Soccer

Around here, soccer isn't a sport, it's a lifestyle. Viewmont Girls Soccer is now in full swing, and so is rec soccer for four of the grandkids. Max and Dax both had their first ever soccer games this past week. For the kids that age, they spend the first 15 minutes of the game practicing with their teams, which is a great idea, I think.

Max was stoked to finally get to play! He has been looking forward to this day for about a year. He did a great job and was the cutest little kid when he scored! Seriously, he has the celebration dance down.

Dax played in his first game on Saturday. We've been having a ton of rain lately, so the field was disgusting, unfortunately. Dax is not exactly one of those kids who loves to get dirty, so he wasn't thrilled at the idea of getting mud all over him. Plus, at the beginning of his game his "super fast running powers" were "broken." He's seriously the most imaginative child ever. Nate is his coach and he was getting a little frustrated, but we were loving it. Dax kept transforming while running and was cracking everyone up. 

I love these little boys!

I Love My Family

So I've been dying to write this post. But as it involves events that are not mine to share, I had to wait a while to announce it myself.

Mandi, Amy, and Alicia

A couple of weeks ago we met up for a Girls' Lunch to celebrate our July Birthday Girls: Mandi, Amy, and Alicia. It was so fun to spend some time with some of my favorite people. Near the end we were definitely gettting out of control in our weird mood. I love being the youngest and getting to have so many adult conversations with my family.

If you look closely at the picture below, you'll notice the lunch wasn't entirely just us girls. In fact, there were three little boys there. . .Daxton, Baby Porter, and Baby Jones!

Mandi/Baby Porter, Daxton, Amy, Alicia/Baby Jones, Me, Mom, and Shannon

Yes, that's right! We have two new baby boys coming this year! Mandi is due in October with little Porter (middle name yet to be decided).

Mandi Sue

Alicia is due in December (name yet to be decided). It's a little crazy to think that Alicia is old enough to be a mom, but, at the same time, she's been ready for it for a long time. Peter's family had a reunion this past week where they told them all the baby's gender. I have been dying trying to make sure I don't accidentally let it out somehow that one of his family members would find out (I'm not sure how it would happen, but still.).

Alicia and Peter with the gender reveal cake!

I'm so excited for them and for us girls to be even more outnumbered by boys! Plus, I'm totally going to be Baby Jones' favorite aunt (I'd say the same thing for Baby Porter, but seeing as I am not even close to Daxton's favorite, I think that would be stretching it)! Although I'm going to have more competition than I originally anticipated because. . .

. . .Shannon's staying in Utah! 

The selfish side of all of us is SO HAPPY! (The not so selfish side is too, because she's excited about it.) She got a job in West Valley. I'm so looking forward to having her home. Especially since Derrick will be gone starting the end of August and I have plans to leave Utah soon after I graduate (to where has yet to be determined).

This summer has been one to be remembered as I've spent an extremely large amount of time with my family. But they're the greatest ever, so it's understandable. I can't believe how big and cute my nieces and nephews are. I just have to brag for a bit, because they are adorable.

I can't believe how old and beautiful Abby is in this picture!

Abby is the rockinest 6 year old you'll ever meet. I mean, the girl sang "Soft Kitty" (from The Big Bang Theory) to Derrick as he pretended to be asleep the other day. Seriously, she's awesome. Also, she was so brave when we went tubbing last weekend. She could have stayed out there forever (my arms, on the other hand, were DYING!).

Sassy Lyla

Lyla Bug is just the best. She is sassy and crazy, but also tenderhearted and gives the best dating advice ever. She also is basically a music genius as she knows all the words to every song on the radio. She was so worried about all of us when we were boating. She kept wanting us to get back in the boat because she was scared we were going to be eaten by sharks. She's my sweetheart and always will be.

Daxty

Daxty is the coolest kid ever, as is evident from the picture. He's daring and a total cheeseball! He went on the tube with his dad and was posing for pictures the whole time! He's still obsessed with cars and is getting so much better at sharing them. He's also slowly coming around to the idea of Baby Porter. He's going to be the best big brother cause he loves babies!

Maxy Boy

Max is just handsome. He loves doing anything that involves a ball and basically worships his dad, seeing as he seems to say "My dad said," at the beginning of every sentence. He's the best to watch any sport with, especially soccer because he always thinks his dad is playing, even if his dad is sitting next to him on the couch!

Conman

Connor is just the sweetest kid you'll ever meet. He has gotten so fast at crawling and I can't wait for him to start walking and talking! I can't quite believe he's a year old! Time flies. But I love him at this age, even if he is about to be replaced as the baby (although he'll always be Amy's baby).

