Fall Break Beach Days (Hello Nate!)

In October (right after I found out I was pregnant!!) we loaded up in two cars and headed down to Destin, Florida. We invited Gamma and Poppy to go with us this year and got a big 3-bedroom condo. The week that we were heading down to Florida, a tropical-storm-turned-hurricane Nate was heading up towards the Gulf. We both arrived at just about the same time and "lost" a day of beaching it because of the surf and winds. The pictures don't do justice to the force of the winds or the waves, it was really quite impressive. The condominium staff were quick to get most things back open within a couple of days so that the tourists could enjoy what they drove down for! In the meantime, we did let the boys run in the waves (they couldn't go out far because the current and riptides were dangerous) and we did some shopping at the outlet malls.

Everyone was excited to be in Destin, even if we had an unwelcomed visitor named Nate.

Little Maclyn was not a fan of the water....she did eventually warm up to it and by the end of the week was letting us take her into the calm sea. She enjoyed the pool so that was always an option!

Shopping at Wal-Mart with a couple crazy boys while the rains started coming down...

Stuck inside....but checking out our playground for the next week. 

After we got "home" from shopping at the outlets, the rain had all but stopped so the boys were itching to go out to the beach. We weren't the only ones excited to put our feet in the sand and water, lots of people were out despite the winds and high surf. The kids weren't going to let a little gloomy weather stop their beach vacation so Josh and I joined in! (well, I stood back and took pictures...it was a bit cool for my liking!)

Finley's Fall Fieldtrip

Finn's preschool fieldtrip was to Wurth's Farm in Paducah. We have been several years in a row so I suppose it was old-hat so I didn't take very many pictures. But we had a good time and it was a nice warm morning!!

Finley's big buddies from school: Korbin (in blue) and Karden (in orange)

Fall Soccer

Back in the Summer Keagan decided he wanted to participate in the British Soccer Camp. It was pricey but I think he both loved it and learned from it. He learned quite a bit and was eager to put his new skills to work when rec soccer picked back up in the fall. Here is a pic of the kids and his soccer coaches! I cannot remember where these young men are from, but they were wonderful with the kids and Keagan really enjoyed hearing their accents!

When fall soccer season rolled around I could tell that the camp really did help him. He was on fire. As were the other little boys on his team. Keagan has had the same coach (Coach Ryan) for several seasons and each year the core group of boys that move forward improve. This year the boys were unstoppable. They were undefeated all season long and even began to learn new skills and hone in on passing and true teamwork. Us parents noticed something in our boys that we haven't noticed before, and that many of the teams we played against didn't have: they played as a team. We had good defenders, good scorers, good runners, everyone seemed to have a role and they helped each other out. It was so much fun to watch these kids. Our boys even had the opportunity to have true competition in a scrimmage against a U10 team (kids 2 years older, played on a bigger field, and played with a goalie...). Our boys didn't win the scrimmage, but they scored several and gave the U10 kids a run for their money!! Even the coaches and parents on the other team were impressed with the heart and drive of our boys.

Ice cream after the scrimmage against the older U10 team.

After one of the games, we headed over to the high school to watch some high school soccer! Those girls and boys (we watched both) are intense!!! At half-time of one of the games, the recreational soccer kids were recognized.

One thing I have learned about being a soccer mom is that in one season of soccer you get to experience full temperature extremes! And you layer up and bring blankets while you sit and freeze or you peel off clothes and sweat like it is summer. Or you huddle under an umbrella while the boys play in the rain.

Last game of the season! Medal Time!!