2nd Place Ain't Bad
Saturday Aaron and Dylan played in the Championship game. It was an unusually beautiful day for soccer. It was clear and 55 degrees, no rain and no wind. It was crazy considering the night before it was pouring and blowing so bad it would move the ball on it's own. Both the boys played hard. Aaron has been sick for almost two weeks now and hadn't gone to school on Friday. Usually I don't let the kids play when they haven't gone to school, but his team depends so much on him that I bent the rules.

Dylan was one of the youngest players in the league, but you wouldn't have known this by watching. He played so tough! He'd charge the ball no matter the opposing player. There were a few times that he'd go up against a girl two grades older and try to be polite. He learned quickly that they wouldn't give him the same courtesy. After a few games he'd run over anyone in his way. Is it bad to say I was proud of that?

I'm glad soccer is over, not that there is a lot of time before basketball starts, but it will be nice to have a break with the kids.

Heather Christensen
A woman of talent and unselfishness. I am ashamed to admit that I never spent a lot of time with Heather. Family get togethers with the Tippetts-Christensen clan can be quite a handful. I do remember how fun she was. She was always laughing with the kids or helping Annette out in the kitchen. She would help Jana or Kara or Natalie with the kids. Heather never did things for herself. I remember in High School how talented she was. Even then she was busy helping with the band or the choir or anything else she could. She was so smart too. Juggling AP classes with her busy schedule. I never saw her just relax and take time for herself. It was always about others! I know that she is already in heaven singing with the angels. Our prayers are with everyone down south.
We love you HEATHER!

Grandparents
I cannot say how important they are, that's obvious. I can say how much my kids miss them! I know without a doubt that we are supposed to live here. We call Ketchikan home. Yet each time I visit I realize how envious I am that my siblings children are growing up with these amazing people.

They get the day to day love. They get the birthday and holiday love. They get the learning, the hoping, the support. Am I doing the right thing? In living here am I depriving my children of knowing their grandparents?

Every time we visit I have to remind the little ones who their Grandparents are. It breaks my heart. They don't love them any less, they just don't know them. I can't replace this time. For some of our loved ones I know that is a short time. I show them pictures and tell them stories. I tell them the naughty things I once did to grandparents and help them understand that they, their grandparents, love them unconditionally and completely.

Yet, this doesn't bring me peace. It doesn't make the pain go away. I'll I know is that I love these people and they love my children. Our Heavenly Father sent us here for a reason and he will help heal these wounds. For now, I just have to keep showing the pictures and telling the stories. For those of you who do get to be close to your parents and grandparents - cherish it! Don't take it for granted!

Sisters
On Thursday we took a drive with Grandma and Grandpa up Provo Canyon. It was absolutely wonderful. There wasn't any traffic in the canyon. It was a perfect 74 degrees.

We ate lunch at the Dairy Keen in Heber and then went to take hoards of pictures up at Wasatch Golf Course. The girls were so patient. Aspen was so funny. She posed and giggled the whole time. Now if I could only convince Morgan that she is beautiful and that smiling won't kill her!

Soccer Stud
This year was Jayden's first year in soccer. I, being completely knowledgeable in soccer, decided to coach. Yeah right, the only thing I know is which direction to kick the ball! Okay, and protect your face - that I figured out in practice. Anyway, this year Jayden played on a first grade - Kindergarten team. He was able to have his good friends Ethan, Jaden girl, Anna and Nena on his team.

At first all he did was run around helping kids up. Yes, this is a good attribute, but I did want to see him kick the ball a little. In our last game he finally started chasing the ball. He seemed to have a great time. On Saturday we will have a little soccer festival with cupcakes and medals. Then it's break time for Jayden. At least until Dance. Oh yes, Jayden will be in dance!!

Day at the Beach
The last day the Degraws were here visiting we headed to Bugge Beach. Travis and Aaron found a large log that was sitting across a rock. It was a natural teeter totter. Of course being the manly men they are they were the first to try it!

After much screaming, the girls kicked off the big boys. Travis bounced them until they were laughing too hard to hang on. With their pink coats and blonde hair these two looked like twins from behind. It was so wonderful how good everyone got along. We are very lucky to have good friends like these!!

Dylan didn't want to play in the water so he started looking for hermit crabs. He found this teeny tiny crab and put it in the Frisbee. As he was playing Cooper came over with two bigger crabs. Then Tobyn found a gumboot colony and Dylan added it to his collection.

Aspen came over to see what Dylan was looking at. She wouldn't touch anything, but kept giggling as they walked around. It turned out to be a beautiful day. I hope they come back for another visit.

Soccer Season
It has begun. Actually it started a few weeks ago, but it's all the same. Jayden is playing in Micro. That means one practice a week and one game. I'm coaching his team and we are having a great time! He runs around the field talking to the kids. He doesn't ever really kick the ball, but he seems to have fun.
Dylan is in the 6-8th grade league. He gets tired quickly and his ankles are sore, but he hussles! He has improved so much. He attacks the ball and is a strong passer. He usually plays forward position, for those who are Soccer illiterate that means he plays and the front of everyone and tries to make a goal. This is pretty impressive considering that he is the youngest on the team. The other night he made a shot and barely missed the goal.

Aaron is the tallest in the league by at least five inches. He is also one of the quickest players. He also plays forward with Dylan. So far I haven't seem him pass it much to Dylan, but he'll learn that he can count on Dylan and hopefully he'll pass more. Next week is tryouts for the Middle School soccer team and he'll play on that as well.

Last, but not least, is Morgan. She is in the 4-5th grade league. Some of the boys are already big kids, but this hasn't stopped her. She goes right after the ball. Even though she didn't play last year, she hasn't seemed to be behind at all. She loves playing goalie, but she is so aggressive that forward is a better position for her. It is going to be a fun year watching all of them!