Take down!

This is what the little ones were doing during Colton's recent football game. Ty is not afraid to get in the mix. As cute as this video is, its actually not the funniest takedown that occurred. Ty puts his mind to it and gets Tucker down to the ground. I didn't get the best one on video though!!

Last Football Game

Colton's last game of the season was tonight. He played a ton, and was actually one of the captains. He also played alot last week at their last home game. He's been over the moon, needless to say. We are so proud of him! Tonight, he really got in there and hustled and got in on the action. He knocked a ball out of the air, ending the opponents drive, and ALMOST caught it for the interception. The Tigers won 40-0. They finished the season with only one loss, and it was the only close game of the year. Go Tigers!!!

Colton making one of three tackles for the night

Hard to see him, but Colton is amidst the big pile!

My boys........

Here are a few more pics from the orchard. Ty was actually tripping and falling backward over that white pumpkin after trying to pick it up. It was hilarious and I wish I had that on video also! He was a bit clumsy, and I'm a terrible parent for laughing at him!!!

Alldredge Orchard

I took the boys to a local apple orchard yesterday to blow off some steam. We had a fun time picking apples, looking at the animals, playing on the playset, and crawling through the straw tunnel. I especially got a kick out of Ty on the slide. It was quite entertaining! Make sure you watch the video clip!

Ty got a new Handy Manny backpack for his birthday. Now, he wants to be like his big brothers whenever we go out the door. He likes to put it on saying, "Ty go to cool too" Isn't he the cutest?!

It dawned on me that I hardly ever post pics of Caitlyn. Well, that's because I don't have very many. I thought this was a perfect one though.

Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

I've actually never been to West Virginia in the fall, only summer and Christmas. It was absolutely gorgeous. These pics are all taken while driving near Mike's parents house. Pretty good view, huh?

Berkeley Springs High School Class of 1988

Columbus Day weekend, Mike and I traveled to West Virginia for his 20th Class Reunion--man he's old! We had a wonderful kid free weekend and it was alot of fun to meet some of the people he grew up with. Normally when we go there, we get together with his childhood best friend, but I'd never met anyone else. The weekend was filled lots of class activities, and alot of "beverages" were consumed (we weren't the only ones traveling with no kids!!) The pics are from our viewpoint on the Apple Butter Festival Parade float (the second is of Mike's family watching the parade), and the classmates that were in attendance on Saturday night.

A few more pics from the farmstead. The one of the hands is Tucker and Mike on a mining expedition. Mike really enjoyed it and said the next time we go, he's taking extra money for it! Ty wasn't too cooperative all day, as you can see from the family pic in the previous post. The big kids were off most of the day doing their own thing, so Tucker was the only one really picture ready. Well, him and the buffalo.......

Deanna Rose Farmstead

We went to a really cool place in Kansas City called the Deanna Rose Farmstead the day after Ty's birthday. It is named for an Overland Park police officer killed in the line of duty. It includes a petting zoo of sorts, with mostly farm animals. There is also a buffalo, a longhorn, a butterfly garden, nature trail, a couple of playgrounds, and a whole lot of other kid friendly activities. The kids were able to watch a cow being milked, go mining for "gold", and visit an old one room farmhouse. For the fall, they have a small pumpkin patch with some fall kids activities as well. Fun was had by all and we can't wait to go back and spend a little more time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY!!

Ty has a huge love for "The Little Einsteins". Although we didn't have a big themed party this year, we did go for a Rocket cake. Our neighbor does all kinds of cakes, and all I said was a rocket cake, and this is what she came up with. I was amazed! We all loved it, it was beautiful--tasty too! We had a great evening with a few of our friends, and Ty was thrilled with all of his new toys. Thank you everybody!!

Big Week

We're gearing up for a big weekend in the Pearce household. Lots of preparations and lots to accomplish. Saturday is Ty's birthday-I just can't believe our precious baby is TWO!! In honor to celebrate, we're doing what everyone on post is doing--participating in the Fall Post-Wide Yard Sale!! Just kidding! We are really doing the yard sale, but that's not our celebration. It is, however, a huge undertaking. Our understanding is that the semi-annual yard sales at Ft. Leavenworth are incredible, with people coming from all over the mid-west. We'll see.......

