Another Day Full of Soccer

Careline played two games of soccer again today. The first one in Woodbury in the blazing hot sun (although I'm not complaining that it's still this sunny and gorgeous out on the last day of September) and the 2nd game she played at home a couple of hours later.  She scored one goal today and placed several other nice shots on net.

I realize that my kids aren't the biggest kids around...but what the heck are they feeding the kids in Woodbury???  Check out the size of this 8 year old!

Bathing Beauties

One Handsome Dude

McLaughlin's Law

We've all heard of Murphy's Law...the law of nature that anything that can go wrong will, but did you know that there is also a McLaughlin's Law?  It goes something like this:  Anytime and every time (and I mean every.single.time) Daddy has to go out of town overnight on a business trip...somebody is going to be sick.  This time it's Adeline who is home with "the crud".  She seems to have a little more energy this morning than she did at noon yesterday when I was called to her day school to pick her up...but I figured I better let her stay home today and get better.  Besides...with the 2 big ones away at school for the day, the Daddy out of town, and one little one moving at a pace slower than normal, maybe I can get this place cleaned up.  Maybe.

Fall Is Officially Here

An Afternoon In Goal

Careline doesn't often get to play goalie...as her talents are needed elsewhere on the field...but she does enjoy playing that position every now and then.  Sunday she had her chance during a scrimmage with Hastings.  Of course she played as aggressively in the nets as she does out on the field and made a lot of great saves...including the third photo where she just got enough of the ball with her stretched out foot to redirect it away from the net.

4 and Oh!!!

Minneapolis Star Tribune

I think I might just apply for a sports reporting job at the Star Tribune...that's a pretty clever headline I came up with after our Minnesota Gophers beat Syracuse last night to start the season off with 4 and 0 record.

Of course this is the year we decided to give up our Gophers seasons tickets.  We're just too busy running our own kids around here there and everywhere to also make it to all of the Gopher games.  We are true Gopher fans though...and will cheer for them through the good, the bad, and the ugly (although it's much more fun in times like the present when it's good!)

You Can Almost See The Man On The Moon Tonight

Soccer Double Header In Eau Claire

Today we traveled all the way to Eau Claire, Wisconsin for a soccer double header.  The girls rewarded our long distance drive with a double header sweep.  This was Careline celebrating with her teammates after one of her two goals.  A lot of girls got in on the scoring today...which was nice to see.  Yeah Packers!

Toddler Property Laws (my favorite is #10)

Looking Good For Picture Day

Adeline's Family Tree

I'm so impressed with the day school Adeline just recently started attending.  She learns something new each and every day and she creates all sorts of cute artwork like this family tree she brought home in her Elmo backpack yesterday.  Precious.

Our New Favorite Hangout Spot

Pat and I have spent a ton of time on our deck ever since we finished staining it last month.  And why wouldn't we...it's beautiful out there.  I shared photos of our newly stained deck...but I never showed you how everything looks complete with a new loveseat, new table and chairs, and a couple of comfy adirondack chairs.  There have been quite a few alcoholic beverages consumed out on our new nighttime hangout (way more by Pat than by myself...just sayin!)

I love the material the table and chairs are made with.  It's almost like a patterned leather weave.

Here's the lovely birthday gift Pat and the kids gave me...a huge and gorgeous mum.

For extra ambience (and to keep the skeeters away)...we light our tiki torches when we're outside.

Buddy's Half Birthday

Today is Braden's half birthday.  He's exactly 7 and a half.  And if I know him the way I think I know him...he's already started his birthday present wish list!

A Visit With The Gouveia's

Chris and Leigh Gouveia, who now live in California but who lived in the apartments in Hastings at the same time Mom, Dad, Krista, and I did when us kids were quite little, are in Minnesota this weekend to attend a wedding.  They made time to stop over at our house last night for a nice visit.  It was great to see them both again after all these years and catch up on their lives and the lives of their entire family.

Lunch With A Dear Friend

Thank You so much Mary for having myself and the birthday lunch pals over to your new place today for lunch. As always, your cooking was fabulous! We sure miss you at work but it makes these visits all the more special.

29 Months (plus 4 days)

Daddy brought it to my attention that I forgot to post an entry for the 29th anniversary of Adeline's birth...so here is our happy silly girl at 29 months.

I was so proud of her this morning. She has been getting very sad and crying every morning when I drop her off at day school because it's still new to her and she doesn't know anyone...but today she ran right over to her Teacher to give her a big hug and she waved me goodbye.

Just What Has Buddy's Undivided Attention???

Buddy has never been too into watching TV...but after staying with his Cousin Daniel for a couple nights last week while we were in Vegas, the kid is hooked on watching wrestling.  Tonight he came running upstairs and proclaimed his rights to the living room television as WWE Monday Night Raw was about to come on.

Daniel, you've created a Monster!

The First Win Of The Season

The Packers beat a good White Bear Lake team on Sunday by the score of 3 to 2.  I almost feel sorry for the other teams goalie every game....our little soccer star doesn't quit until the ball is in the net or the goalie has a good grip on the ball.  But that's the way it should be...play hard or don't bother to play at all!
 

Fall Soccer Season Is Off To A Good Start

Careline had her first soccer game of the Fall season this morning and netted her first two goals of the new season.  Her team was leading Woodbury by the score of 3 to 2 for the majority of the second half, but unfortunately our opponent scored with mere seconds remaining to tie the game.

Keeping Adeline entertained during these games is truly a group effort. She has her favorite people who she goes to.  Emma's Mom is always willing to play games with her on her iPhone, she loves to sit and watch the game on Addison's Dad's lap, and Asia (our nanny from this Summer) loves to spend time with our pumpkin.

41 Years YOUNG (at least that's what I'm trying to tell myself)

Adeline's Self Portrait

Perhaps taken from not the greatest of camera angles!

The First Day of School 2012

A Late Bloomer

And Just Like That...Our Vacation Is Over

Pat and I had a terrific 5 day 4 night stay in the city that never sleeps but as the familiar saying goes...all good things must come to an end...and so too our vacation has ended.

We spent our final night last night hanging out in downtown Vegas. Wow...that's one wild party place. What amazed us the most on our trip were the amount of people who had their kids with them. Even last night at well past midnight countless numbers of children were still out and about. Weird that Pat and I wanted to spend some quality time alone together and not subject our kids to scantily dressed women dancing on tables, drunken idiots, hookers, and homeless people begging for money with signs including "Need $ for penis enlargement" and "Let's face it - I just need a beer" (ok...that beer one almost got some cash from Pat).

Here are photos from our last day. Til next time Vegas!