We were blessed with another amazing weekend.  Nathan had his weekly soccer match Saturday afternoon and we decided to then drive over to the salmon hatchery in Issaquah.  Next week is the official Salmon days in Issaquah, so we thought we’d get a jump on the crowds and then grab a bite at the brewery next door. 

Watching the salmon jump

Nathan and Ian learned about salmon’s developmental stages

I broke out the macro lens today to grab a few shots of a spider that wove a web just outside of our bedroom window.  Hard to believe that this spider is only about the size of a pencil eraser.  For the full effect, click on the pictures to see the full size image

Ian had his first soccer game at Pine Lake Park on Friday followed by Nathan’s game at 8:15 this morning.  Both he and Nathan have been lucky enough to find that they are generally on the same team as last year so there are many familiar faces.  It amazes me how much Ian has improved in just the last year in terms of coordination.  They are both having a blast so far.  Nathan is really excited about honing his skills as goal keeper.  Erin took him to a goal keeping clinic last week while I was in California.  Here are just a few shots from last night and Nathan’s game this morning. 

Ian practicing his passing skills

Ian going for the ball during their game

Not quite a full moon last night as we were leaving the game

Nathan going after the ball

On the side lines

Cole helping mom film Nathan’s game

Goal keeper

Throwing the ball to a team mate

 Nathan thinking about where he wants to throw the ball

I downloaded a bunch of shots Erin took yesterday at the park where Nathan practices soccer and loved them so much that I decided I had to post a bunch of them to the blog.  I just couldn’t choose a few!  Don’t these capture Cole’s little spirit so well?  BTW, sorry there aren’t more of Ian but I’m told that he wasn’t in the best of moods yesterday

I’ve also uploaded each of these pictures to Flickr in case you want to download the originals to print.  If you have time, leave Erin a comment below and let her know how good of a photographer she is!

Serious Cole

Got apples?

These apples? 

Cole resting on a rock

I’m told that this is Ian throwing his apples up into the air, probably to try and splat them on the pavement below

This year, Nathan and Ian are both attending the same school!  Ian’s starting 1st grade and Nathan’s entering 3rd grade.  Today was day two and so far so good in terms of them both liking their teachers and the other kids in their class.  Tomorrow, we’re pulling the kids out of school just before the end of the day to travel to Camp Orkila with several other families.  The funny thing is that when Erin told Nathan that we would be picking him up around 2PM tomorrow, he was concerned because he’s really excited to learn cursive writing and he doesn’t want to miss anything

Ian and Nathan just before they walked to their first day of school

Erin outdid herself once again by putting together a party to celebrate Ian’s 7 years.  Battle lines were drawn in the backyard and once teams were chosen, the kids went through probably close to 400 water balloons while also dousing each other with super soaker squirt guns.  I think it’s safe to say that the kids were in heaven.  Click on any of the pictures below to see a slideshow with a bunch more!

Ian in combat mode

Nathan strategically lobbing a water balloon to the other side

Cole getting in on the action

Ian wanted cupcakes this year instead of a cake.