Indoor Soccer

I was extremely apprehensive about Savannah's indoor soccer season because her coach signed them up to play in a high school league. I was positive that it was going to be a disaster, just like the previous years when we have played older teams. But surprisingly the girls held their own and had an incredible season, ending up in 2nd place going into the playoffs!

The net makes for cruddy pictures but I wanted to capture some of Savannah's season, even if the pictures aren't too clear.

Savannah had a fabulous season and played so well. Her passes and foot work continue to amaze me!

The week after Christmas and right before playoffs started the Northern Elite teams got together for a fun team holiday party. It was held in the home of one of the players - an absolutely huge home with plenty of space for everyone - and the girls hung out in the basement, playing games and then exchanging gifts. The adults ate a lot of food and watched the Ravens playoff game. Other than almost catching on fire from a log bursting out of the fireplace and brushing past my leg, I had a nice time visiting with all the other parents. We really do have a great team family. I'll be forever grateful that Savannah has had this Northern Elite experience in her life.

The Wildcatz first playoff game was on a Saturday night at 9:45. Yes, 9:45pm. They had several games at that late time during the season but that's how it goes when you play high school teams. Surprisingly the girls always played extra tough on those nights and this night was no exception. The game was brutal; the other team was physical and dirty. Our girls went flying multiple times and blue cards were being handed out to the other team quite frequently by the time the game was nearing its conclusion. One of the girls on the other team even came after one of our players, Madison, who in turn stood her ground, asking the girl if she wanted to fight. Madison's dad was sitting next to me and said, "Oh, she doesn't back down." Yes, it was one of those games! The parents on the other team were unruly and classless and it was hard to keep our composure but we did.

Our girls fought hard but ended up losing 6-4, one of our goals coming from Savannah. We were all thrilled with the outcome which when you really look at it wasn't too bad - they lost by only 2 goals to a bunch of 11th graders, girls who were much stronger and bigger physically. I guess there had been a lot of trash talking by the other team as well as their coach because Savannah told me after the game that Shawn had turned to them and said,  "You almost lost to a bunch of 7th graders. Way to go!" Gotta love Coach Shawn!

Since we lost our first playoff game they played in a second playoff game for 3rd place in the league and ended up tying that game. They played in a five minute overtime but that ended up in a tie as well. Unfortunately the ref standing right next to the goal "missed" that the goalie picked up the ball outside the line which would have given us a free kick with 5 seconds left in the game. Oh, well. 3rd place in the league was a great finish for our 7th graders!
Towards the end of the season Coach Shawn asked Savannah to play with the Lightning in several of their games so for several Saturdays she played in 2 games which she loved. She especially enjoyed getting to play with one of her besties, Sydney!

Unfortunately too many players from the team are involved with other sports in the spring so the Wildcatz didn't do a second session. For now Savannah is just practicing, waiting for her Chisel soccer league to start in a few weeks. I know she is eager for the weather to warm up enough to start practicing outdoor soccer again.

Goodbye, 2014...Hello, 2015!!

New Year's Eve is usually a low-key event for our family. Last year was the first time we've actually partied it up in years. This year, however, the youth of our church had a New Year's Eve dance/party and I was one of the lucky chaperones.
Let's get this party started! Savannah looks thrilled!

The youth leaders of the Susquehanna ward had come up with tons of different games and music to keep the kids entertained and most of the youth stayed in the gym where the fun was. Some, however, decided that the hallways of the church were where it was most happening so that's where I hung out. Not only did we need a chaperone to make sure the kids stayed in the building but we also didn't want them hiding out in some dark room together - we just wanted them to keep to places where we could easily see them. I tried to get the boys of the "nerd herd", as one of their mothers lovingly refers to them, to teach me about the game they were playing but they were a little anti-social, ha ha!

Some of the older kids, however, had no problem showing off some dramatics for me and my camera!

And then there are always those few kids who refuse to join in the fun anywhere...maybe they're just too cool for it all? Anyway, they lounged around on the couches or walked back and forth down the hall, driving me batty with how many times they asked me why they couldn't just hang out in a room together.

Oh, yes, it's much more fun doing push ups in the hall than joining in with all the other youth in the fun games being played in the gym.

I did walk on my hands for them but unfortunately didn't get a picture of that amazing feat! Mostly I just sat in a chair and watched them mope and lounge. Oh, and they did teach me how to improve my picture settings on Instagram.  Wow, hold me back - I was having way too much fun!!

Every once in awhile I popped into the gym to hang out with the fun kids!

All smiles in here!

Me and my date Melissa! Love her!

Savannah said she had a ton of fun! Clearly she wasn't hangin' out in the halls!

I love her pose here!

Group shot of the fun-lovin' kids!

Happy New Year!!!

The only kisses I got at the strike of midnight.

The party ended at 12:15 and since I had been there all night I gave myself the okay to skiddadle on home without helping the clean up crew. When Savannah and I got home I found my two little guys still awake, camped out in the family room watching The Twilight Zone marathon. David was in bed!

Welcome, 2015!

New Year's Day was a lazy day at home. We all slept in and then spent the rest of the day munching, watching more of The Twilight Zone, putting together Legos, and watching football!

Christmas Break

We had so much fun over Christmas break! Of course we just had to go see the new Hobbit movie...Noah and I cried together at the end...

and Night at the Museum 3. It was hard to see Matthew Crawley hanging out in a museum as Sir Lancelot when he should be at Downton Abbey with Mary! But that's just my opinion.

We had tons of Legos to play with which made us all very happy!

And plenty of nap time...the ones where we get to snuggle next to Daddy are the best!

Lunch with friends...

and dinner with friends.

The zombie eyes are making a come back!

Goofing off with friends!

And puzzles! They're my favorite!

We had so much fun bowling with the cousins when they were here that we decided to give it another try!

Noah is keeping a close eye on the score!

And it's a strike for Xander!

Good times!

Scripture Power!

Since Savannah started public school and has to be at the bus stop by 7:20 we had to readjust our scripture reading time to an hour earlier - 6:45! It has been a bit of an adjustment for all of us; the morning definitely comes quickly and it's not always easy heading downstairs when it's cold and still dark outside. But the blessings do come from persevering, one of which I never even anticipated. Yes, it's a bit harder to get the boys out of bed and down the stairs but once we begin reading they are still so tired that we have none of the antics that we had last year. No climbing all over the furniture or getting up and down to get things from the kitchen or standing on heads or losing patience and tempers. It's all about peace and quiet (and hunkering in their blankets) and, in consequence, the Spirit is definitely present!
Yes, there's a little Noah under that camo blanket!

He moved! There's an arm!

The face does come out of that blanket when it's his turn to read.

Xander also enjoys snuggling in his blanket during scripture reading.

And we did it! Right before 2014 ended we were able to complete another reading of The Book of Mormon. Oh, how we love this book! It has truly blessed our lives in so many ways and our daily reading is the best way to start each and every day!