It's a Win

September 26, 2011, Monday - Nathan had his second soccer game tonight. I am happy to report that they won 6-3. Nathan ended up scoring 2 goals and 1 great assist to his fellow player...passing the ball to him & then he made a score. Great game Nathan! You are getting into the groove now. Practice, Practice, Practice!
This picture didn't turn out too well, but I took it right after Nathan kicked the ball right in. The ball is in the far left corner of the goal and you can see the goalie (yellow shirt) turning to go after the ball.

Birthday Time

September 23 - 25, 2011, Friday - Sunday - It is Chad's birthday, yeah!!! When Chad arrived home we headed off to one of our favorite restaurants, La Fiesta. We enjoyed a great meal and then returned home & Chad opened some cards and a few presents.

Saturday we headed off to Chad's favorite place - the lake. We had cake, ice cream and presents & then went for a boat ride to the marina. The kids played at the arcade and enjoyed feeding popcorn to the huge carp. Notre Dame played today and they won! Chad's alma mater - yeah!!!

Sunday we took a boat ride to "Sea Shell" Island and Chad and Nathan swam to it. The water was a little chilly (water temp. 72 degrees). Nathan loves exploring that island. He said "Dad, I love this place!". So cute! Got back home about 4pm & then the kids headed to Awana at 5:30pm. We had a full birthday weekend! Chad you are the best! Hope you had a great birthday! We love you!

Happy 40th Birthday Chad!

September 23, 2011, Friday -

Oh no, say it isn't so
Not the big Four - O

Happy 40th Birthday to Chad today! Wow - how time flies.
Ten years ago today I was giving you a surprise 30th birthday party at Oak Hollow Lake with church friends and family. You were so surprised! Back then we were DINKS (double income no kids). Look at us now! We are a family of four with two beautiful and healthy kids, live in a great neighborhood, you have a great job, wonderful school & we are still at the same church.
I am so thankful to God for blessing me with you in my life. You are such a wonderful husband and father. We love you more than words can say! Even though it is raining today we hope you have a terrific birthday! We look forward to celebrating with you at the lake. Love you so much, Christy, Brittany & Nathan

First Soccer Game

September 18, 2011, Sunday - Today Nathan had his first soccer game of the season. Wow - this league is definitely a step up from his last 5 seasons. The all boys team played positions, had a goalie, had an umpire, and it was hard to score with 3 people blocking the goal area. It was fun to watch though and Nathan had contact with the ball a lot. It was just hard to get it past the boys & into the goal. Great game, and fun start to the season. They lost 0-3. We will get them next time. We need more practice at the new techniques and rules!

Activities are Starting Part 2

September 8, 2011, Thursday - Today Nathan started back with soccer. Yeah! This is his 6th season for soccer. His team name is ICE. He had a good practice and learned some new terms and techniques.

Activities are Starting

September 6, 2011, Tuesday - Brittany started back with Dance tonight. This is her 6th year and she is taking Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Her class increased 30 minutes this year. She now goes for 1 1/2 hours.

Labor Day Weekend

September 2-5, 2011, Friday-Monday - We headed to the lake for the 3 day weekend. We were glad that Mom, Dad and Grandma could join us. Oh, and Mitzi, Moxie, & Chemmy. Beautiful weather & great fishing!

Promotion Sunday & Balls & Bats

August 28, 2011, Sunday - Today we enjoyed a yummy covered dish breakfast at church & the kids received their promotion certificate for Sunday School. This is always an exciting day at church.
In the afternoon we headed to the Grasshoppers ball game. Remember we promised to bring Nathan back since his trip was cut short last time? We arrived 1 hour early so that we could play catch on the field. That was fun! It was also Heroes day & so lots of staff were dressed up in different costumes. A kind man gave us 4 free tickets at the gate. After playing catch we were then approached by a staff member & asked if we wanted to be upgraded to the "Best Seats in the House". We said sure, and couldn't believe all this was happening to us. We got to sit in the Lazy Boy recliner chairs right up from home plate. We had great seats! Later we were videoed and shown on the big screen for the "Best Seats".
It was a great game & the Grasshoppers won! The kids got to run the bases after the game!

First Day of School

August 25, 2011, Thursday - Today is the first day of school. Nathan will be starting 1st grade and Brittany will be in 4th grade.
After pictures we headed out the door a little after 7am. We took Nathan to his room first. The teacher greeted him at the door & he could pick what he wanted her to do....a smile, a hand shake, a high five or a hug....he picked the high 5. Then we entered and found his desk. We took some pictures and told him good bye. He gave us a smile and told us good bye.
Then we took Brittany to her room. She will be switching classes this year with 3 teachers. We found her desk, took pictures & hugged her good bye. They are going to have a great day!

Nathan on his first day.
Brittany on her first day.

Welcome to School

Grab hold of a magic pencil
Open your eyes and mind
For now begins a journey
Of the most exciting kind.
A journey into learning
A step . . . a start . . . a glow,
And we will be there with you
To help and watch you grow.

Cutting the Pencil Cake for dessert. They had a good day!

Nathan's First Tooth

August 22, 2011, Monday - Nathan lost his first tooth today. He was playing on the couch and the couch caught his tooth & made it a lot looser. Then he just pulled it right out. Congratulations Nathan!

More Pool Time

August 22, 2011, Monday - After making some crafts Sara and I took the kids to the pool for 2 hours in the morning. They loved the slide. Kala and Hannah practiced learning to swim & are getting better & better. Kala got brave and decided she wanted to jump off the diving board. The life guard would not let Sara be in the water to help her. So Sara told Kala she would have to swim to the side if she jumped in. Kala was ready to do it & she did! She took a big jump & paddled her way to the side where I lifted her up. She did awesome! Way to go Kala! She did it a couple more times & then ended up doing a belly flop & that hurt. She was done jumping. The kids enjoyed diving for dive sticks & we enjoyed the pool not being so crowded. After lunch at our house the Coopers headed back to Nana & Papa's house.