Lately

Besides birthdays and soccer (which have taken up a big portion of our time!), here's what we've been up to in the last few weeks!

Jeep riding!

Grandparents' breakfast at Parker's school.

Lunch with Uncle Jack!  (Can you tell by their hairstyles that they're brothers?)

Picnicking at the GT game.

She can tie her shoes!

FALL... thank goodness you're finally here!

Lunch with these two cuties.

Riding MARTA to the US women's soccer game.

First MARTA ride for these two.

It was pouring outside and we were completely soaked!

We didn't get home until almost midnight... and it was a school night!

This boy loves to "read" his books.

Cutie Taylor.

Helping out in Sydney's gifted class.  They worked in groups to come up with a treat that used solids, liquids, and gasses. 

"Bill Nye" came in with his assistant to taste test and judge!

KG school pic.

2nd grade school pic.

Trying out Halloween costumes.  Don't be scared of Spider Ninja Man!

A soccer shot from the soccer place's facebook page.

My 13-year-old niece is taller than me!!! Eek!  (This was at the church I grew up going to's 50th anniversary celebration)

Taylor's buddy's birthday party.  It was her and a bunch of boys!

A hike on the Chattahoochee River with Ashley.

Helping out in Taylor's class.  A bunch of little fall activities just in time for fall break!

The kids had fun.  One kid said, "This is the best day of my life!"  Too cute.

Soccer

Soccer is back in action for the girls!

Sydney is in the same league as last year (U8) but is on a different team with a different coach.  We requested her friend Izzy's coach, who seemed to be a really great one.

Taylor, on the other hand, moved up leagues to U6 this year.  She, ironically, is also on Sydney's coach's team- she and her husband coach both of their daughters' teams, who happen to be the same age as our girls.  The extra benefit to that- practice is on the same night, back-to-back!  Whoop.

The girls are doing awesome.  Taylor is still a head taller than the other kids, even in this new league.  She and her friend Addie are on the same team, and the two of them pretty much dominate the field.  Addie is a really good ball-handler and shooter.  Taylor has a really strong foot, is great at defending, but also scoring!

Sydney is also doing really well.  Her team this year is stacked with very decent players, so they've won all their games so far.  (This is VERY different from the last year... I don't think she won a single game in 2 seasons!)  They've only allowed one goal so far in 4 games.

We love their coaches and their dedication.  It's been an exciting season!

FOUR!

My sweet Parker turned FOUR this week!  Four??!  It really is true... the days are long, but the years are short.

When in doubt, pull that thumb down!

We had a little family celebration the night before his birthday, where he got to open our presents to him.  Oh boy, was he excited!

Tow truck!

Lots o' legos.

What he wanted most!

The girls decorated his room and the downstairs the night before (including a little obstacle course made of crepe paper), so when he woke up on his birthday, he was surprised.

I took Parker to school in the morning, and then Stephen and I went back at his lunch time to bring his requested treat... pink frosted doughnuts with sprinkles.  The kids enjoyed them!  It was fun being with his class for a little while.  3-4 year olds are hoots.

When his sisters and Izzy and Meredith got home that day, we sang to him and everyone had a doughnut.

A card Taylor and her friends made Parker at school!

Parker got some cards in the mail, presents from his grandparents, and a future extended-family birthday party will occur in the near future!  What a fun time birthdays are.

A singing card!  (He slept with it for a few nights)

Happy birthday to my sweet Parker!!