Memorial Weekend 2011

We had a busy Memorial weekend.  We started out with a soccer game Saturday morning.  Then met some Hastings relatives Saturday for lunch and visiting. 

Sunday morning we headed to church, then to Hesston to borrow my Uncle's trailer, then on to Emporia to help my brother move.  My mom was kind enough to play with Sarah and Phoebe at her house, while my Dad, Eric, my brother, his friend Ziggy, and I moved all of my brother's furniture and boxes to a new apartment.  (Pretty sneaky way to get out of moving boxes and heavy stuff Mom! Good move!)  It took us three trips but we got him all moved in.  Next I used all of those guy's muscles, and had them move and load-up a piano for me!  Thanks to our friend in Emporia Nancy G., we now have a beautiful piano and I can't wait to start playing again.

Today, Eric helped my Dad finish up moving some furniture in Emporia and then we got to see Mom and Dad's new mower.  Wow, it is nice.  It even has a cup holder!

Here is Dad pretending to mow... wearing his mowing hat!

This is my Dad's huge garden.

Sarah had fun trying to do the monkey bars with Nanee's help.

On our way home we went through Olpe, KS to visit Eric's Grandma.  Her yard and flowers were beautiful... like always.  The wind was blowing 100 miles per hour today in KS, so every picture that I took people had to try not to blow away... just kidding... it might have been more like 50 miles per hour.  Sarah and Phoebe both had fun playing Grandma Great's piano, picking and eating strawberries with Grandma Great and playing with her cat.  The cat does not have a tail... so I jokingly called it "bobcat", but Sarah wanted Grandma Great to name it "Suzy Bobby".  She thought it needed a first and a last name.

It was great to see see so many relatives this weekend!  It always does my heart good to see and spend time with those I love.

Zoo, Babies, and Friends

This morning we got around early and headed to the Sedgwick County Zoo to meet some friends from our church.  It was cloudy and a little chilly in Kansas so we wore jackets and Sarah brought here Dora umbrella, "just in case".

We had a fun time.  We finally got to see the baby Chimp running around with all the other adult Chimps.  We also saw baby Meerkats and lots of baby geese and ducks.  As we were walking all over the zoo Sarah reminded me several times to "watch out for bird poop, goose poop, and Flamingo poop."  She did not want me to step in it or to pull the wagon through it.  Thanks for the heads up Sarah!

Look at our good looking group of little kids!  They all have so much fun together.  It was funny when they all wanted to pile into our wagon... and one got stuck trying to pull them.

And, finally I have to show this... This Goose has it figured out.  He just stands by this machine all day and waits... er begs for the handouts.  He doesn't chase people, or try to "honk" them, as Sarah and I call it when a goose gets your arm.... Nope, he just stands there patiently waiting for someone to put their quarter in the machine and feed him a handful of food. 

Ladybugs

Today Sarah found a Ladybug in our front yard.  And, she picked it up!  This is huge, for those of you that don't know, she does not enjoy bugs very much.  In fact, over the past couple years has been afraid of them.... even flies, moths, and ants.

But, over the past few weeks we have been finding Ladybugs in the yard and she has gone from looking at them and trying to convince Phoebe to pick them up for her, to picking them up herself. 

About a week ago when she held a Ladybug for the first time she wanted to call Popee and Nanee and tell them about it.  Talk about funny... they weren't home, so she left a message on their machine.  It went something like this... Sarah in a very excited voice, "I held a Ladybug and it was sooooooo cute!"

Entomologist, probably not... but at least she is getting braver!

Soccer Support

Sarah's soccer team played a team on Saturday that had some big, fast, and aggressive players.  Four and five year olds grabbing onto each other's uniforms, pushing, and elbowing.  I couldn't believe it.

Sarah got to throw the ball in once, do a corner kick, and kick-off for her team.  She did well.

And, finally here is a picture of Sarah and Phoebe with their Nanee and Popee after the soccer game.  They love to come to Sarah's games!  I am sure it reminds them of all of Matt and Lindsee and my soccer, t-ball, softball, swim meets, track meets, cross country races, basketball and volleyball games that they came to, to cheer on and support the kids that they love.  They are, and always will be, our biggest fans.  Thanks MOM and DAD for all your support... on and off the field, course, court, pool, and in life!

On The Job

Eric has been having to work a lot of extra hours over the past few weeks... evenings and weekends.  They have a big inspection today and the turnover date will be fast approaching.  So, yesterday we decided to visit Daddy at work (Via Christi St. Francis Hospital). 

Sarah had visited once before toward the beginning of the project, so it was fun for her to see the progress and some finished areas.

She especially enjoyed riding the outside work elevator, looking out the windows from the 7th floor, and trying on some construction hats.

We also got to see the inside of the job trailer, where Eric's office is, and eat dinner with him there.

Future construction worker... maybe?  But, for sure LOVES her Daddy and her time with Daddy!

Saturday Soccer

Sarah played in her 3rd game of her soccer season this morning.  Again, it was cold.  She wore tights under her shorts and gloves to help her keep warm.  (Look for #7 in the pictures.)

She is starting to get the hang of chasing after all the kids and the ball.  She kicked the ball today and got the ball on a breakaway by herself once.  I think she may be the youngest kid on her team, but she keeps improving with each practice and game.

After the game I told her how well I thought she played, and she said with disappointment, "I didn't score any goals."  I explained to her that she had helped score some goals for her team by kicking the ball down the field.  Then, a few minutes later as we were driving toward home, I heard Sarah, from the backseat, talking to Phoebe... "Phoebs, did you see me score a couple of goals?"  So cute, and I smiled the rest of the way home.