It really does snow in NC!!!

Well, we woke up to SNOW!!!! It has been great today! We had about 6 inches of snow fall so we took full advantage. We had snowball fights, made snow angels and went sled riding with our "homemade sleds" (big lawn garbage bags). The bags worked better than the sleds in this snow! We are having a blast! We took a short break after spending the entire morning outside. We made homemade tortilla pizzas and drank Grahamcracker Libby's hot chocolate. We are getting ready to go back out but I wanted to share some pictures first.

Snowball fight

Sled riding with our homemade sleds (gargabe bags)

Colton's homemade snowboard

The first snow ball

My parents shoveling snow...I think they enjoyed it

Myrtle Beach Tournament

These are some pictures of Colton's team receiving their second place trophies at the Myrtle Beach Tournament in November. I have some more on my other computer so check back later to see some really nice photos of Colton and Matt!

Colton Sailing

I told you that I have to make up for the delay in posting, so these pictures are of Colton sailing back in June/July! He went with me to DC and we stayed with my Uncle Jay. While I was at my conference, Colton went sailing on my Uncle's boat. They both had a great time!!! I was able to go the last day!

Colton & Uncle Jay

Colton steering the boat

He had a great time!

He enjoyed helping out!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone! We are looking forward to seeing everyone. I think we may actually set a record for the family we will see in a four day period!
I know it has been a VERY long time since I blogged last. I apologize for the delay. Well, I am not going to try and update about everything but I will give you some of the highlights.
Colton is doing very well in 4th grade. He seems to really like his teachers. He has his main teacher, Mrs. Groce, his math and science teacher, Ms. McNeil, and his AIG teacher, Mrs. Ligon. In 4th grade they do "teaching blocks". He goes to one teacher (Groce) for some subjects, switches classrooms and has another teacher for 2 subjects (McNeil). He seems to be adjusting well.
His fall soccer season finished up in November. They were a very young team and won their division. Colton was the goalie and had a fantastic season. They also finished in 2nd place in a tournament in Myrtle Beach. That was a fun weekend! He has decided to take a break from soccer this winter (will play again in the spring), so he will not be playing indoor soccer this year. Instead, he will be playing basketball! We are excited to watch him play! Our family friend (one of Colton's soccer teammates' dad) is going to be his coach, which Colton thinks is great...wait no he said it is awesome. So everyone will have a picture of Colton playing a different sport! I think my dad is going to help out and be the assistant coach too! It is amazing what a difference two new knees make!!!
Matt played in an adult Hispanic soccer league. We attempted to learn some Spanish, but only know a few words. We wanted to get the Rosetta Stone collection, but the price for that is ridiculous! Any way, Matt was a HUGE hit and everyone loved him! Well, I should say at first they were very apprehensive of him but now they love him. His team won their division (as Matt calls it...the old farts league) and Matt was voted by his team as the MVP of the season. He received the big trophy! Colton thought that was pretty cool. Matt is still coaching the youth soccer team and is now a member of the SASL (the local soccer association) board.
Me...I have been the cheerleader for my boys. I go to all their practices (Matt's team didn't practice) and games and cheer them on. I was/am the team manager for Colton's soccer team, too.
If we aren't out at a sporting event, we are just hanging out together. I will post some pics of some recent events today as well. We have been participating in all of the Christmas festivities, traditions, etc. Colton has really been getting into the Christmas spirit. Be warned though as he has gotten sentimental as well. We are going to the Polar Express in 3-D at the Imax theatre this Saturday!!! We are looking forward to it...well Matt not so much as he says that the movie freaks him out a little.
Well I will post some pics next!

Special Shoutout to Uncle Rob

Colton wants to let his Uncle Rob know that he has his old number in soccer (#7). He thought it was pretty cool when his dad told him that Uncle Rob used to wear that number. The legendary #7 lives on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colton's Birthday and Soccer Games

First of all, we would just like to say thank you to our family and friends. Everyone has helped make Colton's 9th birthday really special. He LOVED everything that he received including the gifts and phone calls. He had a wonderful birthday weekend!!
On Friday, we drove Matt to Cary/Raleigh to meet his friends so they could go to the HORRIBLE game in Greenville. We arrived early, so we went shopping! Colton was able to buy a new goalie jersey. Then, it was over to Toys R Us, because the money he received for his birthday was burning a hole in his pocket. Then, we dropped off Matt and Colton and I went to Red Robin Restaurant, which is a yearly Colton Birthday Destination. He says the Fish Sandwich is his new favorite and that it was "love at first bite".
Saturday we went to Raleigh with my parents to go to the IMAX theatre where they were showing a movie about the ocean in 3D, which Colton really liked. Afterwards, we went to the Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you. It was absolutely delicious!! Then, it was time to watch the dreaded WVU game. BOOOOO!!!! Poor Matt called a few times from the game and as Colton says "he wasn't happy".
Today, Matt arrived home around 10:00 am. Colton opened more gifts, was able to talk to some more family and then it was time to meet the team for the caravan to the double header. Colton played in goal and they won both games. It was EXTREMELY HOT!!!!!!!!!!! I do not know how the kids did it. We were in the shade and baking!!!! During the 2nd half of the first game, I didn't think Colton was going to make it and then he made an awesome save, so I guess he had enough energy to finish. During the break in between games, we sat in the air-conditioned car, ate grapes, drank water, and Colton had a Go-gurt. It worked and he was ready to go for the 2nd game. He did really great and we were very proud of him. After the last game, the team and parents sang "Happy Birthday" to Colton and then the team had Colton do "butts up" (see picture below-it is easier to see if you click on the picture to enlarge it). If you don't know what it is, here you go...a player (or several just depends) get in the goal, grab his ankles or covers his head, and others kick soccer balls at his bottom. Sounds interesting, huh? The boys think it is hilarious and enjoy doing it for some reason. Anyways, we arrived home and had Colton's fishing cake. What a great weekend.

Colton sitting in his new camp chair that has speakers for his MP3 player. He plugs in his MP3 player and he is able to listen to his music.

His new digital camera that also does video clips and can be a web cam.
Planet Earth DVD trivia game
My crazy boys
Aren't they cute?!!!
Spanking time

Indiana Jones Legos!!

Colton fresh out of the shower and playing his really cool Guitar Hero toy. He puts this little amp and belt on. Then, he plays air guitar with a special pick by strumming it in front of the belt. Then, plays various songs as he strums.

Colton "the goalie"

Butts Up
The Fishing cake

Waiting for the Bus & the 2nd Day

Let me start off by saying that I am not going to show pictures of every day of Colton's 4th grade year, but he did look really cute/handsome, so I took a picture this morning and put it on here (see below).
Well, Colton's first day went really well according to him. He seems to like his class and his teacher, so that is great! He did have homework on the first night, which he was not really thrilled about, but he did it. He rode the bus home for the first time. Not sure if it lived up to the hype that he had created in his head about riding the bus, but he seemed to enjoy it. He did say that it "was loud". He liked that he was able to ride in the same seat as one of his friends from his class last year.
You will see some lovely pics below of Matt and I waiting for his bus to arrive. My mom took the pictures as she was far enough away as to not embarrass him. My mom was supposed to be the one meeting the bus, but Matt and I ended being home due to someone stealing Matt's exhaust system off of his truck. Why would someone do that?????????? Matt thinks they did it for the copper in the catayltic converter.
Oh well, another day in the Dutchess Family!
Colton did get up this morning quite well and was ready to face another day as a 4th grader!

Waiting on the bus

Matt and Colton talking about the 1st day

Colton on the 2nd day of school-isn't he handsome