Soccer!

This year was our first experience with soccer.  But we didn't just put our toe in the water to try it out, we jumped all the way in!  We had 3 kids on 3 different teams.  Which means 6 practices every week (twice a week we had 2 kids with practices at different places at the same time!) and 3 games every Saturday.

Mackenzie was on the Glitter Girls with Coach Patrick.  Her friend Kira was also on the team so she was really excited about that.  

Braden was on the White Tigers.  His original coach was Coach Jonathan but a month and a half through the season he quit and Coach Ken took over.  He had his friend Jackson from school on his team and then when Coach Ken took over, his friend Cade also joined the team along with Jack, who also became a good friend to him.  

Sadie was on the Elemonators with Coach Dennis.  Sadie didn't know any of the girls on her team and was a little hesitant at first.  It was also her first time playing a sport and she was a little intimidated.  We didn't know the coach or anyone and I had to drop her off at the first practice by herself since I had to get to Mackenzie's practice at a different location.  This was out of her comfort zone but she improved so much throughout the season.

The kids started the season with a parade at the High School Track.

Getting everyone to practices was an adventure in itself!  Here are some pictures of our time at practices:

Callie the director

She loved collecting everyone's soccer balls when they weren't using them

Future soccer player!

Making friends with sibling from Mackenzie's team

Magnet to puppies

Beautiful sunsets at the fields

Braden at practice

Sadie at practice

At the end of the season Mackenzie's team was undefeated.  Mackenzie played no part in that.  She mostly just stood in one spot the whole time.  A few times she kicked the ball and she liked playing goalie for practices.  

Braden's team had a rough start with a coach that didn't know how to coach.  So until he finally quit and a new coach stepped up his team did not win any games.  After the new coach, they won most of their games.  Braden tried hard, and was a good supporting player for the team.  

Sadie's team did not win any of their games.  Her team was really good at kicking the ball and then waiting to see what the opposing team would do with it next, instead of running after it and following through to the goal.  Sadie was afraid to get too aggressive.   She had a few good blocks and kicks though.

We ended up bribing all our kids to kick the ball!  At games each kick was worth a dime and goals were worth a trip to ice cream.  We did give out some coins but no ice creams.

After game tunnel!

Team huddle

Game over

End of season PARTY!

Sadie receiving her trophy!

Braden, Cade and Jack

Kira and Mackenzie

And then there was FIVE!

Ryder and I enjoyed our day at the hospital with just the two of us.  He didn't hardly make a peep and he was so fun to cuddle!

Ryder and I the day that we left the hospital at 1 day old (10/20/12)

3 days old (10/22/12)

The first day back from the hospital seemed more than a little chaotic.  All of the kids were throwing tantrums or being disobedient and I seriously thought... "What did I get myself into...."  haha!  Everyday after was better than the last though as everyone adjusted to the changes in our family and things became more routine.  Grandma Webb stayed with us for that first week too.  She helped with getting the kids to school and keeping Callie entertained.

She and Mackenzie brought back these beautiful flowers to welcome the baby as well. :)

Grandma Carter was very helpful with making sure we were well fed and also picking up kids from school.

It was most difficult for me was dealing with Callie who was 19 months old and very clingy to me with constant ear infections and trying to take care of a newborn at the same time.  Callie was also sooooo loving to Ryder that it almost made it dangerous for him to be around her!  She wanted to be on top of him to hug him or kiss him all the time.  I could not let him out of my sight for a second!

She loved the pink "Big Sister" bracelet that the nurses at the hospital gave to her and didn't want to take it off. :)

This was how I was 75 percent  of the day and night juggling these two babies:

Overall Ryder was a very content baby.  A very patient boy and good eater.  

4 days old (10/23/12)

1 week old!

Celebrating crazy hair day along with Mackenzie's preschool :)

First trip to the grocery store with all 5 - They were sooooo good!

1 1/2 weeks old