Soccer Season

This year Connor got really serious about Soccer! There was so much improvement seen since past years on the field, that his coach nicknamed him "beast!"

 

And just like all the other second graders, Connor got to try out his skills as goalie. No one scored on while he was in the goal all year! (Note: Hardly anyone scores at all with second grade goalies. They are a tough bunch to get a ball past, apparently.)

 

What I love about soccer, is that they keep the same boys on the same teams every year. We have been with basically the same group for 3 years now since our littlest fans (Kaia & Ashlyn) were just two years old. All the little sisters sit on a tarp, or run around in the background, or huddle under the same umbrella. For the second grade boys its hard work, for the rest of us its basically social hour :)

Thanksgiving Vacation!

Our new bi-annual tradition is to spend Thanksgiving in Sunriver with the Cunninghams!

 This year we had an extra special treat: lots and lots of snow. So much snow, in fact, that Connor managed to find the world's largest snowball & toss it right at me. He regretted that, of course, when he found out that my aim is also quite good. 

Part of every Cunningham vacation involves building Legos. This trip, Connor had an awesome set that doubled as a hot tub boat. It really floats!

The girls were old enough this year to hit up the big sledding hill with all of us. But apparently not old enough to actually walk up the entire hill. Daddy is a sucker for helping cold pathetic cute little girls, I guess.

In approximately 20 degree weather we trekked about 1/2 mile to watch the Santa Parade. Clearly, the walking was not a highlight for the kids. Or for their dad. Only a dad of twins can pull this off. Please note the super miserable faces on the tiny people who ARE NOT EVEN WALKING. Clearly, we need to toughen up a smidge around here.

And a picture of the three that we loving call "The Triplets." These three are basically the exact same size, have the same hair color, and can play pretend pirate treasure hunters or Paw Patrol for hours like their lives depend on it.

All the kids really loved getting up early with Grandma & Grandpa. Connor usually arises between 5:30 & 6:30 am (on a normal day like only a crazy person would). On vacation he got into a habit of getting up BEFORE 5:30, so he could watch cartoons with the early birds. One night I suggested that he try to sleep in a bit, just close his eyes a smidge longer, get some more rest in the AM. His reply, "No mom - this is VACATION! I can't wait to get up. That's what I like to do on my vacation. Sleeping in is not really my sport." Ok, Connor. Noted. Its basically like this child was not made from my DNA. At times like these, Connor's parents were very thankful for the other early risers in the house! Good food, good company, good memories!

Our New Ballet Studio

Good News! We have moved back into our house. Bad news! We are still unpacking boxes. However, our little ballet dancers don't seem to care. They have taken over the living room for their dance studio. Maybe we will just forget about getting new furniture in there, because tiny dancers and nutcracker music is #justthebest

Also, I should mention that our girls made the cut to be on the cover of their dance studio flyer. I saw it in Starbucks! They are basically "famous" now, just like their movie star Mom & Uncle Will. #kindergartencopextras

Newest Cousin!

Meet our newest cousin, Raelynn! 

Our four-year olds are old enough to hold her on their lap & are just so excited about it!

Raelynn's big sister, Madisyn, loves to hold her too.

Trick or Treat

We had two Halloween functions this year....so obviously, Kaia & Ashlyn had to make good use of BOTH sets of costumes! This year Trick-or-Treating was done for about 20 minutes in the pouring rain in between moving boxes and unpacking into our new (old) house. It was a Halloween to remember for sure!