Kyle looking rather handsome this morning.

Maya and Nico had their soccer games cancelled due to poor field conditions. Kyle rolled his ankle early in his game and was forced to sit out. I am still nursing my groin pull and missed another weekend. It was Maya’s family night and she picked Movies & Smoothies. We watched Virginia’s Run (about a girl and a horse – the boys loved it too) and made ice cream smoothies.

Nico and Jake posing with Aunt Mayela.

Sebastian is checking out the squirrel action in the back yard.

Maya is modeling an early Christmas present from Mayela to me. Please note, that the hat fit her as well as it did her father. I do not know what this means, but it cannot be good.

My sister Mayela and husband Stephen have come for a brief visit with canine children Jake (seen here stealing a kiss) and Sebastian. These children are quite remarkable. They rarely talk back, they clean up after themselves and anyone else who has dropped food on the floor, they eat everything you put on their plates and would rather run around outside than watch TV or play video games. Our kids could learn a thing or two from these guys.

Maya entertains Uncle Stephen with a bedtime story. We have him to thank for improving Maya’s reading skills. When Maya pronounce “Dick” as “duck” Stephen suggested she need only change the “u” to an “i”. Maya continued with the story of “Dyke and Jane”.

The surf was up and I was able to catch some of the action.

During my recent business trip to California, I had a brief opportunity to visit the Pacific Ocean at Newport Beach.

Today was another exciting day on the soccer field. Kyle’s team fell to a 2-0 deficit before coming from behind to win 3-2. It was not one of Kyle’s better games but he started a nice passing sequence which resulted in the go ahead goal. Jeanine seen here as we packed up to leave the field. Have you ever seen anyone who looks so nice in hats? I was out of action today with a pulled groin muscle which I suffered in a scrimmage match on Labor day. Tomorrow I head to California for a three day trip and will probably not post again until Thursday.

Larry, Jeanine’s father, arrived this afternoon after driving out from Indiana. First to greet him were his two girls.

This evening was the first (hopefully annual) Mattison neighborhood family block party. Activities for the children included pony rides, a huge inflatable moon-walk with slide, volleyball/nukem, a bicycle parade, face painting, and an open ice cream bar.

Maya is dressing herself this year. Today, she came down for breakfast adorned in this scarf and macrame choker.

Nico is relaxing before his first full day at school, where he is pleased to be in a class with a number of his friends. There is already talk of soccer and volleyball during recreation period and this has Nicolai very excited.

Just like “Goldilocks”, Maya had to sample every bed.

This evening, Jeanine and I took Maya out to shop for bedroom furniture. Although she did not quite fit in the strollers, she was quite content to be chauffeured about the store with her legs dangling out.

Father and daughter snuggling on the couch before her first day of school as photographed by Nicolai.

Mother and daughter bike ride after a garage clean-up. I don’t know which girl is cuter.

Kyle and his team played another fantastic game this afternoon against one of the best teams in the state. The game ended in a tie and the sudden death overtime ended in a tie. The game was decided on penalty kicks and Kyle’s team cam up short. Kyle plays center midfielder and simply dominates the middle of the pitch. He is one of the larger and stronger kids in his age bracket and uses his power to “move” defenders out of his path.

Kyle scored a spectacular goal to open the season and help his team to a 3-0 win this morning. He took a blistering shot from about 25 yards which he placed just over the goalie and just under the bar. He plays again this afternoon and twice more on Sunday.

Maya sporting her new poncho.

Jeanine and I had a nice stroll around the neighborhood this evening. Maya joined us on her bicycle, and we stopped by the Johnson’s who were outside flying their electric-powered, radio-controlled plane.

Maya set up a lemonade stand today and made over $10 and is still recovering from her sun burned lips. Kyle is now officially taller than his mother and has let me know that I am going down next. Nicolai sweetly cared for his mother this evening after she first cut her knee and then wrenched her neck.

I am putting the finishing touches on my home theater project. Pictured here are the speakers which will be located behind an acoustically transparent screen so that sound field is produced directly behind the imagery. Included are a left, center, right channel as well as a monstrous sub-woofer, all of my own design and construction.

Maya and Sachi returning from our final lighthouse after defying the “No Trespassing” sign.

Our morning destination was the Clay Cliffs of Aquinnah.

On the way to Gay Head, Eric took time out to escort a huge snapping turtle off the road. This took a great bit of courage as this turtle demonstrated why it is called a snapping turtle. I have no doubt that he could have liberated a digit in one quick bite.

Eric and I wandered into the traditional boat-building shop of Gannon & Benjamin. One of the craftsman took timeout to explain some of the materials and techniques used in their shop.

The kids were all exhausted after the day at the beach.

We enjoyed breakfast at the Black Dog Tavern this morning.

This guy looks like he would make a nice Thanksgiving day meal.

Martha’s Vineyard also features several wild turkeys, which I was lucky enough to sneak up on.