Fall Cleaning

It took me two whole days to do my fall cleaning. I scrubbed, dusted, vacuumed and organized for hours on end. I told the kids if they could keep the house clean and looking nice for one whole week I would give them each five dollars. Bribery works like a charm. So far, so good. If they keep it up I may just give them five dollars every week to pick up after themselves. Now we get to decorate for Halloween. I am so excited! For some reason this is the first year that I have really enjoyed fall. I used to hate it when it got cooler and when the leaves start changing it means winter is on it's way. I HATE winter. But this year I have let myself enjoy the beauty of fall and I am so excited for all of the yummy food you that comes with fall cooking.
I wonder if fall has become my new favorite season, hmmm, I'll let you know in a couple of weeks.

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday we had to get up and get both of the kids ready for their soccer games. Shayna's started at 10:00 and Britton's started at 10:30. Tyler has never had a chance to see Shayna play in a game so Tyler and my Mom took Shayna to her game and my Dad and I took Britton to his.

Shayna's team lost, the score was 4-2. Shay got both of the goals for her team. I'm so glad she played well so her Dad could see how fun it is to watch her. Shay played against the Sister of a boy on Britton's team so Angela and Cort had to split up between the games as well. Oh the life of soccer parents.

Brittons team won 2 - 1. Britton didn't get any goals but the team played so well. They played La Roca. La Roca are considered the best teams in the league. They play hard, the coaches are tough and the parents are tougher. We have two more La Roca teams to go through. We have a good team so I think we have a chance.

After the games we went grocery shopping then headed over to my parents for dinner. Thank you Mom and Dad for feeding us yet again. It was nice for Ty to just be able to relax.

Sunday we got up and I cleaned the house then got ready for the day and we took the kids to Applebee's. We had so much fun at Olive Garden that we decided to try our luck and eat out again. It was a success! When we were done with lunch the kids wanted to go to the pet store, so we went and played with the birds and the dogs and looked at fish and bought Rummy (Britton's hamster) some treats. Then we headed home and got Tyler packed and relaxed until it was time to take him to the airport. The kids were ok saying goodbye, they were really clingy to Ty but did good until we got home. Shayna was the first one to breakdown. She was so sad, I let her call Ty to talk to him for a bit before he had to board the plane. I know it was for Tyler to have to listen to her cry but it helped her out a lot. Britton didn't cry until I tucked him into bed. It was a rough night but we got through it. It's not the first time and it's not going to be the last time we are going to have to do this so I hope we can all get used to it soon.

Bad parenting? I think not.

Friday, Tyler and I decided to take the kids out of school for the day and go play. Some might think that's a bad decision for a Parent to make but I really didn't care. Friday's are a short day anyway. Britton was a little nervous about missing the day of school so Tyler got up early and took all of Brittons homework to school for him and picked up the homework that Shay would be missing, so see, we really are responsible parents!
We asked my Parents if they would like to go on a picnic so we loaded up and headed out. We stopped at a grocery store before we drove up the canyon to pick up some snacks and some chicken for lunch.

Our first stop was Cascade Springs Reservoir.





When we were finished feeding the ducks we decided to head up the road to find a nice spot for a picnic.

Shayna fell down and hurt her ankle so she needed Grandpa's loves to make it all better.

We stayed and played at this place for a couple of hours then we decided to head to Cascade Springs.

Lookin' good Dad, lookin' good.

We even found some critters. Some were cute......

Some were not!

Tyler got pooped on by this little guy. Serves you right Ty, you shouldn't be touching those things.

And we got to see the leaves changing. It was a perfect day!

I've gotta feeling....

We're going to do this more often.....
Tyler came in to town on Thursday, I left work a little early to pick him up from the airport then we headed over to my Parents to visit for a bit. We headed home to eat some lunch before it was time to pick the kids up from school. The kids were SOOOO excited to see their Dad. I had to hold back tears. I wish that was something I could have captured on video.
We had to rush home so we could get Shayna ready for Ballet, she only has a half hour to get home from school, eat something, change her clothes, pull her hair up into a bun and get to ballet on time. On Thursday's she gets out of Ballet at 5:00 then we go home and change into soccer clothes so she can get to practice by 6:00. After the busy day we decided we would go out to eat.
Britton has been asking us to take him to an Italian Restaurant. He wanted to try some pasta because it is so good for energy before a soccer game. He hates pasta and for years we have struggled trying to get him to eat it. We HATE going out to eat because the kids never eat their food, they always complain and it's a complete waste. UNTIL......

We took them to Olive Garden.

Britton ate two bread sticks, spaghetti and shrimp.

He has never been so full in his life. Haha! I was laughing so hard. I don't think he has ever known what a full tummy feels like.

Shayna ate a bread stick, salad and fettuccine Alfredo.

She ate most of her food too.

I couldn't believe it. We actually had a really good time eating out......that was a first! I think we will do that more often.

