Snow Days

Chad and Collin escaped today in search of the white stuff...

Collin needed his snow fix

What an Angel

They must have found a lot of snow - that thing is bigger than Collin

They had some fun adventures on the sledding hill
(no idea where the sled came from :)

So much fun!

Camp Fire

My kids favorite nighttime activity is having a campfire on our back patio. Chad is so good to do this - while I stay snug inside with Jason :)

Striker Update

Well Collin's first year of playing soccer ended up well...
They only lost one game and tied one game so they were destined for the playoffs. They replayed both of the teams that they didn't beat and emerged victorious!
Since they won they then had to go to the championships. Understand, during the season if it sprinkled the night before they would cancel all the games - this time with Thanksgiving next week and everything (the parents were done :) they simply moved the games to the older field and warned us they would play, rain or shine!

Needless to say, it was pouring down!
Well, Collin wanted to play in the rain! I stood under the canopy with Jason and we still got soaked! We won, which meant we had time to go wash all our clothes and come back in the afternoon to play another game. We were told that the winners of those games would get trophies and the losers wouldn't get anything... there was a lot of pressure on those kids.
We played so hard but the other team barely won in the end. Our kids were very emotional, some tears were shed (I was reminded of the World Cup). We cheered each other up and the kids were soon smiling again. It was hard then when the officials came out with the trophies and walked right past our team to take them to the middle of the field for the other team. They conferred with our refs then brought a box of trophies to our side. We tried to tell them that we didn't win, the other team did. Imagine our surprise when they pulled out second place trophies for all the boys!

...and such nice trophies too!

What a great year we had! I'm so glad Collin was on a good team. Not only did we get a trophy but the boys all played well together and the parents all got along. Collin has told me he wants to play again next year - hope it's as fun as this year.

The Strikers are 1-0

So exciting, for Collin's first game, ever, his team won the game 7-0. You know you love to teach your kids that winning isn't everything, just have fun, yadda yadda yadda but I'm personally stoked that Collin is on a rocking team this year! It's just more fun to win - I know cuz I was always on the losing teams : -

There's some hard core players on his team but it seems the coach is pretty laid back. He was telling the other team members to not score again unless they pass but he didn't even yell at Collin when he tried to do a corner kick and it only went about 3 feet - back out of bounds :)
At least Chad isn't worried that they'll think he lied about Collin's abilities when he said he was just a beginner.
The total shocker was that Collin actually scored a goal! It was more or less an accident, I think, but it still counts :) He was dribbling towards the goal and it seemed like the defender got it but it somehow rolled away from him and the goalie and just limped into the goal!

He played goalie for the first quarter and didn't let a single ball go past (I don't think he even touched the ball more than once :)

It was great at the first subs when the team came together because all the seasoned players were all serious and listening to the coach and Collin just bursts out, pumping his fists in the air, "We're Winning!!!" I heard the family next to me chuckle so I had to tell them, "It's his first game, ever." So then they joined in on his enthusiasm.
So, the first game was a success. Collin had a lot of fun - which is the main thing - and I saw a few thing that he may need a little extra help with... It will be a fun season
(And no rash for Jason - though my arms are tired from carrying him the whole time)

1st Soccer Game Tomorrow

I know you would expect a picture of Collin in his new Soccer uniform here but instead I thought I would post what Jason looked like after spending just 15 minutes on the grass at Collin's soccer practice... the season should be fun if J is this allergic to the green stuff!

Collin's Baptism

Earlier this month Collin was baptized by his father.
I can't believe my boy is getting so old.

In our stake we have Stake Baptisms so once a month all the kids from the stake get baptized together. We all meet together in the chapel then spit up into wards for the actal baptisms and confirmations. We joined with the 2nd ward since the Lassen cousins were getting baptized. This was fine since 2nd ward is my home ward. It did make for a big group though so we all came back into the chapel for the confirmations.

We were also fortunate that they let us choose a person to give the talk on baptism so my dad did that.

As perfect as he'll ever be :)

Meyring Merriment

While in Utah we had a sort of Meyring Family reunion. Most of the cousins live down here but it was still fun to get together and see Ryan's family

The neighbor kids were really friendly and let ours play on the jungle-gym...

...trampoline,
Jump for joy

Collin was showing off a bit for his cousins
...and play with their chickens
Karissa was absolutely fascinated with the chickens and held them every chance she got.

Jason and me

Even cuter, Jason and Chad

There's just something about a big strong man and a little boy...

Chad was showing J how to crawl on the grass - not one of his favorite things

Beth and Ellie looked so relaxed hanging out on the grass

Ellie is great with the little ones
I was laughing watching Karissa's body language as she was talking to one of the neighbors. Kayley came up and backed her up. (Something about who's dad was bigger/better/best...) Kelsey came up and after standing there for about 10 seconds...

...declared she was going to go roll down hills (My little pacifist :)

Kayley and Karissa playing some of the games

The guys got into a cut-throat game of crochet

It was supposed to be adults only but Chad let Kelsey sneak in a few hits

After all the fun the kids decided they needed to stretch out a bit - with Uncle Matt's help

Ellie's bat imitation

Kayley probably would have been the most bat-like but she was too busy trying to hold her pj's up ;)

After Parade Party

Part of getting good seats and parking for the parade was staying at a hotel right across the street. While Kristy was trying to pack up Chad was teaching her kids what they like to do in hotels (when Mom's not there)

Crazy Kelsey

The trick is to jump across the hot lava, avoiding the furniture (nothing stops the fun faster than a trip to the ER) and the projectiles (pillows)

Kelsey was throwing some great bending moves while she was at it... probably because the dads stared throwing pillows at them as they crossed - nothing like a moving target

Independence Day Parade

Everyone loves a parade!

Actually I normally don't bother going - too many people, too much traffic... but Dennis and Ryan have this thing down to a science. I've seen military campaigns that were not this well organized and executed! We had great seats, room to spread out and even shade for half of it.

And the kids were adorable!

Here's Breann, Ellie, Kelsey and Karissa

I love the look of excitement and anticipation

They all had a great time

For some reason I loved these old-timers :) It wasn't until I got home ad was looking at my pictures that I noticed the patch on this soldiers arm, Andy has one just like it! Its from his Tank Destroyer Squadron in WWII. I'll have to show him and see if he recognizes them.

It was fun for the kids being right up front. They got to Hi-5 cheerleaders, Tongans, prophets and pirates...

Jason had a great time too, mostly hanging with Uncle Ryan and Chad

How many parades have about 5 floats with temples, Joseph Smith and a singing Moses???

BYU!

Addie's so cute!

Breann & Kelsey were playing along with the band

"Look Mom, I'm Darth Maul!"

More Temples :)

Wow! I actually got in a picture too! When I show up everyone knows they can pretty much put their camera away and relax and they'll still get shots of their kids

Karissa and Kaylee had to say goodbye early to head back to Cali - but had to make sure to give Grandy a big hug first!