Fall

Our life over the past 2 months has been split between Hamp playing soccer, Sam doing gymnastics, and Sam rehearsing for the 3rd - 8th grade musical. With a little "training" to run a 5K trail race in Moab, UT thrown in the mix, I have stayed sufficiently occupied... to say the least!

soccer
The decision to participate in a competitive soccer league did not come too easily - we traveled 45 miles one way twice a week for practices... and once even as far as 150 miles one way for a single game! But I couldn't help but feel a little proud of Hamp for choosing something he really was passionate about and for joining a team of complete strangers... only to end up as new friends!

And I'd be lying if I said I wan't excited to spend my Saturday mornings at the park, in the sunshine, with beautiful scenery everywhere we went, watching Hamp play!

The Rifle Under 12 boys team - with a 6-1-3 record

gymnastics

Sam continued with twice-a-week practices at a gym out of town and truly loved the acrobatics of it all and the progress he was making. This quick video shows just a highlight of what we were invited to see at the expo in October... super smiley face included!

Moab

In the midst of it all, we signed up to join our gang for an adventure trail race in the beautiful red rock desert of Utah... and while our more athletic and endurance-prone friends committed to running either a half or a full marathon, the boys and I enjoyed a mere 5K (3 miles) on a gorgeous, cold but sunny desert morning.

the Little Mermaid

A week later Sam made his theatrical debut as Flotsam, the electric eel and evil minion to the sea witch, Ursula... he rehearsed tirelessly for 2 months and had a fantastic 3-show run in which he sang, acted and puppeteered his way to stardom! (a little dramatic, yes... but it was a great show.)

Once the house lights went up after that last show I realized that our fall activities were officially at an end! It was bittersweet indeed - I LOVED watching Hamp play soccer and I grew to enjoy my time in the car driving back and forth to practice and gymnastics and Utah! But we are all a little worn out and ready to switch gears....

The next phase will be so exciting: we will help as much as we can getting Mojo & Dado settled into their new home in Meeker!

... and we look forward to Thanksgiving in California with family, Christmas in Knoxville with family, and of course.... ski season!!!

Yin & Yang

Hamp is 100% into whatever he is doing at that very moment - he plays hard and sleeps hard. He does not take time to consider or think or wonder or deliberate. He is in, or he is out (and he is almost always 'in'!) He is black and white. He is passionate and enthusiastic and active and volatile. He is quick to forgive, and quick to love - and when he does it is genuine and honest and sweet.

Sam is constantly deep in thought. He is creative and pensive and thoughtful and conscientious. He is particular about who he loves and who he shares his thoughts with. He enjoys working and creating and thinking and reading.  He is careful and kind - and because he is more cautious to give his heart, when he does it is loyal and sincere.

I have always known these things about these boys... but the other night at bedtime I caught this moment and realized just how well it captured the essence of Hamp & Sam:

Hamp is sound asleep - within seconds of his head hitting the pillow.

Sam stays up and reads.... the dictionary.

And I sit back and am grateful for them both!