FALL SPORTING EVENTS!

We have been very occupied with sporting events this fall, but we've been having so much fun. Everything is coming to an end (before winter sports start up) so I decided to post pictures of the four who are in sports all at once.

Um, are we a little preoccupied with our mouthguard? I have about 15 pictures of Gideon playing flag football and about 12 of them look like this. This is the second mouthguard. He chewed the first one up. No kidding. Gid LOVED football! This was his first year and he finally realized the joy of a physical sport. He is so full of energy that in everything else he's played (soccer, basketball, etc.) we're always telling him to calm down because he accidentally plows the others kids down from just going all out. He could finally just give it everything he's got and he so enjoyed it. We enjoyed watching him, too, because he was so in his element. He was on a team that was undefeated. In this last picture, they had just lost their first game in three years. He wasn't very happy but it didn't last very long and his coach was great about it.

Jacob is big #50 on his Jr. High Football team. He loves it! He doesn't like practice so much though. This is a 7th and 8th grade squad and he's a 7th grader so he's second string this year. But, for the 7th grade games he's starting center and linebacker. His season just ended and the reason we're glad it's over is because Jacob was always the next to last person out of the locker room. Aargh!! No matter how many times his waiting sisters and mother complained about it, he couldn't seem to hurry out of the locker room. Other than that, Jacob had a great season!

Kelsey is co-captain of her Jr. High Volleyball team. She is a great little volleyball player. She is an awesome server and setter. She just finished her season and her team was UNDEFEATED! They are going be a super team through the next few years.

Brooke is co-captain of the Girls' Varsity Soccer team. She plays midfield/center forward. She is feisty and fearless and she does a lot of tumbling on the soccer field. She had been having some trouble with her hips getting out of joint this year and she's been going to a chiropractor to be adjusted. That really helps. The kicking motion in soccer really agitates those joints for her. But, it certainly doesn't slow her down much. I am so impressed with Brooke's grit and determination. She is a very driven person and works very hard when she sets her mind on something. She's also very hard on herself and I try to remind her to relax and enjoy what she's doing. We love watching Brooke play sports, though. Feisty little bugger!

Seth's alive!!!

We finally received some pictures from our long lost son in Idaho. Yay!!! Seth says a group of future missionaries hiked the "R" mountian just out of Rexburg. It sure looks cold out there. It's still 70's and gorgeous out here - not to rub it in or anything. Anyway, it sure looks like you're having a good time out there, Seth. We can't believe that 4 1/2 months have gone by already and you'll be home in December. Gideon and Savanna saw your pictures and said they really miss you. Thanks for the pictures and keep them coming!

Final Fall Birthday!

Yesterday was our final birthday in a cluster of fall birthdays that come very quickly one after another. Our Gideon turned 8 years old! He's ready to be baptized and he's becoming so independent. There were several years there where I didn't know if I would survive Gideon - his being sooooo very full of energy and all - but, one thing he's always had going for him is his adorable smile and his very sweet heart. Under all the wiggles and leaps is a darling little (uh, I mean big) boy.

Gid wanted cupcakes to take into school to share with his class. Then, I made his favorite dinner which is, of all things, Fish! So we had lemon pepper baked tilapia, rice and broccoli and he was happy as could be.

And then he unwrapped a new football, some lego sets and other fun stuff, played a little catch with Dad and Jake and went to bed a happy boy. He just wishes Seth were here to play catch with. We'll save that for when Seth gets home. We love you, Gideon, and we're so glad you are such a fun part of the Snyder family!

This past weekend was Homecoming for our high school. We wanted to share some of the festivities the kids were involved in. First, Brooke and Savanna were princesses on the Junior class float (theme: Disney), Jacob was on a float (I'm not even sure which one) with his football buddies, and Brooke went to Homecoming with her friend, Jacob. They went in a big group and had a lot of fun!

Today we had another birthday. Kelsey Noelle is 14 today! Wow, that's hard to believe. She played in and won a great volleyball match. She's captain of the volleyball team and is a great player. Kelsey just ran for and won Student Council President of the Middle School. She is a natural leader and a fun person. She is a very good girl, too. We surprised her with tickets to the Broadway show "Wicked" in Pittsburgh and we're going tonight! She is so excited! We love you so much, Kels. Happy Birthday!!