Andrew's football moments

Actually, he had FOUR last Saturday! Previously this flag football season Andrew hasn't really had a moment to be really excited about. You know, those moments that pump you up for the next game. Well! Saturday's game he got to do a kickoff (and phew, it went straight), he pulled two flags (with some speed!), and even scored a touchdown! His team had a really great game in general, it was a very fun time!

That's him in the middle facing this way

His first flag grab was really dramatic with a sprint and a dive, but this is the one caught on tape:




After the game

Sweaty head there, boy! This is Andrew's best bud (and downstairs neighbor), Albert. This game was against Albert's team. I think Albert was bummed while we were elated.

Apple picking spree!

Last Friday I was out at some rummages. On my way out of a subdivision I came across a sign in someone's front yard that said "FREE APPLES. U PICK". So, Eliza and I knocked on the door and the fellow said they'd picked all they wanted and would love for others to come get the rest! So we did. We filled a sack and headed home--we loved it.


I just knew the other kids would want in on the apple-picking. So, Saturday morning while Daniel was at a meeting we went out again. We filled four bags! Andrew and Abby LOVED this experience. Especially when climbing the tree came into the picture. They HAD to show Dad.

So...

We went back for the THIRD time after Andrew's football game that afternoon. We filled two more bags really full. Again, the kids loved it. They really want to have their own apple trees now. Andrew was reminiscing about Grandma and Grandpa Koski's lemon and citrus trees too.

Needless to say, we are sharing our apples with many, making apple crisp, and will try our hands at apple cider!

So, thank you, kind neighbor, for giving my family joy times three through your apple tree!





Sometimes you have to yank those things!

PIANO!

After Abby started asking for lessons, we decided we needed a piano in the house. Sure, a keyboard would have worked, but let's face it, I really wanted a piano. So we kept our eyes on Craigslist for a while. One night Daniel found a very nice looking piano, smaller style (fitting for our space), at a great price. So, we checked it out, did a little negotiating, and bought it at an even better price! And now, we finally have it safely delivered!

Eliza and her friend, Grace

It's been interesting getting familiar with the sound of a piano in a home again. I'm taken back to my growing up years just at its sound when plunked on by the kids. It sure reminds me of home. I didn't expect that to happen, it's nice. The trick is trying not to annoy my neighbors. The sound carries and we're all very close. So, we talk about not pounding, playing softer, and we've put this blanket over the back to dampen the sound (the piano mover's idea). I do think it helps.

A little view of the room...starting to feel spatially creative...like the NY days...(gasp!)

We hope to start Andrew and Abby in lessons in January. Until then they just think I ROCK because I can play through a song. I'm quite excited to be able to play and practice myself. Until I get better, they won't really know what they're missing! ha ha!

This family NOSE best!

Are you done laughing yet?

Daniel's Mom sent us these hilarious noses to lighten our spirits and take a break when school or homework started weighing us down. I think they'll work.

When your birthday falls on Labor day...

...it just takes Labor to a whole new level.

I do think I should get this birthday holiday combo every year--it's so great to have my husband free from work! To celebrate, we whipped up lemon and German chocolate cakes, cooked up some sloppy joes, threw together some outdoor games, and met some families at the park!

Presents in the morning
Pretending to blow out candles (it was just too windy!)
I guess the kids preferred the lemon
You can sort of see us

10 years of lovin'!

Oh baby! Since August 13th (that last batch of pictures in Utah) Daniel and I have been married 10 years!! Thanks to Michelle we had a fun "Oldy-weds" Quiz to take on the big day. It was so hard to think of some of those "favorites" for myself or for Daniel. I was surprised then, that we actually got some right!! My favorite was Daniel describing my "bad habit" which is indecisiveness when buying something. Yes it's true, I go back and forth and back and forth. Taking it home doesn't even seal the deal...there are great return policies out there.


For our anniversary we bought ourselves a new mattress set. Yay! I've been wanting a softer bed for some time now, the big anniversary was our excuse to buy one!


Also, to celebrate once we got back home, we went to see "Phantom of the Opera" which was on tour here. WOW!! It took our breath away! We both loved it so much. It was stunning. The Phantom himself was INCREDIBLE. What talent, what a show. Really though, forget Phantom! What a HUSBAND!! Love that guy! Let's hear it for the big ten!

Reunions! Utah Outings!

One of our outings took us to BYU campus! Check out the future cougars. New fountain on campus. They have made some amazing changes since my day.

Michelle and I yuckin' it up. I love this picture--it makes me smile!

Grandpa and Grandma bravely took all the kids back to the ranch while the rest of us went to the Provo temple. Note Brian and his new bride, Amanda. It was so fun to hang out with them and get to know Amanda more. We even saw their cute apartment later that night.

