Dear Grandmas,
We know how much you love pictures of your grandkids, so here are some of them playing at the park on Labor Day. It was nice because Mike and I just sat and talked while the kids played. I think at one point, we actually fell asleep for awhile. Aren't they just so cute?

Love,
Mike and Erin

Dear Summer,
You've been so good to us this year! Thanks.

Love,
The Hales

Dear Abs,

How come you're still so cute, even with no teeth?

Dear Koman Coulibaly,

You stink.

Sincerely,

Mike

Dear Erin,

Next time you get 4 hours for an afternoon nap while your sleep deprived husband manages the affairs of the home, please wake up less grouchy and more appreciative.

Love,

Mike

Dear Mike,

Next time you decide to have a power struggle with your daughter for 45 minutes, could you just hold off and not do it right as I lay down for my (much needed) nap. or at least take it downstairs. That would be great. Thanks.

Love,
Erin

Dear Noah (aka "Chip"),

You're gonna be that kid huh? The one who is constantly getting hurt. Our broken bones, stitches, no fear kid. Kind of like your Uncle Scott. That makes my stomach turn just writing it. (Sorry Rach, your kids have no chance). Next time (and I know there will be one) remember these words....."close your mouth when you fall, close your mouth when you fall."

Love,

Mom

Dear Easter Bunny,

Thank you for coming and bringing us candy and presents. We were so excited, you would have
thought it was Christmas morning. Abbie loved her new jumprope, Landon played with his new puzzles all day, and Noah ate easter grass. You were a really good hider this year. The kids actually found their baskets rather quickly, but I for some reason could not find mine. I guess you put a lot of extra thought into my hiding spot, or maybe you were just being an obnoxious taunting butt! Whatever the case, I finally found it, way after everyone else and I appreciate the treats and gifts. We also enjoyed the egg hunt. Again, you were a spectacular hider. So, good in fact that the kids were almost in tears because they couldn't find ANY of the eggs. Mike helped out though. For some reason he seemed to know where most of them were hidden. (sigh) I'm exhausted. It was a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Erin

P.S. also, thanks for coming on Conference weekend. It made it all the more special to be in pajamas all day!

Dear Mother Nature,

I forgive you. We can still be friends.

Sincerely,

Erin

Dear Grandma,

Thank you so much for the ping pong balls. They are my new favorite bath toy! I always have to have one in my mouth and one in each hand. If it's possible, I'm even more excited for bath time now! :)

Love,

Noah

STARTING 11 AND FULL 23 MAN ROSTER

Dear Bob,

Now that the World Cup is less that 100 days away, and in light of the last couple of games, a few changes need to be made to the starting 11. I'll also update you periodically on who should be included in the 23 man roster. Except for the host of injured players, every other player basically had a half to a full game to stake their claim. It's amazing how much you can get out of such a short audition.

Forwards:

Jozy Altidore: Definitely improving, needs a more experienced striker with him up front.

Clint Dempsey: Only goal scorer in last WC. Probably the only USA player who is truly not intimidated by the upper echelons of Europe. Will score goals.

(Sorry Charlie, when you get back on the pitch you'll be right back at the top)

Midfielders:

Landon Donovan (left): Where was he against the Dutch?

Michael Bradley (central): Definitely maturing in Germany. Good game in the Netherlands.

Maurice Edu (central): Lacks the creativity of Torres, offers intimidation factor and athleticism.

Stuart Holden (right): Latest to go out with injury: broken fibula, out 6 weeks. If Charlie isn't back and Dempsey is up front, a match fit Holden will be critical to USA's chances.

Defense:

Carlos Bocanegra (left): Bornstein is out, Demerit is tougher in the central defense, Carlos is too valuable of a team leader to not be on the field. Bocanegra has a lot of left back experience.

Jay Demerit (central): Strong and fearless. No big mistakes yet. Needs to keep healthy.

Oguchi Onyewu (central): Needs to start training with Milan. He is apparently recovering well.

Jonathan Spector (right): The weakest link in this line-up. Does have experience against the English players. Got beat a couple of times against the Dutch.

Goalie:

Tim Howard: New USA goalkeeper uniform is sweet.

Rest of the 23:

Forwards: Davies, Ching

(Ching blows but he really is all we've got right now)

Midfield: Feilhaber, Torres, Beasley, Clark, Bedoya

(Maybe Adu instead of Bedoya, though Bedoya seemed to have some good play against Holland)

Defense: Pearce, Cherundolo, Goodson

(I've learned my mistake in favoring Bornstien because of his good looks, have you Bob?)

Goalies: Guzan, Hahnemann

Bob, I'll keep you updated as players come off of injury and I evaluate their form over the next few months.

Love, Mike

P.S. - If your reading this and you know any of these names, comment with your starting 11.

Dear Abbie and Landon,

Thanks for being such great helpers today! You two really know how to wash windows, and it was fun to see you work together to accomplish your task. You're both great kids! Lot's of love.

Mom

Dear Coach Bradley,

I have been giving a lot of thought to the upcoming World Cup. Now that we are 113 days away from the kickoff of this blessed event, I want you to know who your starting roster should be. As time progress and updates are needed, I want you to know that I am there for you Bob. Here's who should start against England as of today:

Forwards:
Charlie Davies - Though written off ever since his horrific accident in the fall, he is leaving today to return to France to continue rehabilitation with his club team. His return to play in April now looks likely with Sochaux. Davies at 50% is better than any other option to partner with Altidore.

Jozy Altidore - Scored with Hull City over the weekend. Has the starting role for now. The only scoring threat from striker we have that can match up physically with England.

Midfield:
Landon Donovan - No brainer, extra experience with Everton will give more for England to deal with.

Jose Fransisco Torres - Been waiting a long time to see the pairing of Torres/Bradley in the midfield. Creative attack that has been missing from central midfield, Torres can hold the ball and defend well when needed. Though he seems to have been on your hit list, Bob; with Jermaine Jones becoming a more unlikely option, you need to give Torres are real chance.

Michael Bradley - Finding better form in Germany, needs to keep a cooler head against England.

Clint Dempsey - The only member of the USA team that has a long-term, established role with a big European club. Left knee and match fitness a big question mark.

Defense:
Jonathan Bornstein - This is a tough one. Spector has experience against the England wingers and is much less mistake proned. Bornstein is faster and can add spark to our attack. Go with Bornstein and you might get 1 or 2 chances at England that you didn't get with Spector. You might also give up an easy goal.

Carlos Bocanegra - Hasn't been as solid as of late, but when you look at who is behind him "competing" for this spot his selection is a no-brainer. Hope for better form as we get closer.

Oguchi Onyewu - If he isn't back then we may as well spot England one goal from a well placed header. Please get better Gooch.

Steve Cherundolo - Has experience, speed and still gets beat too often. Does do well in the attack.

Goalkeeper:
Tim Howard - Outspoken commander on the field. Needs better form. Maybe watch out from a sneak attack from Brad Freidel (who is in great form) from retirement.

I know a lot more thinking needs to be done here, Bob. Just know I am working on it.

Love,

Mike

Dear Noah,

You're naughty! Why is it that you can climb like a monkey, but you won't walk? Here's hoping you get to your 2nd birthday without a broken bone or stitches.

Love,

Mom