Big Soccer Game

Last weekend we went to the Real Salt Lake game. It was discount night for our local soccer club, and Nolan was going to be playing in a mini game during half time. He was pretty excited to play on the huge field. He also got to be in the "Parade of Kings" at the start of the game. Grandpa John came with us, and Grandma K. met us at the stadium. The evening would have been perfect if Ezra hadn't started off the night by choking on some dried apples and making himself gag and throw up. For some reason, whenever he chokes he does that. He and Grandma K. were pretty messy after that and headed to the bathroom to clean up. I wanted to help but I was feeding Lucy. It was a blessing that no one happened to be sitting in front of us and never showed up, either. While they were cleaning up, they missed the beginning parade. It wasn't much to see... we could barely make Nolan out from where we sat. But he said it was pretty awesome.

Ezra in the bathroom with Grandma. Ick!

Thank goodness we had the telephoto lens. Nolan was way out there!

The half time game was fun to watch, but I think Nolan only came into contact with the ball once or twice. There were lots of players. When his team scored a goal he did a fun little victory dance. They set up the game on the opposite side of where our soccer club's seats were... that was disappointing. My Dad and I were running over so that we wouldn't miss it. And Justin came with the camera. After watching for a few minutes, I began to head back so that Grandma K could come over and watch (instead of sitting with Ez and Lucy the whole time) but that's when it ended. They only played for about 10 minutes. Nolan was totally stoked about the whole thing, though! And it got even better when Grandpa bought him popcorn and a drink.

Victory Dance. Oh yeah!

He just kept dancing, even though there was some action going on. This picture says it all:

This has been Nolan's coach this season. He's done a great job! You can tell that Nolan was sad when his coach said the game was over.

I enjoyed watching the Real players. It was the first professional soccer game I had ever watched. My Dad is a big fan of soccer so it was good to sit by him and learn more about what was going on. Ezra loved the popcorn and a had a fun time during the second half. He was with Grandma K. during the first half and I think he complained about the cold. Lucy stayed cozy in a little winter suit and snuggled in Grandma's arms.
I can tell it was special to Nolan because the next morning he had drawn lots of little pictures of the soccer game and was writing things like: "Go Real Salt Lake" and "I'm the biggest fan of Real."

 And here's Lucy... just because. She was bundled up to go on a walk the next day.

 

Train Museum

Found a few more pictures on my phone. We went to the train museum last month. I don't know why we've never been there before... the boys loved it!

Beaker boy

Nolan has been so excited about science lately. After school today he ran in the house and said, "Mom, it was the best ever! We did rotations for the first time and we did science! And guess what? There really were beakers!!!"

A few September things...

I found a few more pictures on my phone from September. One of the events is pretty important: I got braces! I've always had a really crooked tooth on one side and my two front teeth are different lengths. Also, my top teeth didn't have a nice "U" shape... it seemed like my canines were too prominent. And after Justin accidentally put too much money in our FSA account after having the baby, we decided that this was the year for braces! I only have them on the top and hopefully I don't have to have them for more than 9 months. It felt like a lot of metal in my mouth at first and my mouth was really sore for a couple of days. But now I'm used to it and so excited to have a better looking smile. Yay!
Before braces:

With braces: I look a bit like a teenager again.

Nolan took some tennis lessons with the ladies tennis team. He enjoyed it and might have a knack for tennis! He was paired with the tall, blonde girl with short shorts on. No wonder he liked it!

And a couple more cute Lucy pictures:
Sleepy and chubby! Such a wonderful baby combination.

Finding her thumb. Luckily she doesn't find it more than once every few days.

 A smile for all her aunties out there!

These are actually from August but I found them on my phone, too. The boys can't resist this cute girl!

 I'm sure it's not good to take pictures during Stake Conf. but I couldn't resist. This was Lucy's favorite way to rest during the first two months: sitting straight up. This position would immediately calm her down if she ever got agitated. What a funny girl.

 Cute summer outfit.

 So chubby!!! 10 weeks old

And at the beginning of September, Grandma K. spent the night. In the morning, she went with Dad and the boys on a truck ride to explore a canyon just east of our house. They had a great time! And I enjoyed some time to rest with Lucy.  

Catching Up

I'm really getting behind on blogging so I'm going to try to let the pictures do most of the talking. It seems like I say that a lot lately! So here is our month of September.
For Labor Day we drove up to Heber Valley to ride the Heber Creeper train. On the way we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls. It was a beautiful day. It's a shame the train was so slow and so hot. The kids still enjoyed it. Ezra even told a joke into the microphone and Nolan got up and danced a few times.

 Sleepy Lucy still likes to be swaddled, but she manages to get her arms out almost all of the time.

 Nolan started up his second season of soccer. He's really liking it and has a great coach. He enjoyed playing keeper and did some good defending at this game.

 Sweet little Lucy faces at 10 weeks old:

 Ezra loves helping in the kitchen. We made some delicious monkey bread in the crock pot.

Ezra decided he wanted to cuddle with Lucy.

Good thing I came in to check on this boy before going to bed. Doesn't seem like the safest way to sleep!

 Caught the boys cuddling again!

 Happy tummy time!

Lucy is practicing her modeling skills:

 Love this face! She is 3 months old here. I wish I could slow down time so that she'd stay little for a LONG time. We're lucky that Lucy is such a good baby. She is so pleasant and happy. She loves to ride in the car and be social with anyone that will talk to her. She goes to sleep at night without the binky but likes it during the day to calm down. She is learning to blow bubbles and has finally done it a few timess. She is ticklish. She loves playing patty cake, especially with Nolan. We love her so much!

 Lucy tries out the Bumbo seat for the first time. Ez thought he'd try it out, too! The bumbo seat made Lucy all tuckered out! The interesting thing about the picture of Ezra is that there is no TV in the background. We moved it downstairs. The home has been much more peaceful and we watch less. Now we just need to cover the big hole in the wall that is hiding behind the lamp!

Lovin' the swing for nap time (and sometimes at night if she doesn't go back to sleep right away).

 Many people in my area have had babies this year, including my good friends Brianne and Amber. Here is Reese (2 weeks; wearing the outfit that Lucy wore home from the hospital!), Lucy (3 months), and Paisley (about 8 months). Cute little friends!

 Another night I found Ezra in bed with a bunch of M&M's on his nightstand. Hmmm... looks like someone made a late night candy run!

Lucy loves to be sitting up and seeing what is going on. 

Looks like she's cracking up!