Monday, November 21, 2011

Soccer!

Ronan & Griffin both played soccer this fall!
It was a first for us having two kids in sports at the same time, but it worked out just fine!  Griffin did Kidsports Tot Soccer, which is just four sessions (one per week), along with his cousin Finley!!  Ronan played on a Kidsports 2nd grade soccer team with kids from Buena Vista and Bertha Holt.  He had several buddies on the team, including his best friend Jaiden.
  The kids were divided into groups and each group had middle school-aged soccer players helping with the activities.  Griffin LOVED learning the soccer skills and playing the silly games at each station. (:
 Here's Griffin & Finley after a super rainy practice!  They didn't seem to mind the rain at all. (:
Ronan had an awesome season!  He improved a lot since last year with his ball control and his understanding of the game.  The whole team really got better with each game and by the end of the season it felt like they were working well together as a team.  We were all kind of sad for the season to end!
They played 6 on 6 (as opposed to 3 on 3 last year), so this was Ronan's first time getting to play goalie!
The coaches gave each kid a medal after the last game:
Awesome job, Ronan and Griffin!  We are very proud of you both, and had so much fun watching you play!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Erik & Julia

After Grandma Ruddick's party, we were able to meet up with Erik & Julia!  Julia was kind enough to share her guest passes to the Nike Employee Store with us--we had fun getting to experience that!  It was great timing, because we were all needing new shoes. (:
Cool Dudes
Tate trying on Daddy's new hat:
Posing (:
(Poor Griffin started feeling sick as the day went on...and ended up being sick the whole week after.)
Next we went to the Grilled Cheese Grill, where we enjoyed some awesome sandwiches!
Griffin & Josh checking out the double decker bus.
Ronan was hyped up! (tiring for Mama, but fun for Uncle Erik to get some wild pictures)
Here are some of the pictures, courtesy of my very talented brother: (:
Erik & Julia (:
A couple more from Erik:
I love Griffin's freckles in this picture!

Surprise Party!

On September 24th we went to Portland to celebrate Grandma Ruddick's 80th Birthday!  It was a surprise party and it was a huge success!  She was SO surprised and overwhelmed with emotion.  It was very sweet to watch as she looked around the room and noticed all the people that were able to make it.  Grandma & Grandpa have made such positive impacts in so many lives over the years.  (They counsel people, teach Bible studies, and overall just show genuine love and encouragement to everyone around them.)  It was really special to see how much love was shown to Grandma for her 80th birthday!
Aunt Kris walking in with Grandma
(:
Big hugs for all the grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Dylan
Tate & me
Jon & Emma
Ronan
Griffin
Josh's cousins, Sara & Sam (who both traveled from out-of-state to be there)
Grammie getting Tate laughing (:
Brother & Sister (Josh's dad & Aunt Jan)
It had been years since we last saw Sam & Sara, so we had fun catching up!
Audrey & Macey
The original Ruddick family (just missing Aunt Kathy)
Grandma & Grandpa surrounded by their great grandchildren!
Grandma & Grandpa with their grandkids (just missing Aunt Jan's kids, I believe)
Cousins being goofy!
The Potter Family
Grandma and her two sisters
As the party was winding down the kids started playing hockey with Josh & Sam.