Cross Country and Soccer

     Dawson continues to be a very busy boy this fall.  He is always on the go from one activity to another.  It is still cross country season, so he goes to practice two days a week before school and they have occasional races.  He recently had a Friday afternoon race that he did very well in.  This time, his shoe stayed on and he finished strong.  

Jameson running

Here comes Jameson

Dawson at the starting line

Off he goes!

Looks like he is having fun

GO Dawson! 

   

     Dawson had his final soccer game of the season this last weekend.  He was pretty bummed soccer was over, because he really enjoyed playing.  He will play again in the spring.  As I have mentioned, his soccer skills have come so far.  Dawson has such a laid back personality and he is just not competitive.  Joey and I have had to encourage him to become a little more aggressive on the field and to really go after the ball.  It has been work, but he is slowly getting there.  He was on fire during his last game and got some really good shots in.  He is quite the little soccer player.  I can't wait to watch him again this spring!

Our little soccer stud!

Chinook Trail Tempo Run

     In addition to all of his other activities, Dawson is also doing cross country this year.  I am bummed Ashlyn couldn't do it, but Dawson was very enthusiastic to get to do cross country again.  Ella and Jameson also do it and they have a fun time at practice.  He has had two races so far.  I have not been able to attend either, because I have to be at the bus stop picking up Ashlyn when we runs.  He does have his final meet on a Saturday, which I will for sure be at.  His first race was a tempo run to get them used to running a race.  Dawson did great and he made sure he stuck with Jameson.  At the end, he let Jameson cross the finish line first.  I later asked him if he did that on purpose, and he said, "Jameson never wins anything, so I wanted him to beat me".  He is such a sweet boy and he is really caring.
    His second race was last Friday night.  They got to run at the local football stadium.  Somehow, he lost one of his shoes right from the beginning.  He managed to continue and ran the entire race with just one shoe!  I was pretty proud of him for pulling that off.  I have ran several races with my shoe untied and I know how hard it can be, I can't imagine running with only one shoe!  I am super proud of him for not quitting and think it shows he has a lot of perseverance.  I will post more pictures in the next few weeks from their upcoming races.

Gracie cheering on all her family.  She can not wait to get out there and run too.  I really think she is going to be the big runner of our family.  

Look at all those kids

Running next to Ella

Our Ella giving it her all

Running with his best bud

I love how determined Jameson looks here

Jameson looks like he is really digging deep!  Way to go guys!

Dawson Soccer Season

   Dawson is a very busy little boy these days!  He really enjoys extracurricular activities and we like to let him try a lot of things.  He started Cub Scouts this year in addition to soccer and swimming.  He is playing soccer with basically the same soccer team he played with last spring.  He has a lot of friends on his team, so he always has a great time.  I can't get over how much he has grown in his skills in since he played last fall.  He is really getting the hang of soccer and I hope he continues to play.  He has yet to score a goal yet, but I know it's only a matter of time.  He has been goalie several times and stopped several goals.  I love watching him play.

He looks like a real soccer player

This shot was taken during a particularly hot game. 

Our little soccer star

Dawson and his team

On the sidelines waiting for his turn to go in

Great action shot

So close to a goal!

Playing goalie

Poplar Gulch Hike and River Fun

  One day while we were at the cabin for the week, we decided to go on a hike.  It is the same hike we did last year and it is perfect for kids and even better that it ends at a waterfall.  Gracie and I stayed behind for the hike because Joey and I knew we would be stuck carrying her the entire time and that didn't sound like much fun.  Joey and Katy said the kids did great and they all really enjoyed their hike.

the waterfall

Checking out the water

What a cute group of hikers!

Stopping for a quick snack

A man and his best friend

What a gorgeous hike!

   The weather was very nice while we were up there.  The kids were all about going down to the river by the cabin.  The absolutely love it down there and love splashing and playing.  There were two days that they literally spent hours down there just playing.  It is so nice that we have a very gentle river right outside our front door.

Our little river rats

There is lots of mud to be flung!

Ashlyn is always on the hunt for tiny fish.  She usually manages to catch a few.  We always release them back into the water.  

Not a bad way to spend a summer afternoon!

Our silly Gracie girl

Ruby burning off some energy

I love those ears!

She clearly enjoys the cabin a bit too.