field and cheering each other on. Camden really likes soccer and on his last game he came up to me and said, "I wish I had 200 more games to play."

Getting ready to kick it in.

G-O-A-L!!!

His determination to get the ball is quite impressive. He's never the strongest or biggest kid on the field but that has never bothered him one bit.

Going in to score. Towards the end of the season, we really practiced on using his right (weaker) foot. He was so proud of himself when he finally scored a goal with his right foot.

We are so proud of him and how hard he works.

Already looking forward to fall when he moves up to the bigger fields!!

Great-Papaw Visits!!

My Grandpa and Tootie were up for a visit recently and we lucky enough to get to spend 2 evenings visiting with them. We cherish the times we get to spend with them.

They boys had a baseball game and Great-Papaw came to watch!

Cooper LOVES Bennett's new sandbox. He spent quite a bit of time building sand castles.

Despite the hot night, Camden spent most of his time playing basketball. Hopefully we will have a goal of our own soon. And when that happens I see the boys spending many hours shooting and playing. Camden is really enjoying it, and recently completed the Miller Camp.

I don't know what is being said, but I am sure it was quite the conversation. Another couple of years, and I bet there are some great 2-on-2 basketball games being played with Bennett and Cooper in the mix.

Family Picture time! Not necessarily my boys' favorite time, but they were bribed with a trip to Huddles (ice cream shop) afterwards.  I think it worked:)

How precious is Elly Rose right there in the middle of all those boys? I love this picture with Grandpa and all the great-grandkids.

Finally the trip to Huddles!!

Such a cool place where you make your own bowl!!

Carson's Preschool Picnic

The Preschool held their 1st End of the School Year Family Picnic this year instead of having a field trip to the zoo. We met at the school and started the picnic off with with a soccer scrimage...teachers vs. students! So cute!! The kids loved it. Carson was so excited for this day he had his soccer uniform all laid out the night before. Teachers provided the food for the picnic, complete with sno-cones at the end.

Making a move...

getting ready to take a shot...

G-O-A-L!!!!!   I wish he was always this motivated to score goals in his real games:)

Another goal!!!

So happy they "beat" the teachers!

Cheering on one of the other classes with his BFF Scott.

Time for sno-cones!!!!

Water Fun!

A couple weeks ago...before all the rain seem to take over...the boys enjoyed a little bit of summer fun. Again this is all new for Cooper, since he doesn't remember much of last summer, so I really enjoyed sitting back and watching him discover how much fun it is to play in the water. Of course after the first day, he wanted to do that every day after for about a week straight. And Carson is such a good big brother. I love to watch him play with Cooper and listen in to what he has to say to him. He always shares and is patient with Coop.  We can't wait for this summer to begin!!

Florida

Our trip to Florida was a success!  We had so much fun packed into 4 days.  It was definitely a trip of firsts!  First time the big boys have been on an airplane (Technically Camden had been on one before but was 9 mos old to see Great-Papaw).  First trip to visit Great-Papaw and Great-Memaw.  First trip to Sea World to see Shamu and to the Kennedy Space Center where we were lucky enough to meet a real-life astronaut and get his autograph!  And this was the longest we had been away from Cooper.  Cooper stayed back with his Grandparents and we were able to skype with him every night.  I think we all enjoyed that.  All 3 boys loved talking to each other on the computer.  It really made me appreciate how much they enjoy (and need) each other's company.  The weather cooperated beautifully which allowed us to do our normal Florida things like swimming and eating crab legs.  I think the boys appreciated the entire trip from beginning to end.  The only thing we missed out on was the shuttle launch...just wasn't meant to be.  We owe a great big thanks to both grandparents who helped out with Cooper.  I think he had a fantastic time as well!

**Be sure to scroll down to see the other 2 posts besides the slideshow**

Florida Trip '11

Springtime Fun!

Ahhhh Spring! I love spring. I think my favorite season is Summer, but spring is a close second. Everything is so fresh...the air, the new flowers on trees, daffodils and tulips popping up everywhere, birds building nests, kids getting out their bikes and going to playgrounds and enjoying them like it was the first time they've experienced it, and baby bunnies!! Our neighbor brought over about 5 baby bunnies that she found in her backyard in a nest where they didn't want it. Before taking them to a wildlife rescue shelter, she brought them over for the boys to see. They were sooooooo cute and the boys were in heaven.

Carson holding the bunny just before it squirmed out of his hands.

