Soccer Game - 4/25/09

I said I would try not bore you with soccer shots, but the truth is that soccer has taken over our lives! Soccer was supposed to be a Dad and Daughter experience but we have found out that with practice twice a week and games every Saturday, it takes the Team! So here's Saturday's game, another great game for the Eagles! And there will probably be many, many more soccer shots - our season ends June 1st in case you were wondering!

It's hard to see in this photo, but I got tickled seeing hot pink toenail polish and shin guards so close together. Getting these socks on is definitely a two person operation!

Alyssa chatting with her team mate and thoroughly enjoying her time on the bench.

A "coachable" moment - hmmm?

Alyssa again getting close to the action. I said today that Alyssa likes everything about soccer except kicking the ball! It is a great experience for her and Momma is fine if she doesn't get right in there, less stitches, right?!?!

Goldie is Gone

We lost our first fish, Goldie, yesterday and Alyssa was sad but very brave (no pictures, please). She is now buried in the front yard with the roses. Alyssa made her a headstone with a magic marker and a rock, very sweet. She wanted Drew to dig Goldie up right after she was buried to see if she had gone to Heaven already, but she was still there. She's asked some thoughtful questions about death this week like, "If we hold hands can we all go together?" She said she didn't want to be here alone. Oh, the guilt an only child can place upon your heart! Piper welcomed a newborn baby boy into her family yesterday and Hali's mom is expecting a baby boy in July. Alyssa says she would like a little sister! It's hard to explain that you're old to a child and that you couldn't possibly love another child as much as you love her (I know this isn't true!). Or the real truth, that God's plan for your family is to only have one child and that God has been more than clear about this! I'm a little sad for her today, for a lot of reasons but mostly because she is sad and has a want that is impossible for Momma and Dada to fulfill. Well, William is still alive and seems to be fine and we have another soccer game to play. The world doesn't stop for your pain - off we go!

Triple Trouble

Alyssa always has a blast when she sees her twin cousins, Emily and Erica, and this visit was no exception! Load 'um all up in one car and give them some sugar - the best way for Triple Trouble to start! they had a great time playing together on Saturday but no one could handle the three of them all night so we split them up for bed time.

Here they are ready for Sunday School - poor teacher!

After a wonderful lunch there were hills to run at the Golf Course . . .

Before a quick pose on Hole 14 . . .

Then it's back to Vuvva and Nana's and more Goat Chasing - they were determined to touch the little ones!

When trying to catch the babies didn't work out, touching tails of the big ones and watching goats poop was more entertaining!

A cute shot - twin girls watching twin baby goats eat.

Finally - where Triple Trouble will get ya - crashed out in your boost for the car ride home. Alyssa slept all the way from Lexington to Charleston, she hasn't slept that well in a car since she was a baby! The girls had a great time together and we can't wait to see you again!

Clay's 40th

We had a crazy, whirlwind weekend. We missed our sweet nephew, Miller's 1st Birthday Party because of Alyssa's Soccer Game but we made it to Columbia in time to wish Clay a Happy 40th. The golf cake was awesome looking and tasting. But not as funny as the Curious George Birthday cakes Miller had - ha!

Are you ready for 40?

Make a wish and here you go . . . .

Drew and Clay with just one of his many gag gifts. Happy 40th clay! We love ya and had a great time celebrating with you!

First Soccer Game

Alyssa had her first soccer game on Saturday, here's our girl at home getting ready. Notice the new "Soccer Girl Do" much better for running with the wind!

Here's a line up, Assistant Coach, Drew, is the last one on the left.

Alyssa gets pretty close to the action.

Alyssa running for the ball, Dad full of enthusiasm, a perfect moment captured!

The Bench - we also spent plenty of time here. Darren is raising his hand because he wants to play. Alyssa and Caden are a little more interested in their water bottles :)

Daughter and Dad sharing some grapes after the game - way to go Eagles! Great first game!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to our Blog! Thanks to all of you who visit our Blog and keep up with the A Team's Happenings. We had over 4,000 visits this year. Not only has our blog served as a scrapbook for Alyssa and an update for family and friends, it has been very therapeutic for me. Now that Drew has taken an interest in photography, we hope our blog will be even better in 2009! Thanks again for your attention!

Soccer, Again!

I'll try not to bore you with soccer shots this season but this week we had a new camera lens, a new team shirt and decent weather without any gnats, so I was ready to capture some action!

Alyssa could hardly contain her excitement of being "#1" - all that her precious, modest, little ego needed - Ha!

A big kick - the other excitement about the new team shirt is that we are sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Alyssa's favorite restaurant. Chick-fil-A and #1 - it's impossible to do any better than that!

Drew has also received a promotion - he is now the Assistant Coach. This is apparently what assistants do, tie shoes while little boys beat their heads - poor guy!

I liked this shot - Alyssa scores!

And last but certainly not least - my two favorite people in the WHOLE WORLD!

2nd Honeymoon - Gatlinburg, TN

My Spring Break at school allowed Drew and I to do something we had not done since Alyssa was born, five years ago, take a marvelous vacation together! We chose Gatlinburg, TN due to the proximity of the kid sitters and because Drew had never been there before. It turned out to be just the right mix of nature and city life. Look out, Eya and Poppy, we might make this an annual thing!

Our cabin, "Love Nest" included an outdoor hot tub and an indoor jacuzzi, both were enjoyed thoroughly along with the gorgeous Smoky Mountain view.

Morning view, nice back porch with rockers.

A Baptist Church in Cades Cove. There was a Baptist church on every corner in Gatlinburg. One of Drew's coworkers who had suggested we see Cades Cove said we would be "so far in the back woods that even the Presbyterians would be handling snakes!" We did not see any Presbyterian churches. We did see a funny t-shirt that read: "Paddle faster, I hear banjo music!" We really were in the back woods!

I liked the fences/gates.

A cool old barn, still don't know what the square holes are for?

The red bud was blooming in full force, made for many nice shots.

Photographer extraordinaire (giggle) !

Downtown Gatlinburg - I was attracted to the extra large chocolate bunnies - they were plastic! We made a secret wish and threw our penny in the fountain behind the basket!

Riding the Sky Lift, too cool in our shades - PEACE!

The tulips were also festive!

Ripley's Moving Theater - moving seats and so much fun I lost my voice screaming!

We had a SERIOUSLY good time!

Thanks so much, Eya and Poppy, for keeping our girl so Drew and I could have a fantastic vacation together! Alyssa had a GREAT time at Camp Butterfly and obviously missed us terribly - ha!