WE ARE BACK.......

I know I know it has been over a year! Soooo my sister in law made me feel super guilty that she hasn't seen pictures of the boyz....I guess I could have said she could fly out here so I could see my adorable nephew too, but since I love her dearly I thought it was time to start posting! Besides, my boyz are pretty adorable (yes, a total mom comment)!!!
Back Home....I am still in love with the Northwest! We got back in May and bought a new house in the next town over from where we used to be! It's a great house on a little over 3 acres..lots of room for the boyz to run around!  We are still in the middle of house projects but I LOVE THIS HOUSE!!! Please keep us here NAVY!!!

The boyz favorite place...

We had a great summer... Coop taught himself how to ride a bike (no really he did.. we can't even claim this one). Our friends let us borrow a toddler bike because their son had learned on it...well off Coop went!

One of the highlights of my summer was a weekend getaway with a girlfriend to Forks!

Connor lost his first tooth...

The boyz started a new school year....Connor started first grade at a new school and Cooper returned to our favorite preschool!

Soccer took up a big part of September and October! The boyz were able to be on the same team and Nate and I were able to coach them! 

Cooper celebrated his fifth birthday at his favorite place.. Jungle Playland!



The following weekend we celebrated Nate's birthday by taking a family trip to a cabin for the weekend!  The cabin was right on the river and we had a great time... we went hiking, fishing, and just enjoyed being together!

We had a great Halloween...both boyz took a field trip to the local pumpkin patch and picked out some great pumpkins!

We spent a great evening with our close friends and the boyz definitely went home with a ton of candy...

Wow I'm exhausted just even writing all of this....I guess that's what happens when you have got two active boyz.... we wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Looking Back....

Looking back at the month of October brings a wave of emotions...the highs - the lows, the laughter and the tears.  So much happened during that month that I think it will probably take me the entire month trying to recapture every moment.  The beginning of the month began with sorrow and tears as we grieved the loss of our dear Grandma who went to be with the Lord!

When you think of what a Grandma is and how you would define them that would probably sum up mine.  She was everything that I could have imagined a Grandma to be and even more.  I find peace in the fact that when she left this world, she left it living a full life and feeling incredibly loved...and at Heaven's gates, she was not only met by our Savior but by our friends and family who were waiting for her with open arms.

I wish more than anything that my kids would have been able to have the memories with her that I grew up with, but for now, until they see her again, their memories will be my memories...which will be with me forever until I can see her again!

The fun continues....

I feel like a broken record when I continually comment on our family time...but it really is a blessing.  It has been so nice having my hubby walk in the door at 11:30 in the morning (and no, that doesn't happen everyday but hey he has earned this time)!!!  It is even nicer when we are hitting the beach shortly after....Nate continues to do the surfing thing....

(This is Coop's new smile...the "I am in pain because my mom is constantly taking pictures")

 while the boyz continue with sport of jumping waves...but now they have their dad involved too..there is a definite skill involved...you have to wait for the perfect wave...

and if that takes too long... there is always the option of pushing your dad into the water!

Don't worry Nate got them back...

Being on the East Coast has also giving us the opportunity to be near family and friends.  Our friends Elaine and Caleb came for a couple of days...just long enough to get her hooked on Twilight!!

We were also able to go see our Superstar Sister-in Law/Sister/Aunt Julie play field hockey in Maryland...where I might add she scored the winning goal in overtime!!!

(No the foam thing is not a fashion statement, she was hit by a field hockey ball in a previous game -it did make her look even tougher though)

This may come as a shock but there are actual days we do not hit the beach!  Much to my hubby's dismay there is great shopping here..not just clothing but craft stores...which the boyz and I love doing together! Here is our latest project...

Even though we miss everyone and everything back home... I think I am going to continue to soak up the family time here!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game....(Tee-Ball to be Exact)

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out to the crowd

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks

(so more like Capri-Suns and crackers)

We don't care if we ever get back

Oh its root, root, root for the home team

If they don't win it's a shame

For it's 1.....

2....

3...

Strikes you're out

(not really - but for the record he hit the ball the first time each time he was up to bat)

At the old ball game!!!

Soccer..More Soccer and A little bit of Pig Picking!

I love fall..not only because it is the beginning of a new school year but it also signals the start of fall sports!  We were thrilled to find out that there was actually a league for Cooper - he even had his choice of tee-ball or soccer!  Connor chose tee-ball and Cooper was all about soccer!  Why wouldn't he though..he has been patiently standing on the side lines for two seasons cheering on his brother waiting for his turn!
Friday night we started the soccer season off right by going to watch my sister-in-law's boyfriend play! He plays for the defending NCAA champions, Messiah College!  With homemade shirts on we were ready to cheer our favorite player on!

And he did not let us down... he scored the goal to put the game into overtime (which they won)!

Our boyz are crazy about him!  I would say our family definitely gives him ......

The next day was Coop's turn..after getting some pointers after watching Geoff, he was ready to go!

Nate was drafted to coach on Cooper's field so he gave Coop some expert advice on what to do!

It worked because Coop was off with one thing on his mind...he wanted to SCORE!!

And he did, not just once but twice!!!  The only thing he needs to work on????  Not crying after someone else scores...on his team!!

I wonder where he gets that competitive edge to him...must be from his Dad!!!!

Later that day we went to a community Pig Picking!  It was great food,

great entertainment,

and even better memories...because we were together!