One day at the park and Cooper is hooked. He asks to go to "Big Water" everyday, all day! He loves to ride his bike over to the dam and throw rocks into the lake, and then swing and climb on the playground. This is all new for him again. He hardly remembers being able to ride over to the park.

Carson the climber...oh how he loves to climb and hang and go upside down...it comes so natural for him. He definitely has my love for gymnastics.

Cooper idolizes his big brothers. And thankfully for the most part they are good role models because he mimics everything they do. He did a pretty good job of keeping up with Carson at the park that day.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

I wonder what he is thinking? Love his expression:)

Zoo Day!

Despite not going anywhere, we still managed to stay busy over spring break. We made trips to the Zoo, Children's Museum, and to see Megamind (the free movie showing at the theaters), and had 2 soccer practices. Luckily we picked the right day to go the Zoo. It was a beautiful day and not crowded. Abby, Bennett, and Elly Rose joined us.

Carson and Bennett enjoying the Dolphin Show. As you can see Bennett was at a loss for words (which rarely happens) at seeing the dolphins jump out of the water. I love how he covers his mouth when he laughs. Camden is down sitting in the soak zone waiting to get splashed.

We ate lunch next to the lemurs. This picture is kind of funny. It looks like Carson and Bennett's hair is sticking up...guess I had the wrong angle.

Too busy to eat lunch, Bennett and Cooper ventured over to see the Flamingos.

Cooper sitting in a replica of an Anaconda found in the Amazon. I can't even imagine running into a snake this big.

March Madness!

Well, February was a tough month for us health wise (and therefore not many posts) and we are hopeful March will bring us warmer weather and less sickness.  I think at least someone in our house was sick every week during Feb.  Chris and I were sick at the same time and relied on family to help us out.  Thankfully we all live relatively close to each other.  There were a couple of Feb. highlights:  1. I turned  33 (yes I consider it a highlight as I love celebrating birthdays).  2.  Camden turned 6! (I will make that a separate post).  3. Camden's been playing basketball, which has been fun to watch.  Somehow we managed to make it to all of the games.  I have taken lots of pictures but just haven't had the time to share.  He absolutely loved playing and learned a lot about the sport.  And I think Chris had a good time coaching his team.  I have posted more pics in the web albums.

     Warming up before his game

Getting ready for his big game

Shooting over the "trees" (he is typically one of the shortest on the court...I feel for him, I too was one of the shortest on the court for quite sometime).  So glad I brought my camera but sad I didn't bring the video camera because he had his best game of the season with 8 points (4 for 6), 3 assists, and good aggressive defense.  

Great form in the beginning but we need to work on the follow through.  He was so happy when the game was over.  He knew he played well.  He said, "Mom, I made 4 baskets and that is 2,4,6,8...8 points and I almost made 2 more."  And he usually has a pretty good idea of what the score is.  Not bad for a Kindergartner and being in a league where they don't keep score yet. 

 Needless to say, we are ready for March Madness even if our beloved Hoosiers will be MIA once again.

Ice Storm '11

Well it has been years (at least 20) since I remember having an ice storm like the one we've just had. All of central Indiana has been shut down for 3 days! The first day out of school was great...everyone is happy to have a day off, the second day...not too bad, got a little stir crazy by the afternoon but don't think I want to be stuck inside for a 3rd straight day with 3 energy packed boys, BUT the third day does come and I decided that if we don't get out of the house we might not all come out of this ice storm alive. So we decide to venture out down to Abby's house for a little while. That was a life-saving visit for everyone involved. Then in the afternoon the boys went and played at a friend's house. Thank goodness! It is nice to be able to spend time together but there is a reason why the boys go to school, and Chris goes to work.

Cooper only goes outside with sunglasses on.  He has always had light-sensitive eyes.  I don't blame him though it is really bright when the sun reflects off the ice/snow.

The boys got out to play on the ice 2 of the 3 days off. Big chunks of ice for everyone! I feel like Antartica came to us. If I had to imagine what it looked like all I had to do was look out my backyard....little bit of snow and lots of ice. It was really pretty when the sun reflected off the trees and fields.

Cooper going down the slide.
The coolest thing I think the boys experienced with the ice was sliding down their slide onto the ice. They would slide an additional 8 feet or so beyond the slide. I reminded them that is how penguins get around on the ice. I didn't go down but it looked like lots of fun.

Camden taking a turn.

Cooper going down again.

 Our visit at Abby's included baking Oatmeal cookies...yummm!!  Thank you Abby for a fun visit.

We survived the Ice Storm:)