Fall Soccer of 2016

From the end of August to the end of October we lived at Frontier Park. Each week we would juggle 3 practices and 3 games, if not more with the occasional week day game. This season was also the first for Austin to be a coach. He coached Isaac's team and enjoyed teaching him. Next season we will have both boys on Austin's team. It was fun for me to see Austin be involved in the games and practices with the boys.

Oakley became so familiar with our soccer routine that any time we would get in the car she would ask, "soccer?" "train?" There are train tracks that are often being used that run on the edge of the soccer park. Oakley always pointed them out when the train was passing by yelled, "Mommy, Mommy, chugga chugga choo choo!!!" 

Throughout these months we ate lots of granola bars and sandwiches on the go. There were always water bottles in the sink, and lots of play ground time for whomever didn't have practice. It was a busy crazy time for our family. I am glad the season is wrapping up, but my love of sports and the joy I get seeing my kids work hard and accomplish goals is also very rewarding and will be missed until the Spring.

 Cousin Derek was able to be on the same team as Isaac this year which made it a fun season.

  The kids had to learn to entertain themselves during practices and games. They made new friends and figured out how to be occupied. Another positive point for large families and sports.

 Every Saturday the soccer park would have a snow cone truck parked by the entrance to the field. After every game the kids would ask us for a snow cone. During the heat of the day, they did sound yummy but Austin and I preferred a different snow cone place. So we kept saying no until the other place closed and we missed that one too. So, we told them yes after their next games. Lucky us, the one day we told the kids they could have the cones was the one day the truck wasn't there. Opps. So we took the kids to good old McDonalds and got each a chocolate dipped cone. It was actually cheaper in the long run and just as fun.

Ward TrUnK or TrEaT

Trunk or Treat. This year our ward did our trunk or treat at a members home. It was a great idea because the kids had tons of room to run around, go crazy, and not get lost. They had goats to look at, swings to ride on, trees to climb, and games set up all around for a great activity. The kids dressed themselves up for the event. Isaac was the Transformer Stinger, Andrew was Captain America, and Emeri wanted to match Oakley so they were both Snow White. 

Here are the kids enjoying the games. Emeri and Andrew were enjoying some pumpkin bowling while Isaac hit up the fishing station.

Then they proceeded to the cake walk and doughnut eating contest.

Here was sweet Oakley doing the cake walk...again, eating some yummy chili and enjoying matching her sister.

Then the girls hit up the doughnuts. Oakley was pretty frustrated that they were tied to a string.

The kids with their stash!!

First Family Campout

We went on our first family camp out with just our little family. It was definitely a learning experience. I didn't have my big brother there with all his nifty camping gear to save us. Now we truly know what we need to add to our family camping supply. We also learned that camping never seems worth it when you are getting ready, but it always is once you are there in nature and enjoying just being together. Austin and I were so glad we decided not to bail, even if our mattress did pop a hole and by 12 that night we were on the ground. I didn't sleep a wink being 6 months pregnant but the whole experience was still worth it.

Here are the boys making their own tin lanterns. They loved using a hammer and nails. Also, Isaac got a mini lesson from Dad on how to start a fire. I loved watching Isaac feel accomplished.

The gang getting the fire ready!

We ate mummy hot dogs for dinner and had mixed berry cobbler for dessert. It was my first time making anything in the dutch oven. I enjoyed taking on the role that I saw my mother do growing up. We also had Grandma Heath out for dinner that night. What a treat!

Silly faces around the fire! I love what being out in nature does to the soul. 

Also, that night we had a show for the kids by turning the fire into different colors. It was a kit we found online and it came in little packs that you throw into the fire and it changes the color into blues, purples, and greens. It was quite the show. We will be making that a camp out tradition for sure.

Bright and Early!!! Yep, the kids were up with the sun at 6. They loved waking up in their sleeping bags and the tent. The smile on their faces could not be smothered; so of course I snapped a shot.

The morning wiggles were great out in nature! They had all the room to play and explore that they wanted. And of course Andrew found himself a stick.

Here is the crew bright and early! We love them all so much! They were very eager for breakfast.

Austin and I bought a tight rope kit for our camp out. We thought it would be a great way to entertain the kids and add a little flare to the camp out.

Austin made a tin foil oven and I have to admit, I doubted it. I thought for sure we would not be eating breakfast that morning. Boy was I glad to be proven wrong! The crescent rolls turned out great!!! What a success! Tasty and delicious.

This was a fun activity for the kids. I brought our homemade play dough from the house that I didn't want to use anymore. I saw online an idea for nature faces. So, we smashed the dough flat onto a tree and I let the kids grab whatever they could to create a silly face. Isaac made the Flash.