Tiny Mite Game #1

Tough game today for the Celebration Storm Tiny Mite Team. We were clearly overmatched by a older, more experienced team. Matthew had a good game. He played both ways and was the quarterback for the 1st half. He completed a pass to Tommy (we didn't have one completed pass last year so that was a plus!), had some gains on qb scrambles, and played tough defense. He is really seeing the field and the plays and made a couple of great tackles!!!

Matthew was one of the captains today!!

Breaking a tackle ... go Matthew!!

Big stop for #13

Running the offense!

Daddy's Birthday Sign

We did a fun sign for Daddy this year for his birthday .... We always do a birthday sign but wanted to make it different!!

Back to School Part II

So we made it through our back to school, Day 3. Now everyone has had their first day. We left the house at 7:08 this morning with tons of bags, supplies, lunches, water bottles, football equipment, volleyball equipment and the kids ready to go!! Matthew has been moved to a new 2nd grade class (they opened up another section) ... so he got to meet his new teacher, Mr. Shrake. Julia was a bit apprehensive, but got to do playdough this morning. Katie was off and running like she had been in middle school her whole life .. no nerves!! Love that girls confidence ... Andrew was sweet as ever letting me give him a big hug and kiss!! William went to co op today so from 9 -11:30 I was solo. did some paperwork and put away laundry in the silence. Will is going to nap right now and then another 2 hours until the afternoon pick up begins!!!

Back to School Part II

On my way back to school for a volleyball meeting, but wanted to get the pictures of their first day up ... will blog later with all of the details ... and there are many (all good and some funny!!)

How Did it Go So Fast??

This morning we took William to his first year of preschool (co-op). He will go on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 - 11:30. Miss Julie is his teacher and then each day one of the moms stay with the kids. We already know 6 of the 8 kids so this will be a fantastic year for William. He is the youngest in the class and we will see how he does with sharing. His idea of sharing is yelling at his brothers and sisters and having them give him whatever he wants. This morning was bittersweet ... it was adorable and fun to see him off on his way ... but a bit sentimental as our baby is growing up so fast!!

Disney Birthday for Sean

Today is Sean's 39th birthday ... we spent Sunday at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios to celebrate since these weekdays are so filled with activities. We made a family decision NOT to take the camera on Sunday so Mom did not annoy everyone with the Disney pictures .. I did sneak one of Miss Jules with JoJo and Goliath and one of Andrew and Katie taking Julia and Will by themselves on Small World. Julia did Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain for the first time (oh the advantage of being tall at age 4!) and William rode Goofy's Barnstormer (not so sure he liked it!). It was a wonderful day with the kids and once again it warmed my heart to see the older ones so sweet with the younger ones ... we realize that Magic Kingdom is not the most exciting place for two preteen kids, but they both went with such a good attitude and genuine happiness for the younger ones!!

Not a great picture, but look at Jules holding onto Andrew's arm and Katie with Will in her lap in the last row of the boat .... so cute!!

Jamboree

We had a fabulous time at Matthew's jamboree this morning. The Tiny Mites did great!! We looked so much better than last year (our league's first season!). Matthew played both offense and defense (#13)... he played QB & had two completed passes (which is 2 more completed passes than we had all of last year in EIGHT games!). What a difference a year makes ... it helps to have 7 kids on the team that have played before. Matthew was very aggressive and all over the field. He made a great open field tackle (coming all the way from the right side to the left and saving a touchdown). His regular season starts next week - 8 games. Looking forward to a fun season!!

Setting up the play ....

Happy Matthew after his first game of the Jamboree ... we won!!

Handoff that resulted in a touchdown.

Matthew making the tackle to stop the play.

Last Days of Summer

Andrew, Kate and Matthew hung out with the Gambles at the pool yesterday while I waited for the appliance repair person that never showed up!! Julia was at gymnastics camp again and William stood at the back door when they left and cried, "I one big kid ... I one big kid!" It doesn't take them long to learn that they want to do everything the older ones do!! Their pool stay was short lived as a dark cloud rolled in ... but they were out for a bit and enjoying time with friends!

Veteran ...

Matthew is one of the veterans on his football team. It is so funny to see him (#12) as one of the biggest kids on the team. He is very focused and really works hard ... this year the coaches are expecting alot out of the kids and they have been introduced to "team punishment" for individual behavior. Matthew does not like it when some kids are screwing around and they all have to do up downs!! He is practicing 4 nights a week plus a Saturday game. Big commitment for such little guys ... but it is good for them. We have our jamboree on Saturday in Apopka!!

Gymnastics Camp

Julia went to gymnastics camp this week. She waited patiently all summer to get to her camp. She LOVED it ... she learned a routine, improved her skills, was always a good listener and was tuckered out at the end of each session. She loved it so much, she is going again this week!!

