Soccer Player

Levi is playing on a rookie soccer team. He was very excited to wear his shin guards and new soccer shoes and especially his very own jersey/t-shirt. These pictures are from his first session a couple of weeks ago. He really liked the drills and circling up with the team but was not so excited about the game where he had to run the length of the field and other kids tried to get his ball. The next week he came back like a trooper and during their little 3 on 3 game he scored a goal.
 

Milo thinks he's on the team, too.

listening to the coach.

HOW ADORABLE IS HE??

maybe the t-shirts will shrink up a bit.

we celebrated a successful practice by going out for doughnuts.

hooray for soccer

Thinking of You

Lucas brought us back presents from his trip. They boys were SUPER excited to receive their Junior Ranger hats. I got some very pretty jewelry, yay! Very nice souvenirs, for sure.

I'm sure you are by now familiar with Levi's fierce face.  He's not being a stinker here, this is just the face he makes when he is pretending to be something tough, something like a (junior) RANGER.

I said (with a sigh), "Levi, please just smile normally."

I also receiveed a matching bracelet but it was awkward enough to take my own picture without posing with my wrist in view, too.  This is what all junior rangers' Moms wear.

Guys Camping Trip

While Amber took off with the boys to the east coast for some fun I headed the opposite direction to spend some time in Colorado backpacking.  I had a lot of fun but we ended up having the cut the trip a little short due to some extreme weather conditions.

This is an example of how a real life memory seems so much better than how the picture turned out.  Not sure what I was trying exactly to capture here other than we hiked up above the Aspens.

Here we were looking back down at the valley and felt like we had traveled forever and a day but in reality had only gone about 3 miles.  I suppose when those 3 miles are a hard earned 3 miles your perspective changes slightly.

We were nearly blown off the mountain the first night with 70 mph winds.  We decided to retreat and recover in a local inn.  here is the view from just outside our room.

After spending the night in the inn we decided to try again and hike up to Commanche lake and camp there.  We met someone on the trail who was pretty impressed with our plans to stay the night.  When we got to camp and saw the snow everywhere we understood why he thought we were so tough.

I suppose nature provided the refridgerator right in the camp..  maybe I should have brought milk and cheese...at least they wouldn't spoil.

here is my dad and my father in law searching out the best spot to stand in the sun.  I don't know what they were thinking at this exact moment but it was likely something similar to "brrr that wind is cold and strong and I am tired from not sleeping too well and having exercised constently today" and "this trip will be better at the end of July".

In the morning our water that was left out had frozen making us take a little longer to get hot water for the oatmeal.

that's me so this if photo proof I was there and am not making all this up :)

We hung our bear bag each night for protection of our trash and food.  I wasn't worried about the bears near as much as the chipmunks or squirrels.  Although the trip was cut short it was still a great time and I really enjoyed it.

Rhode Island Adventure, Part3

Impossibly, the sandy and splashy fun was cranked up another notch when...

a carnival was set up next to the beach for the Memorial Day weekend!

tough guy expressions

whee!

whee!

Whoa!

whee!

More tough guy expression.

After church on Sunday, Mom treated the kids to ice cream cones as big as their heads.

Whoohoo!!

Rhode Island Trip, part 2

More beach fun!

It's My Birthday!

Here is my birthday picture with the boys:

It was a bit tricky getting them to smile, at the same time, and look at the camera.  We had the same problem last year, too.

They took me out to dinner and I got lots of birthday kisses.

Thanks to my Mom for the dress.

Lucas gave me the sweetest card and some very nice perfume.  I will smell like a fancy 35 year old this upcoming year.

Thank you to all the loved ones who sent cards or called or texted. It made me feel very special.  I'll be honest with you, though: it is hard to top this awesome post just for me from Kosse!  How adorable is that kid??

Rhode Island Visit, part 1

The boys and I have returned from a great visit out to Rhode Island. Lucas, my father-in-law, and my dad went to Colorado on a camping trip and while they were gone I stayed with my Mom in Providence. Lea stayed most of the week there, too and Ryan joined us on the weekend.  Kelly, Ruby, and Ben stayed for a long weekend as well.  Aside from the stresses of traveling alone with the boys and getting sick over the weekend, we had a wonderful time.

They very much enjoyed the plane rides.  It took us two flights to get there and two back home.  In total, we managed to take 4 trips to the airplane bathroom where all three of us crammed inside at the same time.  My eyelid just started twitching thinking about it.

They were SO adorable striding thru the airport pulling their little luggage behind them.  They got lots of comments regarding their cuteness from fellow travelers.

We had three outings to the beach while out there.  In preparation, Nana took them shopping for digging toys,

Upon arriving, Levi immediately set to working. 

My little cool dude.

Setting a boat afloat.

The large blue shovel was a fan favorite.

One morning we all got to go to Amgen, where my parents work.  Mom was eager to show off her grandkids.  They obliged and were super cute and charming.  Levi especially was eager to talk to everyone he was introduced to.  He made sure they all knew that he was 4 and a half.  He introduced the other kids.  He told them about his shovels and he also demonstrated his push-up abilities.

Mom treated us to yummy New England foods.  I estimate that I ate roughly my weight in steamed clams.  Milo enjoyed the italian cuisine. 

May Catch-up

We spent Mother's Day weekend at Mom and Dad Dickson's house. We appreciated their hosting and getting to be with so much family. Corrine came up with Kosse, Symphony, and Xara. Aundrea and Chuck were there, too, with Alison, Amelia, and furry Flurry.

Love!

Amelia was dedicated during Sunday morning service.

I challenge you to create a cuter pile of kids!

Kosse is such a cheerful, adorable baby!

Grandma D. gave lots of snuggles and cooked for us all on Sunday.

The kids got to ride on the carousel.

How he napped during the din going on I'm not sure.

Amelia is a little doll, just adorable.

Sandy fun.