Herd Ball

This past Saturday Carter made her soccer debut! We missed the first game due to Clint's wedding and the week before they didn't have enough kids to play, so she had been anticipating this day for a while now! It was picture day, so we arrived early, and had to wait on the game before hers to finish. It was pretty warm. Carter got a little inventive and found some shade...





Emme found some too...

Soon it was time to "warm up" (although we were already pretty warm)...





After a few minutes of kicking...






the Mighty Scorpions were ready for action...



(or maybe just a drink)...


and a little rest...



The kids play 3 on 3 and Carter started the game on the sideline, I just know she is thinking "Put Me In COACH!!" (or maybe she is just enjoying the shade, yeah, that's probably more like it)...


When she finally hit the field she did a great job of keeping up with the herd...



At this age it's a lot more like "Herd Ball" than soccer...


they all just run around in a big group around the ball...



eventually someone breaks free and kicks it or scores a goal. Carter like to hang on the fringes, I can imagine it's a little intimidating...


jumping into the herd means your probably going to get kicked and shoved around a bit...


I think her day is coming...


but for now my girl gets an "E" for EFFORT! I can just see those wheels turning and she is doing the best she can. I love that something deep down in her has the desire to try so hard. Sometimes a smile says it all...


and she's kinda' into the snacks...

Can't Get Enough of You Baby

QUICK!!! Someone call the police...

There's no doubt about it...

She's stolen...

My...

Heart!

Since 1925

Excuse the lack of a "Monday Carter" post...we're all hanging out in our pajamas and the highlight of our day may be when we change out of them! So, in lieu of anything exciting around here, I thought I would share what Carter would deem a little piece of Heaven on Earth.

Friday we embarked on an outing to the Kiddie Park. It is an adorable little place that is full of kids rides that have been operating since 1925. It is full of vintage charm...

and we were lucky enough to be surrounded by friends! The cast of characters included Carter...

The adorable Hudson...

Big brother Jaden...

their B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L baby sister Claire...

and their sweet momma Cayce...

and lucky for us Nate (off early from work) and Grammy and Grandad (who happened to be in town)...

and last, but certainly not least, the cutest baby in town (her dad isn't half bad himself)...

First thing on the agenda was plotting out which ride they should tackle first...

After deliberating they decided to set sail on the high seas...

Huddy and Carter were appropriately operating a boat called "Krazy Kimmy" we just happen to know her...

The waters were rough...

but they were no match for our dynamic duo...

this little munchkin' had a permanent smile on her face...

Krazy Kimmy did her best to outrun Adventurous Amber, in the end it was a tie...

So the kids headed off to fly some fighter jets (or what would have been a fighter jet in 1925)...

Carter managed to socialize and fly her plane at the same time, she's pretty talented...

She can also shoot a gun without looking, that takes talent people...

Flying proved to be fun and Jaden and Carter decided to take a spin in a helicopter...

if only there were sound effect via photo, I'm pretty sure we'd be hearing some vroooooming and whooooooshing....

Meanwhile, safely on firm ground, these two exchanged some sweet smiles and glances...

and we all decided it was time to enjoy a little snack...

Popcorn, Blue Bell, and Diet Dr. Pepper...Can I get an Amen??

After a little fuel the kids headed off for the last ride of the day. A trip on the Carousel, which was built in 1918...

Carter gave her horse some verbal encouragement and sweet pats on the neck...

I can't think of much I don't love about this sweet little girl...

I also love those moments when you find that you are touching the three things that matter most in the world...