Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Illinois Hockey

Since being back in the US, we have been catching up on many sporting events. We have taken the boys to the high school football games, volleyball and soccer. They LOVE all of them. Kara's boyfriend, Pierce (who the boys already think is their relative!), is the captain of the University of Illinois hockey team. We have never had the opportunity to see him play so we are trying to attend the games when we can. U of I is about an hour and a half away and the games don't start until 7:30p on Friday and Saturday nights. We have made it to a couple games so far, but we don't get back home until about midnight. Sunday is a little rough, but the boys have a blast!
This was the night that they played the #1 team in the nation... U of I is #2. It was a tough weekend as they lost both Friday and Saturday night. These are the only 2 loses so far! Max and Blake still had a blast with their big sis! She bought them the shirts and Pierce surprised all of us by getting the whole team to sign the back of them. They also got their faces painted and Blake ate a whole roll of Sprees. He couldn't chomp them fast enough!
Pierce is #12 and it is just amazing to see these guys skate. Seriously, I can't even stand up straight on skates and they move like they are in sneakers! He even managed to put on a happy face for us after the game. Thanks Pierce!
So at the second game, Pierce's mom and step-dad got Illini hats for the boys. Thanks Barb and Randy...they look so cool! Go ILLINI! This game was much more fun since they won and Max told Pierce that it was the best he had ever seen him play! We will be heading to another game for Dad's weekend in a couple weeks. The boys are starting soccer next Saturday and wrestling a couple times of week. Busy, busy, busy!
One more little tidbit - Max is starting all day Kindergarten on Monday. We finally got into the school we were hoping to after being on the waiting list for months. He is very excited, but Blake will miss him terribly!

Monday, October 05, 2009

Flag football fun!

Since the end of August, we have been spending most Saturday mornings watching Max play flag football. He is having so much fun and Dan is coaching. They have practice 2 times a week and then the games on Sat. This is his first experience playing "American" football and he is doing great! The kid has some fast little legs....

Celebrating his first touchdown of the season! There were many more to come. His favorite part is playing defense and pulling off the flags.

The Team...They are missing Coach Dan. This was about the only time he missed because of work and it just had to be picture day!

Max - #9 - running like crazy for a touchdown. Not sure where he got his speed!

Two of his biggest fans...Dave and Blake have been at every game cheering him on. Next year, Blake will be able to play on the same team. Watch out!

We were lucky to have a HUGE cheering section for one of his games in September. It was Pumpkin Festival weekend and everyone was here to celebrate birthdays. Max promised David he would get 2 touchdowns and he did. I didn't realize how exciting it is to watch your child in sports. My heart jumps like crazy when he takes off down the field. Blake asked me last week why I scream like I do and I told him, "I'm his mom and I'm allowed to!" We are having so much fun watching him. Up next is soccer. Great job, Max!