Jane's fall soccer season

Jane tried out this year for a travel soccer team. She had spent a season last year getting routinely rained out, playing for two teams (hers and Eleanor's where she was by far the youngest kid on the field), and we honestly didn't want her doing the same this year (where she, being 9 years old at the beginning of the season, would be going up against 16 year old boys if she played Eleanor's league in addition to her own). So we caved and let her try out, but it has been such a great fit for her. She is on a team of girls where they are all similarly aged, have similar dedication and ability, and they play challenging teams. 

Richmond United Red Premier 1-0 win! J played center mid the whole game. 

Their second league-play game ended 2-1 on a last minute shot. The girls had dominated possession the second half of the game so we were really excited for them!

Third game 3-1

Fourth game got canceled halfway through due to thunder and lightning but counted as a 1-0 win! Fifth game they lost 5-1.

Sixth game they won 2-1

They lost their 7th game, and tied their 8th 3-3. Then it was tournament time. Like their early season tournament, they got absolutely crushed. They still had a good time, but it's disheartening to go in and have all these very impressive teams play down a bracket so they can dominate.

Jane working on some clips for her tournament - they were very cute!

It was a great fall season!

Flag Football

Ben decided to check out a new sport this year - flag football! Despite being new to the sport, he ended up playing his team's quarterback all season. Their team was not great - but the did win two games! And Ben had one game where he scored 4 touchdowns, had several interceptions and tackles, and lots of completed passes.  

Next year we may try to get him on a team with some of his buddies, but we didn't know so many of them played!

Shug and Rachael came to his final game of the season on his birthday weekend.

Go lightning!

Some highlights from this season:

Fall soccer for Eleanor and Rosie

Eleanor and Rosie's soccer seasons ended earlier this month and they had great seasons! Eleanor scored a goal in her last game and played very well all season despite only making it to two practices. Unfortunately her practice night was on the same night this year as volleyball games so she missed them all season. She was able to make all the weekend games, though.

This was also her first year playing in the 12-15 league and she held her own against these 15 (and sometimes 16 year old!) boys. She also had the same color jersey as cousin Robert!

Way to go team Everton!

Rosie continued playing in the 7-9 year old league with her buddies for the Orange Starburst. They had an undefeated season (though tied two games).

Rosie also ended up volunteering to play goalie quite a bit this season.

Go Orange Starburst!

Overall it was a fun rec soccer season!

Ben and Rosie's birthday

Rosie and Ben had a lovely birthday this year! It all started the week before... Grandma and Dave hosted a family dinner for all the November birthdays:

Then she took each kid out individually to go shopping for their birthday! This tradition initially started with Eleanor, but she loved it so much that all of the kids have begged to be able to do this for their birthdays, too.

Last pictures with our seven year olds!!

And then it was wake up time!

We did the birthday strings:

And then they got to open presents!

Chris took the twins out to Five Forks for their birthday breakfast. They got hot chocolate, bacon, and sprinkle pancakes the size of a dinner plate:

Grandma came over to wish Ben and Rosie a happy birthday!

Then we went off to church!

We came home and ate a quick lunch before kids came over for birthday parties! This year the twins asked for separate cakes. Ben wanted chocolate with oreo icing and Rosie wanted strawberry with chocolate icing.

Kids came over and they played for a bit before having cake. The boys were wild and the girls did their best to avoid them.

The girls were going to go to a DIY workshop, but it had to close last minute due to something coming up for the owners so we headed to Claire's for a shopping party.

Rachael even got her ears pierced while we were there!

The boys headed to Pirate's Cove to play mini golf!

That evening we had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner - their favorite! It was a great day all around!

Happy birthday to Rosie and Ben! We love you both so much!!