Tis the Season...

The calendar reminds me that is Christmas is coming, however, 80+ degrees sends my senses into all sorts of confusion. Like just this past Fri night was Flip the Switch at church and we were wearing shorts!! Soooo NOT RIGHT! I long for days of boots, scarves, and sweaters...((sigh)). Anyway, this 'confusion' caused me to delay a bit in my project which was making stockings for the family. I spent several hours over the Thanksgiving weekend making these babies and I am so in love. I adore that they 'go together' but are not all the same. I love that I was able to make them to match m existing style and decorations. I love how for the first time in 15 yrs I have stocking to hang. I love the most that this is another image that our family is indeed complete. (Although I did have a mini fantasy about making future spouse and grand kid ones in the way, way future...Shane just rolled his eyes at me.)

Ray Family Photo Shoot

This family has become great friends thanks to soccer! We adore all of them and their children are a joy to be around. Jen asked me to take some family photos since the last time they had a decent picture of the 6 of them was when the youngest was born...he's now 4! Way over due...and it was a great day. Everyone had their best smiles which makes taking the pictures easy!

A quiet, relaxing day of thanks

We spent this Thanksgiving hanging out in our pajama's until 3pm, watching movies, playing outside, and of course eating! We NEED these kind of holidays for our family every couple of years and I know it is ideal when the kids, on their own, comment on how awesome the day was. Here are some pictures from our day...

Happy Thankgiving

Patriot's Cup 2012

Jacob plays for MSC United, ironically it is the same club my brother played for when he was growing up too. We have developed some amazing relationships with families on the team and I am blessed they are a part of our lives. We also care for all 11 boys on the team and enjoy seeing them play well together and have success. Our coach has been putting the boys in the gold division for the tournaments to help make them stronger and play up to the intense competition. This tournament was spectacular as the team went on to beat the #1 team in Maricopa County and take first place in the whole tournament  for their age bracket. We couldn't have been more excited for this amazing accomplishment.

Jacob also received his first major injury in the championship game on Sunday afternoon. He did a slide to save what looked like could have been a goal for the other team. As he slid, another boy on the other team, the one setting up the would be goal, came full force and hit his left knee. My mama heart stopped at his cries of agony from the field. His coach carried him off the field, we iced it, had a doctor from our other MSC team check it out and waited. We also have a great ortho doc at church who graciously examined him later in the evening. He said structurally it looked fine but we needed to wait and see. We borrowed some crutches from another team mate and he didn't walk on it for a week. We also rented a wheelchair at Disneyland the next weekend but encouraged him to start taking small steps. We are now about 17 days post injury and he is doing great! There are still remnants of the bruising but he has full function and escaped without any major consequences like broken bones or damaged ligaments. He was overjoyed to play in the final season game just two weeks later. 

Here are a couple of pictures from the tournament and the post injury knee...

 Celebrating the victory Saturday afternoon!

"Mom, really, you NEED to take pictures while I sit here in pain and reading? Geesh!" Of course...how else do we remember all this interesting times in your life!!!

He is becoming one special young man!!!

Boy's Birthday Weekend at Disneyland

We took the boys for their weekend at Disneyland and again we really enjoy the focused time with a couple kids. We get to see more of their personalities and I think it just makes us stronger as a family. We were blessed with a cold front that came into the area as we arrived so it really felt like winter was just around the corner. The boys had a great time...their smiles say it all!