Go Tigers!

These are a few of the sweet pics from Picture day. I was a little bummed that the photographer only snapped one pic of Aidan. He didn't even have a chance to crack a smile (not that he would have for the camera). Oh well. Everyone looks great!

He Shoots, He Scores!!!

Here's the video of AJ's first goal! Check out how Dyson takes the ball across the field, has the chance to shoot, but then stops and passes it to Haley. Then Aidan ALMOST picks up the ball, but decides to use his feet instead. What a solid, strong kick, AJ! Good job!

Secret Weapon

Who IS that handsome boy in the red socks on the Tiger soccer team? Did they get a new player? A secret weapon? That's right folks...Aidan Stuart decided to grace the YMCA soccer world with his presence. No longer a spectator from the sidelines. No longer a cheerleader. He BROUGHT IT on Saturday. He decided, after 1 1/2 seasons, to show off his soccer skills in public at an actually game! As parents of this timid child, we received some grief from others (and secretly felt it as well) about why we were forcing our child to do something he OBVIOUSLY did NOT want to do. But I knew that with Aidan, everything takes time...Aidan's timing. He has to test the water before jumping in. But once he's in, he can't help but splash around and have a blast. He was not only out on the soccer field, but he was basking in the moment. He was playing around with his buddies, running after the ball, and--best of all--he was SMILING and LAUGHING and having a great time. I wanted Aidan to try soccer again this season because I knew that if he tried it, JUST ONCE, that he would have fun. I just wanted him to have a good time!!! Quite frequently, the boys and I go to the gym and Ethan & Aidan get to play with some of his Tiger soccer teammates pretty consistently. He gets excited to go to the gym to play with them. I KNOW without a doubt that this has made him realize how fun it is to play on a team with his friends from the gym. Sam and Ben ran up to him at the beginning of the game on Saturday and asked him if he would go out on the field with them. At first he said "No, not yet." Then as soon as they ran out onto the field, he said, "I wanna play soccer." At first, I was thinking, "No, they already have 4 on the field." then I thought, "What the heck am I thinking, GRETCHEN! Aidan wants to play!!!" Out he went! He threw the ball in from the sidelines, he ran after the ball, and...he SCORED A GOAL!! His first official game and he SCORED!!! My little secret weapon. I am so proud of him. He overcame one of his fears! What a great accomplishment at 3. Thanks to our fair coaches and the whole team for supporting Aidan in being a time hog the entire game.

Pumpkin Patch

Grams & I took the kids to a pumpkin patch in Perkins last week.

There were soooo many healthy sized pumpkins, I was so excited!!

Ethan loved picking out pumpkins, which of course he called "balls".

Aidan slept through most of the trip, so I didn't get any shots of him.

But Aidan thought it was fun too.

Kodie & Ethan

My Supermen

I found these darling jammies at Target. Aidan is really into super heroes right now, so they are perfect. They even have detachable capes! The boys have been running around the house with their capes flying in the wind.

Opal Lake

I forgot to post one of my favorite parts of the trip. Opal Lake is a beautiful spot which was one of James and my camping spots from pre-parenthood. It is beautiful! The surrounding mountains and lush green trees reflect into the beautiful "lake" (large pond). And there are nice flat areas perfect for camping. We decided to take everyone there on a day hike. It is a mile hike straight up the mountain. Half went by horseback and the other half went on foot. James and I enjoyed walking (with James toting along little Ethan in our Kelty backpack) and of course Aidan rode good ol' Gunner. I am absolutely amazed at Aidan's skill at only 3 years old. He was able to ride via horseback through the rough terrain the entire hour and 15 minute hike without use of the stirrups. He never lost his center, keeping his balance through the steep inclines and decents. He was so comfortable, he even sang as we went! Ethan LOVED riding in the backpack. He could actually see the world from our level without exerting any energy! Just as Aidan did when he was small, Ethan fell asleep a few times while hiking. Opal Lake is one of my favorite places!

Exhausted after a long trip!

We had such a wonderful time in Colorado this summer. We spent hours soaking in the hot tub, went on peaceful walks, painful runs uphill from the Allen's cabin, had time to shop (Allie) and golf (James) and horseback ride (Aidan). We saw many wild animals--elk, deer, raccoons, marmots, hummingbirds, and we even saw a BEAR jet across the road in front of the bus the day we left! We enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
We can't wait until the Blanco Basin is covered in blankets of snow.

Maybe it will be a good time to get Aidan in a pair of skis.
But until then, we're gonna get to bed. We're exhausted!