Summer Vacation - NOT

Mark and I were looking for a week to take the kids on a summer vacation.  We had two different ideas:  1) take them to a Florida beach or 2) do a church history tour going from Kirtland, OH to Niagara Falls, to Palmyra, NY, into NY city, Philadelphia, PA and the finishing at home or in DC.  The only problem was finding a week that one of the kids wasn't busy… and this proved harder than originally thought.


June:

6/3-9      Robert has try-outs but we could do a weekend thing (Saturday, Sunday)

6/10-16  Everyone is at camp except Jessica

6/17-23  Devon's on high adventure

6/24-30  Bellarmine Soccer camp for Robert

July

7/1-7     Open except we are in Toledo on Friday and Brighton Saturday and Sunday

7/8-14   Robert has basketball camp and Marissa and Devon have youth conference

7/15-21  Would be good except it is the week kids start mandatory practices

7/22-28 Marissa at EFY with Meg

7/29-8/4 start of the week open but then Marissa goes to XC camp

August

8/5-11   Mandatory practices start for boys XC

UGH!!!

There are only two weeks that are "fully" available- the July 1st week (except Devon will probably have to work July 4) and the week of July 15  (and starting July 15 practices are "mandatory" for girls XC).  I already have asked them to excuse Marissa for EFY which is the following week.

We could go when Devon is on High adventure (without him) or when Marissa is at EFY (without her) like I know Mark went on some trips with his parents with only part of the family.

Hope there is something we can do as a family this summer.  It's been a while since we went on a family trip!

State Cup in Owensboro

First game - 5/26/12
Javanon vs Ligers (defending champions).  Betsy and Robert got so lucky…the hotels in Owensboro, KY have been booked since March for the State Cup.  Betsy had tried to get a hotel room there, but there weren't any rooms available - the closest hotel with vacancies was in Evansville.  She booked the room and hoped something better would come up --- and it did!  Three nights before the tournament, Betsy looked on line for a hotel room and one came available in Owensboro (only 12 minutes from the fields).  Betsy immediately booked it using points she'd earn from traveling, and then canceled the other reservation in Evansville.  She was so excited to save all that money and time in traveling.

The first game was at 7:30 am.  The boys had to be at the field by 6:30.  Robert got his traditional breakfast of hot cakes and water at McDonalds.  At half time the score was 0-0.  Robert had played a great game so far.  On the second play of the second half, someone passed the ball to Robert, then it was stolen, that boy dribbled and beat a tackle against Cameron and scored.  Robert felt terrible.  He knew he should have gotten rid of the ball sooner and now it cost them a goal.  In the end the team lost 3-0.  The ride home was very silent.  Robert wasn't happy with his performance but the coach said he wasn't disappointed in them.  They played a good game.

Second game
Javanon vs SKY.  We had played SKY earlier in the Javanon Cup and they beat us 5-2 because we didn't have our regular goalie, and their team's #7 could should from far out.  The boys were here to prove they could beat them and they did.  The game started at 3:30 in the afternoon with the blazing hot 96 degree sun shining down on them.

In the first 10 minutes of the game we scored our first goal.  The sad thing about this game is that although our team played very well and that we won (more to come) I will remember the extreme unsportsmanlike conduct of #7.  First off he is throwing elbows at one of our players.  He got a verbal warning.  Then he did an intentional foul - again he received a warning.  In the second half he was warned again but turned his back on the referee.  I would have given him a yellow at that moment.  He eventually received a yellow card and calmed down.  He scored in the first half ending the half 1-1.  We came back strong and scored a second goal with 15 minutes left to play.  It was a very long and very intense 15 minutes but we held them and  won 2-1.

State Track Meet for Marissa

May 18 - Marissa has been sick for two days and still doesn't feel very well.  She is scheduled to run the 4x800 Meter Relay and the 3200 Meter Run.

One nice thing was that Mark was able to get off work in time to see the race and Jessica brought Jake to the meet to support her sister!

It is the first hot day in a long time.  I keep warning her to stay out of the sun and stay hydrated.  She constantly is walking around with her friends and cheering her other teammates on (which is a good thing) except that she needs to stay out of the heat).  She should be in an air conditioned room sleeping/resting and saving all her energy.

