California vs. Oregon 10/6/11

So last Thursday at noon we loaded up my parents motorhome with 20 friends + another vehicle with 6 more ... and headed down to Autzen Stadium for our first night game of the year.

Can I just say that I love going to Duck Games!

Anyway... the trip down.


Setup for tailgate...


the OFFICIAL Harley that drives the Duck (puddles) onto the field!!!
Dad is friends with the driver, so when we come to the game he usually comes by and finds us so that the kids can take a turn sitting on the hog.

(forgetting his name, Dad, & Jack)

I would be remiss to not put this shot of Jan... who requested he be in the photo with her.


While we were all taking turns sitting on the harley... part of the UO marching band came up and started playing for us and it was awesome.  They played a few songs and the kids were loving it and cheering for the band.

The kids...


Playing Ball...


bff's


the sweet babe fell asleep minutes before the game ended... and stayed sleeping while the kids started their "cup collecting extravaganza"

it didn't last long though because at the end of the game we headed down to the field so that the kids could throw the ball around...


AJ in a take down of Jack!


My wonderful mother who along with dad made this night possible for us and our friends.

dad & Josh's brother


friends


after the game... we loaded up all the kids and duck gear
4 girls asleep in the back bed.
4 tweens 2 teens playing cards ALL the way home (2+ hours)
1 little boy cozied in with his auntie melissa...
the rest of the adults tried to keep their eyes open.

arrival time home 2:30 a.m.
after unloading motorhome... 3 a.m.

2011 Duck Family Photo


and the photo that probably resembles our family the best...

{Emma Grace}

Just over a week ago my second born turned 12.

12.  :(

Not sure how the time is flying by so quickly... but somehow it just keeps ticking along.


and then there were 2... and I had no idea at that moment how different my life would be in the years to come... and how simple and easy those first years were.


Oh my sweet emma... 1 year old!


3 years old and boy did she LOVE ballet class!


Em loved pink even back then... and princess stuff was a HUGE hit.


Growing up in church.


9 years old she wrote this the eve before her first soccer game!  When I went to tuck her in bed I saw it posted by her light switch and it warmed my heart the sweet innocence of this girl.


always with the dance moves...


and the smiles...


even when she went to camp alone and almost broke my heart...


12!


Birthday Board :)

Life with Emma is always on the go, you never know what is going to happen next!  She wears her emotions on her sleeves, when she is up she's up, and when she is down she is down.  She loves her family, sisters, and boy does she love her little brother.  Music is one of her favorites, she loves to sing & dance & perform drama.  When she was little (3) she was about as stubborn as they come... and I am just so thrilled with the way she has grown into such a wonderful young lady.  Her zest for life is contagious and her made up songs (if you are around her you know what I am talking about...) make my day... as well as sometimes making me crazy!  ;)  I am super blessed to be her "mother" as she likes to call me!
xoxo Emma!  Thank you for making this earthly life SO beyond fabulous!  I love being your mom!

p.s.  I have NO idea why a few of those pictures are HUGE... and can't change it so, sorry!

Pumpkin Patch + Soccer + PF = Tired & Can't Sleep.

So today was one of those totally crazy, busy, can't get to the potty kind of days.

McKenna & Sydney are blessed to be able to be in the same classroom this year.  It has never happened before and will probably not happen again... but let me tell you, it is a blessing.


One of the neat things for me was going on the field trip and getting to chaperone for both of my kids (if they were in separate classes I would have to choose :(  Anyway, today was our annual trip to Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch.


Can I just interject here for a moment?

This place is awesome and so wonderfully fun... if you have not taken your kids here... well if you haven't you need to load up your car and head down there!

the 2 Syd's


Coolest Corn Maze Ever... this year it was the Portland Timbers... totally awesome!


from the top of one of the bridges...


partner in crime...

(last year her firefighter hubby had to come rescue my group because we got super lost)

cow ride anyone???


as you can see I am already in "mustang soccer coaching gear" ready for rain...

super tall sunflower that was ABOVE my head.


and along the path




So after returning from the above said trip... I ran with some girlfriends to Old town Coffee (for like 20min) before heading back to the school to head to Catlin Gabel School in Beaverton for an away soccer game.

I would just like to say that I always found coaching very easy to do when sitting on the other side of the field.

Our girls played their hearts out and controlled the ball in the second half.  CG scored with 10 secs to go in the game making it a 3-1 loss for us.  Somehow it doesn't seem like a loss because we are improving every game... but I over analyze would of, could of, should of... The most important thing is our girls are representing Christ through their behavior towards the other team and their own team.  I am super proud of them though.  Just feel like sometimes I let them down.

Back to the school in record time (no traffic) and then Taco Bell drive through... to pathfinders... to staff meeting.  To home at 10p.m. and so wound up I can't sleep.

So Judy this post is really for you since you texted me and said "PLEASE update so that I don't have to look at that mouse..."  Love you!

PS.  3 nights until the Duck Game!!!! Whoop!  Can't wait!