Soccer Time!

Trevor and Maddie both played soccer this year and both had an amazing season.

Trev's team was the "Thunder", otherwise known as the little team that could.Todd was an assistant coach for his team. Trevor played halfback/midfield and did it well. Their team didn't have that 1 standout star player that all of the other teams in their division had, but they were all determined, strong players with a lot of heart and ended up getting 2nd place in their division!

Miss Madison played on "Purplicious" and had amazing coaches: Coach Mike and Coach Esther. Maddie has the funniest kick that is nearly impossible to explain. She kind of hop/skips and then kicks the ball.You really have to see it. This year Maddie was all about running with all of her might to follow the ball, but not quite aggressive enough to actually take the ball. Although with that being said, she did score 3 goals this season to our shock and amazement. :) She was always the first to run over and check on a girl that was crying, or who was on the ground, or hurt. She has a huge heart, our Maddie!

Look at that determination!

Goal!!!!!

Playing in the Dirt

Todd and the kids had Veteran's day off, so we decided to pack up the family and the bikes and head to the desert for the day. It was a gorgeous day, and we all had a blast.

The kiddos all geared up. Nate, Trevor, Maddie

Getting ready to ride. Nate checking his tire pressure and Trevor gearing up.

Maddie resting up and waiting for the boys to get ready.

One minute Nate is helping Maddie.....

And the next he's taking off with her bike!

The family riding off into the sunset. Trevor, Nate, Maddie, Todd

Daddy giving Maddie some pointers.

A Very Soggy Buddy Walk

Each year our family is lucky enough to attend the Down's Syndrome Buddy Walk with our friend Maddy Luhm and her family. It's held at the Angel Stadium on the field, and it is a wonderful, fun-filled family day. This year however, it POURED! But we bundled up,grabbed our umbrellas, filled up on a lot of hot chocolate, and ended up enjoying the day.

Maddy, the star of the day! She has a huge crush on Justin Bieber, and for the walk itself there is a wagon competition, so of course Justin was the star of Maddy's wagon. It was so cute. All of the adults kept taking turns holding Justin up because he kept trying to jump ship. He was also a little soggy. It stopped raining just in time for the walk.

Our Maddie and Trevor won some Beanie Babies from a game they played that day. There are always different characters along the walk route to cheer us on. Maddie insisted on a pic with this storm trooper. I promise Nate was there too, but lately it seems he disappears as soon as my camera comes out.

Halloween

Halloween Fun!

This year Maddie told me that she wanted to be a princess. I started naming all of the Disney princesses I could think of to see which one she wanted to be. I was a little shocked when she told me "No, I want to be an old fashioned princess. I want to be Cleopatra." When I informed her that Cleopatra was actually a queen, she said,"Great! Even better!" Then she told me all of the rules for her costume.

1. She wasn't wearing a wig because wigs are too itchy.

2. She had to have lots and lots of jewels.

3. Her dress needed to be gold.

4. She needed sparkly, beautiful shoes.

I think I covered all of her requests.

I know you can't see them, but her shoes are gold with jewels on the toes. Beautiful shoes, check!


Trev couldn't figure out what the heck he wanted to be, so I think it was the night before Halloween when Mrs. Putnam offered Joel's skittles costume from last year. Trevor loved the idea. Yay Deanna! You saved me!

Maddie and Trevor at their school's pumpkin patch.

Maddie's teacher, Mrs. Liles,looking especially groovy.

Trevor and his best bud Luke Putnam

About to go Trick-or-Treating with the Putnams, our yearly tradition. Trevor, Maddie, Luke, and Joel.

Before Trick-or-Treating we went to a carnival at the Putnam's church. The kids had a blast. Maddie loved the climbing wall.

Here's Trevor giving it a shot.

Mr. Big Shot Nate is too cool to hang with us on Halloween now. He was helping in our friends' haunted house, which he did last year too. He actually dressed up for school, but wouldn't let me take a pic because we were running late. He wore his suit, sunglasses, and an earbud. He was a secret service guy along with a few of his friends.