Gemma's Soccer Game

Gemma had her first soccer game of the season this evening. The weather was perfect and the kids and I had a great time.

Here is Gianna before the game even started. The fields are across the street from a railroad track (the train yard is about a mile from the fields) and shortly after we arrived, she heard something.... It wasn't Thomas the Tank Engine, but she enjoyed watching it and announcing it's presence to anyone who would listen. She loves trains!

Spencer even had to stop and enjoy the view!

Here are my girls before the game enjoying a snack. We arrived 30 minutes early because I wasn't sure where the fields were and if I would be able to find a parking spot. Anyway, because of this, we ended up eating our snacks BEFORE the game even started!! Oh well, at least I know where it is for the next game!

Here is Gemma warming up in the goal. I love this action shot! She isn't very aggressive (she gets that from me), but she is definitely stepping out of her comfort zone. I'm so proud of her!!

While Gemma was warming up, Gianna decided to get ready too. Just in case they needed an extra player!

Gemma started the game (she wasn't goalie for this game) - and did really well. She got a little confused and left her defense position for offense. I told her that was OK - I'm 34 and I always get those confused! (maybe not something I should be admitting!) Overall she did great! It's so fun to watch her develop as a player.

Notice Gemma in this picture - she is one of the smaller girls one her team. But she doesn't let that stop her!

While Gemma was playing, Spencer and Gianna played in the dirt at the baseball diamond. Gotta love dirt - it's a guaranteed way to keep the kids happy!

On a side note - after the girls were done with their game and going back to their parents, Gemma was behind two of the girls from the other team. Even though they all had just given high-fives minutes before, Gemma had to stop them and tell them they played a good game. They thanked her and returned the sentiment.

It was unnecessary, but completely sweet. And that's just one of Gemma's many qualities.

Our Last Beach Day...

I think today was our last outing to our favorite swimming hole. :(

The end of summer always makes me a little sad - the carefree days of doing whatever whenever are quickly coming to an end. Soon our days will be filled with school and the evenings with the kids doing homework and working on school projects. The sun will be setting earlier and "fun" stuff will have to wait for weekends. We're trying to savor these last two weeks before.....reality hits!!!

We had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Oh - and to make the day even better, Baby Abe came too! His first time swimming!

Baby Abe

Baby Abe in action!

Gianna falling into the water - and loving it!
Gemma wanted to be buried in the sand - the little ones obliged!
Baby Abe and Gianna covering Gemma with sand.
Spencer working on something.

The little guy couldn't take it any longer...he was wiped out!

Gianna wants to play too!

This is just a short video of Gianna "playing" soccer. The audio isn't the best since it was pretty breezy that night, but it's still cute!

Let's Play Soccer!

It's official - soccer season has begun!

This is the first year the kids won't be on the same team. Spencer is on the U8 team - which is co-ed. Gemma is on the U10 team - which is all girls. Gemma seems OK with the new arrangement, Spencer on the other hand - not so much. What can I say, he really likes his sister!

Here are a few pics from Gemma's practice.

Look at her hustle!

My little goalie!

And here are a few from Spencer's practice.

Spencer working on some drills.

Waiting his turn.

I just thought he looked exceptionally cute in this one and had to post it!

The picture says it all.....

We're Back!

Here are a few highlights from our weekend trip.

Here's the gang ready to hit the road. Notice Spencer - he was already into his movie and had no time for taking a picture.
Just 2 hours later - and with minimal crying - we arrived at our destination - Titi Edmee's house! This is Gianna just after having an Oreo or two!

Saturday we headed to the water park - after stopping at a few garage sales! The weather was perfect and the crowds were minimal.

Evelyn enjoyed the water too!

Edmee was playing in the splash area with Gianna.



Here is Spencer on his umpteenth trip down the water slide. Gemma was really bummed - she was too short to go down the slide. For some reason, this park required the children to be at least 48 inches - she was a hair too short. :(

Gianna had fun on the little slide.

After our fun day out, we went home and had dinner. We ended our evening outside with a bonfire - but the kids found a few things to keep them busy...

Gianna tried to blow bubbles. I think she ate most of the soap!

And Gemma and Spencer played. After running around the yard and eating too many Smores we called it a night - much later than we should have. But we had fun and that's what spending time with family is about.

Gianna didn't enjoy the drive home so much. After 30 minutes of screaming/crying Gemma gave up her DVD player so Gianna could watch Dora the Explorer. THANK YOU GEMMA!!!!

However - the batteries died about 20 minutes before we got home, so we listened to more screaming/crying. Poor Gianna was just exhausted and couldn't wait to get into her own crib! She took a two hour nap and woke up fresh as a daisy!

Can't wait for our next road trip!

Road Trip

The kids and I will be taking our first road trip (David has Navy stuff) this afternoon. I hope I can survive the two hour drive to my sister's house without too many bumps along the way!!!

(Thank goodness for portable DVD players!)

Good idea gone bad...

Gemma has been asking all summer long to go rollerskating. I kept putting it off, but we finally went Sunday. Spencer has only skated once before - and it was rocky! But he was up for it again.

Let's just say he spent most of his time (which was 30 minutes) like this. I realized almost immediately that he would need my help, so I put on my skates to help my boy. After 5 minutes he decided that he had enough and wanted to go home. He made quite a scene - I removed his skates. We spent the next hour watching Gemma.

Fetch!

I took this video of Gianna playing fetch with Leo - Hoa's sister's dog. I think we spent a minimum of 30 minutes playing fetch with him! He loved it - and so did Gianna!

Family, Fun and Friends

You can see the "fun" in the pictures, but I didn't do such a good job on capturing the "family" and "friends". You'll just have to take my word for it!

The last few days have been so hot, we decided to spend them in water. On Thursday we went to Lake Elmo with Evelyn (family) and then our friends Breca, Joe and Cate met up with us. We had so much fun, we decided to head to the water park on Friday and met up with Breca, Joe and Cate again.

Today we went to our very good friends house (Hoa and Hung) for a summer BBQ/birthday celebration. We had a great time.

We were hoping for a certain golfer to stop by for dinner since he was playing in the neighborhood, but no such luck.

(google image)

We did manage to see the blimp from the yard though!

He Loves Me....

I received this beautiful arrangement today for no other reason than to tell me he loves me....

How lucky am I!!!!!

Lipstick

You may remember this post. Fortunately there hasn't been a repeat, but a few close calls.

Today Gianna decided (as I watched) she needed some lip gloss.

"Ooh! I love this color!"

"Look mommy, I can smile as I put on my lip gloss!"

"I think I need just a little more..."

"Well, maybe I should just use the rest of the tube."

Her Baby

Gianna seems to think that Baby Abe (my great-nephew who is 11 months old) is a doll for her to play with. Fortunately, she is rather "gentle" - remember she is only 22 months old - gentle is relative!

"Gee, I wonder what I can do with Baby Abe..."

"I can feed him."
"And give him noses."

"And when he's a really good boy, I can pat him on the head!"

I can't wait to see how he interacts with her as he gets older!