Soccer and Applefest

The boys are playing soccer this fall. It's their first time playing on a team and they are having a great time. They are on team Americana, their coach is Matt, and they are making new friends. A couple weeks ago was the first game. It was really cute...and the kids did a great job. 

Caleb has especially picked up on the game. He does a great job following the ball all over the field and will get in the mix and kick the ball. Benjamin has a strong kick, and on the first practice he accidentally kicked the ball at the assistant coach and dropped him to the floor....

Both boys enjoy playing goalie.

Coach Matt is really great with the kids and very patient. They have all improved a lot since the first practice!

How cute are they :).

Benjamin and Piper. They follow each other around....we need to watch out for this ladies man!

Afterwards, we went to the Applefest in the city park. They had games, food and lots of craft stands. I wish I had more money with me because there was lots of cute stuff, but it was probably better that I didn't. The boys played games and jumped on the  bouncy slides.

And of course got a gigantic cotton candy.

Cheers!

Then we headed home...to see Grandpa Art and Grandma Sue, who were arriving that day! More to come on their visit soon :).

Forbes Park

We have been enjoying getting out and about with Eliza and the boys. This past week, we went to Forbes Park for a picnic and to play. It was a hot day, but there was not a cloud in the sky and a nice day to be outside. 

The boys threw lots of rocks in the water and caught bugs.

And we relaxed :).

We drove around the lake, then the boys and Nathan played at the playground for a while.

And us girls relaxed :). It was a nice day!

Eliza's First Visitors

We spent two nights at the hospital and then we got to go home!

First time out in the real world.

We had lots of visitors the first couple of weeks, and the most surprising one was Nathan's sister, Elizabeth! While we were at the hospital, we had a knock on the door and were shocked to see her...and so was Mark and Betty when she surprised them. It was really nice to spend the weekend with her, and we are glad she got to meet Eliza!

Don and Suzanne came over on Friday and enjoyed cuddles with Eliza :)

That evening we all went out for ice cream. I especially enjoyed it, coming off of the gestational diabetes.

On Saturday, Mike, Brittney, and their kids, Caty, Aubrey, and Reid came to visit. Mike and Nathan are childhood friends, and it's sweet to see all the kids together. Caty and Aubrey doted over Eliza and they were really good holding and calming her.

The kids remember each other year to year and it's so fun to get them together. They seem to pick up right where they left off each time!

The next day, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ron came to visit and go to the Purcell family reunion. Aunt Nancy enjoyed getting in some cuddles.

Arm wrestle mania.

And of course they were super surprised to see Elizabeth too!

The ladies :).

It was a really nice visit together.

On Monday we had to say see you soon to Elizabeth. It was a wonderful surprise and we look forward to the next time :).

Another day, we met up with Betty's sister's family - Aunt Mary, Uncle Carol, Kara, Jason, Hunter, and Keegan.  We met half way at a McDonalds that has a great play area, and the boys were excited to see their cousins again. 

Nathan has a birthday coming up in a few weeks, and you can't see it, but the sign says 38 years old. You are never to old to have a McDonalds birthday...

Aunt Mary and Kara snuggling with Eliza

I think we got the world record for time spent at McDonalds...5 hours! We all had breakfast and then ice cream for lunch. The boys were thrilled for the lunch choice.

It was a nice visit and just like always, the cousins had fun.

On the way home, we took a quick stop to see a fire breathing dragon.

We have had a few other visitors, but I forgot to take pictures. Betty's good friends and co-workers Connie and DeAnn came over to bring us dinner and get some cuddles. Another day, Connie, Carrie, and her kids Jaxon and Gia came over to love on Eliza and play with the boys.

We visited with close family friends Jim and Cindy another morning. Our sweet girl has met a lot of people her first couple of weeks of life.

First Week

Here are a few pictures from our first week at home. Eliza is changing daily and sweet as can be!

The boys adore their little sister, and they love to hold her and give her lots of kisses.

Eliza had her one week checkup on Wednesday, and has already regained her birth weight and a little more - 7lbs, 2.5 oz (25%), 20.25 inches long (59%), head 34cm (18%)

She likes her play mat, kicking her legs and being on her tummy.  She is alert and content when she is awake, and of course loves to be held too!

Happy Friday!