The crazy fun that is fall at our house

Once September (and October) hit it started to feel a bit more like back to school time, and soccer, and beautiful fall days. 

Spencer played for his first season (unless you count the one he tried when he was three and he sat and cried on the sidelines)  and I was so proud of him for getting out there and trying a team sport.  He did awesome and learned a lot for his first time playing.  He was a great team player and had several assists on the goal.   It helped that his best friend at school was on his team and that same friends dad was the coach.

Jacob played his second season and he really came out of his shell.  He scored several goals in most games and really loved playing with his teammates again.  I loved his coaches, two seniors from a local high school.  They had the funnest drills for the boys.  And all of the kids really made huge progress with them.

After a year off Maren was so excited to get back on the field.  She was with a whole new team, as her old team is no longer around.  She played really well.  Her coach initially played her about half at forward and half at full back.  But about midway through the season he started her at halfback and she really shined.  She played there a lot.  He rarely took her out for a break.  She was great at getting the ball to the forwards and had lots of assists.  She even scored once or twice.  She always got lots of comments as she was about a head taller than most of the kids out there.

And I survived having three kids on the field at once.  It was crazy at times, especially game days.  I was often running from one field to the next to catch two (or three) games at once.   But practicing wasn't too bad with carpools set up with two of the three.

Besides soccer we spent a lot of time in the backyard enjoying a beautiful fall.  And of course getting into the swing of a school routine of homework, practicing, and earlier bedtimes.  

We spent a couple of beautiful afternoon days on the Mesa, enjoying some hiking and BBQ's.  The leaves were amazing this year.  I loved the chance to get away and just breath in beautiful fall cold air and play with my kids.  As life gets busier and busier with activities as the kids get older I find I really crave the time we spend together just doing fun and meaningful things.  

 I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.

And fall wouldn't be complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch and....

Halloween!
The kids had some creative costumes this year.  Amanda was a "diction" fairy.  I was impressed.  She made the whole costume using an old dictionary and a hot glue gun.  Her friend, Shayla, was able to join us for trick or treating and a party at a school friends home.  

I am sad to say I really failed in the picture department on the other kids.  Maren was a pack of "smarties", as in the candy.  It was an adorable costume she found on pinterest and we made together.   But it did not hold up.  The cellophane she wrapped around her made it through a trunk r treat at church, and a friend party, before I was taping the thing together.  The taped version made it through most of the Halloween day events including school, and a neighborhood friends party, and by trick or treat time she went without it.  

 Jacob was a Ninja...again this year.  But he was cute and honestly with my creative girls going to town on costumes I was grateful to just pull something out of the dress up bin.

Spencer was an army guy and he rocked that costume.  And I must say, Dave had fun buying that costume for him.  I think he looks awesome and he loved everything about Halloween Day.  His class had a carnival that I came to help with, but mostly just walked around with Jacob to play the games.  His game was spooky bowling.  And the kids on his "team" did a great job making it and taking turns running the booth.  The kindergartners and first graders come to visit each classroom and their games, then the second graders take turn visiting each other booths.  It is such a fun crazy day, followed by a costume parade at school, a party at our neighbors house, and finally trick or treating.  I was not surprised that halfway around the neighborhood that night he was done and ready for bed.  

And so was I...I must add.