Yay Seahawks!

Today was the last soccer game of the season. It was a great year! The kids had an amazing coach, and they won almost all of their games. I really can't wait until it starts back up in September. All of the kids are so cute, and it's really entertaining.

Kylie in action - go Kylie!

Kylie improved so much this year. Last September she rarely kicked the ball, but now she is constantly in there. She has become quite the soccer player. Her coach came up after the game today and told us we need to keep her in it because she is such an awesome player. Of course, I already knew that :)

The power kick

Matthew improved a lot too. Instead of chasing his shadow, he stays with the group now. He even kicked the ball a couple times today. He is still the most entertaining kid out there - he brings a smile to everyone every week.

But, this is where he'd rather be....on the sidelines, in his chair, playing with my camera. He takes a lot of self potraits.

Lots of grass too.

Not a bad picture of the sky Mattie. It was a gorgeous day today.

Growing Up

My Garden Helper

Kylie and Matthew are at the age that their 'help' is starting to actually be helpful - they can now unload the dishwasher with expertise. I think as long as I keep giving them money for their piggy banks they'll keep helping - hopefully.

But, along with the help, comes the realization that my babies are growing up. This is hard for me - being the over-protective clingy mother type. I am the crazy mother still walking her kindergartener all the way to her classroom every morning....and then waiting until the teacher is there before I leave. So, last week it was raining hard one morning, and Matthew had climbed in the car for school without his shoes on. I told him I would just carry him inside to drop off Kylie. Kylie said, "Mom, you know I'm big enough to walk to class by myself right? Will you please drop me off like everybody else?" Ouch. I replied, "Of course you're big enough sweetheart," and pulled up to the curb. Of course she was just fine, but I cried the whole way home.

Backyard Campout

Guess what we did Friday night.

We pitched a tent in the backyard and had ourselves a little campout.

Matthew welcoming me to the tent. He thought the tent was the coolest place ever. Until it got dark. It didn't help that our funny neighbor pretended to be a wolf and was howling, then had his dog join in too.

Couldn't find the sleeping bags...it's been so long since we've been camping (before we were married!). I think we may have lost them when we moved here.

Matthew had his cool air mattress/sleeping bag that Auntie April gave him for his birthday. My 34-year-old back was jealous.

Party!

Kylie & Matthew had a combined birthday party. It's probably the last year they'll go for that, but I like that I can have one big wild party with lots of kids and get it over with. This year they wanted a carnival theme, so we rented a bouncer with a slide. The kids loved it. I didn't take very many pictures because I was busy taking deep breaths - haha. So, if anyone happened to take any, I'd love it if you'd email them to me :)

Party animals

Kylie is thinking hard about her birthday wish.

My parents came up for the party. Thanks Mom & Dad! That's my dad & my nephew, Austin, with the pinata on his head.

My mom did face painting and Cara did hair painting for all the kids. Matthew had to be like his big cousin Austin and get the fake stache. Scary, huh?

John's family also joined the party, and his mom couldn't resist a little Guitar Hero. This of course made John's day!

Happy Mother's Day

This is me and my Mom in 1974 - Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Also, Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law, sisters & sisters-in-law. I love you all :) Hope all you mommies have a fabulous day!

Birthday Babies

My babies had their birthdays last week. It doesn't matter how old they get, they will always be my little babies. It may be a bit awkward when I am still singing them to sleep in the rocking chair when they are 20, but I'm OK with that.

This is Kylie on the day she was born. She was beautiful from the very first moment. Kylie definitely came with her strong personality - she knew who she was on day one. We were wrapped around her tiny finger instantly. She brings so much happiness to our home, and she makes us proud on a daily basis. Kylie is our sweet princess who loves everyone and makes friends everywhere she goes. Can you believe she is 6 years-old now?

This is Matthew when he was a few weeks old. I still cannot look at the pictures from his first few days without crying, so I don't think I am ready to post them. He was so tiny and intubated and covered in wires and tubes - looking at the pictures makes me feel helpless all over again. But, after a few weeks, his sweet little personality started to show. Matthew is Mommy's sweetheart and he brings lots of fun and silliness into our home. Matthew just makes everything in life more exciting, and there is never a dull moment when he's around. He is now 5 and ready to start kindergarten!

Well, great, just looking at those pictures makes me want another baby! Since that's not possible, I will just be thankful that I have the 2 most perfect kids in the entire world. And yes, I truly believe that.

Birthday party pictures up next...

Did Ya Miss Me?

Sorry I've been away so long. I know you are going through withdrawals not being able to read about my oh-so-exciting life. Stay tuned....I have lots of pics and other junk to post. I'll be back tonight, after my garden gets some much needed tlc.