Soccer 2017

One of the highlights of summer! Soccer.

Kevin bumped up to U18 this year and enjoyed it. His team was a very undedicated team for whatever reason and most weeks they had no subs and often played with only 6 or 7 or 8 players (which the other team would match . .but still didn't feel like real soccer)  So that was unfortunate, but the good thing was he hardly ever had to sit. In the past he has always been on really dedicated large teams and he doesn't do sitting very patiently or well. He likes the field.

Needless to say, his team didn't win a lot . .but they did win! and they often came surprisingly close considering how tired they must have been most nights.

Kade had a really good year and played on a really good team - and I could say had a really good couple of coaches .. . but really it was all the kids. I coached Kade with my friend Linda and it was really fun. The team did not lose all year  . . but tied twice. There were lots of close games and it was really fun to see the kids play well together and interact well together too.

So they came in first place for the season, but unfortunately not for the tournament.  Oh well!

I also coached Kylie's team with my niece Allison. This was a learning experience (doing a younger age group (U11)) but it was lots of fun too. She had a decent team and were middle of the pack all season. Their very last game they managed to snag third place which no one expected at all . . it made that game really intense  . . especially when we went down two goals, but in the last five seconds we managed to score the goal that earned us third place. It was wild! Yes I get into it!

We asked for Kylie to be on Summer's team this year, but I guess it didn't work out. Hopefully next year.  She did get to play with Isaac . . but she didn't find that quite the same. She still loves the social aspect of the game though she is improving on the field all the time too - especially when she really thinks about it!

Kylie got a goal this year!!

Karter is in his second year of U5 and really ready to move up . . preferably to U11 :) No. He really loves soccer and he really loved playing with Mason this year!

He is pretty intense on the field (sometimes), but he doesn't seem to mind hanging on on the blanket either . .but if they need a player out there . . he is your man!

Team cheer!

Playing against Keziah's team.

Sharing a moment with Mason

Karter played the same night as Kevin, so I had to divide my time between the two of them. 

They are both fun to watch . .but U18 beats U5 any day. Sorry Karter.

The fan club

Konnor and Nora

Mason, Keziah, and Karter after a hot, sweaty game!

I love the soccer season. It is busy . . we had three nights a week, plus racing off to baseball after the Thursday games, but it is so fun and it is not a stressful busy. It is a joyful busy. Not everyone understands that, and they don't have too. Even the dear old dad of the family doesn't quite understand it, but he is glad for the opportunity the kids have to play and he loves watching too when he gets the chance. This is summer!

Port Burwell 2017

For the first time in as long as I can remember . . .so probably the first time ever! . . .we changed the week we went camping!  Because mom and dad had booked their trip to Alaska and it overlapped with our usual camping week, we decided that we would take the plunge and go camping at a different time. The alternative was to camp without mom and dad . . which face it . . is really not an alternative at all. We'd be lost. It just wouldn't be the same. At all. So off we went a full week earlier than usual - July 27th. And it was a great decision. We again (two years in a row baby!) had NO RAIN!!! Well actually it did rain a bit one evening after supper, but I was at soccer and by the time I came back, you couldn't really even tell . . so obviously just a light drizzle.  You know how fun camping is when it doesn't rain?!! It's downright enjoyable. It's a good thing to do. Even if you are camping in a lowly tent trailer.  Three years ago, we were the ones everyone was jealous of (well probably not really:)) as we cruised in with our little pop up.  We were up off the ground and could store a lot of our stuff in there to make packing easier. We had it made.  The question this year as various nieces and nephews popped by, was . . . "Why is your trailer so small?"  Well . . because I guess we still camp. Everyone else seems to have moved on to glamping.  I am happy for them. Truly. It is so nice to have your own trailer . . . no matter the size or shape.

Pictures!

These girls are growing up and are very helpful. Kylie, Summer and Anna pushing Konnor and Jackson around.(and the veggie baby got lots of lovin' too).

Marshall and Konnor

Travis

Off for a ride behind the sea doo.  We had some really good water days and lots of tests of endurance and will power . . and maybe some skin burned off too.  So much fun.

Anna, Summer, Kylie

Konnor and Jonathan

Catching some rays and enjoying each others company.

Ella, Savannah, Karter, Marshall

Karter and Savvannah

Savannah and Ella

Marshall, Karter, Savannah, Ella

Sand building

Anna

Savannah

It was those lovely kind of days where you come out of the water a bit chilly and roll around in the really warm sand and get warm . . and dirty! It was foot burning sand again and we had to be wise when we walked from the van to the shore.  I hate the sand and flip flops combination and really paid for it. The sand was burning my feet so bad that even running was not helping and I finally had to plunk down on my butt on the edge of the path with Konnor to relieve the pain! I should have learned from last year . .. but I just might be stubborn.

Kyra

Karter

Konnor and Jackson. These boys are so fun together. I'm not sure if they are yelling or singing here, but I get the feeling they were loud :)

But they sure are cute!

Konnor enjoyed the beach and was mostly fairly safe, but he did get a bit too brave at times and lose his footing. He is just learning to use his floatie properly.

Evan and Richard - probably a wild ride. It always was when the brothers were involved.

Kyle

Cousin fun

Colton

Anders and Emily

Konnor dude.

Kyra

Kyle

Kyra and Savannah

Jack and Konnor

Enjoying the water with the littler ones. 

Kite watching.

Kade and Meika playing frisbee.

Spike ball?!

Spencer

Jack and Konnor

Relaxing!

VBS! The older girls ran a VBS for a few of the days which went over surprisingly well.  We expected the littler ones to enjoy it, but they all did . .and seemed to listen even!

Mom and Dad out for a gentle ride.

Konnor

Karter

Marshall

Kade. Kade was a bit lost this year without the cousins his age to keep him company. Kevin was only able to stay overnight once . . though he did come a few evenings and Jeremy and Meika had to work most days too, though they were frequent visitors at night too.

Ella and Kylie in their matching bathing suits.

Closing program for VBS.  While the adults packed up on the last day, the older kids kept track of the younger ones and near the end of our packing, we all took a little break to watch the closing program and listen to the kids sing. They did a great job and were definitely noticed (in a good way!) by passing by campers. Good job girls!

One last beach day after packing up.  It was too good to pass up so we went just for an hour or so.

Karter and Kade playing frisbee.

Kylie 

Konnor

The end!  What a great week. The greatness is definitely measured by the weather forecast, but I suppose even more so by the company . . though we probably love each other more in the sun:)  This is a great family (i'm biased, but that's okay!) and we love having this week to spend together.  It is great to be away from home (though not very far .. . and in some ways not far enough!).  It is nice to drop the regular everyday work and relax and enjoy being outside and together. God is good.