Attack of the Doodle-bug

Halloween was great fun for the kids. Abby Lou was dying to carve her pumpkin to take to Aunt Tiff's, so we got up and spent some time together making a mess and scraping out a jack-o-lantern. (I'm still trying to scrape crusty pumpkin guts from the table.)

Following the Broncos game, the Lande clan gathered at Tiff's house for a rockin party, complete with crafts, jack-o-lantern cheesecake, a pinata, and of course, trick or treating. uncle John and Auntie Sue joined us to party and follow the kids on their capital candy venture as they toured Tiff's neighborhood. Makena, the little doodle-bug, was a sight to see. She was on the go; excited to be out and about, rollin with the big kids. She marched door to door and wore herself completely out.

The kids had a ball. They ate lots of junk. They stayed up late. They made great memories establishing a solid tradition. Fantastic party Aunt Nini!

Caravan cheer -- *clap* Rah!

Fight! Fight! B-S-U!

Once again, Ry was able to go see the Broncos. Once again they rolled up their opponent, beating San Jose State by 38. This kid reminds me to take joy in rooting for a winner (growing up cheering for the Beavers really lets me appreciate it). To be tired of blow-out style dominating wins is like being tired of having steak for dinner. It is not wasted on Ryan, who enjoyed every drop of his football experience; even the rainy ones that fell on us. Rick and Brendan came too, sitting right behind us.

Tony Peppley came over to run smack at Ryan and after a good ribbing, he offered to bring Ry to the place the players exit the locker room to meet his nephew, starting DE #92, Shea McClellin. Ry encountered a number of players coming from the locker room, but his pen ran dry. Seeing his disappointment, Shea offered to take his hat and get him signatures.

This was an exercise in trust, for sure. Ryan's BSU hat is his personal treasure as it already has autographs from coach Pete, Jeremy Avery, Kellen Moore, and his favorite player, Titus Young.

It's what we do...

Saturdays; soccer. Now that the weather has turned, it is a test of out metal to endure the conditions. The temperature felt like it dropped 20 degrees between Abby's 11:30 game and Will's 2pm game. Wild Idaho weather.

This week Abby decided, on her own, that she would play defense. After I reminder her that she couldn't just park it in front of the goal (no goalies in her division) she lit out to cover the back end of the field. She has obviously been paying attention to Will's games. One of the parents asked me, "does she have that much energy all the time?" Oh, after considering the many answers I could have offered... I settled on, "yes."`

She completely locked down the other team. Wow, that girl is fast!

Will's game was cold and windy. He played extremely well, as he is learning to space out on the field and support his teammates with good position.
Soccer has been great for Will. He played forward. Notice his great break away with Uncle (and coach) Brandan cheering him on.

It's tough to stay warm, when we're fighting the Idaho wind.These two have had so much fun playing on the same team together.We're HUGE soccer fans!

You could be a winner...

...at the Game of Life!

We have reached another family milestone... boardgames.
Now that 2/3 of our children are reading, we can play games together; the complicated kind, like Life. With a little help the boys managed their own play. Abby and Lisa were partners. The kids had a ball. It was a great way to spend an afternoon getting along together as a family and having a good time. As we played, Lisa and I couldn't help but comment on the irony of the game's simple plan, and obvious motivational overtone.

i.e. If you go to college, you can have a great paying job and save money to afford purchasing a home and raising children, while saving for a lavish retirement.

Either I didn't play this game enough as a kid for that lesson to really sink in, or it's a grossly misleading untruth. Did I mention that I won? (the board game--jury is still out on real life)

Great Garden!

A few months ago, Amy came to set and plant the garden. Now that it is October, evening temperatures are beginning to drop. We turned on the furnace for the first time...and we harvested every square foot of the garden. The kids have LOVED the process of gardening. They will even eat vegetables, now.

Blue Raiders n Bluejays

More soccer.

It's fun to watch the skill level, intensity, and team awareness improve as the season progresses.
Lisa took a few good shots at the games. Making it to soccer games sure fills up a Saturday.
But so long as we have good weather, snacks, and score a goal or two...it's totally worth it.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Early in September we went into Boise to check out a small summertime festival called Strawberry Field, named so because it budding new musical artists.

There was food, music, and fun to be had; especially for kids as there were a number of blow-up jump houses. Our two families (Kinnamans and Goehners) each had uncles visiting from out of town.

Uncle Shuff was in Boise to watch the Broncos trounce the Ducks and Benj came to town to spend time with and spoil Mac and Dylan...

the way that all good uncles should. It was HOT out, but as you can see, we had fun.

Bountiful Harvest

My friend Sharon had an "Iron Chef" party where we picked from her garden and prepared dishes. Then we ate! It was tons of fun

Big smile -- big win

Ryan has been begging to go see the broncos play a "real game." The Blue and Orange scrimmage doesn't fool him and he wants to see, hear, and feel the real experience. Tonight he enjoyed a blowout win against Miami (OH). The joy of the stadium experience was not wasted on my little guy. No trips to the bathroom, no complaints, I couldn't hardly get him from his seat to get food in the second qtr. He was commenting on plays, keeping stats, jeering the refs, and cheering on his boys - Jeremy Avery (27) and Titus Young (4 & player of the game). A true fan. See the real joy on that face. It's been a great day to be a father.
Go Blue

Broncos win in blowout against RedHawks 48-0

For love of the game

...and for love of the snacks. Both Will and Abby are playing PAL soccer. Abby has worn her jersy every day this week in anticipation of the first game. She rocked her first game and even scored a goal off a pass from her neighbor buddy, Henry. Will and Dylan play in a higher division and have goalies and everything. Will played two qtrs of a terrific game; scoring one goal and playing as an outstanding teammate. We've committed our Fall Saturdays to Heroes Park and cheering for our kids. I was reminded today that soccer really is fun.

Big Blue Love

Once again, I am feeling SO loved by my lady. Lisa asked her boss to score a couple of tickets to Boise State's season opener vs. the Oregon Ducks. My father-in-law, Rick and I shared an AMAZING evening together, as we watched the Ducks crash on The Blue Turf. The Broncos delivered an amazing beat-down...we were there to enjoy it. Believe me, we enjoyed it.
Broncos dominate Ducks, win 19-8 KTVB.COM Idaho News

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