Julia waiting her turn!!

Julia and Coach Meagan (our sweet babysitter as well!!)

Kate in Action

Finally a short video of Katie pitching .... this is from last week when they won the Mizuno tourney.

Off to Dora Live

Off they Go to Dora Live!!

Another Daddy/daughter date ... this time to Dora Live in Tampa. Julia was tickled to be going by herself with Daddy. Sean is always so good at spending one on one time with the kids. He took Matthew and Katie to the All Star game and in October, he and Andrew will be rocking it out at U2 in Tampa. Now for him and William ... maybe a bike ride and a trip to the park. I hope they have a blast!!!

BFF Time

Julia and Lauren had a blast yesterday playing for over 2 hours on the slip and slide!! Since Jules is going to WPS this year, they won't be in class together, so we wanted to get them together a bunch to play. We are hoping that they will be on the same soccer team. They are such fabulous friends ... always chatting, laughing and never fighting (except over the dreaded shopping cart!). Thanks for a fun day yesterday girls ... I loved playing with you!!

More Ponte Vedra Pictures

Time to Hit!!!

Jett & Matthew .... football faces!!

Who are we? STORM!!!

Matthew on the left ... tackling drills!!

Mizuno Champs

Katie's 10U Overdrive softball team won the Mizuno Tournament in Clearwater this past weekend. Katie pitched a bunch of innings, really played well, had a bunch of hits, got hit 2 times, and had amazing competitive spirit and focus. You can tell from these pictures that she was in the game and really trying to apply all the new pitching techniques she has learned from her new pitching coach, Jodi. We can already see some of it working in a game!! Sunday we played 6 games and we were at the fields from 8:00 am - 9:30pm (all of us!!). It was a great moment for Kate and I was so glad that we were all there to support her.

Champs!!

Focused!

It's Football Time Again ....

Matthew is the first one to begin his fall sport season. Tiny Mite tackle football began this week ... Matthew is playing in the same division as last year!! He is the 3rd oldest on the team and looks so big compared to some of the kids. It is very fun to watch him practice ... he is my MOST FOCUSED child by far. I know some of you are chuckling because you know Matthew's personality ... he can be focused on being angry as well!! But .. seriously ... football is such a great sport for him. He is a thinker so he likes the strategy ... he is focused ... and he can get angry which is a football asset. They go to full pads next week ... we will post some more pictures.

Embrace Each Day ....

This week I went to one of the saddest funerals I have ever been to!! A friend of Katie's father was killed in a car accident ... he was only 39 years old ... just like us ... his daughter is in 6th grade ... just like us. He was driving his family home from their beach vacation ... just like us. Now his sweet wife is grieving his death!! We all know that our time here is limited ... you could be gone anytime ... you should live everyday like it is your last ... spend more time with the people that you love ... but somehow the daily tasks of the day fill our time. The laundry, the errands, the shopping .... It always takes a tragedy to pull things into perspective. My task for today is to embrace this day. Thank God for the bountiful blessings he has given our family, laugh with friends on the phone, snuggle with my husband and my five awesome kiddos, look at photos of my dad, and know that each day is a gift here on this Earth.

Treasured Time

As you can see from the new blog look and sidebar pictures, we had a successful time with our beach pictures The kids were all pretty good ... William a bit tentative because he is not a fan of the waves and Julia a bit crazy since she thought she was doing a shoot for America's Next Top Model. I really wanted to get a picture with each of the kids separately ... almost worked but by the time we got to the girls, everyone has run out of steam. Sean and I really thought alot on this trip about how time just flies by. We moved away from Jacksonville almost 8 years ago .... Andrew is in his last year of junior high ... our baby turned 2 ... and we are on the brink of 40. Life is so good and we are so blessed ..... but we want to take more time to enjoy the kids, just laugh, talk, play .....

Birthday at the Beach

We really think that William understands it is his birthday .. he has been in the best mood today. We spent the entire morning and early afternoon at the beach. Will and Jules (and Mom) spent most of our time in the pool!! The little ones are napping now and then hopefully everyone will be in a good mood for our beach pictures and birthday celebration tonight. Instead of the traditional cake ... we are going to do 'Smores around the fire pit!! Another wonderful day of family, fun and sun!! We are so blessed.

Happy Birthday Little Man

Our sweet William arrived two years ago today. We are so blessed by this little guy. He has been the perfect addition to our family. He is incredibly sweet, snuggly, an amazing sleeper and eater, a great little brother ... everyone fights for his attention!! We can't imagine our family without him ... we laugh everyday at his funny saying, his dances and his energy. We love you so much Willie B!!!