Cute Tate-ism!

The other night, Tate was getting ready for bed. He was upstairs on the landing, and I was downstairs looking directly up at him. I told him goodnight and blew him a kiss at the same time he blew me a kiss. He started to laugh and exclaimed "Mom! Our kisses crashed!" We had to try again--this time one at a time!

February 11-19

Soccer, Skiing, and Valentine's--Oh my!

Max started soccer on Saturday. He is so excited to have a team full of his friends, and especially that his daddy is the coach!

Tate had a great time enjoying Valentine's Day at school. He even got his first valentine from a cute little girl named Hallie (see below)

Chad and I took Max and Tate skiing for the first time this season. After a bumpy start, they got the hang of things and loved every second.

On Valentine's Day the boys and I decorated cookies. Even Justin got in on the act! (Although he ate most the frosting off of his popsicle stick :) Chad was able to come home early from work, and we all went to the Living Planet Aquarium to visit their new otter exhibit. All three boys loved the otters, and Tate and Max kept telling everyone around them about "those cute little otters." Their favorite part was a little glass hole in the exhibit that lets kids "pop up" so it looks like they are in with the otters. Justin love, love, loved the penguins. He thinks they are so funny, and just laughs at them.

It did finally snow last night! Hurray! The boys are thrilled and have spent a good portion of the day outside. Justin enjoyed his snow inside--it's a lot easier to play with if you're not puffed up like a walking marshmallow in a baby snowsuit!

Boys at the Living Planet Aquarium

Touching the stingrays

Frosting Valentine cookies

Pretending to frost a Valentine cookie (but really just eating the frosting :)

Playing in the snow

Being goofy on the ski lift!

Go, Max, Go!

Ready for soccer!

First Tooth!

Tate has had a loose tooth for about a month. He has refused to wiggle it, and was very concerned there was going to be blood and pain involved. (Which, okay, there kind of is :) Tonight he attended his first Basketball practice and game. After a few minutes of practice he excitedly ran over to me, and breathlessly reported that the ball had hit him in the face and knocked his tooth out. He was thrilled! He popped the tooth into my hand, and went right back to the game. He is extra excited about the tooth fairy coming tonight!

Max's Christmas Song

Chad went to choir practice last Sunday to practice some Christmas songs. (We trade off each week who gets to go, and this time it was his turn.) Max very seriously told me that he knows a Christmas song too. I said "oh, you do? Will you sing it for me?" This is Max's Christmas song...

I am a child of Christmas...mumble, mumble, mumble

Lead me, guide me, make me hot choc-o-late......

So sweet! I'm not sure I will ever be able to sing the words to "I Am A Child of God" without smiling...and maybe making a cup of hot chocolate!

Tate's Class Project

Dear Friends and Family,

Tate's class is doing a fun project for Christmas. They are reading The Gingerbread Boy, and will bake a gingerbread boy in class...but of course he will run away!

The teacher is asking that students friends and family send postcards from places they may live or travel, saying that they have spotted the gingerbread boy. The gingerbread boy will find his way back to the classroom during the month of December, so please send the postcards by the end of November.

Please mail the postcards to:

Willow Springs Elementary

Miss Amber Rodin

Tate Goeckeritz

13288 S. Lone Rock Dr.

Draper, UT 84020

Here is an example:

To: Miss Rodin's class

I saw the Gingerbread Boy in the DC area. He said he wanted to see the sites and museums. I tried to catch him, but he was too fast. Good luck!

Dr. Dryden

Thank you so much!

Justin is 1!

Wow! It is hard to believe that Justin is 1 years old! We are so grateful to have him in our family! Here are some of the things he is doing...

-giggles all the time, especially when you blow bubbles for him. He loves to pop them!

-eating lots of solid food, Cheerio's are a favorite right now

-he has 4 teeth...two on top, and two on bottom (and his favorite chew toy? That would be whoever's fingers are closest!)

-crawling everywhere, and pulling to standing

-chasing after his big brother's

Summer Fun!

Ok, so I really am going to finish Justin's story (promise!) But instead of getting further and further behind, I'm going to just try and keep things updated and add to his story when I can.

This was a great week! The summer is winding down, but we are still finding lots of fun things to do. We went to a great park last Thursday. It is kind'ave like being in the mountains without actually having to go up into the mountains. We went with our neighbors (the Hanks Family) across the street. They have 4 boys in their family, so we get along great! The boys all had fun exploring, and we even came across a trail that took us to a beautiful downhill stream.

Justin, Tate, Sam, Ike, Jack, and Max

Ethan, Tate, Same, and Jack

We also had fun going boating not once, but twice this week! We stayed at Chad's folks cabin in Midway over the 24th of July weekend, then went boating with my parents and little brother on Monday the 25th. On Saturday we went back up to Deer Creek with the Hanks Family and with my family--this time my sis Briana and her husband T were able to come as well. We all had a great time. Ever since the Hank's moved in across the street last year, Tate has been asking them if he can "please, please, please! go on their boat someday." He was thrilled to finally have the chance. He was even brave and went on the tube behind the boat. His favorite part of the day was when Jared let him drive the boat. He took his job very seriously!

Grandma Janet and Justin

Tate is our little fish. He absolutely loves swimming. I think he would have tried swimming to the other side of the lake if we would have let him.

Jack, Tate, Sam, and Ike digging the "big, big, hole."

Tate and Jack alternating between screaming and laughing on the tubes!

Max loved to sit at the front of the boat. He was content and happy! He just kept laughing and serenading us with "Little Ducky Dawdle" over and over. So cute!

Captain Tate driving the boat (with a little help from buddy Jared!)
Uncle T and Justin
Uncle Kevin and Justin
Max and Ike

Jussy Bug

(I apparently have the inability to call my children by their actual names- thus we have Tate-O-Bug, Maxee Moo's, and Jussy Bug :)