As for Ty's birthday, we're keeping it simple this year. Easy dinner and celebration on Saturday night (I won't be cooking after running a yard sale all day!). Then on Sunday, we're venturing to Weston, Missouri to Red Barn Farm. It's suppose to be a pretty great "fall" place. We'll stock up on pumpkins and all that is "fall"! We'll be including a couple of family friends in on the weekend festivities and possibly a "friend" of Caitlyn's. We'll see how that goes over for her father!!

I'll have pics up next week!!

CHEEEESE!

Ty saw the camera sitting out yesterday and immediately started saying "Cheese Mommy!" He decided to show me his belly in this one. Ty is talking up a storm and repeats EVERYTHING!!! We have to be very careful around here......As cute and sweet as he looks, don't let him fool you. This is one mean dude. Tucker gets the brunt of the beatings, but remains pretty patient. Ty has also discovered the art of the Temper Tantrum. This one is new to us, as Tucker never was one to throw a fit. Mouthy, yes (most definitely)-but never a fit thrower. All I can say is that Ty is either going to have very strong legs, or very bruised feet with all the kicking on the floor he's been doing in the last week or so!!!

I know you probably don't believe all these horrible things I'm saying about my dear sweet child by looking at this picture, but I swear to you its true!! He's rotten!! We'll keep him around awhile though, because he does give great hugs!!

Patton Tigers Football

Colton is playing football this year and loves it. The Tigers are 3-1 and doing really well. Colton doesn't get to play much, but neither does over half the team. Even when they're pounding the other team, the coach seems to want to keep the first stringers in. Pretty frustrating on game day, but he seems to be taking it all in stride and enjoying the team aspect of it. Colton is #43 (the little guy). He actually is not the smallest on the team, and there are several his size. He always ends up standing with all the tall guys on the team though!

School is going well. He's pretty much got all A's and B's. I think he's finally picking up some better study habits and realizing that we are following up with his teachers and he's not pulling anything over on us. A few kinks here and there, but all in all, I think we are all getting the hang of junior high! We're very proud of him!

Irish Festival

Yet again, I've been very bad about our blog. I was looking at the camera this morning to see what I could post, and realized I've also been very bad about taking any pictures recently. I could only come up with a few!

These are from Irish Fest in Kansas City several weekends ago. The big kids were off with their friends playing in the dancing fountains so I didn't get any pics of them. The little men enjoyed themselves thoroughly and the music was great! Ty was a bit worn out by the end of the day!

First Day of School

It was an exciting day around the Pearce household today. We had our three biggest boys all starting school. Colton was off and running by shortly after 7am. Mike and Tucker both had a bit longer to meander around before heading out the door.

Mike wanted to laugh at me when I grabbed a handful of kleenex (just in case), but I didn't really need them. I teared up a bit right as we walked up to the school, and again when I walked away from it, but overall, it was a pretty dry drop-off for mom. Tucker was thrilled, as you can see by the pic I took right before heading out of the room. He talked the whole way home this afternoon, which isn't really a big surprise. He is very anxious to learn how to read, and I think a bit disappointed that it didn't happen today. I had to explain to him that it wouldn't happen all in one day.....Not sure he accepted that, but we'll see.

Mike's class kicked off with a pretty neat flag ceremony where all of the countries represented in the class walked the stage with their respective flag. The ceremony was pretty quiet and solemn until the soldier from the Republic of Georgia came out. There was a thundering round of applause, and it was really very touching.

Colton's day was pretty uneventful, but a good one nonetheless. He came home pretty talkative, so I guess thats good!

Evidently, everyone's day went well enough that they are all planning on going back tomorrow!!

The last night........

I love this precious picture. To most, it may just be Tucker in his PJ's. To me, it is the last night of true innocence. It is his last night to be his mommy's baby. It is his last night of needing me more than anyone else in the world. While I am so excited for kindergarten, and am looking forward to it being full-day, I am also heartbroken that my little buddy, my reason for getting up every day through 3 years of deployments, my sweet little man, is growing up so fast!!

Grandkids

Jordan, Whitley, Caitlyn, Colin

Alyson, Ty, Devin, Sydney, Colton, Tucker

These are all ten of my parents' grandkids. Its not too often that they are all in one place.

Dives in Action........

Tucker

Colton

Caitlyn

Some pics while swimming at my aunt's pool. Tucker has been determined to go down the slide at the post pool, so while on our trip, he worked really hard on the days we went swimming. He now can not only swim across the pool by himself, but he's also a champ at going down the slide and swimming to the ladder. Its ugly, and the lifeguards get themselves prepared, but he does a really good job and is so proud of himself!