Backyard Bow

We bought some patio furniture and I saved the box knowing that my boys would come up with something fun to do with it.  This isn't quite what I had in mind -

 Apparently the box has become an archery target for the backyard.  Don't worry - we have strict rules about safety :)

  He is getting to be pretty comfortable with his bow and arrow.  He gets ready, 

 releases,

 and check the target to see how he did.

First he drew bullseyes on the box.  Now he is drawing "coyotes" and "bears."  Should I be worried?

He is sure making his daddy proud :)

Soccer

Vance is having another amazing soccer season with Lil Rooneys.  This is their third season together and we love it.  He is really showing lots of progress.  He really understands the game, is more aggressive, and has more control.  Last week he scored 6 goals and this week he had 5.  He is proud of himself and we are proud of the hard work he is putting in.

I like to actually watch the game so I only bring my camera to one or two games each season.  Here's my 10 favorite action shots (that's significantly paired down...trust me). 

 He isn't always the fastest but this season he has learned to kick the speed up a gear if he really needs to.

 He's happy to just dribble the ball a little and wait for his opening.

 Once he finds it he heads straight for the goal!

 These next two pictures document probably the prettiest goal he has scored all season.  He stole the ball, dribbled down the line,...

 cut to the right, and - GOOOOOAAAAAL!

 Vance is not afraid to be a little rough.  Right after this both boys fell down but Vance hustled to get back up and drove it down for a goal.

 The thing we love the most about this team are his teammates and the awesome coach who also has the sweetest wife. They have made the experience great for Vance.

 He loves soccer!!!

 Go Rooneys!

I'm not sure if he'll stick with soccer forever but for now he loves it!

Baby Girl

I have been super busy with photography lately but haven't been posting anything.  You can check out my facebook page (facebook.com/waldronphoto) or website (allisonwaldron.com) if you really want to see more.  I plan on doing one post at the end of the year with a few of my favorites.  However I have to make an exception with the session I did last week.  I took pictures of the cutest baby girl.  Newborn sessions are by FAR the most difficult in my opinion and this session I got a few pictures that I am really proud of.  I thought these should make it into the blogbook so I decided to share. 

Meet Makenzie -

Best Buds

It has been so fun to watch the boys' relationship grow.  They really are becoming best friends.  Vance is so sweet with Keller (most of the time) and Keller absolutely idolizes Vance.

 I haven't been able to grab a picture of it yet but frequently they walk with their arms around one another.  It is so dang precious!

 Last week they requested their first sleepover.  They both slept on the top bunk bed together (which made Mom a little nervous) and loved it.  You can barely make Keller out in the picture below but he has blue pants and an orange shirt on.  The boys slept at opposite sides of the bed.

I'm so glad my boys get along and it makes me excited for the idea of another brother (let's be realistic) being added to the family one day! (not today...no announcements being made!)

Active

 I like to think of us as an active family.  Of course we have plenty of times where we bum around the house too (I just don't take lots of pictures of that).  I feel like how active we are is directly correlated to how happy we are and how well we get along.  I know this isn't true for everyone but it definitely is for us.  Sometimes I think Keller might prefer to be home but Vance is definitely like Chad and me.

In one Saturday he had a soccer game and scored SIX goals! He is the red player in the picture below and scored a goal seconds after this picture :)

Practiced his ninja skills -

 and learned to kneeboard!

I can't wait to see how Keller's personality continues to develop as he gets older.  The only reason I think he may prefer to be at home is because he is so, so, SO much better behaved at home.  He will just play and play and play with his toys.  When we go out he usually is not content and requires lots of my energy.  I think some of that may be because he wants to do what all of the older kids do.  Maybe when he can do more of what they can do the problem will solve itself and he will love being on the go as much as the rest of us.  We try to have a balance of being on the go and hanging out at home so everyone is pleased :)

Addicted

What's better than playing one iPad? Two of course!  

Keller has discovered the iPads and iPhones at our house.  He is embarrassingly good at using them.  The only positive is that because I'm usually using mine while I work, Vance has had to start sharing more.  Frequently they have lost their iPad privileges by lunch time due to fighting over it.  Even though the arguing makes me crazy I don't mind when they lose the privilege :)

Super Saturday

We had a fun night last Saturday.  Vance wanted to make sugar cookies and decorate them.  When it got right down to it he actually just wanted to buy the dough and put on some frosting.  Perfect! The easier the better ;)  Here are the boys making their cookies with Mommy -

 This next picture is a little dark because I just took it with my phone but Daddy helped build a fort in the family room and we watched a movie we got from Redbox earlier that day.

 After Keller went to bed, Vance and Daddy went upstairs to "watch" River Monsters on Netflix.  I'm sure they were just resting their eyes...haha.

Sometimes a nice relaxing night at home is just what the doctor ordered!

American Ninja Warrior

Vance is obsessed with the TV show American Ninja Warrior.  He is determined to be a ninja warrior. We have him in gymnastics but that isn't quite enough for him.  We have started going to the park for "ninja training."  

We made up a course and then we time each other.  It starts with the hanging slide -

Then you have to travel along both sides of the climbing wall-

I didn't get pictures but you have to run through the play set, down the slide, and climb up the rock -

Run back through the rings -

Down the log jumps and up the rope ladder -

Down the log steps -

 And touch the finish button (aka telescope).

Vance started at 2:38 and has already whittled his time down to 1:27.  Mom isn't much better than that but Dad has everyone beat at about 1 minute flat.  Doing this very many times is a definite workout!  In between rounds we will do log jumps, sprints, or any other cardio/strength exercise.

Sometimes Keller joins in.  Other times he plays on the playground or kicks around the soccer balls.

I guess he's practicing being goalie?

The one thing Keller NEVER misses out on is the runs.  That boy can run for a long time, especially considering how little his legs are. 

Keller has more endurance than Vance (notice Vance taking a break in the background as Keller finishes his lap around the park without any problems).

One thing we all do is take lots of water breaks!

This has actually been a great way for our entire family to be more active together.  I'm sure it won't be long before the boys are adding in flips and other crazy stunts into these adventures.  

Thanks Vance for turning us all into American Ninja Warriors :)

PS - I love living in Southern Highlands and taking advantage of the 5 parks within a mile of our house!!!