First Real Hockey Game

Today was Matt's first real hockey game. He's played in a few 3 on 3 tournaments, but this was real hockey and he had a blast. He's on the Spokane Wild team. At this mornings game (start time of 7am, yikes), there were a total of 4 Junior Mite teams (that's his league name). They rotated and played a total of three 20-minute games, so that every team had a chance to play against each other. Oh- the split the arean into two.

Matthew had a blast. Everyone played so well, it was wonderful to see. Matt is leaning towards defense and had a great time playing goal - had three amazing blocks. After he was done with those blocks, he came over to the "audience" side of the ice and waved to us with a huge smile. We didn't get any good pictures of the games, but here's an OK one of Matthew (he's center).

HALLOWEEN!

We had a whole week full of Halloween festivities. It all started Tuesday and MONSTER MATH NIGHT at Holmes Elementary School. Then classroom party and parade on Friday. Friday evening we had Kyra's schools party and then a community party at West Central Community Center. Saturday, a party at Navi's house. Then Sunday, The Bugs Bunny Symphony, with a costume contest, and then trick-or-treating. Fun, fun, fun. Matt was DEATH. Kyra was a bear.


Getting ready to go to Monster Math Night.


Scary death.



Matt's class just after the all school parade. It was super cool. All of the K-3 grades paraded through the classrooms on the main level of the school, and actually going into each classroom. Every class joined the back of the parade, after it went through their room. Then the parade went through the gym, where 4-6 graders were. Then they joined the tail end of the parade and went through all of the K-3 rooms. It was awesome! Then a classroom party. Matt's in black on the far left.

Kyra at the Bugs Bunny Symphony.

Matthew and Clayton at the symphony.

The clan, before they head out to get candy!

The ghosts in our yard! Ooooooooooo...

Fall Fieldtrip

Matt's school went on a field trip to a farm up on Greenbluff. They picked apples, drank cider, picked pumpkins, and had lunch. Curt was able to volunteer that day!

Football time....

Usually every fall we go to a EWU-Eagles football game. And, if schedules allow, we get together with some of our good buddies, the Jacksons, and the Koltz's. We do the game, then walk to the Jackson's house for a potluck dinner. Good times is had by all. Especially all of the boys getting together.


Good buddies, Matthew and Noah.


Kyra in her new rain coat - it was a rainy day, but the rain stopped for the game.



Julie

Nick, Curt and Kyra

Matthew, Kyra, Dylan Koltz, and Noah Jackson

Matt at the Chiefs Game

Matt and a bunch of his hockey buddies had the opportunity to be "between period entertainment" at on of the Saturday night Chiefs hockey games. He and his friends had a blast scrimmaging out on the ice at the arena in front of the crowds.


Team pose before hitting the ice.


Matt's #10 in blue jersey on right.


Matt's center in the blue jersey with the yellow name tag on the front of his helmet.

Annual visit to Greenbluff

Every fall we go to Greenbluff (a small farming community north of Spokane) to get lots of apples at an organic orchard. We make homemade applesauce and lots of apple pies. MMMMmmmmm.....Then we go check out some of the festivities as some of the other "touristy" farms, but the kids love it.

Mmmmmm...soy yogurt!

Unfortunately, Kyra is slow to grow out of her dairy allergy - but at least she likes soy products. Tofu, edame, soymilk, and soy yogurt. Yummyyy!!!

Hiawatha Trail

Curt and I have wanted to bike the Hiawatha Trail for the last 5 or so years. We figured Matthew was finally old enough to bike the trail along with us, and have Kyra in the trailer. The trail was created on an old rail road line. You go through a bunch of tunnels, over tressels, see wildlife and alot of people who like to get out and bike.

The railroad grade is a about a 3% incline, and we road down the trail, not up it. But, it turns out, Matt doesn't weigh enough, and his bike is small enough that he had to pedel the entire 16 miles, while mom and dad coasted. What's an amazing kid. We made it to the last shuttle with 5 minutes to spare - and he passed out during the 45 minute shuttle ride to our car.

