Games 4 and 5

Game 4

Game 4 was pretty rough.  The teams were pretty uneven, with the other team being somewhat (to say the least) more talented.  The Wildcats tried SOOOO hard and they didn't give up!  I am thankful that every game is not like this one.  hahahaha!  It was a little reminiscent of that last soccer season; getting pounded every game.  That is one beneficial thing of Upward, in that the teams are (for the most part) evenly matched.  Here are some pictures of Game 4:

Josiah shifting right to left with his defense!

another defense shot

Mercy and Allie.  (Allie goes to our church.)

 Game 5

WOW!  Game 5 was AWESOME!  Josiah went all out offensively and made 4 shots!  (Actually 5, if you count once when he scored for the other team!  Yes, in the wrong basket!)  As his mom, I say he made 5 baskets!  That extra one definitely counts!  (It was right after half after the switch baskets, so I think Josiah got a little confused.)  Josiah did great on defense and offense.  It's been a few games since he made a basket, so 5 in one game was awesome!  Here is a video and pictures.  The video is his entrance!

Getting ready to start!

Open as usual!

Stellar Defense 

Check out the stars on his sleeve!

In the action

I took his picture right after his fourth (or fifth, really) basket!  So excited!!!

Water break!

Josiah with one of his coaches, Mac.  Mac is a high school senior .

a snowy day

A SNOWY DAY!  YAY!  FINALLY!

I checked the sky before I went to bed and there was SNOW coming down and a fresh coat on the grass.  I automatically knew that meant no school for today.  I set the boys' clock back 20 minutes so they would get a little extra sleep.  They were so excited!  Aedan and Mercy's snow jammies worked!  hahaha!

The boys were SO eager to go outside to play.  They asked all morning, and by all morning I mean starting at 8:00 and every 5 minutes after that.  And, when Isaiah came to the door at 8:30 that made them even more ready to go!  I told them they had to wait until at least 9:00.  So, at 9:02 Aedan was pulling out snow gear from the closets.

They got ready and headed out.  It is actually easier to get them ready to go out than it used to be when they were young, so it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating.  After they went out, Mercy and I started to get ready.  It didn't take us too long, and we were ready to go.

The boys have moved on from simple sledding to snow boarding....yes, standing on their sleds.  They actually weren't too bad at it.  I will have to start scouting out Essex in town for snow boards.  I know Cathy got some there a couple years ago for her boys, but she is the bargain queen when it comes to stuff like that! Maybe I will find some, too.  Mercy went sledding with me, Hannah, and Mara.  She loved it!  I think she wanted to stand like the boys, but would slip as soon as she tried.

After snow boarding and sledding, the kids played in the snow together.  We had to keep moving to different spots outside because there wasn't a whole lot of snow.  It was enough to be a snow day, though!  They had a blast!  The boys were outside for two hours total, and Mercy and I were out for about an hour and twenty minutes.  We came inside finally, and I made them hot chocolate.  Josiah even drank his!  (He is starting to like chocolate things more...he'll eat chocolate ice cream now! )

The boys are currently watching a movie while Mercy is napping.  I think the snow wore her out.  There is more snow in our forecast for tomorrow:)

checking out the snow

ready to go!

the girls ready!

playing on the neighbor's swingset

His expression could be that he is crying or laughing....he is laughing!

my snow boarder

using the hand for balance

happy!  loving the snow!

go Josiah!

Look at the determination!

Playing in the snow!

 

Hannah with Mercy

Aedan and Isaiah!  sweet friends!  I am so glad our boys have this little guy to play with right next door to us!

Josiah's snow angel

Isaiah making a snow angel

attempting a snow man

Videos!

Crazy Wrestlin' Time

Cummins Falls

After lunch we headed out to Cummins Falls at Cummins Falls State Park.  It is a newer state park in our county.  We tried to go several times this fall, but it just never happened.  We got a little turned around trying to find it, but we made it.  It is actually really easy to find!  There are trails to walk down to the bottom as well, and you can swim in the water! (Of course, there were no swimmers today.)  We plan to go back this summer and try it.  The waterfalls in the area are one of the many things that I like about living here.  SO pretty!

It was chilly to start, but we all warmed up as we walked on the trail.  Mercy rode in her carrier, but she is getting a bit big for it.  She liked her ride, though! :)

Checking out the falls.  Josiah is carving on a stick.

Aedan and I at the falls overlook.

 We walked around the top a little before heading back.  We didn't have a whole lot of time to walk to the bottom since it was later in the afternoon.

Josiah is striking a pose!

Game 3

Josiah had his third game today.  He played so hard and had fun!  His team did really well today!  No baskets today, but he had some great assists and once again, his defense was great!  And, quite humorous to watch! :)  Here are some pictures and videos:

 Josiah's fans:

Mercy is sporting the Aunt Jemima look.

Videos:

The first video shows how they start every game.  They introduce every player and they get to run out like a star!

This video shows a little of his defensive moves!

Game 2

Josiah's second game went well.  He tries so hard and doesn't give up.  We are so proud of him and his efforts!  He made two baskets this morning!  He was so pumped!  Thankfully, I got them both on video!  (See below)  2 games down, 6 to go!  That sounds like a lot!  hahaha!  I'm sure these next six weeks will fly by.  Also, in other news on Josiah, he got all A's on his report card he got this week! :)

Upward cheerleaders!

Josiah's cheering squad!  BJ, Vivian, Emma, Ryan, Mandy, Mercy , and I!

The videos!!!!  Woot!  Woot! 

John's song

John's song was picked up for a CBS promo!  So cool!  Yes, I have a famous person in my family!