Soccer Boys

 The boys had a fun soccer season this fall.  Tucker played in U8, which brought a lot more organization and competition to the game.  He was so-so on the idea of the competition of it all, but had fun, improved his skills, and really enjoyed swinging on the goal posts in his spare time :)

 It was Cooper's first year in soccer.  Cooper, on the other hand really took to the competition factor and, although the smallest kid on the field (besides Kyla when she'd sneak on), he was quite the soccer animal and found out he really enjoys the sport!

The boy's biggest fan. :)

South Bend, Indiana Road Trip!

 Why, you ask, would we drive to South Bend, Indiana??  Well, to see a BYU vs. Notre Dame game, of course!  

Ginny and Dave came out to DC for Dave's work conference in early October.  Thanks to their fun planning, they decided to drive down from there to visit us for a day, then we jumped in our van and headed out to Indiana to see the big game (with an overnight stop and a nice temple trip in Columbus, OH to break up the drive)...and of course, good food! :)

 

 We chose all of our eating destinations via TripAdvisor (highly recommended).  Some were a little 'scary' with 50 year old freaky dolls hanging from the menu board, but all the food was good, and experiences were great!

 When we got to South Bend, my parents, who had flown into Indiana met us for the game, lots of fun...and more really good food. :)

 

The game itself was a lot of fun.  We lost, but we weren't blown out...we even led at the half (which isn't bad, seeing the Norte Dame made the National Championship game this year!)

  

We filled the void the loss created with...more food! :)  We found this great little asian restaurant where the owner sat down with us, asked us questions of what kind of food we liked and ordered for us.  The food was AWESOME!  Almost worth a road trip back to eat there again! :)  ...almost.

 After a few days of kid-free (thanks Malones!) food and football frenzy fun, Ginny and Dave flew out of Indiana and we headed back with my parents to VA.

 

Wolf Cub #4! AAALLL boy!!

 Here's our cute little bundle of joy! All seems well from the ultrasound and he's kicking me like crazy.  Although we were all thinking girl, there's no question this one's NOT a girl :)  

And we're so excited and love that the Lord is in charge and is bringing this sweet spirit into our home and our family and we love him so much already!

 

 Rudy and I both feel like he's got more of Cooper's look...but that's in utero and through a bunch of amniotic fluid.  We'll have to wait a few more months to find out for sure ;)

 

Um...don't think there's much question here...

 In this picture: eating his own fist.  Seemed quite ravenous throughout the ultrasound! :)

Now onto how to redecorate Kyla's room to make it boy-friendly and figuring out a NAME!

Labor Day Camping Fun

 For the second year in a row, we joined some fun families for a night of camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Lots of kids, lots of good food, lots of fun!

 Some of the boys burying lots of seeds to grow trees.

 Then some quality stick-pole fishing the next morning.  No fish were caught, but the boys learned a great lesson in 'enjoying the process'.

Random Fun

 Kyla enjoying daddy's new car

 Cooper LOOOOOVES Kyla!

 The kids visiting daddy at work (actually posing for pics for the website :)

Although Kyla seems a bit unsure, daddy's a great dentist! :)

Cooper's 4!

 

Before his birthday, we were able to have a little Joy School graduation for Cooper and his classmates.  Cooper had a great year and I really enjoyed being a part of teaching these sweet kids.

Only FOUR?? Cooper, you're an enigma to us. You are smaller than anyone your age, yet you always seem older than you are!  You are such a special spirit!  You comprehend things far beyond your years, and we love to hear the profound things that come out of your mouth (and love that it's still in the sweet little helium voice that I'm going to miss so much when it goes away! :)) You are kind, caring, and thoughtful and are a wonderful brother and son. You always make sure to give us at least four kisses and hugs each night before bed...extra if you feel like someone needs a little more. Thanks for being such a bright spot in our lives and sharing your love and light with us!

For Cooper's bday, we did family gifts on his actual day...this is a short video of him finding his scavenger hunt gift.

 After his actual birthday, we went with a couple of his friends to Chuck E. Cheese (not a normal stop, since it's an hour away, but he's been wanting to go for a while.)

 

 

 The birthday king with his rainbow cake

   

Kyla not so sure about the horsey ride

 

Tucker wasn't too disappointed about going to Chuck E. Cheese  

Boy bonding!