Anyway, the coaches take her out of the 4x800 to reserve her energy for the 3200 M.  Ally runs the first 2 laps - she does amazing and is the first team to pass the baton.  Erin Didier runs second and loses some ground on the second lap but we are still in 2nd place, Rowan is the third runner and she does a tremendous job keeping us up close handing off in 3rd place, Christina is moved to anchor and falls behind but overall the girls did great - finishing 7th overall.

At 6:45 (at least it was a bit cooler) Marissa and Shelby Adams ran the 3200 M.  Marissa had a fantastic start keeping her normal 1:20 pace but then wasn't able to maintain her goals.  She gave the race everything she had, but while being sick she just didn't have the energy to finish with her PR time.  She finished 11th overall with at time of  12:19.  She wasn't thrilled but she was happy she gave everything she had.  She looked exhausted while running - at any point I probably would have just stopped and walked or passed out.  We were all so proud of her for giving everything she had and wished she felt better!

Lap 7 or 8 - she looks so exhausted

Jake comes for a visit

Today is a special day for Jessica.  Her boyfriend from BYU is flying in to visit her for a few days.  He will arrive at 4:50 - she is picking him up.

Betsy was away at the Liberty 5th grade graduation until 7:00.  When she got home Robert was outside shooting hoops with Marissa, Jessica and Jake.  We then all ate a taco dinner together.  Devon kept trying to embarrass Jessica, but Mom put an end to that.

He will be here until Sunday, when both of them will drive to Columbia, Missouri where he lives.  She will stay with his family for a few days and then drive home alone.

Jessica and Jake had a lot of fun together.  It really didn't matter what they did as long as they were together they were having a great time.  They really seem great with each other, full of love and laughter.

Friday - Jessica took Jake to the Go-Kart track but they were closed for a field trip - so they ended up going to the mall, shopping and eating Burbon Chicken.  She then took him to waterfront park and toured Louisville before they showed up to cheer for Marissa at the State track meet at the University of Louisville.

Saturday the family played games together.  While Devon was at the temple and Marissa was at the track pool party we took Jessica, Jake and Robert to Olive Garden.  We enjoyed getting to know him better.  What a nice easy-going guy.   After lunch the games where on with me Mario Kart, outdoor basketball games, and soccer games.

Sunday morning Jake and Jessica drove off around 9:00 am for Columbia, Missouri.  They took Mark's car!

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day celebrating by having my whole family together.

It is wonderful to have Jessica (19) home from college,

Devon (17) here in his Tux from Prom

Marissa (15) in her new pretty spring dress

and Robert (13) growing up so fast.

For Mother's Day Mark cooked a delicious cinnamon roll, blueberry muffin, and bacon breakfast complete with mango, orange and peach juice.  They then had me open presents.  Marissa made me a lovely bracelet and matching earrings, Mark bought me a hair dryer because mine died this week and that was it.

Devon and Jessica

Jessica and Marissa

Devon's Junior Prom

Doesn't Devon look so handsome in his Tux

It was a busy day, but we all made it to that special time where Devon is to get ready for Prom.  Betsy picked up the corsage for Ally on her way home from Cincinnati, OH.  Mark was making sure Devon was getting ready at home.  Betsy had given Devon a very clean hair cut the night before.

Devon with his Mom, she's so excited for him

 Devon and I drove in separate cars over to the Rauh's house where the kids were going to have pictures taken and enjoy a special dinner.  All the moms and a few dads were there too.  It was a exciting time seeing all the girls come down in their beautiful dresses.  Ally looked so pretty in her pale baby blue dress and her hair done up so nice.

Ally pinning on his boutonniere

Devon and Ally Hall

The Guys!

The Guys and Gals! Don't they all look so great!

Devon and Ally in baby blue!

Devon and Ally look so nice

Will Strench, Will Sack, Devon Lowe and ??

15 couples / 30 people / 1 large group

Ally and Devon on the lawn

After dinner the kids drove over to the Gingerwood Estate for a lovely time at Prom.  Devon said he danced almost all night having a wonderful time with Ally and other friends.

Robert goes to Cinicinnati to play the Kings

Robert and Betsy drove up to Cincinnati on Friday night because Robert had an early morning game.  He had to be at the fields by 7:30 am.  The game started at 8:30 am at the Town and Country Soccer complex in Wilder, KY.  Robert started as right defense.  He played a great game - agressive and attentive.

