Tuscany Soccer 2007

Both Grace and Matt started soccer today. Despite being slightly under the wheather, Gracie had a great time -- they both did.

We started at 9:30 with Matt.

Matt was so engrossed - he was instantly focused on the coach, and showed a very high level of interest in meeting the other kids and getting to kick the ball.



The U4 teams just practiced today, no game. All the kids had fun. The toughest part of the day for Matt's team was to come up with a team name. After some deliberation, they settled on, "The Black Bullets" (Erin suggested the Black Panthers, but the negative connotation threw some of the parents). Matt's going to love soccer. I've started a Flickr photo collection for the 2007 U4 season. Check back each Saturday for updated photos.



After Matt's team was done, we moved over one field for Gracie's practice. Grace hasn't been feeling well these last few days, and Erin wasn't sure if she should play today. In fact before leaving for the field, I determined that she probably shouldn't play. However, as Gracie watched Matt's team she became more and more exited to play, and by the time it was here turn we couldn't keep her away no matter how sick she felt.



I wasn't able to get as many photos of Grace and her team, the Green Aligators, because Erin had to leave and I had to step up my assistant coaching involvement during the game. The U6 division has a short practice then a game each week.

Gracie did so well. She scored three goals (only one intentionally). She got out and ran hard and, took a break as she needed to. Here she is putting on some tough defence.



I've started a Flickr photo collection of Gracie's season. Again, I'll update this each week after the game.

Denver

I'm sitting here with Keri and Cade watching the Colorado Avalanche hockey game, and I'm watching Cade become as animated as I've ever seen him (he just put his feet on the coffee table, and his voice raised to something more than a whisper).



We arrived in Denver yesterday. Denver is quite a nice city, pretty, well organized, clean -- I've said to Erin several times that I could live in Denver. It's quite a contrast with the suburbs of Salt Lake, which seem to be terribly disorganized.

The kids whethered the flight alright -- Matt broke down at the end of the trip but otherwise did alright. Hannah didn't have her own seat, and so she was quite difficult to reign in. Fortunately the flight from SLC to Denver is only 52 minutes.

I've updated my Utah/Denver Flickr photo collection with some new photos.

Utah Photos

Some photos of our Utah trip (flickr photoset):

Nikon SB-600

I treated myself to a Nikon SB-600 flash for my D50. I'm very pleased with how it has improved my photos.



This photo was taken indoors (at the Ritchie's house in Cedar Hills, UT). In the past I've avoided taking photos indoors because of the shadows that the pop-up flash produces. But with an external flash, I'm able to tilt the flash head up and away from the subject, which produces a really nice, soft lighting.

Hot Chocolate

Took some photos while drinking some hot chocolate. Matt was being quite a character. See the Flickr photoset here.

Snickers Super Bowl Commercial

I didn't watch the Super Bowl this year, but I did catch the commercials today on the Internet. Far and away the best one was the Snickers ad.

Tuscany School Family Dance

On February 1st, 2007 the Tuscany Elementary School held it's inaugural family dance. Gracie looked forward to the dance for weeks. The dance was really well attended, and we all had a great time. Hannah didn't dance, except when Micheal Jackson was playing (she's her father's daughter). Matt spent most of his time running around the gym.

Here's a link to my Flickr photoset.

Winter

It's winter again in Calgary. Here's a photo I took this morning as I shoveled the driveway with Matt. (Note the band-aid on his head covering some stitches he received last Saturday when the kitchen stool fell and hit him in the head.)

Gracie's Sixth Birthday Video

Gracie's 6th Birthday

Gracie celebrated her 6^th birthday today. She had a great time. We invited the face painter who we first met at Greg Melchin's Annual BBQ (picture of Matt and Grace with painted faces). All the kids loved the face painter. Honestly we didn't have to do anything else other than let everyone line up and watch her work. Of course we also had presents, cake and ice cream... all the trimings of your run of the mill birthday party. Gracie had a really nice time, and I think the kids did too.

I've posted a Flickr photoset with a bunch of photos of the kids with painted faces, however I've made the photos private to respect the privacy of the children, and families of the children at the party. If you're interested in seeing the photos, you can register for a free Flickr account (www.flickr.com), and I'll add you to my list of contacts, which will permit you to see the pictures.

Farewell Christy and JD Taylor

We had JD and Christy Taylor (and kids) over for dinner on Thursday evening one last time before they're off ot Utah. We'll be sad to see them go. Good luck in Utah!

Christmas Day Photo Booth Session

We had fun this morning with Apple Photo Booth -- I seriously have not seen my mother laugh this hard in years.

See the Flickr photoset.

Christmas Eve Day 2006

We had a nice morning at church -- Erin sang in the choir, and I wrestled Matt in the congregation. Thank you Wendy Shipley for walking Hannah for most of the sacrament meeting.



We managed to get a Christmas photo that worked reasonably well on the way out the door this morning. Everyone is in the photo, looking at the camera, and is smiling (or at least not crying or frowning).

Photo Booth Photos

Matt and I had a lot of fun playing around with Apple Photo Booth for a while this morning. Check out our photos.

Matt and Grace

Japanes Shirt Folding

Ok, this is pretty impressive. I've got to learn how to do this.

Gracie Loses Her First Tooth

Tonight, just before going to bed I asked Grace if I could look at her tooth (which has been very loose for several days). Surprisingly she agreed. I asked outright if I could try to pull it out -- again, surprisingly she agreed.

We're please to report that Grace has lost her first tooth. Check out the Flickr photoset here.

Hannah's First Birthday

We had a nice first birthday party for Hannah. Check out the Flickr photoset.

Hannah

Matt on the Computer

Here are some photos I took of Matt playing on my computer on Sunday after church. He sat pleasantly at my computer for about 45 minutes listening to "Wipeout" by the Ventures. He was having the time of his life.