The Dickson Crew

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Winning Season

Soccer season wrapped up last weekend with a bang. Caden's team, the "Firebombs" (coached by Bart) went undefeated! Bart told them at the beginning of the season that they could dog pile him and soak him with water if they won ALL their games. That was ALL the motivation they needed. They played awesome this season (at 2nd grade, they really started to get it and played REAL soccer) and fought hard for a few wins. In fact, they were behind or tied most of the final game...some of the players started to ask Coach Bart on the sideline, "Can we still dogpile and pour water on you if we TIE?" Bart of course said, "NO WAY - undefeated means all WINS!" And win they did...

It was fun to see the boys work hard together, have fun and learn a lot. I have to give kudos to my amazing husband who stepped in last minute to coach when the original coach took a job transfer. Bart truly does it all and does it well with a lot of heart. While he was known as the "loudest" coach in the league (big shocker huh?) the boys loved him, parents expressed huge amounts of gratitude and I continue to be amazed at just how much the man can fit into his busy schedule. We love you Dad, Coach, Bishop Bart!

Tyler had a great season as well playing with his 1st grade team, the "Jedi Warriors". When competetive Caden would try to give constructive critisim to Tyler before games, Ty would simply answer, "my coach just cares about having fun". Winning wasn't a common occurence this season for the Jedi's but they had FUN and sure looked cute doing it!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Churh Halloween Party

The annual party at the church is one of the most anticipated parts of Halloween. This year's party didn't dissapoint and was a wonderful family Friday night.

Caden dons his football helmet for the festivities

Tyler as Darth Vader (minus the mask) waits his turn for pumpkin bowling

Bo, the pirate quickly found one of his favorite buddies for a sword duo

Cole our little monkey enjoyed being passed around between all the teenage girls!

Our scary skeleton that decorated our door and guarded our candy for the trick-or-treating around the church building.

Pumpking Patching

Weekends have been so busy the past few weeks with soccer and such, that we hadn't found a time to go to the pumpkin patch all together as a family. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful fall day last week, so while the older boys were at school, I loaded up the two littlest, called my mom to come along and we headed for the little farm down the road to enjoy a touch of fall.

Bo quickly picked out his favorite pumpkin...the first one he saw!

Cole loved crawling through the piles

The boys loved being towed around in the wheelbarrow with their pumpkin picks

Pumpkins, corn mazes, hay rides and farm animals make for perfect fall fun.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Cute Little Cubs

These pictures were too cute and this activity too fun to pass up the chance to give a shout out to my cute little wolf den. I am a den leader together with another woman and I absolutely LOVE IT! I love the scouting program and I love how cute these wolf cubs are. Especially the one below on the right. (Do they get any cuter than Caden?)

We did this cooking activity with them a few weeks ago to pass off one of their acheivements. It was a hit and a simple little Halloween meal to try with your own kiddies.

Carrot chunks, a dallop of cream cheese and olives sliced in half make for great "edible eyeballs"

Apple slices and slivered almonds go together for some awesome "apple bites"

Hot dogs sliced into long strips can be boiled until they curl...placed on a bun and squirted with ketchup makes for a gross "worms on a bun" look.

What 8 year-old boy isn't thrilled when they find gummy worms frozen in their ice cubes...a "cool" touch for a spooky meal. Lots of fun.

Great job to my wolf den for helping to make it and having no problem gobbling it up.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Special Day

Caden turned 8 the first week of September and was baptized on September 6th. It was a special day, full of fun and excitement. Grandma Debbie and Grandpa John flew all the way from Florida to be there. Great grandparents and Aunt/Uncle drove down from Tacoma, Washington. The day started with the first soccer game of the season. Then we had a family birthday/BYU game watching party. The baptism took place at 5pm followed by a big family dinner at Cade's favorite pasta restaurant. It was a busy and memorable day all about Caden, family and the things that make us TRULY happy.

Caden and his Dad before the baptism

Caden got to share his special day with another little girl in our ward...fast forward 15 years - do you see engagement photo potential like I do?

Our wonderful, supportive family...this isn't even all that was there.

Caden shows off his new scriptures, complete with his name imprinted.

I'm still trying to figure out how my baby got to be 8 years old! Caden is such an awesome kid. He is a wonderful "oldest" brother, always so cool and always trying to do the right thing. He is such a great example to me, his dad and to his younger brothers. I am so proud of him and love him to death! I hope his baptism day was one he will never forget.

Back To School

First day of school for my big 1st and 2nd graders (well, to be honest...it was really the 2nd day since my camera was in Bart's backpack with him at work the morning of the first day). They've met their teachers, turned in their supplies...they are ready for a great new school year. Admittedly, mom's a little ready too! Although I miss the fun of summer days all hanging out together...the schedule of the falltime is anticipated. The big new thing this year is that they boys get to walk home! I take them to school (just to make sure they get there on time and intact) but they will get walk home "by themselves", well, with the herd of neighbor kids. It's a pretty cool thing when you're 6 and 8 years old!

Cutie Ty all excited for his big day in 1st grade.

Cade - the big tough 2nd grader.

Have a great year boys...we'll try not to have too much fun at home without you!!

Labor Day Getaway

We finished off the summer with our annual little family getaway to Black Butte Ranch. It proved once again to the blissful end to a wonderful summer. The weekend started off in the 90's but then quickly cooled off...so we did a little of everything. Swimming, (only at the beginning of the weekend) biking, tennis (both playing lots and watching a lot of the US Open on TV!), bocce, napping, hot tubbing, and hanging out with unexpected friends who were also vacationing at the same time and place!