We were scored on first - it was really crazy.  Although it was a King player that last touched the ball, it was "Big C" Cameron that kicked it so hard, it riquoched off the King player's shin guards into the goal.  (less to learn, don't kick the ball into another player).

We scored next.  Zeb was fed the ball (I can't remember who assisted him) but he was wide open mid field, took the shot and scored.  see below!

Our second goal was scored by Garrett (Gee) but they called it back saying it was an "indirect kick".  So our third goal but really our second goal was scored by "Big C" with about 10 minutes left in the game.

At that point the game became very intense.  Everyone had to play at top performance.  The game ended 2-1 our win!  Robert played the entire game!

Regionals! NOHS Girls Take 1st Place

What an amazing night for the Lady Mustang's Track and Field Team!

4x800 - Ally, Rowan, Christina and Marissa took 2nd place
4x400 - took 3rd place
4x200 - took 2nd place
4x100 - took 2nd place
100 M - Brianne took 1st place
100 H - Brianne took 1st place, Lizzy took 4th
300 H - Jesse Evans took 4th
400 M - Erin took 2nd
800 M - Ally took 4th
1600 M - Ally took 5th
3200 M - Marissa took 2nd
Pole Vault - Natalie took 1st place, Haley took 4th
Triple jump - Emily took 2nd, Sydney took 3rd
High Jump - Brianne took 1st
Shot Put - Maggie took 2nd place

The 4x800 team was so exciting because there was such a close race for 2nd place but Marissa really sprinted hard to keep her place!  It was also the best time of the season - a PR of 10:09.14

Ally Hall runs 1st and hands off to Rowan McWilliams

Rowan hands off to Christina Ausley

Christina hands off to Marissa 

Marissa fought hard to the finish!

The 3200 M was extremely exciting because the lead kept going back and forth between Marissa and Grace W. from South.  Grace and Marissa has different running styles and Marissa followed Grace's style instead of running her own race.  She learned to run her own race because Grace kicks it in hard at the very end whereas Marissa likes to start strong and then maintain a steady pace, sprinting at the end but not as much as Grace.  She still ran a great race finishing 2nd in the region.

Marissa and Grace (and a girl from Presentation)

As a team we took 1st place for the first time in the history of NOHS!  We are the Regional Champions!!!  

Sundown meet

For some reason our coaches changed everything up for the Sundown meet.  Most of the long distance runners weren't running their regular event.

This was an invitational so only two participants from your school for each event.  Marissa wasn't running the 4x800 or the 3200 M.  Her coaches have her in the mile.

she got trapped and had to slow her pace right from the start

she pushed very hard at the end

Marissa with Shelby, Coach Sykora and Mark

Marissa with her friends, Tori, Brittani, and Katie.

Hannah, Jessica and Maddie

Marissa took 3rd place

Marissa ran a great race coming in 3rd place with a time of 5:40.10.

Semi Finals for Middle School Soccer

Robert could only play 1/2 of this game before he had to leave for his Javanon practice.  As it was he was going to be late to Javanon but we didn't want to leave NOMS without a mid-fielder the whole game (not that they don't have other players).  The boys played a tough game, but Shelby West is mostly (if not all) 8th graders and we are mostly 7th graders.  We ended up losing 5-0.

Let the Games Begin

5/1/12 - Yesterday was supposed to be the start of the middle school varsity tournament, however due to severe weather storms involving lightning and thunder, the games were postponed till today.  Robert wasn't going to play in the game, but his friend Mason Rice convinced him to play in the game and then go with him to Javanon practice.

The game started at 5:30 at South Oldham fields.  Robert started as center mid.  He's hasn't been in that position for a very long time.  Within the first 10 minutes of the game Ryan Danehy scored the first goal for NOMS, but CAL came back within 5 minutes with their first goal.  Score 1-1.  At half time we had made a clear advantage with two more goals - score 3-1.  In the second half we scored two more goals.  Goals were made by Ryan (2), Nathan Ball, Holden Thompson and Dylan Smith.  Robert assisted Dylan's goal.

Underclassman Award night at NOHS

Tonight was a special night for the underclassman at NOHS - it is awards night.  Only the students that would be receiving awards received invitations to the ceremony; both Marissa and Devon received an invitation.

Devon received two awards:  the Teal and Black (good grades and an athlete) and an award for Spanish III.

Marissa received four awards:  the Teal and Black (she has all A's), and award in US History, Geometry, and Biology.


It was a wonderful evening!