One of the exciting things about the trail is the 2-mile long tunnel. It's quite an experience to ride your bike in pitch black, with only a bike light to guide you.


Curt and Kyra on a tressel.


A view from one of the tressels.



Looking down from the rail road tressel.

Matt and Margee...fun, fun, fun!

Who's Turning 6!

Every year, Matthew get's to pick what he wants for dinner on his real birthday. This year, he wanted to try the local moracaan resturant, but they were closed. So he chose Milfords Seafood. Yummy!

Usually we have his birthday party in our backyards. But, September was so rainy, we thought we better be safe and have it indoors. So, a swimming party at the YMCA. Ironically, it ended up being absolutely beautiful out that day. Here are a few photos, unfortunately, we were swimming with the kids, so no photos of the fun part!

Clair and Blue showing off their blue mouths from the frosting!

Matt opening presents.

Clay and Chase....is that cup cake good?!?!

Bike Racing Time

Every September, Group Health hosts a series of free bike races for kiddos. Matthew loves to participate - rain or shine!

Maryland for Grampy & Grammy's Wedding

Our first day in Maryland was spent at Margee's dad's house prepping for the wedding that was to take place that evening. About two hours before the wedding, Curt finally got the bride and groom together to ask what they wanted him to do the in ceremony - as he was going to marry them. They hadn't had a chance to make plans. So, Curt had two hours to prepare a ceremony, which turned out to be wonderful.



Kyra playing around before the ceremony started.




She's getting bored during the ceremony and was doing yoga poses. See the underwear she has on?!? She snuck a pair of Matt's undies and wore them for most of the wedding (two legs through one leg hole, so that they would stay up!)


Curt, the celebrant!

The couple.

Margee and the kids after the ceremony. Oh, the wedding and reception were in Martin and Barbara's backyard. The dinner was actually served on a floor installed over their pool.

The following day was swimming and boating fun for all who attended the wedding. Matthew is standing in front of Barbara's monster basil and rosemary. Oh, we wish our herbs would grow like that over in Spokane. The basil was delicious.

We were very excited to have Margee's Uncles and Aunt from Ohio join the wedding festivities. It's been over 8 years since Margee has seen them (they are Margee's mom's brothers and sister-in-law). Pat is on the right, Martin (Margee's dad), then Johnny and Darwin.

OK, one of the brother's was missing in the first photo, Roger, who is Pat's husband.

Uncle Steve from New Zealand and Vietnam (Barbara's brother.) And Grampys dog, Cappy, who adopted Steve while he was visiting. Hmmm...does Cappy know that some folks in Vietnam consider dog a delicacy?? One of Steve's friends dogs was stolen and sold to a local restaurant in Vung Tau, Vietnam.

Hmmm....soda pop please! That Matthew is always flirting with the pretty girls.

Margee and Martin (her dad)

A day of boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, Margee couldn't join the crew because Kyra was still napping.

The Naval Academy.

Boating on Grammy's motor boat. Isn't Kyra cute! She didn't really like the lack of mobility that occurs when wearing a PFD.

Aunt Julia (one of Barbara's daughters.) It turns out Margee doesn't have any pictures of Aunt Becky, the older sister. Matthew loved hanging out with his Aunties. They caught a turtle, drew pictures, went out on the dingy, and played and played and played. Matthew even had sleep-overs on Grammy's boat with the girls. Boy was he spoiled. He called them "young adults." As if his parents are ancient!

Kyra was able to escape out the back door. Which isn't a good thing with water front property!

We spent a day in Baltimore and visited Fort McHenry (wher ethe Star Spangled Banner was written) and at the National aquarium. Those cannons are huge!

It's hot out mom!

Don't do this at home!!

Nice view of the south end of Baltimore Harbor.

At the aquirium, a replica of what was thought as the largest shark in the world, the Megamouth?????

An ibis in the Austrailia exhibit.

The dolphin show.

Matt catching crabs off of Grammy and Grampy's dock. He spent hours out there catching things.

A neighborhood water snake that likes to hang out on the dock.