Soccer 2011

We had a great soccer season this year.  Sadly I don't have one picture of Lucy :(.  Actually her season wasn't so great.  Basically they played against pro soccer teams and got skunked and didn't have much fun.  It's too bad, because last year her season rocked and she had such an awesome coach and had so much fun playing.  Clara participated in the Little Kickers program which was great.  Coach Steve was from London and works for UK Soccer Elite and she learned a lot and got to play lots of fun games that taught basic soccer skills.  Anders had a fantastic season.  His coach, Eddie, was a high school sophomore and was great.  Anders team dominated and he was a really great defensive and offensive player this season.  Tucker also had a great season.  He too had high schoolers for coaches, Andy and Joey.  Their team was awesome and Tucker played well and had a blast.  The last game was the day before Anders' baptism and after Anders game his team went over to Carousel, the local ice cream joint, to celebrate, and we joined in.  Tucker's award party was a couple of days later at a pizza place.  Hooray for good soccer seasons!

Anders' Baptism

Last Sunday Anders was baptized.  It was a really nice event and we were so grateful to be able to have so much family in town and so many friends to help make it special. Grammy and Papa gave the prayers.  Courtney and Pop-pop gave the talks.  Whitney and Tutu did the music and Tucker and Tutu played a duet.  It was all very nice and it was a day I think Anders will always remember fondly.  

5th Grade Graduation

Lucy had her 5th grade graduation.  Now it is on to middle school.  Don't get me started on how disturbing this is to me.   Anyway, she was excited and pleased, even if I wasn't.  It has been a hard year for me.  Public schools seem to be a big huge joke (or nightmare), especially after our fabulous school in Utah.  I'm still bitter about having to leave NPA and I miss it like crazy. Academically this year has been a wash (even though Lucy had all A's and did great, the curriculum is a joke).  But Lucy has had a good year socially.  She has nice friends who are good girls and she is VERY excited for middle school.  She wants to get contacts before she starts, and I just want to stop the clock. (And sorry about the picture quality.  The camera isn't the greatest.  It isn't the fault of the photographer at all.)

Reuntited

Lucy's good friend (and my good friend, who is her mom) Malia came to visit!  Yay!!!  It was so fun to have them and to let these two girlies reconnect!  

Fathers and Sons

A couple of weeks ago Rob took the boys camping at Quantico for the Fathers and Sons.  The boys had a great time.  Rob took the V. boys with him because their Dad had to work.  I think everyone loved it, except the part about getting up at 5 to break camp so they could be back for Anders' 8:00 soccer game.  Actually no one even complained about that, so all in all it was a success.

Party Time

For Anders birthday I made cupcakes and took them in to his class.  I love that they let you take homemade stuff, unlike UT.  I made him his favorite food: pesto.  We opened presents and then headed to Rady park where a bunch of families from the ward were invited to celebrate.  It was a great party.  Lots of kids, lots of exploring the creek, cupcakes, ice cream cones, and of course soccer (Anders is into soccer these days).  It was so fun.  One of the best parts was being able to celebrate with so many good friends.  We love our ward and all of the close friends we have made.  It was a very happy birthday and I would like to thank Auntie Court for being the official event photographer!

Dinner.  We were happy to have Jennifer, Malia, and Ada visiting:

 sword fighting, another favorite passtime.  At the party there was a pretty funny mishap as 2 of Anders friends fought their way over the creek bank and one fell in:

 Cub Scout!:

 Tucker and Anders found a newt.  Anders really wants a pet so was stoked to catch one.  Unfortunately it died that night in captivity.  Oops.

 The line for cupcakes and ice cream:

 Lucy and Malia:

 A not very flattering photo of me with my pal Jennifer:

 Soccer at dusk: