Memorial Day Weekend

A rite of passage. Night fishing! Pat and Don took the boys out. I hope fishing gets better...it was a bust the first night.

 

With my new camera I can get nice close up pictures like these!

and these!

and this! A fun discovery! The boys found a treasure! Look at this beauty! A 3ft long garter snake! And it didn't poop on anyone!

 Another rite of passage....row boat fun! Jamison was a pro! and wanted to go out over and over and over again!

He even went out by himself! Sign him up for a rowing team!

Peter had fun too...but I think his hair got in the way.

Sometimes they brought their poles out with them. Watch out fishies...Cullen's are coming to get you.

 The neighbor cabin hired some muscle to transport brick pavers up a set of stairs. Believe it or not the boys worked together...and did not break a single one!

Ms. Jean even gave them suckers...needed to keep that energy going...although these look like cigarettes.

 I was trying to get cool close ups of the loons in the bay.....but every time I would get one in focus, it would dive under.

Now this is the wildlife that I can catch!

 Now that looks like a postcard...I wonder who is going to be the first one with a hook in their ear...OR what they are going to do if they actually catch a fish. Stay tuned!

MAYSA Cup Tournament

MAYSA Cup Soccer Tournament. Three games over the weekend. and the best part....THEY WON ALL THREE!. There were some smiling faces on the team. They finally won!

Celebrations all around! You could see the teamwork and improved footskills in action! I think it was a great boost to the team's moral.

Peter was goalie again for a little while. It sure makes me nervous...the goalie has a lot of stress

 At least Peter's hair is getting long enough to be tucked back behind his ear, but it does not stay like that for very long. The parents say that he "sports the European soccer player" look. I think he took that as a compliment.

I think he needs to sport the bandana like one of the kids on the other team.

 Jamison also had some time in the goal. BUT there was a goal shot...one on one...that he let go through. Even the best of the professionals miss them.

But he was still pretty sad. Spencer was trying to cheer him up, or telling him a joke. Not sure with Spencer.

On defense Jamison had his eye on the ball and was probably responsible for a number of bruises on the other teams shins. WAY TO GO!

 As parents we finally were able to participate in the awesome running of the field. I missed the photo of my own child, but you can see how happy Seth was! (and Peter's hair in the back)

 WAY TO GO Mount Horeb Black! 1st place in their division!

Had to get the funny photo.

And the jumping photo.

  Cullen Brothers with their medals!

Also a big weekend....Peter lost two teeth. One as a painful surprise when biting into an apple. The other landed in his belly while enjoying Chinese Buffet with his dad. The boys also learned about the secrets of the Tooth Fairy....my boys are growing up too fast.

Did you know the boys play soccer?

Our May has been soccer, soccer and more soccer. BUT the fun exciting thing is that the boys and Pat gave me a new camera for Mother's Day, anniversary and Bday...all combined!. So I had loads of fun zooming in when the boys were playing...you guessed it..... soccer!

You get goofy pictures of facial expressions...

and fun action shots.

They haven't won any games yet...a couple ties, but you can see the team work and skills improve. From what I understand, they did really well last fall, so the team was moved up to the Class A level of competition. They are even playing against some 4th graders. There are some tall 4th graders.

The coach mixed things up and allowed the Cullen Boys to play goalie, both did really well, except for the shot to the face and privates that Peter took. He said it hurt. I believe him. He saved the goal though!

Look at that concentration!

I had to take this picture of orange #10, he elbowed Peter in the throat, checked our goalie and ran over Peter with his cleats. I think Jamison was gunning for him. Brothers stick together!

Afterwards we had some friends over for  pizza and fun...first time on the deck this year! I hope the nice weather is here to stay!

Thanks boys for my camera!

Spring injuries and more soccer

Spring is here....and with spring comes boy-related injuries. Jamison described this one as "I was walking along a log and then i slipped, my body flew backwards and went 'ugh' right up against this tree and then landed on  my knees."

Yikes this summer is going to be crazy if this is how we are starting off.

The sun is feeling nice. Even this old dog is enjoying warming herself in the sun. Indy, the cat, has been escaping outside, not sure if he is looking for warmth or danger.

It is hard to work at home when your cat takes over when you get up to get something to drink.

The third graders had their spring concert. Nothing melts your heart more than 180 kids singing Louis Armstrong's "What a wonderful world."

The rest of our time is soccer. More soccer. Did I mention that we have some soccer games? We have had some rough games, but we are seeing some improvements in passing and teamwork. Jamison tried out being goalie and was able to stop a number of attempts. Peter had a try at goalie also. He took one to the face and the midsection. They looked like they hurt...he was happy he stopped them.

For a school project Peter made a "Flat Peter" and sent him to Keiko in France. "Flat Keiko" took "Flat Peter" all over Paris! THANKS Keiko and David, we loved the pictures!!!!!