Another adventure was heading to the Sundance outdoor theatre. We saw a production of "The Fantastiks." We actually got to see the first 15 minutes twice! Yes, the first night was rained out--we got poured on! When they called the show, they said we could come back over the next few nights. So, we came the next night for blue skies and a great performance! (Click that link for my new SIL's pix of the rain-out and some other fun hiking/family pix.)

Eliza and Aunti Kate hoofin' it up to the shuttle.

Reunions! Horses!

While the big girls were off to lunch in Heber together, the little girls and boys got to see the horses! Little rides make big memories!

Mmmm, corn husks!

Buddies, Parker and Andrew.

Love Abby's expression!

Bareback? We're advanced.

Reunions! Ranch fun!

A Ranch vacation is full of games, relaxing, swimming, eating and hiking. Let's see what we got...

Mmmm, parfaits. Abby loves putting something pretty together, this was her favorite breakfast to create.
Grandpa's breakfast specialties...


Andrew out modeling after some cool river maneuvering (this fallen tree is an island in the middle of the river). Sorry cutie, after these shots you aren't dating until you're 25.

Swings, always a favorite.

Building, hiking, and swimming at the beaver dams.

Stories, lots of stories. The Ranch is unique because there's no TV. I must say it's a refreshing thing! We do a lot of morning snuggling and story reading and game playing instead.
Uncle Jared treats the cousins to a book.

Reunions! Craaaazy??

Michelle introduced us to this little "thing" at the ranch. It reminds me of "the song that never ends." Abby was really into it and knew and performed it well. Here we are driving to Sundance. Enjoy the ride!

Reunions! Cousins Camp!

Last year my SIL, Michelle, designed (based on various models she's seen) Cousins Camp. We basically get all the cousins together in the morning sometime, sing a song (she rewrote the words from "take me out the the ball game" to "take me out to the ranch house"--priceless!), say the pledge of allegiance, and do a craft of some kind. She's even made adorable t-shirts and the kids get on their ranch hats and boots...it's some seriously good fun. Then, we all get creative. Here's a flavor over the week: The hats and boots and T's

We painted this awesome sign (yes, parents get to share the love and get creative too!)

Thumb-print pictures

God's Eyes (Yes, that was my day, thank Willowbrook again)

We also made characters and animals out of tp tubes, pictured here, fourth picture down on my SIL's reunion post. They have the kids's faces, it's worth clicking the link. We also made puppets--boy were those creative (and hilarious). Especially with the parents doing some too! The kids always look forward to Cousins Camp, it is a brilliant idea!

Eliza's new toy

Me.
M-F.
8:30-4.
Thank you, Karen, for playing at our house today and relieving the toy.

School Pictures

If the ones at school don't turn out, at least we got these...

And one for little sister

Reunions! In the Canyon!

Oh, I better get going on these! So, this is the night in the canyon. The "official" reunion day for the Koskis. Let's just take a look at the goings on in whatever order they upload:



Anne, way to make a cool game. (Match up family names (full), faces, and birth dates...order in a variety of ways.) Yes we have a large enough family that this could prove challenging.

Emily introduced decorating shirts with bleach! This was so fun...I want to do more! Especially since Andrew's mysteriously disappeared later on the vacation! sniff sniff. Oh, he was cute -- he said to me as he was constructing the words on his shirt, "Mom, I don't want to make you feel bad, but is this ok?" It says "Andrew and Dad." Cutie.

Just for the record, I had a project too, but a necessary supply didn't make it, so we'll do it next time!

"Wits and Wagers" at play. Don't be fooled by their smiling faces...they were out for blood! Ok, just kidding.

Maryjane whipped up a ton of peanut butter play dough and put together boxes of fruit loops, pretzels, m&m's, and whatnot for each of the cousins. The kids made so many kinds of creations. From hot tubs (Mom and Dad's) to faces to animals to...
...cut up legs. Gross. Ok WARNING, there is a yucky picture after this video! But it is so funny considering Abby's work of "art." I will let her explain:




And this is what she's referring to. Yuck! Poor Liza took a BIG fall a while back and emailed us some pictures to see how queasy we'd get. Apparently Abby remembered the BRIEF moment she saw this (I didn't even mean for her to see it! ewww!)

Here are all the grand kids/cousins...nearly every one! Were we only missing Steven? I thought it was so neat, this trip my kids saw every single cousin on both sides of the family. Not bad!

The little take-out boxes from Mj's project proved to be great bug holders. The grasshoppers were plentiful.
Here are all the siblings...trying to mimic Liza's expression...Liza who appeared in the form of ink, paper, tape, and a stick! Thanks to Dorothy! That was awesome!

And these are our nice smiles.
I nearly shed a tear when Abby was crying as it was time to go. She just loves everyone and was so sad to leave her cousins who she had just bonded with! She and Claire have one last hug.
And we're off...next reunion...Stewarts! Love you Koski people, thanks for the fun!!