Luke's Soccer

Showing off the flashy yellow shoes that he picked out.

Almost scored!

On his way to score

He still runs with his fists clenched--we are working on it!

He looks ready to punch someone out.

Just scored

Love the missing teeth!

Another goal!

No goalies allowed

The baby sister

She can put her boots on all by herself!

The babysitter

Luke's soccer season officially ended tonight. He had his best season yet--it seems things have clicked for him. Or maybe it was the bright yellow cleats. He did say they made him run faster than the black ones. We don't have many pictures of him playing this year, because I was coach and couldn't really ref and take pictures at the same time. Almost all of Allie's games were at the same time so Mike got to take her (and Kate) to those games. Luke never quit. He would chase people down to get the ball and scored lots of goals. In one game, he had 5 goals! Our favorite games were the rainy, muddy ones where we left the field completely drenched.

I'm glad that I got to coach his team. Coaching 12 first graders is really something interesting. It makes me so grateful for all the soccer and baseball coaches I had. Allie and Mike helped out a lot. When Mike was still at work at not able to watch Kate, Allie would take care of her during the practices. She kept her from getting squashed on the soccer field and from running into the road. And Mike got to take her to all of Allie's games.

And not that we were keeping score or that that even matters... but just for the record, we did have a winning season. :)

Halloween

On Saturday, we had a Halloween party at church. It was a blast.

Luke entertaining himself while I was fixing his "boots"

Luke was Luke Skywalker (when he fights Vader), Kate was Elmo, Allie was Hermione Granger, I was an Apple Store Employee, and Mike was a guy with really long hair.

Thank you Grandma Galyan for making the AWESOME costumes.

Kate really liked the trick or treating part. The next morning, candy was the first thing on her mind. Usually when she wakes up before me, she comes into my room and asks for 1 of three things: water, food, or the "monkey movie". On Sunday morning, I heard her down stairs saying, "Mom, I want candy!" She kept that up until we left for church. As we were pulling out of the driveway, she called out, "Bye-bye candy!"

Bike trip

We found a bike trail that goes from SE Portland to Gresham. We haven't done the whole thing, but hope to try next summer. A few weeks ago we went out one last time before rainy winter settles upon us. We hope that next summer Mike can find a bike so he can join us.

Yes, we look very cool with our helmets on. Safety first!

Stopping for a snack

Allie explaining how to stay on the right side of the path so you don't crash into people headed the opposite way. Very ironic that she was the one explaining that.

Jog-A-Thon

We had a school jog a thon a couple of weeks back. Luke ran 15 laps and Allie ran 16 (hmmm) Luke tied for 3rd in his grade level with number of laps ran.

I love his look of determination. He loves passing people.

Cute boy

What a stride!

Running past the cheering crowd.

This must be power walking. This is what she did after she ran by me.

And Kate cheered everyone on

First Day of Preschool

Kate is doing a 2 yr old "preschool" with some friends. It's pretty low-key and only meets once a week. Here are some pictures of her very first day of school. (Which was a month ago, I just haven't posted about it yet.)

1st Day of Preschool

Rushing back in the house to get something she forgot--Elmo!

All set and ready to go with a few of her favorite things.

(A Curious George book, Elmo and a doll pacifier)

She cannot ever leave the house without taking a few things with her.

This is the face she made when I told her that she was going to preschool

and I would leave for a little bit and then come right back to get her.

She said, "No school. I go walk. I go bike ride"

Off to the car

She had a great first day. She was happy when I picked her up.

And she was excited to go the next week.

Dead Bird

Today after school we were supposed to do a Halloween craft, but instead we spent the precious minutes after school and before the tues soccer marathon sanitizing and washing. Here's what happened:

I was busy in another room for two minutes. I heard Allie and Luke yell, "Oh gross! A dead bird on the window" followed by some more "Oh gross!" and then "I'm going to get Mom" I came in thinking that a bird had hit the window. Nope. While I was gone for no more than two minutes (seriously--that was all) the two year old put on her shoes, went in the backyard, picked up a dead bird and threw it at the window. Allie and Luke were right behind the window watching and thought she had a piece of the moss that the birds are always dropping in the backyard. I guess I should be thankful that she didn't hit one of them. It was hilarious listening to Allie and Luke--they were disgusted.

The funny thing is that when we lived on the farm, there were always dead birds, mice, shrews, and even bats in our driveway. We called it the "Driveway of Death" and always had to remove the dead animals what we went out to play. Luke even picked up a dead mouse to pet once, which another great story in itself. I had thought we were beyond that, but today proved me wrong.

But really, why in the world would you pick up a dead bird and throw it at the window? I can't imagine what was going on in her mind. Maybe she was trying to help it fly.

Sitting next to a dead bird with shoes on the wrong feet

Work Day

Last Saturday, we had incredibly warm, dry weather so after the soccer games, we pulled out all the projects we needed to get done.

Mike mowed the lawns and man-vacuumed all the leaves.

I painted our Texas star and a table for Kate's room.

And the kids washed their bikes.

Kate even took a bath.

After the bikes were all clean, we took bike portraits.

Ready to ride

And for a treat at the end, Mike impressed us all with a show of his mad basketball skills.