"A house does not have to be perfect to be a home of joy, a child does not have to behave perfectly to love and be loved, and every moment of life does not have to be perfect to be of value. Too often, I realize, we fail to see the glorious reality of the simple joy that abounds in the seemingly mundane routine of day-to-day living. Instead, we tend to idolize the past, idealize the future, and devalue the present.... What better way to show our appreciation to Heavenly Father for what we have than to embrace our lives, albeit 'ordinary' and 'unexciting,' with joy?"

--Winnie Dalley; Ensign, March 1998

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Justin and Chloe at the Sounder's Game

Its no secret in our house that when it comes to sports, soccer is at the top of the list. While we go to Mariner's games and enjoy being at the ballpark, we've loved having a MLS Soccer team finally in Seattle! Not only are the Seattle Sounders a kick-butt team, but the games are super fun to go to. They are loud, fast paced, up out of your seat, cheer your butt off, exciting matches and the fun that the crowd has is just infectious!

Justin took Chloe to the Sounder's VS. Chivas match on Saturday. She enjoys watching the games at home on tv, but wasn't a fan of being in the stadium at first. The crowd is LOUD and it bothered her-- until Justin bought her a horn of her own! According to Justin, she blew that horn constantly and had a blast! I think Justin was successful at converting her to becoming a Sounder's fan for life!

Not so happy about the noise:

Having fun with Dad now!


After the game, showing off her new status of 'Sounder's SuperFan'

And being picked up at the park and ride by Mom and Cooper:

Sunday, September 20, 2009

A sweet Chloe moment

After church, as we were eating lunch, I asked Chloe what she learned about in Primary today. She answered that they talked about prayer and got to write down three things they were thankful for and something that they want. The something she wants is toys, which was not suprising. Then she told us that she was thankful for her brother, her sister (ahhh), and her cousins. I admit it melted my heart a little to hear the part about her sister!

And then she later told us that she can't wait for her sister to get here and doesn't want anymore brothers!

Coop-Vader

Justin and Cooper stumbled upon this voice changing Darth Vader mask at Goodwill-- I think we've already gotten our $1.99 worth of fun out of it!

Soccer Season!

Yesterday marked the start of Chloe's soccer season! In true NW fashion, the months of sunshine and record-breaking lack of rainfall came to an end Friday night and it rained all night long! Chloe was not detered at all by the chilly, rainy morning and headed out to her game with a smile on her face! She had a blast and is happy to be playing soccer again!

All dry, in our front yard, ready to head out!

Starting to look a little soggy:

And afterwards-- wet, but still wearing a smile!
Thumbs up for the start of soccer!!

Imagine Childrens Museum

A couple weeks ago, my dear friend Emily (who is also pregnant, with a baby girl and due about a week and a half after me!), invited the kids and I to the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett with her and Blake. The kids were excited to go and had a blast. This is hands down the best children's museum that we've been to-- Chloe was excited to go back and Cooper had never been. Unfortunately, we were too busy chasing the kids from activity to activity to take many pictures, but I did manage to snap a few! Thanks Blake and Em for inviting us along!!