Wonderful Weekends

Every couple of weeks we have a Great weekend. This past weekend was one of those. Not because anything out of the ordinary happened, just because we spent it all together as a family.

We started this weekend with a movie. We took the kids to lunch at JCW's, then to see Where the Wild Things Are (my recommendation...wait for Redbox). After that, Phil and I went on a date...nothing special, just walked the mall (something we used to do on a regular basis a few years back when that was about all we could afford to do), then went to dinner at Macaroni Grill (one of our favorites).

The kids played night games until we got home at 9, then Gabe and Jackson climbed into our bed to cuddle with Dad and watch TV while Mady and Jake went back out for night games until 10.

Saturday morning we all slept in, then had orange rolls for breakfast before going to Gabe's last soccer game. Grandma and Grandpa Wilkins met us there. Then we went home for some yard work while Mady went to roadshow practice. Afterwards we grabbed lunch and went to the pumpkin patch for some fall fun.

The boys climbed on John Deere tractors, and everyone picked out their own pumpkin. Our rule has always been that they have to be able to carry the pumpkin they choose. There was also a little corn maze for them to run through.

Later Saturday afternoon we watched while BYU beat SDSU, then headed to the church to see Mady in the roadshow.

Like I said, nothing exciting. Just being together. I'm learning there isn't much better than that.

Reflecting...

I've just got to say that tonight was a perfect example of what I am going to miss when we leave Utah. It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm night, and all four kids went out to play night games with the neighborhood kids. They had quite a good group, and stayed out playing until about 9:30. They had such a good time, and it makes me sad to know it may be the last time, at least for a long while...

I love our neighbors and neighborhood, especially how family friendly it is. We aren't sure what kind of neighborhood we may end up in back east, but it will be tough to find one as wonderful as the neighborhood we live in now.

I'm not trying to dwell on what I will miss, but tonight it was hard not to recognize how lucky we are to have lived here for the past nearly four years.

Sports Round-up

So with the coming of fall comes the end of the sports season...whew!

Jackson (number 1) finished his first season of soccer this year. He did really well, scored several goals throughout the season, and had a blast. Most importantly, he got a medal. "My first one". He waited for that all season, and was thrilled to get it Friday night. Needless to say, he wore it most of the weekend, and the ribbon is now filthy! But well loved...

Gabe (number 11) has one more soccer game next Saturday, because they had a bye during general conference. This is his fourth year, and he has really improved. He has amazed me by heading the ball, and is skillful at stopping an attack and turning it around. He has also scored some goals this year. This is his first year playing "real soccer" meaning a full size field with 11 players on the field at a time. His games are a blast to watch. He definitely takes after his dad with soccer!

Jake (number 15) ended his regular season of football games, but they did do enough to make it to the playoffs the weekend of the 24th. This is his fourth year playing football, and he has improved. His coach has said he is one of the few players that improves each year. And he did get more playing time this year, which was nice to see.

Mady finished her fourth year of volleyball regular season on Saturday too. It was a frustrating year for her, as her team has only won one game, but they have gotten better, and we are hoping they can win some during the tournament in two weeks. Mady has continued to get better. Her overhand serve is tons better than her mom's, and she is learning to get control over those bumps. She has also been known to set this year!

Mom is happy that her kids enjoy their sports and are doing well, and even happier that our six days a week of sports is winding down. Gosh, what will I do with all my free time?