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Robbie's soccer team, Dragons FC, got first place in the league this year! They're moving on to U12 to get more competition. I wish I could film every moment of my his games; every time I bust out a camera, NOTHING HAPPENS! Robbie plays left wing and has the most amazing ball-handling skills. I love watching him play! In years to come, if I look at his videos and think I was delusional, I really am not! I just never seem to film him! He's the team's all-time leading scorer with 17 goals in 11 games. (Ty had 53 goals in 8 games and Jimmy had 19 in 8 games...they're phenoms!)

BYU vs MIZZOU

Okay, so it ended horribly for us, but at least we got to see the team! I took my boys (and Dylan and Michael, our basically-adopted teenagers) to the fireside in Independence. Clearly, we got horrible seats, but all the boys loved it. I wasn't sure how the teenagers would take it, since they aren't LDS and it was a spiritual event, but they were only that much more impressed to see college athletes speaking with such respect and conviction!

We made sure to meet some players after!

Mitch Matthews

Taysom Hill

Kurt Henderson (only took the picture because Aricka stalked him when she was a freshman, finally met and hung out with him, and it was a total let down!) This one's for you, Ricky!

Tanner Mangum (seriously so nice! We were the last picture he took--how could he say no to those faces!!?)

Game Day! Yes, we bought a ticket for Dylan, even though he is a Mizzou fan!

Ty:
"If I were a girl, I would totally have a boyfriend. And it would be me!" At least I know he has high self-esteem!

While driving to Jimmy's soccer game.

Cooper (Jimmy's friend): I can't wait for the game tonight. I am DYING to play soccer!

Jimmy: Oh yeah, well I was BORN to play soccer!

It made me laugh! One's dying for it. The other was born for it. Either way, they're pretty intense little guys!

Primary Program

You had to be there. I was crying-laughing so hard--tears streamed down my face the whole time. I was squeaking-laughing!. So was everyone else. Needless to say, Jimmy is anything but shy. 

He started the program--the first child to speak. He confidently walked to the podium, spoke clearly and loudly said, "My name is Jimmy. I know my Savior loves me because he gave us the Holy Ghost." (He was one of the very few who memorized his line...I was so impressed. Then he paused and went back to the mic to say, "Amen." It was darling. No, not a part of the line, but very appropriate. I was proud.

But then the music started. Jimmy was on the front row and totally feeling it! He eyes were closed; he swayed back and forth, his nose in the air just smelling the rhythm.... When he finally was supposed to sing, he stayed in that mode--it looked like he was howling at the moon! I was dying! Everyone around me was cracking up! When he tried to get back to his chair, he tripped and slammed onto the ground. By this time my friend was handing out tissues. 

Next song: Follow the Prophet. Oh no! Jimmy starts dancing...like, not a little bit, but like headbanging his blonde curls! He was bouncing from side to side, bobbin' his head. He was SERIOUSLY into it! That's when the squeaks started. (Maybe I shouldn't have sent him to a Baptist preschool?)

And then, as if it couldn't be more hilarious, another song came on. (Again, Jimmy is in the front row, people, there's no hiding it!). The intro music starts to play, and Jimmy starts BELTING the song! But it's just the intro! He seriously is clueless that he's the ONLY child singing! Now my entire row is crying, laughing! I can't even tell you how many people said he made that program! Sheesh!

Ty memorized the first paragraph of The Living Christ. He did great! It was long and had hard words, but he rose up to the challenge.

Then it was Robbie's turn. My sweet 9-year-old was asked to give a talk! Yes, a talk to give in Sacrament meeting! Only one other older girl gave one. He wrote a very nice talk--by himself. Only bad thing: He left it at HOME!!! As if speaking in sacrament meeting isn't terrifying enough, imagine being 9 and having to do it off the top of your head! My heart went out to him! He got up to the podium and began, "My name is Robbie, and I love sports." Then it hit him. All of it. The nerves, the audience, the stress. He stopped and said, "Wait, wait! Hold on a minute (big exhale)..." Then he started shaking his head back and forth, stretching his arms wide and wiggling the nerves out... everyone was giggling! How many of us wish we could just shake it off up there! Then he composed himself and started speaking. He was totally collected and calm. He delivered an almost verbatim talk to what he had written (maybe a little lesson to parents who write their kids' talks! Robbie's was already in his head and heart). Here's what he wrote (He wrote it out on a piece of paper, and I typed it for him. So, the grammar is mine, the words are all his):

My name is Robbie and I love sports! I watch them; I play them; I practice them. That’s why it was hard for me when I had a championship baseball game on a Sunday. My parents said it was my choice: I could go to church or I could go to the game. I chose to go to church because we are commanded to keep the Sabbath day holy. 

Our team ended up losing the championship game. Everybody was mad and also sad, but I knew I had chosen the right thing because as much as I love sports, I love God more.

I have a testimony that when we choose the right we can receive blessings. Like the next year, I got better coaches and players on my team. And we didn’t have any Sunday games, so I got to go to every game. I know that was a blessing from my Heavenly Father.

I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I was so proud of him. He's a great leader and example.

Fun, "Fall-Felled" Day!

Our poor flowering pear tree got fire blight! We had two neighbors whose trees blew over in storms, and we really weren't willing to risk our sick tree flying through our front window during the spring, so we chopped her down.

Rob started with an axe--always tries the hard way, first! As my dad would say, "Why do it the easy way, when the hard way will do?" My neighbor, Carl, saw him and brought over his chainsaw. Much faster!

He attempted burning out the stump...not quite ready yet! It made a good bonfire anyway!

Super Ty!

 Cute Jimmy!

 Crazy Robbie

 Timber!

Love our Season Passes

Kansas City Zoo

Let's Go Royals!!!

What an amazing time to live in KC!!! This was seriously the most amazing World Series! When they played in it last year, it was the same way, but to win!? WOW! The entire city was in blue, from grandpas to babies every single game. Even at school, teachers would put play by plays on the projector and the office would update everyone over the intercom. Even after school was out and we were walking home, the office shouted over the outside loud speakers, "Royals won!" and all the kids/teachers/parents cheered! And that was just for playoffs! Fireworks blasted the sky in our neighborhood every night the Royals won during the series--all the neighbors ran outside to shout--and mind you, this is on like a Monday at midnight! School was canceled the day of the parade (and even before it was, I had already called the school to tell them that my boys would be at the parade). It was electrifying! We waited in line for the shuttle for over two hours (and we were toward the BEGINNING of the line) to get downtown for the parade. It was pure madness, but energy, too!

And once we were there... it was a sea of blue!

We finally opted for farther away, but more space to run around (I brought Dylan and Michael to help me keep track of the boys).

And before the craziness of the rally began, we rushed back on the shuttle to get home; headed to Burger King and watched it from inside. It was awesome! I hope the boys never forget it!