Warmer Days

Trying to squeeze in another blog post before the month's end.... I'm gonna make it, YESSSS! This time of year in AZ, I always feel this sense of urgency to enjoy being outside because the heat is coming. And Lee is getting more and more mobile, so it has been extra special to have some "normalcy" in terms of getting out and enjoying different things as a family.

I pulled out the kiddy pool for the kids one afternoon this week as it felt extra warm.... The water was chilly, but oh so fun to splash around....

We also at the last minute decided to put Aaron on a spring soccer team. I had been a bit apprehensive to try soccer this spring with Lee being down - the last soccer experience was a bit rough for Aaron and we really wanted to be certain that the next time around, he would really be able to have fun and develop a joy for sports. Sports really are just really something Lee and I value for so many reasons and though we don't want to force our kids into being athletes, we know they can learn discipline, leadership, camaraderie, and so many other other things by participating....

Anyway, I digress..... We found out one of our friends was coaching and the team also happened to have some of Aaron's friends on it both from school and church - And his friends have parents that we like too. =) We figured this could be the good experience we were looking for and so we were able to get Aaron on..... After his first week of practice and games, we are already soooo glad we did, as Aaron has had a total blast.

Aaron with some of his teammates/buddies....

Coach Andrew giving instructions to Team Fried Bacon (yes, that is there team name - the kids think it's hilarious and even have a crazy cheer for it I will have to capture at some point) He does a good job with the kids and I have already appreciated what he is doing for Aaron....

Aaron is the handsome #3....

No goals yet for this little guy, but he did have a great assist in which he dribbled the ball all the way down the field and passed it to his teammate Shaylee who scored a goal. Okay so "pass" may be stretching it - I think she just outran him to the ball but we were so proud! After the game, Aaron asked why it was so short and if we could play some more when we got home. It brought Lee and I so much joy to see him have so much fun and enter this stage of parenthood.

Happy Spring!

Visit from the Cousins

Ah, another month has come and gone..... We are slowly getting our lives back after this surgery. Lee just began to be able to bend his leg and be brace-free, though he is still on crutches and non weight bearing for six more weeks. However, this has meant no more CPM machine and some normal life back! He can finally shower on his own, and even drive! Hallelujah! Anyway, we are rejoicing in these small, but big steps toward recovery. Though there is still a long way to go, we are grateful to have the past 6 weeks behind us....

Anyway, this month we got to enjoy a 2 week visit from my brother, Brad, and his wife, Tanya, and their kids Brynn and Owen. They moved to Wisconsin a little less than a year ago, and it was the first time we have all been united. Aaron was in heaven to have his Brynnie and Owen around to play with....

We spent a great deal of our time at my parents hanging outside and enjoying the wonderful weather.....

And as you can tell from the pics, the kids spent a lot of time driving around a jeep my parents had found abandoned - a new battery and suddenly, hours of fun. Spending so much time watching them drive the jeep led to some creative ideas from the adults....

Noel certainly enjoyed and adored her older cousin Brynn - I think she especially appreciated having someone to do girly things with.....

Of course, she is still quite influenced by that brother of hers.....

She stays tough and doesn't let him get away with too much either.....