Well .. why not add another sport?

Julia started her sports life today at her first soccer practice. She was a bit nervous but did awesome and really participated. She loved the stretching and drills ... but was not too sure when they simulated a game. She just stood back and watched. We are not a soccer family, but think it is great to start with soccer when they are four to figure out how to play on a team, the discipline of practice and of course the SNACKS!!! I was a bit melancholy watching her out there ... time seems like it is on warp speed lately. School, soccer ... next thing you know Senior Prom. I better take time to enjoy all these fun moments!!

Julia and Lauren ... BFFs and teammates!!

Anniversary Dinner

We had a wonderful "date night" last night to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Even though the actual date is October 22, we decided why not celebrate in London!! Thanks to a great recommendation by the Johnstones (new WPS friends that just moved from the UK), we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Kensington Place. Yummy!!! And very different spin on traditional English food. We reminisced about the past 15 years ... all the special, funny and not so funny times. We laughed and laughed .. it was nice to just be the two of us. We really needed this trip .. thank you Sean for making it so amazing!!

London days 3 & 4

We have been going non stop for the past 2 days. We rented a car and took a full day drive through the English countryside. Sean's business partner Carolyn and her husband are also in London and we have been spending a lot of time with them. We all went to Oxford, Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water yesterday. The countryside is amazingly beautiful and so peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle of London. Sean had this "wacky" idea of waking up this morning at 5:00am to drive 2 hours to Stonehenge to watch the sunrise over the rocks. At one point, we did not think we were going to get out of London as we got stuck in a roundabout in front of Parliament!! Luckily we had a GPS in our car ... we arrived safely at Stonehenge (but it was too early ... didn't open until 9am). We had to get the car back for 10am so we looked at it through the wire fence. Oh well ... we spent the rest of the day walking the city, shopping, watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace and are now getting ready to go out to a nice dinner in Kensington. This has been an incredible trip and we are so grateful for our time together (thanks to Oma and Pawpy for their brave offer of babysitting all the kiddos!). Tomorrow is a travel day & then we will have to come back to the real world!!

Laker Football 4 - 0

Sean and I were sad to miss Andrew's game on Thursday, but were so happy to hear another victory for our Laker boys!!! The 9th graders could not play in this one, so we knew it would be closer. We won 14 - 6 over a good Merritt Island team. Andrew had a forced fumble and recovery and so great open field tackles. Sean's dad went to the game and our friends were texting us all the updates!!! Sean has missed 3 games in a row ... that is soooo sad. He will be there for the rest of the games.

London days 1 & 2

Sean and I are having a fantastic time so far in London!! Our travel seemed like forever with delays in NY due to the UN Meeting, and into Heathrow, but once we got here ... everything has been great. Sean had to jump off the plane and into meetings all day, so he was EXHAUSTED. I slept most of the day and then we had dinner out at a pub last night (pic below).

Today (Saturday) was a filled day ... we started with the Tower of London (tour and all!) and then spent a couple of hours at Harrods. We ate lunch there and then had Sean's favorite hot fudge sundae!! We ended up in Hyde Park just people watching and enjoying the gardens and then fabulous weather. Deciding now whether to turn in for the night or go out to some pubs!! We are going to attempt to rent a car tomorrow and take a trip to the English countryside.

Off to London We Go ....

Sean and I are leaving for London tomorrow for a long weekend (Friday - Tuesday). Sean has business there so I am taking advantage of his trip, and tagging along. Oma & Pawpy will be arriving in a bit to take care of the troops!! I have pages and pages of schedules, phone numbers, instructions, etc, etc. They have watched the kids when we went to Europe, Hawaii and Costa Rica (along with good ole Aunt Mere!). I know that I am in need of some rest and relaxation away from the house ... not even a bit nervous or worried to go!! The kids will have great fun and so will we!! I plan on spending the first day there while Sean is working just chilling in the hotel, resting, reading and basically doing a bunch of nothing. Sean's partner, Carolyn, and her husband will be there as well ... it will be fun to sightsee and go out with them. We are also calling this our "15 year anniversary trip!" October 22nd is our anniversary .... too close to get another getaway trip in ....

Julia's New Friends

Julia went to her first birthday party with her WPS friends ... at Cranium Club in Windermere. It was a very fun party with inflatables, gymnastics, crafts and pizza and cake. It was nice to see her interacting with her friends ... and I got to meet some of the mommies. I am sure there will be many more parties to go to!!!

Picture says it all ....

Not a great football day yesterday for Matthew's team. We lost again ... not a lot of protection for the quarterback (as you can see in the picture!). The poor backfield doesn't get a lot of time to get the plays off. Also, this was a VERY GOOD West Orange team!! They had not allowed one touchdown this year and only 1 first down. We got 5 first downs and had a touchdown ... Thomas had a great run to score!! Matthew had a great block on that run. Looking forward to more games ... we are sure hoping we can get a win this year!!!

Andrew's Interception TD

Just got these great pictures from Andrew's touchdown in the first game. He picked it off and ran it all the way back for a TD!!

Teddy Bear Picnic

Today was Julia's first PreK4 performance at school. They had a Teddy Bear Picnic .. all four classes sang 4 songs for the parents (with dancing included!). Julia was a little shy, but did sing all the songs. We then went to her classroom, got her panda bear and then went outside for a picnic. What a wonderful time with just Jules alone ... I can't believe how big she is getting. She is one of the younger ones in the class, but the 2nd tallest!!! She is slowing warming up, participating and making new friends. She even has a playdate set for next week ....

