Soccer Superstar

Today was the first Pee Wee Soccer game of the season. We weren't sure that the game was going to even happen because the weather was so yucky but we were able to play and the kids had a GREAT time!
It's pretty cute to watch a bunch of 3, 4, and 5 year olds run around after the ball trying to get it away from one another. It's similar to watching bees swarm to honey, except funnier!
Nicholas had a ton of fun, as did the rest of the kids on our team (I'm the coach). Our team ended up losing the game but Nicholas scored the one and only goal!!!
It was GREAT!!

Labor Day

After a hard working weekend doing some big projects around the house with pop-pop, Pat and I took the kids down to grandpa's house to spend Labor Day with family and friends by the pool!

We had a lovely time getting to see Pat's side of the family and enjoying TONS of delicious food and lots of pool time. The kids had a ball playing with a new friend and splashing around in the pool. It was a great way to round off a wonderful Summer!

Apple Picking Part 1

To round out our day, I took the kids Apple picking!
I know it seems kind of early to be apple picking but some of the early fall varieties are quite tasty, plus there are TONS of them available! And there aren't many people around- or any people around, actually!
We headed up to a farm about a half an hour from us and walked our way up into the orchards. We started filling our bag quite quickly! Nicholas and Addison picked Apples and Pears and we even looked for a few plums but didn't find any.
We brought home a huge haul or fruit and the kids had a wonderful time- and so did I!! I was able to get some great pictures while we were out, although I wish we had had someone with us just so I could have taken one nice shot of the kids and I. Oh, well...next time!

Heading Up to the Orchard

Nicholas was so excited he took off in search of endless apples

And he found them!

I finally got him to sit down for a few pictures

Addie joined him, as well

Everytime I turned around Addison had another apple in her hand!

Sitting Big

Today, as a kick off to our Labor Day weekend, the kids and I went out and about got some stuff done and also had some fun! One of the most exciting things we did was get Nicholas his NEW car seat!

Babies R Us is running a trade in program where you bring in your used car seats, cribs, bassinets, and more, and they will take them and give you 20% off your newer version. Nicholas was due for a seat change because he has grown so much and Addison needed to get out of the car seats she was in because they have pretty much expired since we got them when Nicholas was born. We took Babies R Us up on their trade in offer and dropped off our two oldest car seats and then purchased Nicholas brand new booster seats!! Addison moved into Nicholas' current seat which was a convertible car seat.

I can't believe Nicholas is big enough to be in one of these seats already but he was THRILLED by the fact that he was able to buckle up like a big boy and was riding in style!!

Back to the Beach for Last Day

The week before I headed back to work Grandma and I took the kids down the shore for the day. It was just before one of the most recent hurricanes buzzed us so the waves were quite rough. Nicholas and I braved them for a few minutes but he wanted out pretty quickly and I was more than happy to oblige!

We relaxed on the sand and Nicholas and Addie built some mini sand castles. We even played a little catch. We rounded out the day with hot dogs, chicken nuggets and boardwalk fries! It was a great day and the perfect last beach day of the Summer!!

Update

Hi

So sorry for the lack of updates but to say that we've been busy lately would be an understatement!!
Things are chugging along quite quickly around here and it's nice to be getting back into the groove of everything. I have some pictures from a recent beach trip that grandma and I took the kids on, but other than that pictures are pretty limited.

I started back to full time work these past two weeks and I'm so glad to be back. This year, while much busier than past years, is shaping up to be a great one!

Nicholas will be starting soccer in the next week, with mommy as his coach. Both kids will be in swimming lessons in the next two weeks. And I've started training for my first triathlon! Pat is almost done with his degree and cannot wait to finish these last two classes.

On the homefront we've been doing a bunch of redecorating and remodeling. Within the next few weeks we'll have some pictures to share. Our biggest project is being done this weekend with the help of Pop-pop. I'll keep you in suspense on that one....

We've been enjoying the organized chaos of back to school and end of Summer and I promise more regular updates- and pictures- are coming soon!!

Hope all is well and everyone has wound down a wonderful summer and is getting a fabulous start on fall!

Bend It Like Stella!

Nicholas just finished soccer camp this past week and he is well on his way to being the next Beckham or Pele!

Nicholas had a great time learning some soccer fundamentals and getting ready for fall rec soccer to start in a few short weeks. We had a nice time having picnics and sitting on the sidelines watching Nicholas run around and enjoy his playing time!

Getting Ready...cleats, shin guard, socks...we're set!

Water Bottle!

Learning to dribble

Addie on the sidelines

I love that he's sitting on the ball!

Chatting it up with Coach Hannah

Daddy and Addie

Some of My Favorites

These are just a few of my favorite shots taken last week while we were down the shore.

Pop-pop and Nicholas casting off while fishing on the bay one morning

Our last night, riding bikes back from the beach

Pop-pop and Addie scouting the waves

Cranky Time

Nicholas ADORED the water...never wanted to leave it!

Heading down to the beach!

Mommy and Addie

On the Beach- Day 1

Vacation 2009

We headed down the shore this past week with Grandma and Pop-pop and it was WONDERFUL!! We spent the week in Chadwick Beach, in the same house we've been staying in, and hopefully will continue to stay in. It's just steps from the beach and within walking distance of just about everything we could want or need!

Our days were spent on the sand of the ocean, with a few mornings spent on the bay for Nicholas' swimming lessons and some fishing with daddy, pop-pop and Addie. Our evenings were spent either out to dinner as a family, or with friends or just at the house playing games, flying kites on the beach or at the boardwalk!

It was a wonderful week with great weather and lots of fun! Nicholas and Addison had a wonderful time and so did we! We are so grateful to grandma and Pop-pop for this week and the time we all get to spend together! We took a TON of pictures and over the next few days I'll highlight some of my favorites, plus we had a friend who is a photographer take some family shots that we'll post in the next few weeks. In the meantime, here is a slideshow of most of the pictures from the week!

Enjoy!

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