soccer season

This was the second year Lucas was out for soccer.  It was so neat to watch how much he had learned and grown from last year.  He was the oldest on his team this year and from his very first practice, Brent and I told him that was a big responsibility to be a good leader and teach the younger kids about sportsmanship.

At the first game, one of his teammates was scared to even go on the field.  We were across the field, but from the sidelines I watched Lucas put his arm around the teammate and tell him what to do when he got on the field.  We were so proud of him for his behavior.  And then he went on to have a great game, too.  Double bonus!  

Purple team! 

Owen goes for a dive behind Lucas. 

Clayton and Lucas. 

These two are tough competitors and will be great athletes on the same team someday.  

And then … on the ground.  

Using his best defense on Owen.  

GOAL!!!

He's loving it!  

{mom bragging moment = Lucas scored 23 goals this season.}

You can tell the early season games compared to the late season games.  Brown grass vs. green!

Proud mom.  

Gracie's dad coached her team this year and they played a scrimmage against neighboring teams.  He asked Lucas to play and they had a fun night of soccer.  

Hannah was happy to play with the *pink* soccer ball at practice.  

I guess we need to get her a new ball.  ;-) 

Pink goal! 

Of course there was always a cheering section at the soccer games for Team Purple!  Sometimes it was a small crowd but always loud and proud!

Leslee and Ryan. 

Sister. 

Lucas and Uncle Brad. 

Dad's leg is in this photo but I didn't get a picture of the two of them, or with Grandpa Steve.  :-(

Bo and Lucas. 

Ryan, Gramma Connie, Lucas and Leslee.  

Hannah, Uncle Brian and Ryan.   

Lucas' cleats always seem to come untied on the field.  Uncle Brian gave us a shoe tying secret that is even better than a plain ol' double knot.  He says his football shoes never came untied with this method.  

Hanna and Hannah.  Josh, Jonah and Maggie came to watch, too.  

A fun soccer season and more sports to come… Lucas starts t-ball soon!

Mother's Day love

What a lucky girl I am.  

I've got great examples of mamas...

And wonderful mom friends who listen, offer supportive advice and hug one another when we need it.  

Then, I got super fun gifts to honor me!  

Hannah did a project at the library about me.  

For the record:

1) I am YOUNGER than 36.  :-) 

2) Because I make her sit still while I comb her hair everyday, that translates into me liking it.  It's really not my most favorite part of the day.  

3) I absolutely, 150% love her snuggles.  

This is such a fun keepsake.  

Lucas gave me this awesome coupon book!  

It included coupons for cleaning his room, helping with dishes, one free hug, taking out the trash and breakfast in bed.  He was so happy to give this to me; he couldn't wait for me to use one… at 8AM.  They best part - they are reusable and there's no expiration date!  

The day before Mother's Day was so much fun.  

We started by watching our favorite soccer player.  

Then we headed out to Daddy's office.  

We had some yummy ice cream with Great Pa.

Look how Ryan is spying that ice cream cone!

The kids love to ride on the forklift so we moved some pallets around for some entertainment.  

Despite a handful of raindrops, we were able to plant the show plot.  

A few quiet rounds in the planter with my favorite guy.  

And then home to tuck all of my babies in bed.  Ryan rarely falls asleep in my arms.  Or any one's arms.  But that night he did, and I enjoyed the extra snuggles.  And I remind myself again of the amazing gift God gave me to be a wife and mom.  

This was an eye opening moment...

I have three healthy, amazing, beautiful kids.

That wasn't the eye opening moment. That was a thankful moment. The eye opening moment was when all three stood there together... Playing Legos at the library (or eating them as some children might do) ... Interacting like they were friends, teammates... Not just siblings. As Ryan gets bigger these moments are more likely to happen. He's no where near a baby anymore. 

Biggest, middle-est, youngest. 

First friends... Forever. 

ball poppin' fun

Ryan loves his dinosaur ball popper.  

He is entertained for long amounts of time (in respect to a ten month old).  

Reach for the ball.  

Drop it in the popper. 

Reeeeeaaaaacccccchhhhhh for the next one.  

I wish I could document this better.  He knows when one is missing from the popper and has rolled down the dino's mouth.  Sometimes he looks into the mouth, wondering where it is.  

I think he would crawl inside if it was big enough.  

Curious boy.  

Easter

We had a great Easter celebration with our families.  

It was Ryan's first.  

The perfect three. 

There was a serious baseball game that took place before we could have the Easter egg hunt.  

It was a wild crowd.  

And then the hunt was on!  

Will and Hannah.

Lucas and Will.  

Reaching on her tip toes.  

Down low.  

Sharing with Great Pa. 

Grandpa Richard, Gramma Mary, Grandpa Steve. 

Uncle Brian, Aunt Jen, Will and Lucas. 

Brian was probably looking to see if the egg had a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup.  

Claire, Nick (in doorway), Uncle Dom and Aunt Karen.  

Birthday boy, Will!

Lucas telling Great Pa a goofy story. 

Adele and Hannah. 

More baseball.

Abby and Hannah. 

Ryan and Mom. 

Mr. Happy on his first Easter.