Taylor's football game

Football
You have to have a little bit patience to watch Taylor get the kick return.  But it is worth watching!

This was the most action Taylor had until the last 5 minutes of the game.  Grant and I were sitting on the track just talking and sort watching by the end of the game.  It was a pretty slow game with not much going in reference to Taylor.  He had some great sacks but not much ball handling.   Until........the quarterback throw a pass to Taylor, it was a beautiful catch and he ran and ran and ran (50 yards) and made a TOUCH DOWN!  It was awesome.  I just jumping up and down and Grant was running along the track with him.  It was a moment!  First touchdown of the season for Taylor.  I had already put my video camera away so I didn't catch it.  We have really enjoyed watching Taylor play football. 

Salmon Run

This was the first year we were able to participate in the Salmon run.  The kids have always had soccer games that conflicted with the times.  So we decided to try it out and enjoy the Salmon Festival after the kids ran.  Taylor didn't want to run because he didn't want to consume all of his energy and not have enough for his football game that afternoon, so Taylor, Mia and I watched.

Ellie and Matthew before the runs began

Matthew participated in the 1/2 mile run and Grant tagged along.

Ellie and Grant ran the 1 mile together

Grant, Ellie, and Matthew walked/ran the 5 K.  It was fun being together as a family.  The downtown festival was also fun.  We enjoyed the fresh flowers and the breathing dragon.  

Family, isn't about time!

2011 Jog-A-Thon

I always love the Jog-A-Thon's.  It's very nostalgic.  I love watching my children run no matter the distance.  I see them doing the best they can.  A tear always comes to my eyes watching them.  This year I was on Water duty.  Making sure the kids didn't throw the water bottles at each other or started water fights.  It was a pretty hot Friday so we decided to get the hose out and mist the kids as they ran by.  The ones that were walking got a little more than a mist.  It was fun!

Taylor ran 40 laps (8th grade)

And Ellie ran 34 laps (6th grade)

Ellie still has energy to hold and play with her little sister after the jog-a-thon!

Fish Hatchery

We went to the Fish Hatchery.  Matthew loves watching the salmon jump through all of the ladders and the end process.  The life of a salmon.  It is a great learning process and he seems to understand.  It's a tradition to visit the Fish Hatchery this time of year.

Ellie's violin recital 9-16-11

We had a great opportunity to have Ellie's violin teacher, Helen come in to our home and perform a recital with Ellie .  When Ellie graduates to the next level Helen has a review recital of all of her songs she has learned.  Ellie has memorized her whole book 1 and was able to play them for family and friends.   I loved having Helen in our home.  I am so proud of Ellie, she loves playing the violin.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Fife, Great Grandpa Dalton, Blane, Lena and Whitney for attending.  

We appreciate your support!

"Re do" Mia's First Birthday Party

Since Mia couldn't stop crying after she burnt her finger on the lit candle.  So we decided to "re do" the birthday cake eating and picture taking the next day.  We thought it would be better when she was a little bit happier!

She was a little apprehension of the candle, but doesn't she look happier!

Mia never did actually eat the cake but she may have gotten over her fear of the candle.  The cake was covered with fondant so it was a little had to bite into.

Much happier!

Mia's 1st Birthday

 Mia's #1 Birthday

Mia's birthday was on a Thursday.  We spent most of the morning jumping on the bounce house and playing with Matthew.   Mia's big party is tonight when everybody gets home. 

Our good friends let us borrow their bounce house for Mia's birthday.  Mia and Matthew played in this all morning long.  They had a great time together.

 Grandma and Ellie decorated the cake and I made it!  It turned out really cute.  You are in love with Kitty's.

Mia went down for her mid-morning nap at 11:06 a.m.

And woke up at 2:45 p.m.

No matter what the age, kids love to play.  Ellie and Mia playing after school.

The party finally started at 8:00 p.m  (way to late to start a party for a one year old, you will see why later.  Do late for parents to think about things).  We waited for Big Brother Taylor to get home from football practice.  Mia's first present was her "Kitty" and I think it was her favorite.

Taylor gave Mia's some pom poms.  I think he wanted her to cheer for him at all of his sports she has to be dragged to.

This is our famous "wonderful parents" moments.  What in the world were we thinking! 

Gifts Mia received:

Grandma and Grandpa Fife = shoes, dress and phone

Mom and Dad = vegee chips, kitty, shoes, tights

Taylor = pom poms

G-Grandpa = $5.00

Kambelle = carrier of kitties