Ella's Early Second Birthday

First, off so sorry that it took so long to update our blog. With moving and all I have been really busy. Terrible excuse but the only one I have at the moment. :)
These are pics from Ella's early 2nd birthday party. These pics were actually taken in the end of October in Italy. My friends wanted to celebrate Ella's birthday with her before we moved.

Here is the birthday girl!

Here she is enjoying her cupcake.

Trinity, Haileigh, Faith, Darrell, and Tristyn

Caleb starting to tear into his cupcake-lol

The birthday princess on her trike.

Ella's little boyfriend helping open her gift.

Ella getting the hang of opening gifts. lol She's a natural.

My friend Kris made this for Ella. Isn't she amazing?

Caleb the birthday princess?!!! LOL My kid the clown. His friend Ethan, my friend Sylena and her daughter Tristyn in the background.

Ethan eating a cupcake and my friend Tamela putting the finishing touches on a baby doll blanket for Ella.

Grown up

Ever notice the more kids you have the more grown up the youngest wants to be. lol Case in point. Ella's not even 2 and she wants to ride a bike.

Name that bug

While we were out one day, DJ and the kids discovered this bug. They were fascinated by it. We don't know what it is. He was rather passive and let the kids pet him. We decided to take a pic. So what do you think?

Caleb's 9th birthday

Well everyone it's true, my baby has turned 9!!!! Not that I feel old or anything. lol He celebrated with cupcakes in his classroom. Then we had a small party at the food court followed by going to the movie theatre to see Journey to the Center of the Earth. Everyone had a blast! He got quite the spread in gifts. lol Not to mention all the wonderful gifts and cards that were sent to him from family. Thank you everyone.

Caleb celebrating at school

Caleb opening one of his presents

Ella, Faith, Caleb, Darrell, and Caleb's best friend Ethan posing after the movie was over. They all loved it!

Post Family Fun Day

Last Thursday was our posts family fun day. The school dismissed early and that's when the fun began. There was a huge BBQ. Also lots of fun things set up for the kids. I think the three big kids enjoyed the mechanical bull the most. Ella however, liked the sandboxes. It was a beautiful day and all of us had so much fun. DJ and I had a great time watching the kids have a blast. I even got a bit messy helping Faith water color a tarp. It was great.

Caleb about to be thrown from the mechanical bull
Faith having a great time

Darrell trying to be brave on the bull


Ella playing in the sand
Ella decided two shovels were better than one!

Faith jumping awayCaleb trying to get the hang of things

Darrell cheesing for the camera

Darrell, DJ, Ella, and Caleb blowing bubbles

Faith adding to the tarp mural

Caleb and Darrell adding their own touch of art to the mural although it looks more like target practice lol

Soccer

Another busy week has passed. First the greatest news of all Caleb received a 100% on his spelling test. He studied very hard with his daddy. The kids of course had their soccer games this week. Faith got to play this week. Her team won 2 - 0. Darrell's team won 4 - 0. Darrell scored three of those goals! Caleb's team lost unfortunately, 0 - 1. This was a hard lost since his team's other goalie accidentally scored for the other team.

Here is Faith making a cute goalie.

Here is Darrell going for a goal.

Here is Caleb playing goalie.

This is Caleb's team the Azzurri (Italian for blue) Bulldogs

Soccer Seasons Begins

It's soccer season here at Caserma Ederle once again! YEA!!! That's right I am a soccer mom and I am proud! lol

Caleb is in the minors this year. Which means he is in the 8 through 10 age group and now has practice twice a week. He had his first game last Friday. It was awesome. His team won 2 to nothing. The nothing was thanks in part to my son, the amazing goalie! He goalied one quarter and during that time stopped four attempted goals. He also played midfield and forward during the game and was great but goalie is what he really excels at.

Darrell's first game was last Thursday. It was so much fun to watch! He is in Bambinos which is ages 3-5 and he practices once a week. Darrell scored the first goal of the game. It was so cute. He was forward and he had the ball. He was running down the field towards the other team's goal when he noticed none of the other kids where moving. When the coaches had put the little kids on there spot on the fields all the other kids thought they had to stay there. lol Darrell paused for a moment looked at the other kids, shrugged and kicked the ball in right past the goalie! All the parents had a great time laughing at this. Darrell made to more goals during the game. He also was put in as goalie for a bit to give the other kids a chance with the ball. For a lot of the kids this is their first year playing. With Darrell being five this is his third year of soccer. We thought of requesting that he be put in Pee Wees but he is so small for his age we thought he might get hurt. Even though he is one of the oldest kids on his team, the only child smaller than him is my friend's three year old daughter.

Faith is in Pee Wees this year after one year off. She decided soccer wasn't for her last year. Don't get me wrong she is pretty good its just with all that running and kicking there isn't much time for socializing. lol But this year her daddy will be home to watch them play. So Faith who loves her daddy decided she would play because she knows how much her daddy likes watching her play. It turns out she has been loving practice. She was really disappointed though because she had to miss her first game due to a nasty stomach virus that has been going around. So her first game, which is the second game of the season will be tonight.

Here is Darrell playing goalie. I was so excited while he was scoring goals I always forgot to take pictures. lol

Here is Caleb's team at the end of the game. Once again I was so excited about the game I didn't remember my camera was in my purse until the very end. I know it's sad. lol I promise to do better next time.

Here is a picture of Ella playing with a friend at Faith's practice. Sorry no pics of Faith she didn't want me taking her picture that day.