Obviously there is some tough competition for the cutest Keddington grandchild. Good luck Mandi and Alicia!

Super-Dax and his Super Parents

This is Daxton:

"Super-Dax", November 2011

He's my very favorite 21 month old in the world!  He's one of the most charming kids in the world.  He never sleeps, loves to dance, gets a huge smile on his face when he sees his grandparents or parents (especially Grandpa K.).  He is so active all the time; always moving and never cuddles.  Even when he was a newborn, he was always moving.  He used to jerk in his sleep all the time.  He's a smarty pants, which has become more and more evident as he has learned to talk.  He usually looks like he's up to something with a mischievous look on his face.  He loves playing with his dad and conspiring with him to "get Mommy."  

He's a daredevil with all the personality in the world.  He has spent a lot of time in the carseat as he travels between families that love him and has gotten pretty good at doing it.  He is very picky with what he eats.  He got all the stubbornness both families had to offer.  He loves to laugh and has a very distinct laugh, cry, and voice.

He also loves to flirt with the teenage girls in church.  The little ham.

Hi! December 2011

He is one of our miracle babies.  See, his wonderful mom got very sick when she was pregnant with him.  But she knew all along that everything was going to be okay and that amazing little Daxton LaVel was meant to be in our family forever.  We thank God everyday that we get to have him in our lives. 

Dax and Mandi, May 2010

Nate and Dax, November 2010

One of the best things about Dax is how he has changed his dad, Nate.  Nate has become Super-Dad to Super-Dax.  Nate has always loved and been good with kids, but it is still so amazing to see him become such an amazing father.  

It hasn't been easy, but Nate has spent a lot of time being a stay at home dad with Dax since Mandi went back to work.  Since Nate isn't done with school yet, Mandi has been working hard so he can finish.  That means that Nate gets the little firecracker most of the time.  It makes studying and sleeping more difficult, but I  know he wouldn't trade his life for anything.  

Nate and Dax, January 2012
Nate really is excited about his present, I promise

Nate is one of the most wonderful people you will ever meet.  He has a way with people that very few people possess.  He can and will talk to everyone.  He makes everyone feel special and loved because he remembers everyone and will do anything to help people he knows and loves.  Supporting others is one thing he knows how to do and he makes sure people know he will be there for them no matter what.

I love it when he calls or texts me at random times to see how I am doing.  Or just to say hi because we haven't seen each other in a while.  I also love going to church with him and Dax.  I get a lot of pleasure out of watching him trying to keep Dax from running around or flinging himself to random people.  Mostly because I know he was the exact same way.  Dax is Nate in mini version.  That's what my parents love.  Often Nate comes to tell us about something Dax did and my mom just laughs and says, "You were the same way, Nate. You deserve him."  Dax takes after him in so many ways:  the ear infections, the not sleeping, the stubbornness, the love of balls, the need to always be doing something, the goofy smile, the ability to charm others, the fearlessness of interacting with others.  The best way in which Dax takes after his dad?  Dax's imitation of his dad when he plays with "babies."  Someday Dax is going to be a great dad, because he already has a wonderful example.

Family Pictures, June 2010

Family Pictures, November 2011

The beautiful one in the pictures is Dax's incredible mom, Mandi.  Mandi is one the best things that ever happened to our family.  She is smart, fun, and loving.  She puts up with all of our weirdness, even though she doesn't understand some of our obsessions.  Mandi only has one brother, who is eight years younger than her.  Needless to say, she was pretty overwhelmed by the size of our family.  We're loud and obnoxious and she's not.  But don't worry, after almost five years she has finally stopped asking if she can have a glass of milk at my parents' house.  

Mandi gives the best hugs and makes everyone feel welcome.  She is a strength to everyone around her.  One of the things I admire most about Nate and Mandi is the fact that they love and include everyone in their lives. We had a neighbor once say that if you just watched our family, you wouldn't know whose kids were whose. Nate and Mandi have been the leaders in that.  They love Spencer and Amy's kids so much and want nothing more than to have Daxton be best friends with his cousins.

Mandi has a huge heart.  She loves doing crafts and is very talented at it.  She doesn't like to be in the spotlight, but has all of the talent to do just that.  All she wants is to be around the people she loves, no matter  if nothing is going on.  She works really hard as a nurse and comes home with some awful stories.  I'm amazed that she can do all that she does. 

She is also an awesome mom.  She got married pretty young, but she took to being a mom so fast!  She is patient and loves her little man so much!  And I'm pretty sure he saves his biggest smiles for his mom.  His biggest tantrums too, probably.  

November 2011

"Ramblin' Man" November 2011

Typical, November 2011

I love these guys!