The Orange Tigers

Secret Code name (according to Kai): The Orange Pumpkins

Kai's been playing on an indoor socccer team 1X a week for the last few weeks with Amanda. He loves it. He's not super aggressive, but he does tend to stay focused on the game and wants to play the whole time which isn't always the norm with others at this age. We keep trying to encourage him during the games that it is ok to try to take the ball away from the other team and kick the ball more than 1 time in a row. :)

Warm-up Drills:


Rori Giving a Pre-Game Pep Talk:


Key Which Way to Go Instructions Prior to Kick-off:


Sidelines Entertainment:

Creature

Yelled from the backyard:

"Mom, come quick. There is a creature on my mower."

Fall At the Cabin

We made a quick trip up to the Cabin this weekend. It was a nice trip. Among other things we watched Conference, played in the Kids Club, enjoyed the fireplace, ate yummy food, tested out the hot tub, took naps, and just relaxed.

Lance was up there last weekend to do some work so this was 2 weekends in a row for him. He (and we) wanted the rest of us to get to experience Fall at the Cabin before it turned to Winter.

Saturday we had sunny cool weather and we were able to play some outside. Sunday we enjoyed relaxing inside while it was raining. As we were leaving the rain turned to snow so it was quite the weather experience.

As usual I had fun taking some pictures of the kiddos. Here are some of my favorites:















Lance also got some great Fall shots last weekend:

Play Time

Recently:



Rori will sift through ALL the mostly boy toys at our house to find a necklace to wear and a baby doll to carry all around the house. Last week the baby spent an entire day with her- a ride in the stroller, a trip to the store, and even to Kai's soccer game. Nature vs Nurture???



Kai has been talking a lot about animals lately. One reason might be that we have been to the Zoo several times in the last few weeks. There are all sorts of new baby animals and it really is fun to see them. Kai also had Howdy Day at preschool this week. Since then just about everything in our house has taken a turn being a pretend horse. He even turned a toolbelt apron thingy in to the reins and a a lasso. I love when he really gets in to imaginative play.



We woke up to a light dusting of white on our grass this morning for the 1st time. Hello October!

Rori's Latest Trick

The week after Rori's birthday she took a sudden jump forward with her walking. She would do about 5 or 6 running steps and then fall to her knees. Then, last Tuesday it all the sudden clicked and now she is walking all over the place. She still walks like she is a bit tipsy, but she is really getting good quick. She's sure that she is really BIG now. Here is some recent video of her navigating the bumpy backyard. Kai has his umbrella ready for the rain storm that really did come about 10 minutes later.

Boating Fun 2009

This summer has flown by and somehow we have just this weekend gotten around to some boating. We had so much fun being out on the water and soaking in a little more summer. The morning started out a little chilly but it warmed up quickly. We had 17people on the boat (8 kiddos and 9 adults) which left us only 1 unused spot. :) The kids could have ridden on the tube for hours. Even Rori got out on it with Lance for a bit. It was a great day!

Grandma Jam

We went over to Grandma Utah's house to make "Grandma Jam" last Friday. This rasberry jam is a BIG favorite on EVERYTHING at our house. We tease about how Kai and Lance could drink it- but I think they really would if permitted. Rori was a bit fussy so grandma and Kai ended up doing most of the work. The rasberries were from Bear Lake this year. Yummy!!!! Thank you Grandma!

Kai Helping Grandma:


Product Sampling:


Chatting With Grandma:


Want Some?

1st Day of Preschool

Today was Kai's 1st official day of preschool. In the car on the way there he kept reassuring Rori that he wouldn't be gone very long, that he would be back in time for lunch etc. He held on to his official bag the whole way there so he wouldn't forget it!



There is a whole drop off and pick up system at his school that involves the parents not getting out of their car. As we were pulling in for drop off we had a clear view of the parents that had just dropped off their kids. I glanced over and saw a Mom driving away in heavy tears which immediately made me get a lump in my throat. Fortunately a few seconds later it was our turn and Kai jumped out with a big smile and a wave and went running in to the building without so much as a glance back.

When it was time to pick him up he jumped right back in the car with another big smile and told me all about his fun morning. They walkie talkie in to the rooms and send the kids out for safety and so there is no delay. It seems like a pretty smooth operation. Here we are waving to each other as we wait for our turn.



To celebrate a great 1st day we went to McDonalds for Happy Meals with Amanda and Drew. It was fun to get to chat with their Mom's and the kids had a blast in the indoor playland.





1st Day of Preschool = a success!

Checking Out Preschool

Today Kai got to go to his preschool and meet his teachers (Miss Sydney & Miss Celeste), get his bag, check out his classroom, and try out the awesome playground. He was very excited and had a great time. Now he can't wait to go back "for real".








Can't you imagine the conversation between Rori and Matthew here. :)

House Projects Stage 1

So back between swim lessons ending and the kids birthdays we started Stage 1 of some house projects that we had long been wishing to do.

In the end we had someone modernize our very outdated downstairs bathroom and laundry room, we had new carpet put in throughout the house, changed out the dining light, touched up some wall paint, trimmed some massive trees, and did a few other small but drive you nuts after awhile things.

on Kai's actual birthday we said our final goodbye to the workers and then the carpet was put in while the kids and I were in Seattle. Since then we've been putting things back together, hanging out in the new laundry room that we no longer dread, and lounging on the carpet.

House projects are always an advenute but despite being somewhat drawn out things went fairly smooth. I'm happy to have our new and improved home back, to no longer have to be hanging out waiting for workers , and to have sent off the last checks.

There are still more things we'd like to have done- it never ends in old houses, but for now we are more than happy with Stage 1 completion.

Before:


After:

(Already loving the darker on the stairs by an outside door and the hallways)

Before:


After:

(Happy to report that we now have 1 clean carpet vs 3 different styles running throughout)

Before:


After:

(The old pictures make me laugh with the tile, and wallpaper, and drain thing- or maybe want to hurl. Currently working on some wall decor for the new)

Before:


After:

(Again searching for wall etc. decor- should be noted that this bathroom is connected to Kai's room. It also looks much darker and more yellow with the lighting in these pictures than it does in person)

The Latest Stats

Kai and Rori had their 4 year old and 1 year old doctor check-ups this week. We left with 5 shots and 2 stickers between them. Kai was a champ about the whole visit and his shot. He never got upset and even pointed out how brave he had been to the nurse after his shot. Ha! Rori on the other hand told the nurse off (granted she was the one with 4 shots). So goes their personalities so far in life. :) They both got good reports and I'm glad to have both appointments checked off my to do list.

Kai's 4 Year Stats:
Height: 43 inches; 95%
Weight; 39 1/2 lbs; 75% (I'm having a hard time believing this considering his pants still hit like capri's and are loose at the waist- all muscle and height?)


Rori's 1 Year Stats:
Height: 31 inches; 95%
Weight: 20 lbs 3 oz; 40%