Good Sports Night

Laker Volleyball wins in straight games ... Katie serves 8 straight points ... Girls are 4- 1

Laker football HUGE WIN 39 - 0 ..... Football team 3 - 0

Hurricanes are winning All my Kanes are happy when their Canes are winning!!

Laker Volleyball 3 - 1

Katie's team won again last night against Foundation. We won handily in 2 games ... Kate had some great sets and ran off 6 serves for points. The whole thing was over in 40 minutes and we had no problem getting to open house with plenty of time to spare!! Looking forward to her next match on Thursday.

Our Fisherman

Matthew was so lucky to be invited by his good friend Brody and his dad for a fishing trip this weekend. They went to the East coast after their football game yesterday!!! They actually caught a 50 pound shark (see top left picture). They spent the night and fished again this morning!! Matthew had an incredible time ... he has only been fishing once (and that was with Brody) ... so this was a totally new experience for him!!

Just me and my animals ....

Took the kids to Animal Kingdom this morning (less Matthew!) He is on a fishing trip with his friend Brody. I will post pictures as soon as I get them. They caught a 50 pound shark ... wow!!! It was really nice this morning ... Andrew and Katie got to go by themselves to do all the big rides and I took the little ones to the Lion King Show and on the Safari. We all met up for lunch and were home by noon (right before the rains came!!). I LOVE having the annual passes ... we have already gone 4 times!!

Tough Guy

We played a tough and fast Leesburg team this morning. We lost 12 - 0 but our offense moved the ball pretty well. Matthew did a few quarterback sweeps for probably 45 or so yards rushing. I got a bunch of cool pictures, but this one below is my favorite ... it took almost the whole team to get Matthew down. He just kept trucking ... he also was 2 - 2 passing today and the first pass was for a first down.

WPS Football Big Win 34 - 12

Coming off another good offensive drive!!

Push him back!!

Victory!!!

Julia had a blast playing with Mason through the whole game. His dad is one of the coaches and Mason is in her class!!! Too cute!!

Another Laker VB Victory

Congrats to the WPS Middle School volleyball team .. we won again in 2 games against Geneva. We are 2 - 0 and are doing great. Katie started and played both games ... she had some great sets and serves. She also had her first spike today!!! So proud of your determination ...

Labor Day Tourney Runner's Up

Katie had a great tournament this past weekend!! She pitched 14 innings and did awesome!! Her first game she pitched a shutout and was the game MVP. We were 4 - 1 (losing in the championship game!). She pitched beautifully in the final game ... .none of the runs scoring were earned. She got several RBIs and really was a team leader!!! In the past 18 games, we have been 14 - 4 ... were a improving each tournament. We have next weekend off, and then we play in Clearwater the following weekend!! Way to go Katie Girl!!

Katie Softball Update

We wanted to try get in as many sports as possible this week ... volleyball, baseball practice, golf for Daddy, football and today softball. Katie is in tournament in Titusville (Space Coast Area). The tourney has been delayed due to rain .. so I am glad that we didn't all venture over there today. The Overdrive are 2 - 0 and are playing right now!! Katie pitched the first game and had 10 strikeouts and a one hitter. We won 5 - 0 . We won the 2nd game 7 - 1 and Katie had a single and a double and played first base. Third game results in ... we win 4-3 ... Katie pitched and hung in there to get the win!!

Awesome Football Morning

We had a great tiny mite football game this morning. Matthew played the entire game as defensive end and then alternated every other offense series as QB. He did a QB sweep for about 20 yards to set up a TD, had a couple of sacks and in on a couple more. We TIED Palm Bay ... which is the most successful Storm Tiny Mite game ever. Last year we were 0 - 8!! So far this year we are 0 -1 - 1. They are really improving!! Sean didn't get to go to the game ... he is in Titusville with Katie for a softball tourney. All the games are delayed so we are staying home today and will go out for the games tomorrow!!

Laker Victory

First Laker Football Victory yesterday .... We beat Heritage Christian 54 - 12. Andrew played tons on both offense (linebacker) and defense (safety). He had an interception for a touchdown (see the lower left corner picture), was in on a bunch of tackles and forced a safety. We scored on a fumble recovery, a pass, a running touchdown and the interception. It was a blast to be on campus with all the faculty, kids, band ... a great atmosphere. Sean and I were talking last night how we love our school .... we have spent a lot of time this week after school on campus with volleyball and football. So lucky to have found such an amazing school!!! Can't wait until next week ....

Andrew and Ryan ... happy after WPS Victory!

Daddy and Andrew ... my two guys!!

Middle School Volleyball

Tonight was Katie's first middle school volleyball game. She is playing with mostly 7th and 8th graders (her and Casey (her BFF) are the only 6th graders on the red team!). She did awesome at serving with four aces. She is relatively short on the team ... which is funny because she is usually one of the tallest. If you know me well, I don't get very sappy!! But tonight I had a moment when I looked at her out there on the court with that look of determination and I just couldn't believe she could be in 6th grade!! She is so independent, self motivated, and confident that she just slides through the years without the need of alot of attention. Boy .. I got all teary thinking of her first year at WPS in 2nd grade .... That chubby face, big bow, plaid sailor dress ... she hadn't ever picked up a softball or volleyball and in 4 short years, we can totally see the kind of young woman she is going to be!!! Way to go Miss Kate ... you rock!!

Ready for the serve ... same face as when she is pitching!!

Katie and Casey ....

Great dig!!!

Check out her size relative to some of the girls!!