Jason Kreis and Britton

Jason Kreis (coach for RSL) was so nice to Britton. He sat and talked to him for a few minutes and didn't act like he was rushed or annoyed at all. It made a huge impression on Britton and he is more excited then ever to play for RSL when he grows up.

My life is consumed with soccer!

I feel like I have not been doing much with the blog lately. It's all about soccer. Seriously, that's all we do. Britton has practice on Tuesday and Thursday and games on Saturday. Shayna has Soccer games on Tuesday, Practice on Thursday and games on Saturdays. The kids games and practices conflict so I feel like I am constantly running around trying to get them where they need to be on time. Thank goodness I have my Mom and Dad, they help so much, I would be lost without them. I work for the State and as you may or may not know they are making us work Friday's now so that makes it even harder for me to get things done.....life is crazy!
Tuesday we went to Shays game.


They ended up tieing and Shay didn't get any goals. As soon as her game was over we got Britton to his practice.
Shane was with us....

And it was COLD.....




Wednesday we had a day off....I look forward to those day's. I can actually get my dishes done and house picked up a bit. Thursday was another soccer practice for Shayna, Britton has been helping Shayna's coach at their practices. He loves it and calls himself the assistant coach. He makes me laugh but he loves showing off his skills.
Friday Britton and Shayna's school had Family Movie Night. They were showing Harry Potter. When we first got their Shay wanted to play on the playground for a bit.

Then we found the mustache tree and had fun with that for a bit.

We even made nose decals and earrings (no picture)

They had all kinds of activities too, like wand making.

Britton didn't get to come for the activities because he had practice until 8:00. Thank you Dad so much for getting him there so Mom and I could take Shay for the activities that she wanted to do. And thank you for taking Britton home and getting him changed and then bringing him to us for the movie. Britton got to us about 8:20, he was 15 minutes late for the movie and I made them leave at 9:30 because they both had early morning soccer games. Shayna had to be to her game by 8:30. We got to watch her whole game before Brittons game started at 10:30.

We rushed from Shay's game to get to Britton's game on time and in the process we left Shay's ball, bag and water jug at the field. I really hope her coach picked it up....OOOPS!

My Mom and I were feeling bad that the kids didn't get to watch much of the show so Saturday night my Mom rented Harry Potter for them and we made treats and watched the show and my Mom slept over. It was a fun night. Thank you Mom!!

Here we are at the start of a new week. It's going to be a crazy one too. Tuesday Shay has a game and soccer picture day from 4:40 - 6:10 and Britton has Practice from 4:30 - 6:00, Wednesday Britton has practice from 6:00 - 7:30, Thursday Shayna has Ballet from 4:00 - 5:00 and soccer practice from 6:00 - 7:00, Friday Shay has Ballet from 4:00 - 5:00 and Saturday Shayna has a game from 10:00 - 11:10 and Britton has a game from 10:30 - 11:30. Whew!! How am I supposed to keep this all straight.

I am really looking forward to this week though because Tyler gets to come home on Thursday and be with us until Sunday. Not nearly long enough, but exciting none the less. I'm so excited he gets to see Shay play soccer.

Mayor's Cup Soccer Tournament

Our Labor Day weekend was filled with highs and lows. The low being that Shayna was sick with the stomach flu. It was an extremely frustrating time for her to get sick because Britton was participating in a big soccer tournament. The tournament started on Thursday night. They won their first game 3-1. Britton didn't make any goals during that game, but he played well.

The second game was played Saturday. They tied their second game 2-2. Britton got both of those goals. Way to keep your team in the game Bud. If they had lost that game they wouldn't have had the opportunity to move on. My Mom had to miss this game. I felt so bad but Shay was too sick to go. Thank you Mom for taking care of her. I really appreciate you giving me the opportunity to be there with Britton. They played their third game on Saturday as well. We HAD to win this game in order to move on to the finals. We won the third game 13-0. Britton got 3 goals and one assist. We actually felt really bad for the other team. They just couldn't get it together. We started cheering for the other goalie. When he would make a save we would tell him good job etc. My Mom and Shay came to this game. I just set Shay up a place to lay down in the shade. Poor girl, I felt so bad for her.
Since we won that game we got to move onto the finals. That game was to find out who would take first and second place. That game was played on Monday.
We actually won that game 3-1. It was probably the most nervous I have ever been. I wanted them to get the win so bad because I knew how much it meant to all of them. Britton got one goal that game. I am so proud of his team. Way to take first Forza!
Here are the boys after the game, saying a cheer for the other team.

right after the game, waiting for awards.

Britton getting his medal.

Can you tell how happy he is....isn't he the cutest!!

The whole team after getting their awards!!

Jason Kreis, the Coach for RSL was at the Tournament. Britton was soooo excited to get his autograph. Yeah for such a great day!!!

All of these pictures were taken with my iphone which I am kind of sad about. I just wish they were better quality. I did it this way so that I could just send Tyler the pictures and videos as soon as I took them...o'well.