Daniel's First Soccer Season Completed!

So Daniel's first ever soccer season ended last Friday (yes, on our anniversary). Daniel had a lot of fun and really got into it by the end, I think. He was finally really starting to kick the ball better and run a little faster during practices I noticed, and he did his best at staying with the ball during games. It was a ton of fun to watch him practice and play. We all loved our Friday night family outings to Daniel's games, walking over to the soccer fields together and spending an hour watching and playing, even if all the nights weren't super nice (we really had a rough start to our season with chilly May/June months- with floods, cold temps, rainy days, you name it we pretty much had it, but we also had some great warm nights, too!). And judging by how much Daniel loves to carry his ball around and wear his uniform, I think he'll enjoy starting up again mid-August for the fall season! We shall see...

Here are a bunch of pictures from our fun nights at soccer! Annabel was Daniel's biggest fan as you can tell...and she can't wait to play soccer herself- she's already doing all of Daniel's exercises and practice moves!

All bundled up and ready to play!

 Annabel all hunkered down and watching Daniel!

 Check out those big proud little sister smiles!

 Annabel wants to play, too! She played with Daddy during every game!

 GO Daniel!!

 Walking home, hand in hand!

 Another not-so-nice night, rainy this time! Annabel had fun drying off the bench though!

 Super cute soccer fan!

 Great practicing!

 Annabel dried off her ball a million times that night!

Daniel's biggest fan cheering him on!

Hugs during a water break!

Now we're talking- a nice night, finally!!! 

Annabel is still Daniel's super excited fan!

Cutest little sister soccer player!

 Lined up and ready for the next soccer drill!

 This was the funniest dang thing- "CRASH" and they all had to flop onto their ball. Too funny!

 Annabel practices her kicks!

 Daniel really had a great night this night, really getting in there and really staying with the ball!

 

 

 Annabel kept running up to the sidelines and shouting, "Daniel!!!"

Annabel was SO excited to bring her camera and take pictures, just like Mommy!

Cutest little photographer ever! And she loved "showing" us her pictures on the "screen" too!

 Annabel loves trying to stop the ball just like Daniel! Is this a classic soccer pose or what?

Last soccer night of the season!

The practice/game got cancelled that night because lightning was spotted in the area (but clear blue skies were right over our field...don't even get me started! rules, rules, I know, I know...). But the kids were just as excited to get their participation trophies! Daniel came right home and put his up on his special shelf in his room- he is super proud of this trophy!

And get a load of THE CUTEST soccer portrait ever!!!! LOVE IT!

That's the soccer season in a nutshell! Way to go, Daniel! We're so proud of you for all your effort and enthusiasm playing soccer! Can't wait to start up again in the fall!

The Story of Us...

Once upon a time...

18 years ago, a half a life away (yes, HALF my life! Whoa!)...

this girl and this guy met

a half a world away (or so it seemed- really, we were in Spain!)...

they would come home from this adventure on June 28, 1995 (yes, I found the date!)

as boyfriend and girlfriend...

they would fall more and more in love every day while dating for 8 years

and become engaged on September 9, 2002 (my 25th birthday!);

wedding plans began

and on June 28, 2003 (yes, the same exact date as their adventures in Spain concluded)

they were married...

they came together on this day

with so much love to share

so many dreams of expanding their family

and that family grew and grew over the next ten years...

first by one child 5 years later

then by another child a few more years later

 

and the love between that girl and that guy that met so long ago

still continues to grow as they celebrate every moment together

and all the moments ahead

from this 10th Anniversary onward...

thus continues the story of us...

Happy 10th Anniversary to my wonderful husband, my everything...

Here's to many more adventures for our little family!

I love you so much, Ben!

Annabel's Two Year Photo Shoot

A couple weekends ago, we met up with Uncle Jason and Aunt Christina at a park nearby to do Annabel's 2 Year Photo Shoot. Annabel was super excited to see Jason and Christina and get all dolled up for pictures- she loved trying on different outfits so we could pick one we liked the best. Of course, Annabel really wanted to wear something pink, but I managed to steer her into this adorable green checked tunic that she just loves to "dance" in; besides, she wore something pink last year! We made sure to find pink flowers at the park, you'll see- she was thrilled with that! Daniel really wanted to be in the pictures, too, so he got all spiffied up just like Annabel and he was right in there with his smile (even if it is sorta fake!), and many hugs for his sister. (He also really wanted to bring his soccer ball...so you'll see that, too!) Annabel was just a doll and SO happy to smile for pictures, as you'll see. Oh my gosh her smile could not be bigger sometimes! The tree, oh, can't stand the cuteness- she was SUPER excited to be in the tree just like Daniel. The last two shots are two of my faves of Daniel- they are just so representative of who he is, the shy, off to the side smile that we get so often. So the photo shoot went really well and we got lots of great pictures of the kids! Here are a few of my favorites...

Brother & Sister!

 This pose is all Annabel- a pose of her own striking! She's a hoot.

One of my favorites! Love the "swish" of Annabel's hair! And that cute teasing grin of hers!

 Another of my favorites! Just precious...

You see- could that smile be ANY bigger?! SO CUTE!

 Scooting down the hill...

We tried to have her roll, but she rolled perpendicular to the hill back and forth, instead of parallel and down the hill...oh well, scoots work, too!

 The dinosaur was Ben's idea!

 Fun at the park, too!

 These next two are the ones I was talking about, the ones that are my faves of Daniel and really capture who he is! Love these!