He! He! He!

Last week the kids and I ran into Marsh to grab a couple gallons of milk and a few other items.  The cashier gently placed pink stickers on the milk and 3 kids indicating that I had in fact paid for the items.  (Oh, how I've paid, but that is beside the point!) 

This morning as I was making my bed, I noticed that a wayward sticker found its way onto my sheets.  My naughty mind had to laugh out loud as I ran to tell Paul.  His responded with an ornery smile. 

Dance Fever

We often have dance parties at our house. Last night was no different. I apologize to our poor neighbors if they happen to witness this old girl dancing while D.J. Daddy spins the tunes!  I am not sure what Ellie is doing, but it cracked me up.  Enjoy.

Dance 'til you drop.

Dribble, Dribble, Shoot, Shoot, Take that Ball to the Hoop, Hoop

I can't help but cheering when I see my guys play ball.

Ethan has found his niche.  He LOVES playing ball.  He wants to go outside and shoot around in the driveway.  He looks forward to practice.  He has even talked Daddy into taking him to some Grizzly games well past bedtime.  Up next, a Grizzly Cub game.  My little guy enjoys playing for the Mavericks and Coach Daddy.  He is a defender, often playing defense on both ends of the court!  He is getting better each game.

 Ethan is #6 (just like football).

Yes, he also is on the floor a lot, just like his Daddy was.  But, unlike Ethan during football season, he gets right back up! 

Give me that Baby!

In the last week we have had to re-name and feed these

all because of her

Our Sweet Sophie (ok, not "ours" but Ben & Erin's) made her debut November 5. Ethan and Ellie were smitten from the start. Ethan thought her name should have been Love because we love her so much, and that was before we met her. Ellie couldn't slobber enough kisses on her. Erica was beside herself to have a new cousin, and a girl one at that!

It seems these two now have the fever.  On the way to pick up the girls from day-care, Ethan said that he wanted a new baby.  There was one stipulation. . . it must be a boy.  And then days later, Erica proclaimed that we needed four kids in our family while eating dinner.

Ellie loved snuggling Miss Sophie.  She demanded that I give her back the baby.

I LOVE this picture of the Sophie and her family. 

It gives me flashbacks to the days and weeks after Erica was born.  Max seems to take on his new role as big brother just like Ethan did.

All Things Fall

It's fall!  I love the cool, crisp air, apple pie, apple cider, trips to the pumpkin patch, and of course, Halloween!

 B'maw and Pop-O helped us find the perfect pumpkins.  We found many perfect pumpkins.

Hey Pop-O, look at my baby pumpkin.

 Ethan was pretty proud of his gigantic find

Erica had to show off her perfect pumpkin

The neighborhood crew. . .

Ethan was G.I. Joe

Erica and Ellie were Jessie from Toy Story

Luke and Jake were Mario and Lugi

David was on Lighting McQueen's Pit Crew

and our Sweet Lion Noah

Halloween with the cousins

My favorite people in disguise.

Happy Halloween!

My Snuggle Bugs

We have a house of snugglers.  There is nothing better than snuggling up under the covers with blond wispy hair tickling my nose.  Most mornings there are extra people in my bed when the alarm clock buzzes to life.  The simple joys in life! 

 This is how I found my favorite girls tonight as I went to give them one more kiss goodnight.  Miss Erica was fast asleep when Ellie cozied up to her.

 Ethan can't rest his pretty head without Giraffey.

 Ellie love, love, loves, Jessie, Woody, and Bullseye.  They are often found under her pillow.

 Hands down, this is my favorite picture.  I am sure the girls will moan and groan in a few years, but it cracks me up. 

We are havin' a ball!

Erica is once again playing Fall Soccer with the Boys' and Girls' Club.  She is so exciting to watch.  I have said many times that her alter-ego takes over on the soccer field.  The girl hustles, she falls down and jumps right back up, and she brushes off any scrapes and bruises.  I also love watching my handsome man teach soccer to 4-year olds.  He is such a patient coach.

Erica lucked out.  She is on a team with her friends, Sophie and Grant.  They all played together, previously and it showed.  We celebrated many great plays and lots of hustle out of Team Galaxy.  Although we don't keep score at this age, Erica did score the first 3 goals of the soccer season! 

 I am sure that Erica and Sophie are going to have a long, productive soccer career together.  We will save this photo for their senior year highlight video.

#5 Erica, #4 Grant, #1 Jackson

I LOVE this action photo!

Erica celebrated her goal with Coach Daddy.

 The best part of the game . . . snacks for a game well played.

Quinton, Grant, Sophie, and Erica enjoy the end of the season pizza party.

Ethan is playing tackle football for the first time ever.  I must say that I was very nervous.  How possibly could my little guy be old enough to play tackle?  We have had many ups and downs this season.  He is still learning the game, and at times he gets very frustrated.  It does seem like he understands a little more.

The Hawkeyes are currently in 2nd place.  We can't seem to beat Texas, nor can any other team.  We won't tell Ethan or the other Iowa players that the girl on Texas scored on them. It was only an extra point, but she still scored.

It is fun to watch the boys play.  I know a few faces on each team: students from my class and family friends, so you can't help but to root for both teams.  But, we cheer loudest for the Hawkeyes!

 Great stop Defense!

 Coach Chris giving the team a pep talk. 

Can you guess which player is Ethan?  Need a hint?  Look for the Gatorade bottle.

 My favorite player . . . #6

 Go Hawkeye Defense

 Ethan plays corner back.  He looks so little next to the 2nd graders playing D-line.

Daddy preparing the offense

I Couldn't Resist

I had to scramble to find the camera quickly.  For the record, that is the sports page.

Like 'Eel

Ellie love, love, loves Ariel!

Tonight she announced that she was 'Eel and began kicking her legs.  It took her a few demonstrations before I realized that she was flapping her tail.  Enjoy my princess doing her princess interpretation!

I KNOW I do not do that

Erica announced that she was like Mommy. 

Yes, I do "run".

Yes, I try to read while running.

However, I never, ever run sans a top.  But, for some reason both girls thought that they needed to peel off their shirts to get on the treadmill. 

Poor Paul.